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PAGE 3 • From Bishop Bethlehem’s Charge ...
•
The view from pulpit and pew
•
Tag Lines
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Confirmed her new faith
•
Parish bids farewell
•
Educare centres need our help
From Bishop Bethlehem’s Charge ...
Building on a firm foundation
Delivering
his Charge to the
20th session of Diocesan Synod, Bishop Bethlehem said, “We
are
fellow-workers (Gk sunergoi) in the building of God’s
kingdom. St Paul,
writing to the Corinthian church, did not hesitate to move from the
image of the field to that of the building (Gk oikodome) (1 Cor
3:9-11). The Greek for fellow-workers seems to imply that we are
working with God, or with one another, in God’s service. Both
these
meanings have great impact on our service for God’s vineyard.
It is
when God is involved in all our doings that we see fruitful
results.” Bishop
Bethlehem said the Synod of Bishops had declared 2007 as a Year of
Mission, Evangelism, Training and Development. He spoke of the decline
in the CPSA “market share” between 1965 and 1996
from about 11% to just
over 5%, whereas in other parts of the CPSA, like Mozambique, the
church continues to grow both numerically and in quality of faith. He
said Synod of Bishops had decided on eight key strategies to be used
during 2007. Bishop Bethlehem gave thanks for the
democratic
government, saying, “We note with great appreciation and
thanksgiving
to the Almighty, the strides our new democratic government has made in
development and service delivery to the poor masses of our land. We
congratulate them for that. We deplore the set backs caused by fraud,
inefficiency, dishonesty, unprofess-ionalism and laxity. We call upon
those in public office to live up to required and expected moral
standards. Adultery and promiscuity, including unsafe and unprotected
sex, can never be accepted as norms in a civilized society. Such
behaviour is very damaging to our youth. God’s word
forbids this kind
of behaviour (1 Cor 6:12). There are still more challenges to be met in
the area of HIV/AIDS, poverty and unemployment. “The
occurrences at the Zuma rape trial are to be regretted from a person of
such high status. They showed very clearly that the plight of
women as
victims of men's leisure, abuse and lust, is far from being over. We
trust that lessons have been learnt by both parties for repentance and
good moral behaviour. We continue to engage ourselves in the fight for
the rights of women. So we join the call of the CPSA bishops to show
our solidarity on 9 August and the 16 days of awareness for the rights
of women in
November.
“We
continue to pray for those in government authority “that we
may live
peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1
Tim 2:2ff). “We
pray for our State President, Thabo Mbeki, our Premier Nosimo
Balindlela, and the Mayor of this Metropole, Nondumiso Mapazi, and
congratulate her as first Lady Mayor of the Metropole, Ministers
of
State, MECs and local Councillors. “We
support and pray for
the police, especially area Commissioner Ntswahlana and the Chaplains,
in particular the Revd Templeton Jam-Jam. Much still needs to
be done
in combating crime, violence, stopping police killings and suicides. We
continue to appreciate the great efforts made, sometimes under trying
circumstances, to bring the criminals to book.” The Anglican Communion
Bishop
Bethlehem touched on the homosexuality controversy, saying,
“The
Anglican Communion, of which we are part, is threatened to be ripped
asunder by the homosexual controversy. The consecration of Bishop Gene
Robinson, a practising homosexual, by the Episcopal Church in the USA,
has caused the Communion a great disservice and pain. The matter of
homosexuality is still debated. Waiting and sensitivity will help us
move together. Those of us who take the traditional view on
homosexuality continue to uphold the sanctity and validity of scripture
as the whole counsel of God. Therefore what the Bible says about
homosexuality holds. Yet we believe that pastoral care should continue
to be exercised with those of homosexual orientation in love, and
inclusiveness.” Far more important
He
went on to
say, “There are far more important matters that urgently need
our
attention as the Communion. These include poverty and unemployment;
disease - HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria; abuse especially of children, women
and the elderly; racism and tribalism.” He
then challenged
the members of Synod, saying, “Were we to be as passionate
about these
as we are about homosexuality, poverty would be history, and Africa
would be free of disease. We are all children of God, created in the
same image, regardless of race, colour, creed or orientation. Let us
endeavour to live in conformity with the demands of the
gospel.”
The
view from pulpit and pew
- iindaba extends its condolences to
Sipambo Ludidi, rector of St
Cyprian’s in Gambleville, on the death of his nephew, Dr
Siyavuya
Ludidi, 30, who was killed in a motorcar accident last month just
outside Mthatha. Sipambo had brought Siyavuva up as a son, as he cared
for him for many years, so the death was a bitter blow for him.
- iindaba
likewise extends its condolences to Ellen and Busiwe Gwentshu
on the death of Lungile (35), son and brother, who died last month.
Ellen is the widow of retired priest, the late Ronald Gwentshu, and
Busiwe is on the Diocesan Office staff.
- iindaba
congratulates Peggy Selley who celebrates her 90th birthday on 1 July.
Peggy is the widow of Robert Selley, organist and master of the
choristers at the Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin (now the
Cathedral) for many years.
- Members of St
Hugh’s in Newton
Park could have been forgiven for wondering who the new redhead in the
choir was, until they realised it was the resident blonde, Faith Geere,
the parish secretary. On the Feast of Pentecost, many members of the
parish wear red (the rector had red socks on), but Faith decided to go
one better with her red locks. She insisted it was just temporary, and
that she would be blonde again by Trinity Sunday!
- St
Francis Xavier church was blessed last month when former member, Nora
Witham (née Wing King) visited with her husband John. Nora,
a lay canon
in the Church of England, was recently awarded an MBE by Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Nora was also guest of honour
at the Thursday Club at St Francis Xavier which, believe it or not,
meets on Thursdays! On that occasion, the Club was celebrating the 90th
birthday of Mrs Chow Lain Wong Chong. Congratulations to her on
reaching this milestone.
- Clergy moves:
- Shane
Fraser, the Rector of St Michael and All Angels in Schauderville, has
been appointed Vice-Provost of the Cathedral as from 1 September. Until
the appointment of a Provost, the Bishop himself will fill the
position, as had been done by former Bishops Philip Russell, Bruce
Evans and Eric Pike prior to St Mary's becoming a cathedral.
- Mzie
Doda, the present assistant at the Cathedral, has been appointed
Rector of St Stephen’s in New Brighton. He, his wife Lovely
and
children, will be moving some time in August. We wish Shane and Mzie
and their respective families every blessing in their new appointments.
- Ernie
du Plooy, who was recently instituted minister in charge of Holy
Trinity United, has resigned with immediate effect. iindaba wishes him
and his wife Jenny every blessing for their future. As it is the
‘Anglican’ turn to find a priest, the search is on
once again.
- Ronnie Allwright, Rector of the
Parish of the Good Shepherd, recently
underwent surgery on his shoulder. iindaba trusts that he is now well
on the mend, and has put his shoulder to the wheel once again!
- Patrick
Herbert, self-supporting assistant at St John the Baptist in
Walmer, also underwent surgery last month for a back problem. iindaba
wishes him a speedy recovery.
- iindaba apologises to
Zola Xuba for having mis-spelt his surname in the June issue of iindaba.
Tag
Lines
Never itch for anything you
aren't willing to scratch for.
Confirmed her
new faith
Pentecost Sunday at St Mary Magdalene
was very special this year, with three of the adult confirmands being
converts from the Muslim faith, reports Gavin Baartzes.
Fifteen
scholars and five adults were confirmed by Bishop Bethlehem
on Sunday 4 June. Three of the adults, Yasmien George, Soraya Francis
and Fysil DeMaine, are converts from the Muslim faith, and we
especially welcomed them into the Body of Christ. Bishop
Bethlehem delivered an inspiring sermon about the role of the Holy
Spirit. True to his former profession as teacher, he questioned the
confirmands about the Holy Spirit, and asked them to read some verses
from St John’s Gospel (Jn 15:26 - 16:15). The confirmands did
us proud with their enthusiastic participation. We
pray that all the newly confirmed members of our family will grow
spiritually under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and really fulfil
their vocation as Christians within the fellowship of the Church.
 Parish
bids farewell
Linda Ncaca reports that when
Zandisile Nongauza was moving from Cradock, the parishioners and the
Ministers' Fraternal joined together in giving him a wonderful send-off.
Also
among the guests were members from the community organizations in which
he had played a vital role. Nkosinathi Mbali, speaking on behalf of the
Ministers' Fraternal, said they appreciated the role Zandisile had
played in the community, his commitment that was evident through his
engagement in community matters, and his interaction with the fraternal
community. His presence in the community would be missed.
Educare
centres need our help
Hazel Braun reports
that after a recent visit to the Anglican Educare centres in Cradock
and Cookhouse by members of the committee, they are appealing for
jerseys for 3 - 5 year olds.
Very few of
the children have any warm clothes, and readers know how cold that area
gets in winter. St Paul's centre in Cookhouse has had a face-lift.
During their holidays learners from St Andrew's College and Diocesan
School for Girls in Grahamstown did the Fish River Trail. They visited
schools for the underprivileged, and at St Paul's they painted the
interior and the exterior wall. The colourful and attractive trees and
flowers make a big difference to the outside. Phone Hazel on : 041 581
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