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• The Bishop writes ...
• The view from pulpit and pew
• Tag lines
• Lawson Brown to the rescue
• Inter-church mission contributes to St Alban’s ministry
The Bishop writes ...
All things new
My dear Friends in Christ,
The
vision of a new heaven and a new earth is a creative one in Christ.
This is what the writer of Revelation sees (Rev 21:1-2). It is when we
are “in Christ” that we begin to appreciate the vision of the new,
without any threat of losing our cozy corners and our created bases.
The possibility of a “new creature” implies a change of heart,
position, improvement on the present, complete transformation that
meets the needs with an offer for a permanent solution, all things made
new (cf Rev 21:3-6). For John Maxwell, vision establishes an informed
bridge to a better tomorrow, as the perception of the presence of
Christ initiates restoration of our fellowship with God, which we lost
in the Garden of Eden (Maxwell: Leadership Bible, p1577). It is only
when we let go of the old in our own lives that new beginnings are
exciting and our “all” is completely transformed, especially our
thoughts for a successful rewarding tomorrow.
Our Christian life
always provides for an opportunity to change and amend that which is
amiss for a better engagement in the call to daily service of the Lord
and one another. The challenge for us is to always see the vision of
Christ and his kingdom in front of us at all times, especially in our
hearts. Realising our call in whatever category the Lord puts us always
brings to us the peace of mind and soul. There is nothing that
threatens us any longer. Those of us called to the three- fold ordained
ministry of the church, i.e. deacons, priests and bishops, are
constantly reminded of our share in the ministry of humbleness and
obedience Christ had to the Father (Jn 13:1-17). Lay ministry has
developed within that ministry for the extension of God’s kingdom of
priests who “stand and serve before our God” for his own glory (Rev
5:9-10). We may be archbishops or archdeacons; the bottom line is that
we are all a kingdom of priests, each according to their calling. May
God save us from pride, prejudice and hypocrisy, and grant us more of
his love and appreciation of what we are in our own categories. May his
name be praised forever!
It is with great joy and contentment to
share with you the well-known news of the new Archbishop of Cape Town
and our Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa in the
name of Bishop Thabo Makgoba, the Bishop of Grahamstown. He is the
youngest in the history of ACSA. We congratulate him and Lungi for this
great task and undertaking. May the good Lord continue to bless and
protect them, and grant them the necessary strength they need in each
daily chore. He will be collated in January 2008 and enthroned in April
2008. Other candidates for election were Bishop Joe Seoka of Pretoria
and the Revd Prof Barney Pityana, pricipal and vice- chacellor of
UNISA. We thank God for them too, and for showing us other leaders in
them in his church. Our prayers go to them and their wives Timeyu and
Dimza respectively, and their families.
Our Diocesan Council has
approved the implementation of the new ‘structures’ proposals. The
information is sent to all Rectors and Churchwardens to filter through
to you. As Lord Tennyson reminds us: “The old order changeth, yielding
place to new, and God fulfills himself in many ways” (Morte de`
Arthur); so we embrace the new. It is ours. We decided on it at our
last Diocesan Synod. May God bless our vision of Christ, and our
efforts in the building of his kingdom both in his church and the
diocese.
Remember: More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of! (Tennyson op.cit.)
May God bless you with the blessing of peace and prosperity, both you and your children.
Yours in the love of Christ,
Bishop Bethlehem Nopece
Pic: Bishop Bethlehem and Mazoe at the clergy dinner earlier this year.
The view from pulpit and pew
-
iindaba congratulated David McCoy, son of Mike (assistant at St
Hugh’s) and Lorna, for making it to the finals of the Herald
Matric of the Year. Although he was not the Matric of the Year, David,
deputy head-boy at Alex High, won the cultural top spot. His average
percentage over the year has been 99%, and he intends studying music at
the NMMU next year. iindaba would like to know if any of the other
finalists worship in one of our churches.
-
iindaba wishes all matriculants and others sitting exams at this time
every blessing, praying that hopes and dreams for the future are
realised.
- Congratulations to Tony Oshry, mentioned in The Herald Citizen of the
Year awards. Tony was instrumental in the building of the greenhouses
at the Emmanuel Haven Farm, which employs people living with HIV. Due
to his expert hands-on advice, the project now markets cucumbers and
tomatoes throughout the Eastern Cape. Tony’s wife, Christine, is
the daughter of Peggy and the late Bob Selley, for many years organist
and choirmaster at the Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin, and
Musical Director of the City.
-
iindaba is sad to record the death of Audrey Serfontein, the widow of
Henry, who had been a priest in the diocese until his death in 1987.
Audrey, a member of St Michael-and-All Angels, was visiting her
youngest daughter, Cheryl Lynn, in Boksburg. Audrey complained of
feeling ill, and died in the car on the way to the doctor’s
rooms. Audrey’s eldest child, Alan, living in New Zealand, served
as the Youth Representative on Diocesan Council. iindaba records its
condolences to her family.
-
At a Quiet Day for St Hugh’s last month, their deacon, Denise
Rae, one of the leaders, said during the introduction “At times
of medication – err meditation, you may….” It does
not take a rocket scientist to discover she works for a pharmacy!
However those attending felt the whole day, arranged by Denise with
Lynette Johnson, was indeed medicine for the soul.
-
Church news often focuses on work in the church, but seldom on work
on the church. iindaba is happy to announce that the Chapelry of St
Paul’s, Hankey, which was looking a little ‘down in the
dumps’, until two men from St Mark’s in Humansdorp decided
to roll up their sleeves and give the church a ‘make-over’.
As a result of the efforts of Dougie Diedrichs and Des Hill, the church
is now shining in its pristine glory, having been painted, the woodwork
restored and cleaned from top to bottom. Praise be to God for their
efforts.
-
Christopher Holmes, rector of St Hugh’s in Newton Park,
received a post card from Abp Philip Russell, first Bishop of Port
Elizabeth, and Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town. Abp Philip, who
suffered a stroke earlier in the year, was able to write the post card
by hand, which is a great sign of improvement, for which we give thanks
to God. iindaba continues to commend him to the prayers of all its
readers.
-
Sharon Nell, rector of Zwartkops River Valley Parish, celebrated her
50th birthday (please don’t tell anyone – one does not
repeat a lady’s age!). Not content with just one celebration, the
family celebrated with friends on the Friday evening, with the family
at home on the Saturday, and with a parish breakfast on the Sunday.
Welcome to the fabulous fifties, Sharon!
Tag lines
Gentle words fall lightly
but they carry great weight.
Lawson Brown to the rescue
When Jogra Gallant, the Prison’s chaplain, needed help with
Bibles, writing materials and books, the pupils from Lawson Brown High
School came to the rescue. The Bible Study group at St Alban’s
prison has grown from 50 students to 302, and Jogra is in dire need of
as much help as she can get for the students, not only for materials
but also for TEE fees. Any parishes (or schools) able to help are asked
to contact Jogra at 041 481 7654.
Inter-church mission contributes to St Alban’s ministry
An Inter-Church Mission weekend involving Anglican, Presbyterian and
Baptist congregations in the western suburbs brought in R3 000 towards
TEE courses at St Alban’s prison.
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Contact BARBARA
041 373 4469
coraltreepe@lantic.net
www.coraltreeguesthouse.co.za
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