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• Celebrating their roots
• All Saints' celebrate 150 years
• AIDS shirt says it all
The editor and
Iindaba committee members
join
Bishop Bethlehem, Mazoe
and the diocesan staff
in wishing our readers
a very blessed Chrismastide,
and much joy,
love and peace
throughout the coming year.
Celebrating their roots
People wearing their
traditional clothes arrived at St Matthias in Motherwell in large
numbers on Sunday 25 September to celebrate Heritage Day, reports Sipho
Tokota.
 It was a joyous occasion - traditional food was served and various
traditions were demonstrated. Besides those shown in the photos, these
included Mrs Plaatjie instructing the young girls on how to behave
properly; an umtshakazi (newly wed) also showed how to fetch water,
balancing the bucket on her head; and even the youth joined in with
more traditions worth passing on.
The day was full of fun, and all felt that tradition does not fade - our roots are here to stay.
Singing their praises - Xhantiwomzi Maphaphu, one of the young Sunday
School boys, demonstrated the skills needed by a Praise Singer.
Pics: 1) Look and learn -
An umtshakazi (newly wed) shows how to dish up traditional food for the
elderly. 2) Traditional wear - The rector, Sipho Tokota, and his wife
Nozipho, take two of the youth members under their wings.
All Saints' celebrate 150 years
Sophy, the wife of Bishop Gray,
designed many of the older church buildings in the southern areas of
the CPSA. Fortunately All Saints’ in Somerset East is one that
has survived as a place of worship for 150 years.
On Sunday 6 November some of the parishioners gathered for a braai at
the Gill College canteen, which has a covered braai section.
Much-needed rain poured down, adding to the celebrations rather
than dampening the spirits of those enjoying themselves. That
evening the 150th anniversary celebration service was held,
during which two young pupils from Gill College were confirmed by
Bishop Bethlehem. A testimony to God’s wonderful provision was
given by Piet and Vanessa Coetzee, who had been praying earnestly for a
car to replace their broken one. A few days later their rector, Dudley
Greenshields, had knocked on their door and handed them keys to a car.
Over the last weekend of October, the Women’s Fellowship combined
with the Somerset East Garden Club to host a successful Rose Show as
part of the celebrations. Although the area is in the grip of a major
drought, the Heritage roses showed their hardiness by putting on a
magnificent display. There were also many talks and demonstrations
during the Saturday.
The congregation  thrived for many years but, as more families moved
away from the Karoo, the numbers of worshippers dwindled, and in
December 1992 All Saints’ became a United Church, bringing
together Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian worshippers.
Pics: 1) Oiling the cogs
- As with most congregations, it is the faithfulness of the women who
work tirelessly in the background that keeps the wheels turning. Two
such women at All Saints’ United are Pru Cloete and Heather
Lappan. 2) Doing what comes naturally - At braais in South
Africa, the men cook and the women look! The rector, Dudley
Greenshields, Piet Coetzee, Kevin McCaughey and Andries van Niekerk
enjoyed the fire's warmth while braai-ing. 3) The house of
worship - 150 on a beautiful rainy day.
AIDS shirt says it all
While listening to a conference
speaker some time ago, Diana Nkesiga began doodling, and a powerful
message came out of her drawing.
This drawing has now been used as a logo on the back of a T-shirt which
is being sold in aid of the St Francis Hospice “Project for
Bereaved Children”. The logo has two upside-down AIDS ribbons,
turned into a man and a woman with uplifted arms, and the words
“Together we can turn AIDS around”.
The message is a wake-up call to men, as well as women, that unless
both sexes work together, the spread of AIDS will not be stopped. If
everyone works together then AIDS can be turned around, and there will
be a future for our young people.
The T-shirts cost only R40 each. Orders to Hospice 041 360 7070.
Diana will leave a big gap in the AIDS ministry within the diocese,
especially among the youth, when she returns to Uganda as we go to
press. She has also written some simple prayers for children who have
been bereaved. Read about the little prayer book on page 4.
Pic: The shirt that says it all
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