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• The Bishop writes ...
• The view from pulpit and pew
• Tag lines
• An abundant harvest
• Popular verger retires after 18 years
• The Centre for Christian Spirituality
The Bishop writes ...
My dear People of God,
The uncounted majority
Greetings in the name of the risen Christ, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!!
Both
in the Jewish patriarchal worldview and in the African setting, women
and children occupy a secondary position in life. From creation
narratives, the secondary creation of a woman seems to be taken for a
subservient position. Yet the understanding of the woman's origins is a
straightforward history in the observation that 'man was not made from
the woman, but woman from man' (1Cor 11:8). This does not in any way
point us to the thinking that the creative act that produced Adam
brings the woman to some sub-human level (Gen 2:7, 22-24).
The
counting in the pilgrimage from Egypt (Ex 12:37) and the miraculous
feeding (John 6:1-15ff) includes adult males only. Women and children
do not matter much. In the crossing of the Red Sea there is also a
mixed multitude which includes Egyptian mixed marriages with Israelites
and other Semites who entered Egypt. They cannot be dismissed, but must
live in conformity with the Hebrew faith, embracing its religion and
cultural elements. Inclusiveness is defined by both sexual and cultural
divides.Participation in all spiritual benefits the Hebrews enjoyed
goes with circumcision as a pre-requisite. In other words relationship
with the Lord Jesus counts within the prescribed acceptable pattern.
In
an African community women were regarded as weak, delicate species in
terms of physical strength and division of labour. Men with their
strong physical strength are expected to do much heavier chores, eg
war, cutting trees, herding animals so as to protect them from wild
animals like lion etc. To see a man among children would be an
assurance of safety. In short, all these values taught at home and at
initiation schools should ensure that both the family and community
fabric is kept intact as enshrined in the philosophy of UBUNTU.
Where
did we lose it all? It is not my intention to blame it all on
apartheid. Yes, a lot went wrong there. We are to blame ourselves.
There are no longer daily family gatherings around the fires, where
informal teaching used to take place. Work commitments, socialization,
in most cases church involvements and personal improvements like
furthering education skills on the side of the parents, are major
contributions. We do not know how to parent our children. Traditions
regulating children born out of wedlock are confused. You may take this
argument and discussion further. Surely something needs to be done to
bring back personal dignity and respect for all.
The man who
killed the granny with her five grandchildren has surely lost self
respect and personal dignity. He is insane and out of his mind. Such
people should never be allowed to live among humans. May the Lord Jesus
deal with him/them according to this deed, and bring them to true
repentance and salvation, if still redeemable. When we pray, we can do
all things. We commend this family to God's love and comfort. Continue
to uphold them in your prayers.Let us pray for all women and children,
and those who die violently under the hand of the powerful. Women may
not be counted by pervasive men.
They are a useful majority
among human species, and add much value to our life. I am consulting
with the city Bishops, Transformation Network and Council of
Churches/Idamasa for a plan of action in strengthening family ties and
values. As the church, this is our duty to God and country. 
May God bless Africa, Amen.
Yours in the love of Christ,
Bishop Bethlehem Nopece
Pic: You are welcome - Nomvuyo Xhalie welcomes the MEC, Noxolo Abraham
Ntantiso, to the MUCFL Conference. Noxole is flanked by Bishop
Bethlehem, with MUCFL chaplain, David Grobbelaar and Mazoe Nopece next
to him.
The view from pulpit and pew
- Last month the diocese said farewell to Rod and Peta-Ann Greville as
they return to their home territory in Gauteng. Rod was the rector of
the Parish of the Sundays River Valley. Thus he moves from the
beautiful valley with its oranges and B & B establishments into the
corporate jungle of concrete and traffic jams. Ag shame! iindaba
wishes them every happiness.
- Michael Julius was instituted
rector of St Peter's, Zwide, on Palm Sunday, 1 April. Amongst the
clergy there was Mike McCoy who was celebrating his birthday. His
sister, Penny Silva, married to a priest, paid him a fleeting visit
last month on her way to Grahamstown where her mother Peggy lives.
Penny and Peggy then went to see Mike's younger brother Andy who is
undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. iindaba assures the family of
prayers for them. Mike's father was the much-respected Port Elizabeth
GP, Dr Jock McCoy.
- iindaba is sad to record the death of a
stalwart of the church and a Member of the Order of the Diocese of Part
Elizabeth, Maddie Gilfillan. Maddie farmed in Middelburg and was a very
active member of St Barnabas before retiring to Kenton-on-Sea where she
became a much loved and respected member of St David's.
- Another death occurred recently - that of Wilberforce Nkopo, formerly
the rector of St Stephen's in New Brighton, and principal of St Bede's
Theological College, before he left the Anglican Church. Wilberforce
was amongst the first priests ordained in the newly-established Diocese
of Port Elizabeth in 1970 - along with Michael Bands, Leon Foster and
Christopher Holmes. They were ordained at Christ the King by the first
bishop of Port Elizabeth, †Philip Russell. We extend our condolences to
Wilberforce's family.
- Pam Shapiro, the MU Christian Family
Life enrolling member at St Hugh's, NP, was greatly honoured last month
when on her way to visit one of her daughters in New Zealand. She flew
via Singapore where she attended the Wednesday morning service at the
cathedral, and was asked to end the service in prayer.
- Roy
Snyman tssf has been on the move again. Shortly after returning from
his trip to Israel, he went to Namibia to conduct the Holy Week and
Easter services at the cathedral. Roy, like the other retired clergy in
the diocese, is a great help to the ministry of the church. Their
experience over the years is much appreciated, as is their willingness
to help where they can.
- As iindaba salutes Solomon Thomas on
his retirement (See left), 'pulpit and pew' would like to hear from
other parishes of long-serving members - on the pay-roll or not. The
names of Winnie Mutlow and Don Bouwer come to mind. Please inform us of
those serving in various capacities for over 30 years.
- Is your
church bell ringing at noon? The Bishop asked for bells to be rung at
noon during Holy Week to call those within hearing to prayer against
crime and violence in our land. See the national web site at http://www.churchbells.co.za/churches.asp . Perhaps you can register
your church. St Hugh's, Newton Park, is so far the only parish in our
diocese which has registered, and the only other church in the Eastern
Cape is the Heideveldt NG Kerk. St Hugh's has decided to continue to
ring the bell at noon from Mondays to Fridays.
Tag lines
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to ... discourage him.
An abundant harvest
Sandra Kieck reports on the
abundance of produce brought in to the St Paul’s, Parsons Hill,
Harvest Festival on Sunday 18 March.
Parishioners
had donated R4 200 towards the purchase of groceries, as their Lent
Offering contribution towards the less fortunate. Pat Loftie-Eaton had
the pleasant duty of purchasing the groceries while fresh produce was
delivered to the church on the Saturday by the parishioners and all
were used to decorate the church for the service.
Four
organisations benefited from this abundant harvest – Merryvale, the
Gelvandale Frail Care, Algoa Bay Council for the Aged and Sinethemba
Child Shelter. Folk from Gelvandale and Sinethemba were welcomed to the
09h00 service, when the Sinethemba choir sang for the St Paul’s
parishioners. Our guests then had the pleasure of taking their food
parcels home after the service.
It is uplifting to know that
through the parishioners' Lent donations, a number of less fortunate
people were able to enjoy some healthy meals. May St Paul’s
parishioners continue with their giving and helping of their fellow man
and community.
Pic: Part of the harvest gathering
Popular verger retires after 18 years
Pic:
Solomon Thomas recently retired after 18 years as verger at St
Cuthbert’s. At a special function on Sunday 25 February to say farewell
were Joyce Thomas, the rector Ralph McGuigan and Solomon.
The Centre for Christian Spirituality
Some dates of coming events for readers to diarise:
21 – 27 May ‘Growing the Church’ to be led by the Revd Trevor Pearce from Cape Town.
Contact Barry Sendall for details 041 581 2162 or barry@stjohnwalmer.org.za
26 May 09h30 – 12h30 ‘Introduction to silence’ for those who have wondered what a Quiet Day is all about.
Venue: Shalom Chapel and Quiet Garden, Shalom Way, Walmer.
Contact Elizabeth Shier 041 581 4129 or Betty Ledger 041 581 1439.
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