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• St Ninian's hosts MUCFL Conference
• AWF Stalwarts step down
• A Fayre with a differnce
• Taizé service
• RSCM Summer School 2008
St Ninian's hosts MUCFL Conference
The eighth biennial MU
Christian Family Life conference was held at St Ninian’s Church
in Somerset East from the 22 to 24 April 2007, reports Linda Ncaca.
The theme of the Conference was “Help us find those who need us,
and enable us to give them strength”, and the President, Nomonde
Qoto, explained the meaning of the theme by way of illustrations from
Jesus’ parables. The Archdeacon of Cradock, Dudley Greenshields,
welcomed everyone on the Thursday afternoon, and on the Friday the new
MUCFL chaplain, David Grobbelaar, was inducted by Bishop Bethlehem.
The Thursday was convened by Nomvuyo Xhallie, the Cradock Archdeaconry
Presiding Member and the Friday by Xoliswa Jack, the vice president.
In her address, Nomonde challenged members to focus on areas such as
orphans and vulnerable children, abuse of children and women and the
scourge of HIV/AIDS. She reminded them of the Provincial priorities
which include the need to raise awareness of the scourge, and to expand
the literacy and development programmes; to reach out to the poor; and
to promote family values. “Our Theme therefore calls for outreach
programmes, and our objectives can be achieved through the MU Unit
committees, - Prayer and Spirituality, Action and Outreach, Human
Resource Development, Marketing and Finance and Administration."
Pic: Energiser time! enough with sitting .... time to move, during the MUCFL conference.
Teenage pregnancy
During the conference the MEC, Noxolo Abraham-Ntantiso, spoke on
‘Teenage Pregnancy, stressing the health risks that young
people from ages to 10 - 19 face, such as sexually transmitted
infections. Early pregnancy and marriage, and invasive gender
discrimination and violence were other areas she covered. Poverty and
unemployment intensifies these factors and the way our society
addresses these issues will have a major impact on health, development
and human rights, not only today but in future.
She continued by saying that our major challenge is that young people
are growing up in a rapidly changing world. Modern technology exposes
them to sexually explicit images as well as immoral music lyrics and
language. They lack basic information on moral values, reproductive
health and how to protect themselves from early pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and
other transmitted infections. She said that today, half of all new HIV
infections occur among youth aged 15 to 24. An estimated 6 000 youth
are infected with HIV every day.
 AWF Stalwarts step down
Elections took place at the
Anglican Women’s Fellowship AGM held at St Simon of Cyrene,
Uitenhage, on 10 March, and two stalwarts stepped down after many years
of service.
Hazel Braun has served for 20 years as treasurer, and Eleanor Brooks as
secretary for almost as many years, and both felt it was time to hand
over to younger members. They have been replaced by Marie Plaatjies as
treasurer and Mavis Cook as secretary. Sylvia Frans was elected to
serve a second term as president with Violet du Plessis as her vice and
Jean Lerotholi as the alternate. Executive members are Doreen Meyer,
Caroline Pieterse, Rosy Njezula, Lillian Daniels and Daniswa Blouw.
The branch reports indicated that members are still very involved in
the social outreach programmes within their parishes, while many also
play significant roles within their parish structures. The branches
have also contributed towards the baby-packs for hospitals and other
diocesan projects.
Training workshop
A training workshop was held at St Michael and All Angels during
February, and participants looked at the characteristics of a good
Christian leader and the job description of a secretary and a
treasurer. The women found it very informative and renewing.
Pic 1: Caring for the little ones - AWF members delivered baby packs to Provincial Hospital.
Pic 2: Taking notes - Caroline Piterse and Hazel Braun taking notes during an AWF workshop.
A Fayre with a differnce
An Easter Fayre with a
difference is what St John’s in Walmer held on Saturday, 24
March, when the aim was to ‘Bring Christ back into
Easter’.
There were various craft and Christian theme stores, a tea garden, lots
of food as well as loads of carnival games for the children. There was
also a children’s art gallery with items that the Sunday school
had made and various church worship and dance teams kept people focused
on the theme. In the evening Anthony Keogh’s Christian jazz and
blues team enthralled the listeners who then closed the day with a
service of worship by candlelight.
At the end of the day a profit of R10 500 was raised for the St Augustine’s crèche.
Pic: Come and buy! - Joshua Parry was on duty at the Sunday School store to sell the wonderful crafts made by the children.
Taizé service
“When the music that is
heard with the mind reaches the ears of the heart and can be felt
within you, then you know that you are in the Presence of the Father,
and the Son is present within you.” (Brother Roger, the late
founder of the Taizé Community in France)
On 10 March, at St John’s in Walmer, about 40 members of
affiliated choirs of the Royal School of Church Music participated in a
Taizé workshop under the direction of Robert Penrith, the parish
rector, reports Maureen de Villiers.
Musical accompaniment was provided by Justin Stone at the organ and by
several instrumentalists. The workshop culminated in a deeply moving
Contemplative Service led by Robert (who had to don two hats for the
service!) and his assistant priest, Barry Sendall. The Service was very
well attended, which was most encouraging.
This Taizé form of worship is quiet and reflective, deeply
peaceful yet joyful, and is characterised by the repetitive singing of
chants, interspersed with readings, prayer and silence. The
congregation was encouraged to join in the chants if they felt moved to
do so. By singing the chants many times, what we were able to
“hear with our ears,” indeed “reached our
hearts”!
RSCM Summer School 2008
Maureen de Villiers reports
that the year 2008 marks the 80th anniversary of the Royal School of
Church Music, UK, which was founded in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson.
There will be world-wide commemorations of this special event, and Port
Elizabeth will have the privilege of hosting the annual Summer School
during this year of celebration. We are going to pull out all stops to
make sure that our Summer School will make 2008 a year to
remember!
We have invited Gordon Appleton to be the Director. He is a well known
and highly respected church musician in the UK, and is Director,
Voluntary Networks of the RSCM, UK. He has had vast experience in
directing choirs and conducting Summer Schools and Cathedral Courses,
not only in the UK but in several other countries. Assisting him at the
organ will be Dr Barry Smith, who, until his retirement last
year, was organist at St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town, for over
40 years. What makes it even more special is that Barry grew up in Port
Elizabeth and was a chorister in St Mary’s Collegiate Church
Choir. Simon Aiken, sub-dean of Bloemfontein Cathedral will be the
Course Chaplain. Simon is a talented musician and has close ties with
the RSCM.
Accommodation will be at Collegiate High, and the services will be held
at St Mary’s Cathedral. We are hoping for strong support from our
local choirs and individual singers. For further details, please phone
the chairman, Jenny Yates, at 041 373 3311.
RSCM Summer School
2 - 9 January 2008
Port Elizabeth
Contact Jenny Yates
041 373 3311
"The Greatest Miracle of All"
Lunch and flower demonstration at St Paul's
Saturday 5 May at 13h00.
Cost: R100
Contact Sandra
082 928 6680 or 041 365 0991
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