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• A mission shaped church
• Why me Lord?
• RSCM Thanksgiving Service
• Don't give up your day job!
• Jubilee Masked Ball
• Marimba Workshop
A mission shaped church
In bitterly cold and wet
weather a small group of lay leaders braved the elements and attended
the workshop on "Growing into a mission shaped church" led by Trevor
Pearce, the director for Growing the Church Network, at St Paul's on
Tuesday night 22 May.
Trevor told the group that the aims of the network are to 'Build
relationships, teach and lay foundations, motivate and inspire,
facilitate by setting up Implementation teams and share resources'.
They are looking to seeing teams comprising of one third each of
clergy, adult lay members and youth with the vision of seeing a
vibrant, God-centred Anglican Church which is clearly growing
spiritually, numerically and holistically. He said, "Spiritually -
which is an inward journey with the depth and strength of the roots
determining the height to which it will grow. Numerically - being an
outward journey showing growth in numbers, and holistically - as the
social journey taking Jesus into the community around."
Some of the 'ceilings to growth' the group pinpointed were distractions
such as TV, lack of vision, communication, education, spiritual
commitment and confidence, fear of change from comfort zones and the
unknown, ecclesiastical control, and demands on time. What they felt
was needed was leadership, especially from the clergy (congregations
cannot grow beyond their leader), unity among parishes, money and
communication.
Using the story of David and Goliath (1Sam 17:8-1 & 31-52) Trevor
looked at how to break through the ceilings. Some of the points that
came out were: to grow the church, grow the leaders and especially
young leaders; the need to live out our anointing; to realise that when
we help others they will help us. The group felt that some of the
primary elements inhibiting growth were: resistance to the leading of
the Holy Spirit; lack of knowledge; being directionless; unwilling to
change.
At the close of the very intense evening of over three hours of input
Bishop Bethlehem said, "I am very optimistic and trusting for God to do
a great thing in this diocese." Trevor congratulated the diocese on
being the first to run with the plan and the evening closed with prayer
for Bishop Bethlehem and the year of mission for the diocese.
Pic: Powerful
prayer for Bp Bethlehem - Lay leaders join Trevor Pearce and David
Stansbury in laying hands on Bp Bethlehem at the end of the Mission
workshop.
Why me Lord?
How often doesn't one ask the
question, "Why did the Lord allow this to happen to me?" knowing full
well that this will probably not be answered this side of heaven,
writes Lyn Bosch.
Recently I was blessed enough to receive an answer to a query of this
sort before coming 'face to face'. I was going through a rough patch
having contracted a severe case of shingles. I was suffering from a lot
of pain and discomfort and all I needed was a do-gooder friend (Frankie
Simpson!) to tell me that my blood was needed by Blood Transfusion
Services. However the thought remained with me and having been a
regular blood donor for 44 years the idea of needles, and being hooked
up to a machine, didn't worry me at all. Uppermost was the motivation
which all donors have - the wish to assist others in need. (And the
thought of being allowed into the inner sanctum of the Special Services
clinic excited me.)
I had the necessary antibody titre test done and the results were good.
I was five times over the level needed and so reported for my first
'bleed'. 630ml of plasma containing the antibodies was separated
from the approximate 1.5 litres blood removed and the balance was
returned back through my vein.
This plasma is sent to Durban where a vaccine for chickenpox is
prepared from it. This vaccine is used in instances where
immunocompromised individ-uals (mostly children) are at serious risk of
contracting the highly contagious chickenpox virus. One can donate
every two weeks for as long as one's titre level remains high enough. I
was told of a donor who had not had shingles but who had only been
exposed to it and he was able to donate plasma for two years.
So, if you have had shingles or been exposed to it, or had chickenpox,
your blood might be of use. Contact Special Services at Blood
transfusion Services on 041 391 82000.
Pic: Saving
a life - Lyn Bosch (iindaba reporter and retiring editor of the River
Roundabout) on the plasma machine with technician Jill Menzies keping
an eye on things. Gerda Heunis of Special Services snapped them.
RSCM Thanksgiving Service
On Sunday 6 May, the church of
St Mark and St John, Parkside, was filled with the sound of joyful
singing as several choirs from the diocese joined together for the
annual Royal School of Church Music Thanksgiving Service which took the
form of Evensong, reports Maureen de Villiers.
Under the able direction of Phillip Burnett, who hails from
Grahamstown, and with Jovan Heynsen at the organ, the combined
choirs were able, in a short space of time, to master some fairly
challenging music. What a pleasure it was to hear this, sadly, nearly
defunct Office of Evensong being sung with such enjoyment and devotion.
It was led by the Dean of the Diocese, Leon Foster, who also handed out
50 Long Service Certificates to people with ten years of continuous
service or more.
Special mention must be made of Tommy Horn who has served for 57 years
in the choir at Holy Trinity. Your dedication is admirable and an
example to us all. With Holy Trinity celebrating its 150th Anniversary
this year, it means Tommy must have sung at its centenary celebrations
as well. No mean achievement! Our Cathedral organist, Eric
Spencer, has devoted 49 years to church music, first in England, and
now here. The sterling work that he is doing at the Cathedral speaks
volumes for his enthusiasm and dedication.
Space does not permit the listing of all 50 names, but we mention the
Anglicans who have served for 30 years or more. Congratulations to:
Charmaine Bridger (32) - St Simon of Cyrene; Beryl George (36) - Christ
the King; Maureen de Villiers (42) - St Mary's Cathedral; Chris du Bois
(42) - St Cuthbert's; Mike Jones (47) - St Cuthbert's; Charles Jantjies
(47) - St Luke's.
Don't give up your day job!
iindaba enjoyed a wonderful evening visit to an English pub, 'The Rector's Arms', at St Agneses Church in Swartkops.
Bangers and mash with gravy were served to warm the many brave folk who
ventured into the very cold weather on Friday 25 May. (There was also
baked beans on offer and wonderful pudding to end off with.)
The decor in the hall and the tables were very typically English pub.
There was much laughter and fun among the 'patrons' who were enjoying
every minute of the evening. In one corner a darts competition was
going on, other folk were seen playing noughts and crosses on the table
covers, or card and dice games in between the singing. The backing for
those brave enough to sing was off kareoke discs, and we enjoyed the
talent of most of the singers, and had to admire the courage of others
who definitely 'must not give up their day jobs'.
Pics: Pub grub - Bangers and mash for the hungry at the pub; Look alike - 'The vicar' at the door!
Jubilee Masked Ball
Holy Trinity Church, Havelock Street
As part of our Jubilee 150 Celebrations we shall be holding a Jubilee Masked Ball, open to all who would like to attend.
Date: Saturday 28 July
Venue: Edward Hotel
Time: 19h00
Cost: R160.00 per person
Features:
* Five-course carvery buffet dinner
* Sponsored wine (2 bottles per table)
* Victorian theme
* Attendees to wear masks (Edwardian/Victorian style)
- 'lorgnette' style or with elastic round the head.
* Demonstration by Linda-Louise Swain on "Fan Language"
* Demonstration of some old-time dances
* Guest artist
* A few 'programme dances' - book a partner, on your
Victorian programme, for a special dance. If you come to the
dance without a partner, you will be very welcome, and you can 'book' a
partner for a dance or two!
* Prizes to be won!
* Live Band
* Tables of 10 people (arrange your own table, or join one)
To reserve a place, phone Adele at Holy Trinity Office, tel 041 585 2437
Marimba Workshop
Saturday afternoon, 21 July, at St Mary's Cathedral.
Conducted by Megan Judd it promises to be great fun. Megan, a
music teacher at Clarendon Primary, recently attended a special marimba
course and returned with all sorts of exciting ideas which she is
looking forward to sharing at the workshop. A minimum of 4 players is
required, but not more than 10. For further information, phone Jenny
Yates 041 373 3311 or Maureen de Villiers 041 582 5196.
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