|
Quick Links: Page 1 | Page
2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top
| Homepage
PAGE 2
• Diligently
serving the Lord for 63 years
• Book review
• Diocesan Council
news - May 2008
• Letters
to the ed
• What's on - in and
around the Diocese
 Diligently serving the Lord for 63 years
[ Anita Jacobs ]
Herbert Farmer, a
lay minister at St Mark and St John, Parkside, has retired at the age
of 78, having served in the sanctuary for 63 years.
He began as a server at St Mark’s, Crawford Street, when he was 15
years old and later joined The Guild of the Servants of the Sanctuary.
There are three other surviving members - Jack Comely, Richard de
Donker and Lesley Ah Shene.
With the closure of St Mark’s in 1972 Herbert joined St Mark and St
John as a server, becoming a lay minister in August 1976. Since then he
has performed his duties with pride. In June 1977 he was made a member
of the Order of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth.
He never missed a Sunday or Wednesday service, and would come to church
on Tuesday mornings to prepare everything for the Wedesday service. He
was always strict with how the duties of the church had to be carried
out, but never failed to share a joke when he had the time.
 “Uncle Herbie”, as he is known, is loved for his
pleasant disposition. When speaking to
any of the women at the parish, he refers to them as ‘Angel’. Once a
woman asked what would happen to him if his wife found out that he was
addressing the women as ‘Angel’. He replied, “Don’t worry Angel, she
knows I have many angels, but she is the main one.”
He has always served the Lord with great love and devotion and was a
great asset in the sanctuary of the parish. Now that he has retired
because of ill health and frailty, one gets the feeling that ‘something
is missing.’ The family of St Mark and St John salute ‘Uncle Herbie’
for a job well done.
As iindaba went to press Herbert Farmer was admitted to Livingstone
Hospital.
Pics: 1) Herbert Farmer today. 2) As a
young server, second from left in the middle.
Book
review
Losing My Balance
by Carrie Brown
ISBN 978 1 920084 66 0
Reach Publishers
Reviewed by Jenny Cowling
I have no doubt in my mind that Carrie Brown has touched many lives
with her book which is an honest account of her battle with breast
cancer. Every woman, regardless of age, or whether she has been a
victim of this dreaded disease or not should read the book. Far from
being depressing, it is most inspirational and her fine sense of humour
makes it an easy, and enjoyable read.
Her final reflection on her ordeal and facing the future is summed up
in her words when she says “I will have to cope with new
emotions and new hurdles. The truth of the matter is that I know that
all this lies ahead of me and I know that the chance of this
continually affecting and possibly ending my life is very real, but I
will tell you something - I am not afraid because I really do know the
secret! There is a second set of footprints next to
me, and even though I can’t see Him, I know that He is holding my
hand!”
Carrie Brown is ‘a truly remarkable lady’.
Diocesan
Council news - May 2008
[ Mark Derry
]
Diocesan Council has given the green light for the building of the
Bishop’s Chapel in Summerstrand.
Plans for a 21-seater, 36 square metre chapel, drafted by architect
Doug Wills, were presented by Bishop Bethlehem at the meeting held on
Saturday, 24 May.
The Bishop motivated that the chapel - to be built at his residence in
Summerstrand - be
costed by Mr Wills. He said that after the chapel is costed each parish
would be encouraged to be involved in building the chapel and the
supply of building material, such as buying bricks, roofing material,
windows.
“The builders will come from within the diocesan family and the people
of the diocese will
therefore build the chapel as the Bishop’s place of prayer,” he said.
“Inside the Chapel will be placed the names of the parishes and photos
of the rectors and
churchwardens. Prayer groups will also be encouraged to visit on a
regular basis from each
parish to pray with the Bishop once the chapel was built.”
The plans for the Bishop’s Chapel were referred to the Building
Advisory Committee for comment.
Cathedral –
Bishop’s Commission
The report has been received from John Bartels concerning the
Commission that was set up in
2006. It was set up because of the amount owing to the Diocese. The
Commission was tasked to
consider whether the Cathedral should continue in terms of Chapter 8 of
the Acts.
The following criteria applied: Acts of Communion fewer or greater than
2 000; the costs of
the incumbent in terms of accommodation and transport being met;
whether or not the annual stipend assessment is being covered. The
Commission found that the annual stipend assessment for the period
under consideration was not met.
In the report it stated that St Mary’s agreed that they were at fault
in meeting this assessment. Since then a more positive attitude has
been discerned and they have started to pay more towards the assessment
and are working at reducing their debt.
Three options were looked at:
1 Parish abolished. It was recommended this was not an option.
2 Parish abolished and area accommodated in an adjoining parish. This
was not an option considering where it is situated.
3 Try and use financial expertise in the diocese to turn the financial
situation around within a certain time frame. This was the preferred
option as it would keep the parish intact as the CBD was being
revitalised.
The meeting heard that various issues may arise pertaining to the
Cathedral: How are the finances of other cathedrals handled in other
dioceses? Does the Cathedral parish have special expenses that may have
an impact on its viability? The Commission said that there are pastoral
matters that needed to be taken into account, but was not prepared to
comment on these.
The report of the Commission was directed to the Finance Committee for
action.
Bluewater Bay
United Church
The Registrar stated there is reluctance on the part of the churches to
go forward with legal action and to spend money on court action. The
Registrar and Chancellor would follow up this initiative which falls
under the Presbyterian leadership. The meeting expressed a desire for
closure.
Churchwardens’
Handbook
The cost is R67 per copy and three copies (rector x 1, churchwardens x
2) would be sent to each parish. It will be loosely bound and the
parishes would bear the cost of the printing.
Diocesan Secretary
– Retirement
A steering committee will be established to discuss all the issues
pertaining to the retirement of the Diocesan Secretary, Keith Rae, at
the end of 2008. A committee consisting
of all the archdeacons, the Dean, Charles Qoto and Jenny Watson was
established to assist the Bishop in making arrangements for a new
Diocesan Secretary. Charles Qoto is to be the
convenor.
Letters
to the ed
God’s time
I find Geoff Booth’s remarks about ‘God’s time’ (iindaba June) very
interesting. For an exercise, substitute “God’s time” for “day” in
Genesis 1 v14 - 19. See what happens.
We get our year from the earth circulating round the sun; the month
from the cycle of the
moon; From where do we get our week? Only from Exodus 11:20. I also
have a quote for Geoff from a letter from James Barr to David Watson
written in 1984.
“Probably, so far as I know, there is no professor of Hebrew or Old
Testament at any World-class university who does not believe that the
writer(s) of Genesis 1 - 11 intended to convey to their readers the
ideas that (a) creation took place in a series of six days which were
the same as the days of 24 hours we now experience (b) the figures
contained in the
Genesis genealogies provided by simple addition a chronology from the
beginning of the world
up to later stages in the biblical story (c) Noah’s flood was
understoood to be world-wide
and extinguished all human and animal life except for those in the ark.
Or, to put it negatively, the apologetic arguments which suppose the
‘days’ of creation to be long eras of time, the figures of years not to
be chronological, and the flood to be a merely local
Mesopotamian flood, are not taken seriously by any such professors, as
far as I know.”
Sue Bennett
St Nicholas, Charlo
Whats
on - in and around the diocese
Ladies’
Breakfast
(healthy)
Saturday, 23 August
St Hugh’s Main Hall
This is with Honey Fashion Accessories who will be giving each lady a
beautiful pair of
Swarovsky Crystal earrings - valued at R130. Lucky draws will also take
place. All for only R48pp. Tickets are available from: Faith 041 365
1298 or St Hugh’s Parish Office (mornings only). Limited number of
tickets will be sold, so please book early.
RSCM
A celebration of favourite hymns and songs Director: Christopher Helyer
Organist: Eric Spencer Venue: Christ the King, Gelvandale Date:
Saturday 19 July at 17h30 (There will be a practisce for choir members
from 14h00 - 16h30) Cost: “Paper” Collection. All most welcome
Enquiries: Jenny 041 373 3311 (H) or Judy 041 363 0625 (W)
Fêtes and
Fairs
St Mary’s Cathedral Fair to be held at St John’s Church Complex, Walmer
Saturday 30 August
from 09h00 - 13h00
Holy Trinity, Central Fête Saturday 2 August at 09h00 Come for
breakfast - join the fun - bring the kids
Quick Links: Page
1 | Page
2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top
| Homepage
|
