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PAGE 3 • The Bishop writes ...
• The view from pulpit and pew
• Tag lines
• New shoes for old
• Thank you
• Editor on holiday
• Christmas gifts
The Bishop writes ...
My Dear People of God,
We greet you in the name of Christ, our Lord and Saviour!
You
are aware of the present debate on the status of marriage and civil
society, in so far as gay partnerships are concerned. Some of you from
far and wide in our Province have expressed their concerns to me,
mainly from the pews. Their correspondence may not necessarily be
shared without their consent; it is my wish in this letter to assure
you that your concerns are taken seriously by us.
The call for
unity in the Anglican Communion does not in anyway purport any
agreement with the acceptance of practising homosexuality in our
Church. We stand on the fact that this kind of behaviour is
incompatible with the Word of God, the Bible, and the requirement of
them is celibacy. In my last letter to you this was made clear.
However, the importance of unity should not be underplayed by
homosexual practices which are unacceptable.
In the current
submissions to the government, the Christian community continues to
argue that Marriage, as a God given gift to humankind, is understood as
a union between one man and one women. Anything less than that cannot
be referred to as “marriage”. One is free to call it
something else. Marriage is not just for the leisure of two
individuals, it is also about the joy and privilege of biological
parenting. Children who are born within wedlock connect to their
parents with these umbilical cords which God has deliberately designed
for better life and good citizenship. It is marriage which shapes up
psychological and social aspects of an individual as ordained by the
Creator of humankind. The factory for making the child a good social
being is the home, where both the mother and the father take full
responsibility. If the Liberal Theologians are saying we must put away
the Bible in such debates, then what is it that remains to guide us in
all our doings, and especially in restoring the moral decay we
experience today? (cf. Articles of Religion XX). The Bible, as the word
of God, holds for us in all our deliberations.
Do participate in
the debates for submission to the government for the sanctity of
Marriage wherever you are. Above all, our forebears have told us, and
the Bible encourages us to pray, and not to faint. The saying still
holds true: “Goodness is stronger than evil”.
Goodness for good life shall prevail. A Xhosa poet and a writer once said:
“In the olden days when mountains were created,
God appointed one man to govern others;
And it was said that people should obey him,
And in turn he obeys Qamata,
From whom all laws and statutes shall come,
Disobeying these would cause havoc,
And the world would be turned upside-down by the madness of people."
(My own translation) SEK Mqayi: Ityala Lama Wele.
I
believe if we continue to side-line the Holy Scriptures for our own
convenience and leisure, our mission to the world will never put it
right, and transformation for good character cannot be realized. Our
world indeed will be turned upside-down, as is already the case in our
moral values.
May God bless you.
Yours in the love of Christ,
Bishop Bethlehem Nopece
The view from pulpit and pew
- iindaba
extends its condolences to Diocesan Trustee, Charles Qoto, on the death
of his father, Thamsanqa Harold Qoto, who died at Cathcart at the age
of 78 last month.
- Shane Fraser was installed as vice-provost of
the Cathedral last month. Shane was the first priest installed under
our new name, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. iindaba prays
that he and Estelle with their children will settle happily into their
new parish and home.
- A week after Shane's installation, Mzie
Doda was instituted rector of Saint Stephen's in New Brighton after
serving as assistant at the Cathedral. Likewise iindaba prays that he
and Lovely and their children will be happy in their new parish and
home.
- Congratulations to Dennis and Ruth Burkinshaw on their
Diamond Wedding Anniversary (60 years) this month. Dennis was Diocesan
Secretary/Treasurer in the undivided Diocese of Grahamstown before
moving to the new Diocese of Port Elizabeth in 1969. Instead of
expecting gifts from their friends and family, Dennis and Ruth have
asked that donations go the South African Bible Society, which helps to
spread the Word of God in all the languages of our land.
- The
retired clergy living in Kenton-on-Sea and Bushmans River Mouth have
had spells of being confined to bed. John Davis is at home after
undergoing surgery at St George's Hospital, whilst David Gwilliam spent
some time in bed at home. iindaba wishes them good health.
- The
rector of the Alexandria Parish, Terry Beadon, and his wife Jeanne,
have recently returned from a very busy Sabbatical when they travelled
to Zimbabwe in their Toyota Venture, surely now dubbed their Toyota
Adventure. They exercised a vibrant ministry amongst Christians of
various denominations. Welcome back.
- iindaba also welcomes back
from his Sabbatical Ralph McGuigan with his wife Margaret who visited
their home country, Scotland. Ralph played some golf with his brother,
and was also able to be a spectator at a golf tournament - In the very
country that created the game. Some say the name GOLF is the acronym
for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden! Who knows?
- Ken Berry, a
former churchwarden of Holy Trinity, Central, has joined African
Enterprise as a volunteer in their Port Elizabeth office. iindaba
wishes him well in this challenging and exciting new direction.
- iindaba
is aware that some of our youth are at present sitting for their Matric
finals. We would like to assure you all of our prayers, and the hope
that you will be able to answer the questions to the satisfaction of
the examiners.
- Roger Schärges, the Diocesan Registrar,
who recently underwent surgery, is now recuperating at home. iindaba
wishes him a speedy recovery.
- For the first time in its
history, the Church Men's Society has a female chaplain. Last month
†Bethlehem appointed Nicolette Leonard to the position.
- Chapter
has a new canon. This time it is official! Two months ago, when Mario
Hendricks, rector of St Mark and St John in Parkside, was appointed
Dean of Studies, iindaba was premature in announcing he had also become
a member of Chapter.
Tag lines
Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.
New shoes for old
As
part of the mission and vision of the Parish of the Zwartkops River
Valley, new school shoes and jerseys were recently handed over to the
local school, reports Lyn Bosch.
The ZRV Parish vision is
to be a church involved in the community, and one way of doing this was
to provide much needed help at the school. The money for this project
was a joint effort from parish funds, money from the UK and a donation
from the USA. This enabled us to a donate 60 pairs of boys and
girls school shoes and 60 boys and girls school jerseys.
What
joy and delight were on the faces of the children when the rector,
Sharon Nell, and Bev Shepherd visited the school to deliver the shoes
and jerseys just a week after the flood. The day was bleak, cold and
wet, and some of the children had no jerseys, and the soles of their
shoes were held to the leather by staples. The shoes and jerseys were
handed out to those children in desperate need and the rest to the
principal, Mr Labans, for distribution to those he felt were the next
most needy.
Pics: 1) The new and the old - New shoes and jerseys awaiting distribution. 2) Sole-destroyed - A young girl holds up some of the pupils old shoes.
Thank you
iindaba
is sad to report that due to failing eyesight, David MacGregor, has
asked to be relieved of his position as the Bishop's representative on
the iindaba committee, and from being involved in our web page.
David
was first appointed by Bishop Eric and then reaffirmed by Bishop
Bethlehem. His insight and counsel will be missed by the editor and
committee. Not only that, but sadly he is ending his very interesting
web site ContactOnLine. Those who have enjoyed this informative web
page will miss it.
Thank you David! Many blessings as you enjoy retirement.
Pic: David MacGregor taken in his garden in 2000.
The editor on holiday
Readers
and contributors are asked to please note that the editor will be away
for two weeks, from 10 - 25 November. Among other things she will be
attending her step-grandmother's 90th birthday party in Eikenhof,
Gauteng.
No, it's not the postponed trip to Israel.
Christmas gifts
If
we fill our children's stockings with superfluous toys and sweets,
without offering them the chance of finding faith through Jesus the
Christ, we are denying them one of the greatest of Christmas gifts.
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