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Vol 17 No 1 Jan/Feb 2006 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 1  •  Fulfilling their vision  •  A new year dawns  •  New priest  •  A host of newies  •  They braved the elements and won Fulfilling their vision St Peter’s in Zwide took a step forward  in reaching their vision goal on Sunday 13 November, when  Bishop Bethlehem blessed their new Parish Umthombo Wethemba Centre. Pic: Blessing procession - Bishop Bethlehem sprinkles Holy water on the walls of the centre as it is blessed. The centre is the former rectory. When the rector, Zweli Tom, arrived, the church bought a new rectory in Algoa Park, and so released the old rectory to be used as the parish centre. Bishop Bethlehem said Zweli had come to him to beg for a loan from the Trusts Board to enable the parish to buy a new rectory. The Bishop then thanked St Peter’s for catching his vision, but warned that there was still much to be done. He said the intention of Jesus was not to have people confined to a church building once a week, but to be outgoing and taking his love to the needy in the community. Bishop Bethlehem went on to say that the church and the centre need to be a place of love. People must know one another by name, not just as a face. The centre provides skills training, such as sewing classes, as a form of empowerment. St Cuthbert’s in Central link with St Peter’s to run an HIV/AIDS feeding project with 19 families being fed every month. Only three of the families are members of the parish; the others are from the community, and as far afield as Motherwell; a soup kitchen feeds the poor and the sick (TB, HIV, etc) before they go for their treatment. Nomalungelo Ntlokwana, the intern counselling psychologist at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, provides free counselling at the centre for individuals and couples experiencing problems; and from the centre, groups go the Loyiso High School to teach gardening and to run the tuck shop. Velile Magxwalisa, a parish councillor, gave an overview of what the centre was being used for and the vision for future outreach and expansion. The Algoa Bay Trust and the Community Chest were thanked for their help. Pic: Plaque unveiled - Having unveiled the plaque on the wall of the new St Peter's Parish Centre, Bishop Bethlehem prays for the parish use of the centre. Bishop Jika of the Ethiopian Charismatic Church thanked St Peter’s for being both salt and light in their outreach to the community. He encouraged the members to focus on God for their strength (and not on their rector) and to watch out for the enemy who will try and attack. Municipal councillor for the area, Andile Gqalane, said he had noted that this  was a family church with a vision to serve the community. "It is a good example, which I hope other churches would follow," he said. A new year dawns May 2006 be a year in which we reach out and give to the Lord - • our lives, so he may love others through us; • our time and talents, so he may be glorified through what we do; • our full tithe, so that his kingdom can be extended and enriched; and in doing so, may we allow the Lord to bless us in return. New priest Angela Brown, from St John the Baptist in Walmer, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Bethlehem. The service took place at the Cathedral on Sunday 4 December  2005. A host of newies Sixteen new lay ministers in the parish of Sundays River Valley were licensed by the Archdeacon of Alexandria, Christopher Holmes, on Sunday 20 November 2005 Rod Greville, the rector of the parish, said that most of the new lay ministers have been attending a training course that began in October 2002. They have been trained in all aspects of lay ministry, and are able to visit the sick and run prayer groups, and some will preach. Pics: Left) All ready to minister -  Christopher Holmes congratulates Zinisile Jim, one of the 16 new lay ministers he had just licensed at the Parish of Sundays River Valley.  Right) Just married - Two of the newly licensed lay ministers, Zolile Wyn and Alice Vena, became newlyweds when they were married the following weekend. They are seen with the rector, Rod Greville. Alice, who is HIV+, is also the parish AIDS co-ordinator. They braved the elements and won For all who braved the gale force southeaster on Saturday 19 November 2005 to support the Zwartkops River Valley Parish Fun Day, it was just that - loads of fun, reports Lyn Bosch. Competitors in the potjie competition, which had to be moved to the back of the Zwartkops Rowing Club because of the wind, began gathering at about 13h00. Each of the seven teams that had entered found as sheltered a spot as possible and got down to business. Not only did they have to cook the meal, but they also had to set their table to suit their pot of food. Judges had a tough time deciding the winners, and the main prize, a day trip to Lalibela Game Reserve, went to Bev and Martin Shepherd for their delicious 'Fruity Pork'. John and Wendy Lochhead won the prize for the table setting. After the results were announced the public were able to buy meal tickets to sample the various pots and enter a lucky draw for two nights' bed and breakfast at Hogsback Inn. While the pots were bubbling, stalls sold wors rolls, pancakes and vetkoek, and the children were entertained by members of the younger set cell group. Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage