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• The Bishop writes ...
• A 'Rainbow Nation' affair
• AMSA - Consultation PE
• The view from
Pulpit and Pew
• Tag lines
The
Bishop writes ...
My Dear People of God, Who will save our land and people? Greetings to you all in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Saviour!
As I write this pastoral letter, the past two weeks have been filled
with uncertainty, anger and shock in the political arena of our land.
Our young and fragile democracy is threatened by anarchists, hooliganism
and undisciplined leadership, particularly in African National Congress
(ANC) circles. A spirit of vendettas and settling of scores cannot be
ruled out. The humiliation of the President of the land is a sore point
to many South Africans. The question needs to be put to the ANC
leadership: Is this how people should govern as per their Freedom
Charter statement? The people that appear to be governing are "cliques"
created by power hungry “comrades” whose egos are as big as cathedrals.
They continue to disregard the rest of the South African people as
non-existent. What a pity!
These feelings have left unanswered questions. Whose President has been
so humiliated by being called from office by a party which has been put
there by the electorate? Why call the President when he is left with
only seven months before the next General Elections? Is the ANC governed
by Youth League, Communists and Congress of South African Trade Unions
(Cosatu) that their noise is adhered to? If this were not adhered to, is
it true that the ANC Youth League (Ancyl), would kill for Zuma? Has the
ANC become a party of vendettas and settling scores, since Mr Julius
Molema has categorically said that “Mr Jacob Zuma felt like as it feels
for President Mbeki, when called out of office?” Archbishop Emeritus
Desmond Tutu is right in saying that this kind of behaviour causes a
sore heart to a patriot whose motherland is heading for chaos and
anarchy. It is a call to all those who follow Jesus Christ to seriously
get their act together in constant and fervent prayer daily for this
land and Africa, particularly in your prayer time at 12h00.
When we pray, things happen. Before 1994 we prayed for peaceful
elections, and it happened. This new democracy was born without the
envisaged “hell of the shedding of blood” (last white mayor of Port St
John’s) and loss of life. We must not sit back as we did during
apartheid, leaving all to politicians. They prove untrustworthy,
unpatriotic and far from committed to the cause of the poor and
disadvantaged. Some times I have a feeling that after the war of
liberation, we could have given them intense debriefing and counselling
on top of the TRC process. This can be followed up especially with those
who still are adherents of the Christian church.
In the name of Christ and out of his love we call upon the governing
party not to disregard the electorate as they seem to be doing right
now. We deserve an explanation for such action, and a great apology for
humiliating the President of the country the way they have done. It is
now clear that it is not the “people who govern” but the National
Executive of the ANC. It needs to be realised that the President is not
only of the party, but of South Africa as a whole. If the latter is not
the case, then the Church, on behalf of all God’s people, must call for
a change of constitution as already indicated by some, for a President
of the people above party politics.
At confirmation we are anointed with chrism for worship, witness and
service particularly to the poor and disadvantaged. This has been the
agenda of the church for ages past. One of the ways to facilitate this
is to labour for a conducive, peaceful atmosphere politically. We
therefore need to put in place a government through the ballot box that
will respect the will of the people of South Africa by putting them
first in an attitude of service. I strongly hope and believe that
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond will vote for a party to trust, for the will
and respect of the people of God in this land. I want to strongly
encourage you not to be deterred, but to go to voting stations in great
numbers and vote. It is your democratic right given from above to put a
government in place.
May the kingdom of God come in South Africa. May his will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. God save us and bless Africa!
Yours in the love of Christ,
A 'Rainbow Nation' affair
Heritage Day, 24 September, at Holy Trinity, Central, PE, was a truly
‘Rainbow Nation’ with worship, traditional and modern
hymns and songs, and Bible readings in many African languages - English,
Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Swahili (for Kenya) and Ateso (for
Uganda) – to pipe organ accompaniment and some guitar/ traditional
drumming. The singing was led by representatives of the countries
wearing their traditional and colourful attire and the words were
screened over a backdrop of the flag of that country.
The service was followed by traditional food typical of the various
cultures in South Africa such as frikkadel and smoorsous, Umnqushe, wors
rolls, delicious cassava fish from Uganda, amaXhosa tripe, and of
course, Earl Grey tea, cucumber sandwiches and cream scones.
While folk were eating they were entertained with traditional dancing
and music. It was a wonderful event to celebrate our heritage.
Pic: The ladies in traditional dress sing praise.
AMSA - Consultation PE
[ Gavin Mitchell
]
Anglican Mainstream SA met at St John's, Walmer, on 3 and 4 September.
The gathering gave a chance for feed back and time to reflect on
developments in the Anglican Communion since GAFCON and Lambeth, and to
seek God in finding the way ahead for us in the TACSA.
There was time for those who had been to GAFCON - Gavin Mitchell, George
Malek, Duncan McLea, as well as Bishop Bethlehem Nopece who was also at
Lambeth - to share their reflections. Bishop Bethlehem then gave a full
report on his experiences at Lambeth.
On the Wednesday evening there was an open evening where there was feed
back on both GAFCON and Lambeth. It was followed by a time of worship
and teaching from our guest preacher, Pastor Fred May who has been a
long standing and generous supporter of AMSA.
Time was given to considering the next step for AMSA. The Consultation
agreed that a small delegation should seek an appointment with the
Archbishop to discuss how we best carry forward the aims of AMSA and
support him in his role as Archbishop – guardian and teacher of the
historic faith in this Province.
It was decided to continue to build the Anglican Mainstream Southern
Africa network and to have information gatherings around the country to
this end. (More on Contact Online)
The
view from pulpit and pew
TACSA has lost a wonderful bishop and pastor with the death of Bp David
Beetge, the Dean of the Province - which means he was the most senior
bishop after our Metropolitan, Abp Thabo Makgoba, of Cape Town. Bp David
(59), who was Bishop of the Diocese of the Highveld, died after a very
brave battle against cancer. At his funeral last month, Anglican
officials paid tribute to the late bishop, recognizing his great deeds
in the diocese that faced many pressing issues such as the HIV/ AIDS
pandemic, poverty and the challenges associated with the massive influx
of immigrants from Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. ‡Thabo said
that †David served the Anglican Communion “with great distinction” as
co-chairman of the International Anglican/Roman Catholic Commission on
Unity and Mission. iindaba expresses its condolences to his widow,
Carol, his family, and the people of the Diocese of the Highveld.
Some moves have taken place:
Luyanda Tuku has moved to the cathedral where he will assist Shane
Fraser. He and his family have moved into St Mary’s ‘penthouse’ flat on
the top of the hall complex. Luyanda had been helping at St Cyprian’s;
Mark Derry. Mark, formerly the assistant at the cathedral, has been
appointed rector of the Parish of Saint Francis Xavier in Kabega Park.
He, Debbie and the family, are being introduced into the wonders of
Chinese cooking and food. So meticulously is the food prepared that even
the cauliflower and the broccoli are peeled before being cooked. iindaba
bets that not many people knew that!
Jacob Plaatjies, a faithful servant of God, who has served as a deacon
at St Mary Magdalene since his ordination in 2000, is to be made a
priest at the December ordination. iindaba commends him and his wife
Marie to the prayers of the diocesan family as he takes this important step.
Last month iindaba reported that Fred Pitout, formerly rector of St
Hugh’s in Newton Park, and latterly dean of the Diocese of Natal, was
moving to the Diocese of George as their dean, on the retirement of the
present dean, Adrian Green, also formerly from this diocese. The
information was from the official Diocese of George monthly newsletter.
It now turns out that Fred will not be going to the diocese – that’s all
the information we have!
Recently two lady members of St Katharine’s in Uitenhage went on a trip
to the UK. Well what’s so unusual about that? Well nothing, really,
except that one of them, Alyth Schmitz, has no legs, but moves about
with dexterity on two false legs. Alyth has not yet got a set of blades
to compete in Olympics, but iindaba learns that she is a very determined
lady, and does not let the absence of legs get her down. A well-meaning
visiting priest asked if he could take communion down to her, but was
told in no uncertain terms that she insisted on walking up to the
communion rail, and that not even the steps proved insurmountable. To
her, iindaba says ‘Bravo - what an example!’
Life is returning to normal for Lionel and Maureen Heath of Saint Paul’s
in Parsons Hill. Lionel, a former churchwarden, recently ended his year
as District Governor of the Rotary District 9320, which includes Port
Elizabeth, Grahamstown, East London, and right up to Klerksdorp,
including Lesotho. This involved visiting over 50 clubs in one year, as
well as attending countless numbers of meetings related to Rotary.
Tag
lines
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
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