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Christmas extra 2007
• The
Bishop writes .....
• Christ
Church re-locates
• The
view from pulpit and pew
• Web
pages
•
Thank you
• Tag lines
The
Bishop writes ...
My Dear People of God,
The Name above
every Name
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ born to us
as king at this time!
The year has gone by sooner than realized, especially for those whose
hands are full; and it may have been a long year for those who have
suffered pain in body, mind or soul. Yet the coming of another human
calendar year still does not matter, since there may be no alleviation
of that pain and sorrow after a loved one is gone, sometimes under
trying circumstances. News has come our way - to the church, the
diocese, the province and the Anglican Communion. Some came hot from
the press - exciting or dampening; good or bad. Some is now forgotten,
and some forms part of our life and cannot be forgotten. This is the
good news (Gk euangelion) of Jesus Christ. The church year started in
Advent. Our year began on 1 January. This New Year’s day for
us
brings a double theme – THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS : THE
CIRCUMCISION
OF CHRIST.
Both in a Jewish and African setting this theme bears heavily on the
life of an individual person in a given community. The naming of a
child takes place about a week after birth. In Israel the ceremony
takes place after eight days, followed by a purification ritual. If the
firstborn child is a boy, the mother remains unclean for thirty-three
days. Should it be a girl the period is doubled - sixty-six days. This
is an unfair discrimination in our understanding of the creation
narratives of humans - male and female (Gen 1: 26- 28 REB; Maxwell
Leadership Bible p 4). The sacrifice, offered according to the
Levitical custom (Lev 12:1ff) would take place on the fortieth day. For
Africans the naming custom would also be influenced by the strength of
the mother. All firstborn children are regarded as holy and therefore
consecrated to God and the community into which they are born. Mary and
Joseph, as Jesus’ parents on earth, had to follow the same
laws
to receive him as Saviour of the world in a Jewish community.
Christian community has adopted sacraments of initiation
for
the newly born babies. Baptism is an entrance into this community by
both infants and adults. In this diocese we confirm young people at the
age of fifteen when they are able profess their faith in God through
our Lord Jesus Christ for themselves. Both at Baptism and Confirmation
new life begins. At the former a new name is given. At the latter
renewal of vows and commitment takes place. It saddens me to realize
that in some worshipping communities, while both parents are Christians
they either do not come to these services for their child or only one
will, while the other is busy elsewhere. Only grandparents, relatives
and friends will be a visible support. The parents must take note and
make all the effort to be visible in these services which mark steps of
growth for young initiates. The naming of a child is a community
affair. If we are serious about transforming communities in this
country, as I want to believe we are, let us take all the care and
seriousness in all that goes into the making of a human being, morally,
spiritually and physically. Jesus is named as such so that he can save
and transform from that which is sinful and frustrates common life.
He does so in four ways, namely:
a) As the pre-existent Word, he causes his light to shine in the
darkness of the hearts of people in order to overcome it. As the logos
of God he causes the natural creation to grow (Stoics).
b) John the evangelist becomes the witness to the light that breaks
through into human history to take control of their affairs.
c) The true light comes to people and is met with some rejection. He
comes out of heaven towards the centre of the earth to give those who
receive him power to be called children of God (Jn 1: 11, 12).
d) The word became flesh by literally occupying a human body
“full of grace and truth”.
It is time to make a resolution to build the nation by being part of
mission, evangelism and ministry - bearing in mind that the grace,
which we do not deserve, coming out of humbleness, brings us nearer to
God. God who is pleased to dwell in us has made us children of light.
As bearers of his truth let us confront the world to come to conformity
with Christ, and then the level of our moral life will be raised in
accordance to God’s standard. UBUNTU will be realized in all
spheres of our life. Peace will abound and prosperity and
God’s
glory will dwell in our land as he blesses us and our children.
With all our love and best wishes,
Christ
Church re-locates
[Lawrie Wilmot]
Christ Church has grown, and in December 2006 we moved into our new
home at 44 Longwy Ave. It was a move from a garage to a barn! For the
first two years of our existence we met in the double garage of our
cell leader in Kamma Park, Trevor Kingsley. At the end of last year we
managed to lease a large property which was a farmhouse, and the
tractor shed became the perfect place to meet for our services. We have
spent many months getting it exactly as we want it, and the grounds
around it needed much attention, but now it is just right. The
adjoining house is big, so there is enough space for priest-in-chage,
Lawrie, to have a study on site, for Children’s Church rooms,
and
so on. Between the parish gardener and some of our young people the
garden has been transformed, and it is all looking lovely. Visitors are
welcome!
We now average over 30 people every Sunday, and our
Children’s
Church has up to nine exuberant youngsters bouncing around in it each
week. We are not yet financially viable, and we remain most grateful to
St Nicholas, Charlo, for their continued support. But we believe
we’re getting there! We meet at 09h00 every Sunday morning so
do
pop in and join us as we worship the Lord.
For any enquiries Lawrie can be contacted on: 041 367 5138.
Pic: The ‘barn
doors’ are open to welcome parishioners to worship at Christ
Church, Kamma Park.
The
view from pulpit and pew
- After being rector of St Katharine’s in
Uitenhage,
Craig Dunsmuir has been appointed rector of St Mark and St John in
Parkside. He now has a rectory with a magnificent view, as it is
perched high up on a hill. iindaba wishes him success in his ministry
there.
- Congratulations to David McCoy, younger son of Mike
and
Lorna from St Hugh’s in Newton Park. David ended his school
career at Alexander Road High School with six A symbols for Matric. He
intends studying music at NMMU. iindaba would like to know if any other
church members achieved any A symbols for Matric last year. David has
inherited his love of and skill in music from both parents.
- iindaba is happy to report on three wellknown
diocesan
figures who are recovering after being ill. Dennis Burkinshaw reports
that his wife Ruth is much better, although somewhat frail, after
suffering from a heart problem last year. Our diocesan
Registrar,
Roger Schärges, is also feeling much better after cardiac
surgery
last year. Margaret Durham, wife of retired priest Ben, also spent much
time in hospital last year. Ruth, Roger and Margaret are grateful for
the prayers of so many, and would appreciate continued prayer.
- iindaba is sad to report the death of one of our
clergy
widows, Clemency Atkinson, who died on 31 December.
Clemency’s
first husband was Cyril Shaw, who served in the undivided Diocese of
Grahamstown, and at the time of his death, was assisting at St John the
Baptist in Walmer. Clemency’s second husband, Paddy, died
some
years ago, and she lived with her sister Rosalind in Summerstrand. For
many years Clemency, sang in the St Margaret’s choir. iindaba
extends its condolences to her family and friends.
- Much loved priest Barry Sendall now takes his place
among
the honourable group of retired clergy. Although not yet having reached
retirement age, for medical reasons Barry has had to withdraw from
active ministry. Barry made a most valuable contribution to ministry in
the diocese as an archdeacon, provost of the cathedral and as the
Director of Christian Spirituality in the diocese. iindaba prays that
he and Sandra be given the gift of good health, and iindaba is sure
that Barry will continue to be a blessing in ministry according to
God’s plan for him!
- iindaba congratulates St Hugh’s MUCFL,
which
celebrated its 80th birthday in December. Enrolling member, Pam
Shapiro, arranged a special lunch at the Chatterbox at the Newton Park
Methodist Church, to which members of the parish MU, the Diocesan
President Nomonde Qoto, the parish secretary Faith Geere, the property
manager Ossie Pinnock and the clergy were invited. Special anniversary
bookmarks were blessed and handed out to all present, and to all who
attended the services the following Sunday.
- Congratulations also to Henk de Groot,
self-supporting
priest, who recently celebrated the 50th year of his graduation as a
doctor. Henk assists at St Paul’s in Parsons Hill, where he
and
his late wife Sheila have worshipped for many years. Henk, of Dutch
descent, spent part of his youth in a Japanese prison-of-war camp
during WWII.
Web
pages
Please
will parishes that have a web page send the address to the editor so
that it can be put onto the diocesan web page to link the
pages.
Thank
you
The
editor thanks Bishop Bethlehem for his letter and for his guidance and
advice throughout last year. Thanks too for all the help received from
Neville Lobb the iindaba committee chairman, Christopher Holmes, the
Bishop’s representative on the iindaba, and Richard Burbidge
for proof
reading the final drafts of iindaba. Thank you also to the writer of
‘The view from pulpit and pew.’ The editor is told
it is the most read
article - keep it up!
NB NB NB
A big thank you too to the
many parish contributors to iindaba. Without your loyal support the
editor’s job would be impossible! Please keep the reports and
photos
coming in! Thanks also go to the parishes who have invited the editor
to share in some of their special services and
‘happenings’. It was a
blessing to share with you.
An appeal
Please,
please all the other parishes in the diocese, you are part of the
family and you have lots to share with the other members of the family!
Please send photos and reports about what is happening in your parish
so that the rest of the diocese can be blessed and give thanks for what
you are doing.
The editor looks forward to a year of abundant news from all the
parishes!
Tag
lines
Love does not require that two
people look at one another,
but that they look
together in the same direction.
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