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Vol 19 No 2 March 2008 ONLINE The official gazette of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth: Anglican Church of Southern Africa

Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage PAGE 1  •  We have new structures  •  A Real Epiphany in the RSCM School From Lent through to Easter. From repentance through to rejoicing. Alleluia - He is risen! The iindaba editor, committee members, the Bishop and Mazoe, and the diocesan office staff wish our readers a meaningful Lent and a blessèd Easter We have new structures Four new priests were ordained on Sunday 16 December in the diocese.  An organogram of the new structures has been received by iindaba.  A Bishop’s Consultative Council is to be formed and will consist of: The Bishop, four archdeacons, the dean, the provost, and eight canons, including the Bishop’s chaplain. From the Bishop ... I would like to inform you that the composition of the Bishop’s Consultative Council (afterwards referred to as the Bishop’s Council) will be in line with the proposal of Judge Mervyn King, namely that the representation of people in every church structure should be from among all concerned, not only a few who seem to make decisions for themselves. We therefore have looked seriously at lay involvement in the Bishop’s Council as well. The restructuring will entail four archdeaconries as follows: 1 The Archdeaconry of the Bay. Will be composed as follows: the Cathedral, St Augustine’s, St John the Baptist, St Margaret of Antioch, St Nicholas, St Saviour’s, Holy Trinity Central, St Barnabas and St Philip, St Cuthbert’s and St Stephen’s. 2 The Archdeaconry of Tsitsikamma. Will be composed as follows: All Saints’, Christ the King, St Francis Xavier, St Luke’s, St Mark and St John, St Mary Magdalene, The Good Shepherd, Holy Trinity United in Thornhill, St Andrew’s, St Katharine’s, St Simon of Cyrene.  3 The Archdeaconry of Kariega. Will be composed as follows: Alexandria Parish, St Hugh’s, St Michael and All Angels, Sundays River Valley,  Holy Spirit, St Cyprian, St Matthew, St Peter, St Mathias, St Timothy, Zwartkops River Valley, St Paul, St Peter’s Kinkelbos.  4 The Archdeaconry of the Karoo (Missionary). Will be composed as follows: All Saints’ United, Great Fish River, Ascension, The Great Karoo, The Karoo Parish, St Ninian Somerset East, St Paul’s, Cookhouse. Portfolios There will be four archdeacons who would ideally be full-time, stipendiary archdeacons. However, this is not possible at the moment due to financial constraints. The four archdeacons will function on an over-and-above responsibility allocation. I will discuss with the parish concerned in terms of time allocated for archdeaconry duties. Eight Canons will be appointed, namely four from clergy and four from laity. This, we hope, will start to be effective from 1 March, 2008. Meetings The archdeacons will meet with the Bishop every first Tuesday of the month between 09h00-10h30 and/or at any other time as may be required. The entire Bishop’s Council will meet four times a year (every first Tuesday of March, June, September and December). The Statutes of the Bishop’s Council is at its final stage with the legal fraternity. Continue to pray for our ministry to operate effectively in bringing many to the love of God for the extension of His Kingdom within our Diocese and beyond. Respectfully submitted, SUCH WORSHIP! A Real Epiphany in the RSCM School [Roy Snyman tssf] “Epiphany” means ‘to show forth’ and is usually associated with the showing forth to the Gentile world, (represented by the Magi), of the Truth of the observation of Simeon in the Nunc Dimittis; ie That here in the Christ-child in his arms is indeed seen “the Light to lighten the Gentiles” who is at the same time “the glory of Israel.” The RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) held its 80th Birthday with an Epiphany-tide Summer School in Port Elizabeth, which was our privilege.  Housed at the Collegiate School for Girls the main Acts of Worship were at our Cathedral. Each service was a masterpiece of commitment, good music and deep prayerfulness. Truly the “School” sowed forth that deep adoration expressed by the Wise Men. ‘The Liturgy of Water’ was a remarkable proclamation of Salvation. The Epiphany High Mass with its African rhythms, drums, instruments, massed choir and brilliant sermon by the chaplain (Simon Aiken – Subdean of Bloemfontein), under the direction of Gordon Appleton from London, assisted by guest conductor Christopher Moore, was a Festival of Adoration. It will live long in the hearts and memories of the hundreds that filled the cathedral. Perhaps the moment of  highest emotive spirituality was when one of our choristers sang a very special setting of the Agnus Dei. We were ‘lumps in throat and tears in eyes’ as we emotionally prostrated before The Lamb of God – our Peace. The sensitivity and experience of Barry Smith at the organ made us realize that here, leading the best of worship, were the experts. This was no mere ‘spiritual entertainment’ but a delicate mixture of old, new, African and controlled liturgical ‘magic’ (magi-c) calling every knee to bow at the Holy Name of Jesus.  Sadly, despite letters, information to the media and other requests for publicity, let alone participation, the support given by local clergy, organists and choir members was a disappointment, if not disgrace. The cathedral, as the host parish, pulled out all the stops, (to wisely use that phrase); and warden Randolph Koen and various helpers rose to the occasion.  It is interesting that when some celebrate d’vali, ramadan, eid, chanukha, or other non-Christian so called ‘purification’ events, huge half-pagearticles appear in the papers. When a significant Christian observation occurs, and publicity is requested, a very belated ‘bit’ is printed and the caption to the photo in The Herald is incorrect. The Summer School will not come our way again for some years, but when it does so, will there be any committed worshipping Anglicans (and their ecumenical friends) left to participate? I fear we are too hell-bent on making services ‘pleasing to man’ rather than proclaiming the glory and majesty of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus.  Many Anglican congregations complain about the ‘casualness’ that has robbed our Church of the ‘otherness’ (numinous) in our worship that was so palpable. Personally, I believe it’s never “either / or”, but a special blending of bringing out of our treasures ‘things old and new’.  With his mandolin (guitar of the time) and Gospel words to popular tunes of the day, God’s Troubadour (Francis of Assisi) reconverted all the Central States of Italy, and brought the Gospel alive to the wholemoribund world and church.  “With gold of obedience and incense of lowliness, kneel and adore Him, the Lord is His Name.”  Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage