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Vol 16 No 10 November 2005 ONLINE The official gazette of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth: Church of the Province of Southern Africa

Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage PAGE 3  •  The Bishop writes ...  •  The view from pulpit and pew  •  Tag lines  •  Jean changes hats  •  Hospice needs help  •  Another wedding report The Bishop writes ... "For all the saints ..." My Dear People of God, Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Gradually, but surely, yet another year is moving on. So is our journey of faith with the Lord. The rhythm of the church’s year goes on, reminding us of our pilgrimage in this world. We constantly put our trust in God through faith to sustain us in the entire journey through this world. The title of this letter is from the well known hymn commemorating “saints” by W Walsham How (1823-97, A & M Standard). Going through the hymn, it is as if he had the letter to the Hebrews chapter 11 in mind when he wrote this poem. 1 November has been particularly set aside in our calendar to give special thanks for the multitudes of saints, not necessarily mentioned in some special way, in order to derive continual encouragement in our journey of faith. There are some special saints commemorated on specific days of our church year. What is a saint? Of course we talk about people who have an adherence to that which is divine by faith. For us this is God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Other faiths, including traditional religions of Africa, do recognise the goodness of people to earn them a special place with the divine in the hereafter. Christianity, too, has recognised the varied patterns provided by those who have gone before us, of selfless devotion and service to God for the love of fellow people, each in their different ways. Their stories, like ours,  converge in the bigger story of the cross of Christ and our salvation. The account of the writer to the Hebrews 11 to 12:3, does not only cover some special names mentioned, but also the multitudes of women and men who suffered atrocities at the hands of the ‘powers that be’ for the sake of their faith, and their solidarity with the voiceless, the powerless and the insignificant in the history of humankind. In vs 30 - 31 the writer concludes: “These were all commended for their faith … so that only together with us would they be made perfect”. This is a cloud of witnesses to cheer us in our battles against sin, which entails, in the new sciences of creative thought, follow-your-heart attitudes without a sense of sin, negligence of duty and omission of things to be done, disobedience to the Word of God and his laws as revealed in the scriptures, and failure to love and render due service to those in dire need. Our battle against poverty and unemployment, HIV/AIDS, conditions that hurt children or make them orphans, crime, discrimination on account of gender and race, continues. God created us to be happy in the world. Our fight therefore is against all that causes pain to all. Our judgement as Christians lies in the fact that we keep quiet, and leaving things to be done to others deliberately, because we do not want to come out of our comfort zones. In the challenges posed by the islamization of the world, ours is to proclaim Jesus as Lord of all, in love and fellowship with all humankind, without being apologetic in mentioning his name to all and in all situations. Those with an obedient heart will hear and be glad. Let us therefore fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Let us press on like them, to the joy that is before us, and endure the cross and shame, running with perseverance the race set before us. Christians begin now, if not already, to pray, witness, and render the due service. May God sanctify both your bodies and souls to his use, and grant you peace and prosperity. Yours sincerely in the service of Christ, Bishop Bethlehem Nopece The view from pulpit and pew Iindaba commends to the prayers of the Diocesan family Ray Smithers who, at the time of publishing, is in St George’s Hospital with a serious lung complaint. For the past few months, Ray has had pneumonia which just didn’t clear up. Ray is the much-loved widow of the late Archdeacon-emeritus Ted Smithers. Iindaba has heard of some more special birthdays. Congratulations to Doreen Collett, the first woman ordained in the Diocese, who marked her 80th birthday last month with a joyful celebration at Maranatha where she lives. She was surrounded by family and friends, and received messages from family overseas. She had two birthday cakes: a large one for the residents and staff of Maranatha, and a smaller one - with a picture of her on it - which was cut and consumed at the party. Turning 100 seems to be happening more often these days! At the time of going to press, Iindaba heard that Anna Anders of Maranatha Frail Care is soon to celebrate her 100th birthday. Iindaba wishes her every blessing, and hopes to have a photo in the next edition. Iindaba extends condolences to the family of Doris Coston who died last month. In March this year, Doris celebrated her 100th birthday! Her funeral was held at St Barnabas, Syden-ham, where she had worshipped for many years.  Iindaba also extends condolences to the family of Don Trollip whose funeral took place at St David’s, Bushman’s River, last month. Don and his wife Val farmed at Allandale near Middelburg before retiring to Port Elizabeth, then to Bushman’s River Mouth. Don was brother to Sheila Burnett, widow of Abp Bill Burnett, the Bishop of Grahamstown at the time of the splitting of the Diocese into Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, and then later Archbishop of Cape Town. The next ordination will be held at the Cathedral on Sunday 4 December when Bishop Bethlehem will ordain Angela Brown from St John the Baptist in Walmer to the priesthood. The service will be at 15h00, and clergy are asked to wear cassock and surplice with red stole. During the period when Lawrie and Isabel Wilmot were attending the trial of the man accused of the murder of their two children, their home was broken into, and many of their private possessions were stolen. As if that were not enough, soon after their return, five men broke into their home while they were there. The men proceeded to steal what they could, including taking a ring off Isabel’s finger. Praise God they were not physically harmed, but Iindaba brings this special couple before our Lord for His protection and comfort. Lawrie is an assistant at St Nicholas in Charlo, with special responsibility for the new chapelry of Christ Church in Kamma Park. Wot? Clergy on motorbikes? Yes! Keith Rae, the Diocesan Secretary/Treasurer has taken to two wheels, as has Christopher Holmes, the Rector of St Hugh’s. Christopher is concerned, however, as his bike is the same model and same colour as Keith’s, yet is markedly slower – especially up hills. We wonder why! Congratulations to Nicky Daniels, wife of Eddie, rector of St Saviour’s in Walmer. Nicky was recently appointed Principal of the Museum Education Department, a post she had been acting in for some time. This is good news for Eddie. Being married to someone interested in museums, the older he gets, the more interest she will show in him! Well done, Nicky.   Tag lines Regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life Jean changes hats Julie Botha reports that Jean Underwood has been licensed as Chaplain for the Blue Crane Hospice. During a very moving service in St Ninian’s Church, Somerset East, on 25 September, Bishop Bethlehem licensed Jean for her new work. She was until recently the Chaplain for the Anglican Women's Fellowship, but because of the long distances she had to travel, it was felt that a chaplain from a Port Elizabeth parish should take over the licence. Jean was presented to the Bishop by the churchwardens of St Ninian's, as Bishop Bethlehem has asked her to look after the parish while Joseph Xhallie is ill. Members of MU Christian Family Life were there in force, and all the congregation was  spoiled with a lovely Sunday lunch afterwards. Hospice needs help The parishes and individuals who have helped by donating articles for the Blue Crane Hospice were thanked for their help during an 'open day' recently. The secretary, Julie Botha, did a cost evaluation on the sustainability of the hospice. A minimum budget of R14 000 is needed a month to cover basic needs, and at present the cash-flow is critical. Julie pointed out that Sister Gladys Mjadu and the volunteer carers have no transport, so are unable to care for the patients who live on farms or out of town. The small farming community around Somerset East has been hit by ostrich and swine disease, so they are financially in dire straits. The community are pleading with their brothers and sisters to help if possible. If they can receive pledges of monthly donations from parishes or individuals (even some once-off donations will be very welcome) they will be able to move into a more sustainable position. Anyone who can help may contact Julie on 082 816 8190 HPCA mentoring The Blue Crane Hospice is being mentored by Mrs V Nyati of the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA). Another wedding report Iindaba congratulates Adrian Emslie on his marriage on 29 September, to Imke Meuller, whom he met while at school.  Officiating at the service was Roy Snyman tssf, now in retirement. Adrian is a former server at the cathedral and the son of cathedral lay minister Clarence Emslie and his wife Edith, who are in Abu Dahbi at present. Clarence was also a member of Diocesan Council and some of the committees for many years. Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage