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Vol 16 No 1 January 2005 ONLINE The official gazette of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth: Church of the Province of Southern Africa

Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage PAGE 3  • The Bishop writes ...  • The view from pulpit and pew  • Tag lines  • AWF concludes workshops  • Diana celebrated 10 The Bishop writes ... My Dear People of God, The Name of the Lord Jesus Greetings in the Name of Christ, a name above every name, the name of our Lord and Saviour! I trust and hope that you have had a joyous and peaceful festive season, and have been brought to the New Year refreshed for the work of His kingdom. It is sad news of the Tsunami storm, which has caused the loss of so many lives, let alone property. In times like these we should continue praying fervently to the Lord for the safety of His people, for those who suffer bereavement as a result of the loss of loved ones, as well as giving a hand wherever we can for some relief. See page 4 for the banking details for the CPSA effort. Further to this, we need to ask God for the Spirit of discernment. Is this the sign of the end-time? The Lord said that earthquakes, droughts, famine, disease etc, might take place, but the end is not yet (Matt 24 : 36 - 51). We begin each calendar year on 1 January with the theme: The Holy Name of Jesus - The Circumcision of Christ. The use of the name (Greek onoma) in human life suggests participation on the name itself, be it in general use, ie by which the person or thing is called, and or of all that the name implies, of rank, authority and character. The name of the author of a commission, delegated authority, or religious profession, and in some instances a possessor or a certain character brings a clearer understanding to those concerned. The name is used for a cause, ground or reason (cf the Jews and the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13ff). The Name of Jesus, given at circumcision eight days after birth, marks the beginning of the way of salvation in the eschatological era which is overlapped by the ministry of John the Baptist, and Jesus’ baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Greek for Hebrew Y’hosua, which means “Yahweh is salvation”. The First Century expectation was of a Davidic Messiah who would deliver His people and also purify them for judgement. Salvation is what Jesus came to do - to save those who believe in God through Him from the penalty of sin and guilt. He made power to overcome sin and evil available in His Name. He established a sure hope of salvation to where there is no more sin or pain (Acts 4:11, 12; 2 Cor 1:9-10) and that is why His Name has to be hallowed (Lk 11:2). All those who believe participate fully on this Name. We can make this Name holy in our actions as we engage with the world in our acts of mercy and compassion for the protection of the weak and the oppressed. The Name of Jesus brings joy to those who accept His governance in their lives. Even in the midst of persecution for being a Christian, the great apostle exhorts the believers to rejoice that they bear Christ’s Name (1 Peter 4:16). At our confirmation we are commissioned to go forth into the world to work and do things in the Name of Christ. Jesus will never be known unless we begin to talk about Him, and act on His behalf. He seeks to save the world using us as His instruments. I often remind people during my pastoral visits not to pray ‘go to hospital, prison etc’ because (as Teresa of Avila reminds us) God has no body, feet, eyes, hands etc but ours to do all that needs to be done. God is very pleased when we are active in His Name. Charity begins at home. Our ministry in the diocese challenges us all the more to a dedicated regular giving. This we are able to do if we stay in obedience with his word (Read 2 Cor 8 & 9). Then in return, God blesses us in His Name (2 Chron 7:14). Many times we forfeit this blessing because of our resistance and lack of obedience. God is faithful to keep His promise. I am so delighted to see parishes where people of God are taught by clergy the principles of Christian living from God’s Word, and by their example in good character worthy of their calling and the Name of Jesus. I continue to grieve in prayer where this is not the case in our diocese. I wish to encourage you, especially the leadership, to support your clergy in this endeavour. The ministry of the Cathedral needs support from us as the diocese. The Diocesan Council has asked me to set up a committee which is looking at ministry there, at how best we can engage ourselves in making the ministry of the bishop to the community and the world more effective. I need your ever flowing prayers for the diocese and the cathedral ministry in particular, so that the Name of Jesus may be known and revered. Finally, the Name of Jesus has blessings in store for us. The promise is that our names will never be blotted out from the Book of Life. Jesus will acknowledge us as His own in the presence of the father for His Name’s sake. In the presence of God the new Name of Jesus will be written on every believer. All this will happen because we have kept the visibility and the vision of Christ alive in the world always. Continue to be bearers of the vision of Christ in this world of never ending challenges. The Name of Jesus must not be taken in vain. Victory is ours in the end. May you all have a happy, blessed and prosperous year. Yours in love of Christ, Bishop Bethlehem Nopece The view from pulpit and pew Iindaba joins the rest of the world in praying for the victims of the tsunami in December. We trust that many members of the diocese have helped by giving donations in cash and kind to assist those left behind. We commend to God the souls of those lost, and to His care, through human agencies, those left behind, especially the infirm, aged and children. Our condolences to Ray Smithers and her family on the death of her brother, Roy Reich, during December. Ray, the widow of Archdeacon Emeritus Ted Smithers, lives in a cottage at St John's in Walmer. Our condolences also to Reney Grobbelaar on the death of her mother, who was 82, shortly before Christmas and almost exactly a year after her father (aged 91) died. Reney is the wife of David, rector of St Philip's, Central, and St Barnabas, Sydenham. The last Iindaba of 2004 promised more information on the newly instituted priest-in-charge of St Cyprian's, Zwide, Enoch Ncula. However, after many unsuccessful attempts to contact him, readers will have to wait another month to be introduced to him. Also welcomed into the diocese is David Kiviet, the new rector of St Andrew's in KwaNobuhle, and his wife Noni. David hails from the Diocese of St John's. We wish them a long and happy ministry in our diocese. Many will remember Bob Clarke of the Prayer Union for Israel who has visited this diocese on many occasions. Bob, a priest ordained by CESA (Church of England in South Africa) has been licensed by Bishop Paddy Glover, of the Diocese of the Free State, as priest-in-charge of St Edward's in Parys. Bob retired to Parys recently from the Parish of Holy Trinity, Bramley (CESA). Iindaba commends to the prayers of the diocese, Sheila de Groot, who was critically ill at the time of Iindaba's going to press. Sheila is the wife of Dr Henk de Groot, retired self-supporting priest from St Paul's in Parson's Hill. Incidentally, Henk's brother, Ed, is married to Sheila's sister Joan, and both brothers were in the medical profession. Another Sheila in our prayers is Sheila Lancaster, who suffered a dreadful fall whilst on holiday. The pin has been removed from her shoulder, but she still needs assistance with walking. Please keep her in your prayers. Iindaba congratulates all those who have passed their matric exams and wishes them many blessings as they move out into the world to work or to study further. Also, our congratulations to all those who have passed their final exams for tertiary studies and we pray they will all be able to get work very soon. As we welcome our newly ordained priests in the diocese we welcome their spouses too:   Mark's wife is Debbie (a well known journalist);   Jackie's husband is Neville;   Jogra's husband is Benjamin;   Lovemore's wife is Nonzamo;   and Ivor's wife is Mathilda. May they be filled with the strength of the Lord as they minister to the needs of their priestly partners. As we go into this time of Lent may we walk more closely with the Lord and seek His face, and know His mind and reflect His light in our lives. May we be Jesus to all who touch our lives. Fast well. Tag lines Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities. AWF concludes workshops The Anglican Women’s Fellowship (AWF) Master Trainer, Eileen Bambrough, reports that the last of the Wellness Management Workshops was held in the Holy Trinity hall during November. Those attending were retired nurses, active teachers and University of Port Elizabeth students from the parish and the community of Motherwell. Three men also attended. Nontsikelelo Macawuka from Klerksdorp, a BSc Biological Science graduate, majoring in microbiology, from UPE, summed up the workshop with this comment: “I delayed returning home in order to complete the three day workshop, not wanting to miss out on any of the valuable information gained. The participants bonded immediately and felt comfortasble contributing our knowledge and experience of HIV in our communities. Everyone’s questions and input was valued.” The overall Wellness programme of 2003/2004 has been professionally evaluated by Penny Morrell, with her recommendations published in book form. Any ongoing development of the programme will be applied as is suitable to the HIV/AIDS programmes of each diocese. Picture: Trained in Wellness Management - Nontsikelelo Macawuka, a UPE graduate, Lulama Bovula and Pinkie Matinana, both teachers, who attended the Wellness Management workshop at Holy Trinity. Diana celebrates 10 The little church of St Agnes, Swartkops, was the centre of enthusiastic worship on 28 November when a musical spectacle of thanksgiving and praise wended its way heavenwards, reports Lyn Bosch. The occasion was the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the ordination to priesthood of Diana Mirembe (Peace) Nkesiga, chaplain of St Francis Hospice. She was joined by many local clergy and friends, as well as some from Uganda, USA, England and a representative of St John’s Diocese, Canon Msenge. The liturgy for the Eucharist service was written especially by Diana for this event and the Litany of Thanksgiving predictably concentrated on giving thanks for the numerous women in the Scriptures who had used their gifts to change the world, and bring about God’s justice and peace. Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage