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• The Bishop writes ...
• The view from
pulpit and pew
• Tag lines
• AWF celebratory dinner
• St David's on the web
• Ready to minister
• The editor thanks:
The Bishop writes ...
The Holy Name of Jesus
My dear people of God,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
I
find it very appropriate to begin each year with the theme "The Holy
Name of Jesus". He is to be named Jesus because he will save his people
from their sins [Mt 1:21]. His birth fulfils God's promises to Israel,
coming through a specific prophecy that the Virgin Mary will give birth
to a Son, who is to be called Immanuel, meaning God with us [v.22]. The
miraculous coming of God into human life to take over their affairs is
demonstrated by his birth. He must save people from their sins [Floyd,
FV: The Gospel According to Matthew p54]. The child Jesus must fulfil
the promise as God with us to save his people through a ministry of
spiritual redemption from all that oppresses human life and causes
painful disorders.
The naming is a family affair, it does not
happen by chance, natural causes, or human planning. It is "God
with us" with a purpose the gospel story narrates, that God out of his
love, justice and mercy has effected the salvation of humankind. The
child soon to be born will radically change the international situation
[Floyd: op cit]. The danger and misery of Gods people will be removed.
Victory will be won. Sure hope will be eternally established. God's
promises and intervention are forthcoming for his people. Immanuel
emphasizes the fact that God comes redemptively to us in the person and
saving ministry of Jesus.
This name, therefore, is power, health
and salvation to those who believe. It saddens me to realise that in
our inter-faith outreach, it is Christians who become so uncomfortable
in mentioning the Name "Jesus", without any complaints from our fellow
humans of the Islamic and Jewish faiths. Uplift the Name of Jesus.
Proclaim his saving acts, until every knee would bow ... and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father [Phil 2:1-11]. In the words of our Metropolitan, I wish to
re-emphasize that the greatest gift this country needs is to receive
Jesus into our hearts, so that the good news for the poor may be
born in us always [Christmas message 2005]. Mission, evangelism and
ministry is the character of the church.
We have declared 2006 a
Year of Mission, Evangelism and Ministry. Canon David Stansbury
will be communicating with clergy in due course. We are also having
Synod in May 2006. Details will be sent to you by the Vicar General. We
shall also be hosting the consecration of the Bishop of Namibia, our
link Diocese, on 25 March at the Cathedral. Pray for all these plans,
for the Lord to grant us his blessing in all that we do in the name of
Jesus. May God bless you
with a year of happiness, peace and prosperity.
Yours in the love of Christ,
Bishop Bethlehem Nopece
Iindaba wishes Bishop Bethlehem a time of refreshment and renewal during his sabbatical.
The view from pulpit and pew
- Saint
Hugh's lost a faithful gardener on the death of Dorothy McGregor, who
died in Johannesburg during the Festive Season while visiting her two
sons, Stuart and Rob. For many years Dorothy looked after the gardens,
and continued right up to the time of her trip to Johannesburg - in
spite of telling the incumbent about a year ago that she was retiring
on her doctor's orders. Yet another faithful servant of God is now at
rest.
- Iindaba has also been reporting for the past few months
on Jacques Nell, younger son of Piet and Sharon Nell. Sharon is the new
rector of the Zwartkops River Valley Parish. Since the December edition
of Iindaba, Jacques has been to Cape Town, and since spent some time in
the Hi-Care ward of Greenacres. He has now been admitted to Aurora,
where he will be staying for a while as he needs 24-hour care. Iindaba
asks its readers to continue to bring him and his family before the
Lord.
- Congratulations to Ruthell and Pam Johnson on the birth
of their fourth grandchild - a boy - born on New Year's Day. Neither
Pam nor Ruthell, of St Paul's in Parsons Hill, really look like
grandparents - Pam and one of her grand-daughters look so much alike
that they are often mistaken as mother and daughter!
- Barry
Sendall, the former Provost of the Cathedral, began his ministry at St
John the Baptist, Walmer, in January. Iindaba wishes him a fruitful
ministry, particularly as he heads the Centre of Christian
Spirituality. Please note that he has a new e-mail address:
barry@stjohnswalmer.org.za He and Sandra have already moved into their
new home at 7 Shalom Way in Walmer.
- Congratulations to Luke van
der Walt, who worships at St Margaret's in Summerstrand when in Port
Elizabeth. Luke completed his matric at Saint Andrew's in Grahamstown,
where he obtained seven As, and is among the 50 highest IEB candidates
in South Africa. He plans to study actuarial science.
- Pulpit
and Pew would like to thank and pay tribute to Ken Simpson, husband of
Iindaba's editor, Frankie, as he retires from selling tickets for the
Christmas Cheer Fund on behalf of the House of Resurrection Haven. Over
the years he has personally raised thousands for the Haven, and has
overseen the sale of many more tickets. Through his efforts, the Haven
has received a healthy boost to its treasury. Well done, Ken. As
Frankie does not write this column, the writer took poetic licence in
mentioning this. (See picture on page 4)
- For some time now, Ray
Smithers, widow of Archdeacon Emeritus Ted, has been suffering ill
health, but we are happy to announce that she is on the road to
recovery. After spending some time in the Frail Care section of
Maranatha, she is now staying with her daughter Nanette and son-in-law
Johnnie Kable in Mill Park. Iindaba wishes her continuing strength.
- Julia
Bradder and her husband Alan are in the USA on their annual pilgrimage
to visit their son Ross and his family. Julia, secretary to Robert
Penrith, rector of St John the Baptist in Walmer, finds it difficult
being a long-distance grandmother.
- Stop Press: Iindaba committee chairman, Neville Lobb, had a stroke today (09.01.06). Please pray for a full recovery.
Tag Lines
True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.
AWF celebratory dinner
Twenty-five
years ago the Anglican Women’s Fellowship held the first of what
was called a Fellowship dinner, and on Friday 11 November 2005 members
celebrated the silver anniversary of this event.
The idea
for the evening arose out of a concern that the women met for
fellowship and meetings but their husbands were excluded.  It was felt
that at an informal 'bring and share' evening of fellowship the members
and their husbands could meet and get to know one another. The
Executive also insisted that Joan Evans, who was on the committee,
invite Bishop Bruce as her husband, not as the bishop.
Twenty
people were present at that first fellowship dinner held at
Joan’s home (Bishop's House). From this informal evening it grew
into a more formal dinner where the Bishop and his wife are now
invited as honoured guests and he brings a message.
This year's celebration was held at St Francis Xavier church in Kabega; about fifty members attended with their husbands. Pic: Celebration
- At the AWF celebratory dinner Bp Bethlehem and Mazoe were presented
with gifts by Philda Johnson. The Bishop proudly displays the wall
hanging of an African pot.
St David's on the web
Last
year Margaret Manning, a British descendant of the 1820 settler Bowker
family, visited Bushmans River Mouth to see the stained glass windows
the family had presented to St David’s.
While
surfing the web for any mention of the Bowker name, Margaret had picked
up the article on the windows that had appeared in an issue of Iindaba.
She contacted the editor, who gave her all the information available,
and also put Margaret in touch with Peter Bowen, who was able to give
her a lot more family news.
Last year Margaret visited St
David’s and the original family farm 'Tharfield', near Port
Alfred, when she was on holiday in SA. After returning to England she
set up a lovely web page with lots of photos of St David’s and
Tharfield on it.
The editor enjoyed her visit to the web page which can been seen at:
www.manninghouse.co.uk/Holidays/SouthAfrica2005/index.htm
Ready to minister
Near
the end of 2004 Rudi Marais, the priest-in-charge of St Francis of
Assisi in Humansdorp, began tutoring the lay ministers in the parish,
reports Antoinete Human.
They spent time in prayer and
then were taught about their role and responsibility in the chapelries
that make up this large parish. Rudi constantly reminded them that they
are servants of our Lord, and as such must serve with humility. As soon
as he feels they are ready they will take part in a mini-outreach to
fringe attendees, planned for early this year.
The editor thanks:
- the
editorial committee members, the proofreaders and contributors for
their faithful and hard work in helping to make Iindaba the newsletter
of the diocesan family;
- the parishes that faithfully
send copies of their newsletters to her. These are an important source
of news for all in our diocese!
- the parishes that have
invited her to cover various special events. She cannot attend all the
events, but she tries to, where possible.
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