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• The Bishops of the CPSA write
Resolution on corruption The bishops of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, Anglican, meeting at their Synod in St John's College, Houghton, from 27 - 29 August 2004, expressed their dismay at the prevailing corruption in the country. As servant leaders of the church, charged with the responsibility to banish error and to proclaim the demands of justice, we are calling on all citizens to stop undermining the rule of law but contribute towards the reconstruction and development of our new democracy that seeks the welfare of all children of God. We are disturbed by the defrauding of government, business and public by people who are entrusted with the responsibility to promote the common good of the people of our land. As spiritual leaders we feel constrained by the demands of the Gospel to challenge the increasing incidents of unethical behaviour, maladministration of the country's resources and we condemn the financial irregularities by those in positions of public trust and responsibility. We call on the people of faith in Southern Africa to strive to exemplify the values of the Gospel in their different callings and to commit themselves to conduct their public and private affairs with transparen-cy and integrity. We believe that the people of God, by promoting high ethical standards and best business practice in all their dealings, will challenge the growing tendency to promote self enrichment at the expense of the common good. We would urge all who have succumbed to the temptation of corruption, which manifests itself in bribery and theft, to seek God's healing and forgiveness by discovering their immoral practices and to make reparation. We as pastors and counsellors are committed to help those who are struggling with material accumulation and addicted to stealing. All those who present themselves for counselling will be treated confidentially. We are exhorting all people, especially those who are of the household of faith, to work in the light, "because God is light and in God there is no darkness at all."
An essential thing for happiness is the gift of friendship.
The Lord has His time cut out pleasing the farmers - some want rain, others want sunshine and all at the same time! Kinkelbos area had been very dry for months. In faith farmers prepared and fertilised their lands, but badly needed rain just would not fall, despite many pleas and prayers. Dennis, my husband, had been “wrestling” with the Lord about this before church on Sunday 15 August, when he sensed God saying, “Rain will fall in the first week of September.” This word was followed by a feeling of peace which stilled (most of) the doubts. He shared this with several farm friends and the bank manager. He had also placed an order with God for a minimum of 50 - 75mm! Well, came 1 September and the heavens opened - 20mm soaking rain, followed every few days by another good fall. Eight days later figures in the little black book were totted up - 75mm exactly! (One of the first phonecalls to find out how we’d fared came from the bank manager. Praise the Lord!). The copious rains that have followed have been a bonus. How we have rejoiced and thanked God to see new life busting out all over, and the animals enjoying the fresh grass. What a mighty God we serve!
One of Barbara Butters’ favourite verses of encouragement was
from Zechariah 10 : 1
The celebrations were held at the end of September in Bloemfontein,
and attended by 1 000 women from all over the CPSA. Ruth shared with
Iindaba that, “The worship was wonderful as a thousand voices
raised their praises to the Lord, and the atmosphere of love and care
throughout the conference was so special. Unfortunately Jessie was away when Iindaba needed to be put to bed, so only Ruth could be interviewed and photographed. We share with readers the citation on Ruth’s ICON: Picture: An ICON - Ruth Burkinshaw proudly holds the ICON presented to her at the MU Centenary Celebrations. “Enrolled in 1962. A senior citizen who is 84 years old. She served as Secretary/Treasurer of her branch. Appointed MU Diocesan Secretary in 1962, a position she filled with great competence for several years. She administered the Gertrude Mbopa Bursary Fund which was established through the link Derby Diocese in England. In 1988 became Diocesan President. She was instrumental in starting the MU Diocesan Education Loan Fund that helped needy tertiary education students. After her term, continued to serve her branch as enrolling member when no one was willing to take the leadership. Attended Worldwide conference in England. When Namibia became independent, she travelled to Windhoek to assist the drawing up of the Constitution in that Diocese. Her branch donated the Layettes to Dora Nginza and Livingstone hospitals and still continue to do so. She is a member of the Order of the Diocese.” Many of the top purple (one can’t call them top brass!) were present at the celebrations. Bishop Bethlehem, as the liaison bishop for CPSA organisations, was present as were Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, and the Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane. The Bishop of the Diocese of the Free State, Paddy Glover, attended each day as did Bishop Joseph Tsubella of Lesotho. The latter travelled in with the contingent of Lesotho delegates each day.
This report will appear in the December issue of Iindaba. Hopefully, some of the young folk who were present will let Iindaba have some photographs to go with the report.
This is one of the new proposals in the report which it is hoped will save the Church from schism. Anglican provinces must sign an unbreakable unity agreement which would prevent dioceses and provinces from ever ordaining gay bishops again as was done by ECUSA. A “star chamber” is to be set up to adjudicate when provinces are accused of breaking the agreement. Suspension from membership of the Anglican Communion will result if they do not come back into line. This could not mean merely receiving an invitation to attend the Lambeth Conference which is held every 10 years but could go as far as churches being denied the right to say they are 'in communion' with Cantuar. The Windsor Report is a 126 page document from the commission under the chairmanship of Archbishop Dr Robin Eames, Primate of Ireland, which was set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury to look into, among other things, the gay issue. Primates from the 38 Anglican provinces will meet next February to study the report and will be asked to sign a covenant. One clause is reported to state: “No ecclesiastical authority shall act in a manner inconsistent with the terms of communion, the bonds of unity, shared by the churches of the Anglican Communion.” Bishop David Beetge represented the CPSA on the 17 member commission which included members from across the evangelical, liberal and catholic wings of the Church. The members were asked to examine the nature of communion and to find a way of maintaining church unity. As each of the 38 provinces in the communion has to agree with the proposals it may be a long time before any results are felt. Ed's note: The full report will soon be available from the Bishop's office. Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage |
For more information about Iindaba,
contact the editor at iindaba@anglicandiocesepe.org.za
That care stretched even to delicious packed lunches being given to
all those travelling home by road.” She also spoke of the beauty
on the cultural celebration day when all the women dressed in their
long MU skirts which had been individually enhanced.