Iindaba
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• Tragedy strikes AWF conference
On their way to attend the meeting being held at Carmel by the Sea near George were Ray Overmeyer. provincial vice-president, Agnes Scheepers, treasurer, and Cheryl Kirsten, the provincial liaison person. Whilethey were travelling from Cape Town the car had a tyre blow-out and, sadly, Agnes had to have a leg amputated. It was a real test of our faith and the programme needed some major reshuffling.
There was also time for fun and fellowship, making new friends and renewing old friendships. A celebration was enjoyed when a life-member, Catherine Jacobs, from the Diocese of George, celebrated her 85th birthday with us on 26 August. Picture: Banner Parade - Our diocesan contingent during the banner parade. Diocesan President, Myrtle Koen, is on the left holding the banner, and Vice-president, Sylvia Frans, on the right. Human sexuality issue I read with some interest Fr Ruthell Johnson’s letter concerning the executive summary of the response to the Archbishop’s discussion document on human sexuality. As Fr Ruthell says, there may indeed be those in the ‘pro-gay’ camp who are more interested in promoting their own agenda than in discerning the will of the Holy Spirit in our time. However, this is a very human tendency. Fr Ruthell refers to those who oppose homosexual practise because they consider it to be ‘unbiblical, unnatural and emotionally unhealthy’. Is it not possible that some who are of this persuasion have participated in the discussion in the hope that the status quo will prevail, and that the issue will be shelved for the next 2000 years or so? The CPSA has through the Provincial Standing Committee and the Synod of Bishops, decided same-sex relationships may not be accepted or blessed at the present time. It has also committed itself to an ongoing process involving dialogue between its members, both gay and straight, and to considering what can be discerned through study of the Scriptures, and of what science has to say on the subject. Such a process only makes sense if all of those involved are prepared to accept that some of their current views may need to change, however unpalatable and unlikely this may seem at present. Come what may, this issue is not going to go away any time soon. The Archbishop’s discussion document was but one small step in this process. It cannot be regarded as a referendum, and in any event, the decision-making process of the CPSA does not include referenda. Fr Ruthell wonders what will be the next liberal cause once the gay issue has been resolved. We can only speculate, but previous ones included slavery, racial discrimination and the role of women in the Church. In all of these, the prevailing conventional wisdom was accepted for centuries, and regarded as part of the natural, God-ordained order of things. In all of them, the Church radically changed its stance, after a lengthy process that went far beyond a single discussion document. With that in mind I look forward to the next liberal cause! Geoff Booth - Bluewater Bay PS I am Alternate Churchwarden of the Parish of the Zwartkops River Valley. This letter is written in my personal capacity, and in no way reflects the viewpoint of the Parish or the Parish Council.
Philip began his service at St Michael and All Angels, Schauderville, when Sister Constance asked him to become a Sunday School teacher, and eight years later was the superintendent. Over the years he has been involved as a server, as a member of the youth group, St Raphael’s Guild, and was one of the foundation members of the Church Men’s Society. In 1976 he moved to Uitenhage and became a member of St Simon of Cyrene. He got involved in the parish straight away and has been on the Parish Council, is a Lay Minister and a member of the choir. He has also been very involved in Sunday School outreach to various areas of the parish. Picture: The beginnings - Philip Thorne (back row far right) with some of the members of St Michael and All Angels at the beginning of his ministry. Back row: Ronnie Kannemeyer and Mervyn Hiles. (Front row) Maureen van den Berg, Dorothy Wilmot (now Koopman), Maureen Scholtz (now de Lange).
It is once more available - at the original cost of R35.
Postage is
Orders by Tel/fax/answering 041 373 1283
Electronic Banking: Credit to - Roy Snyman Proof of Bank Deposit to be sent and cheques marked ‘Not Negotiable’ to Roy Snyman.
Mary reminds us that Advent waiting is an intricate, intimate process of receiving and bringing forth, of movement and stillness, of pain and joy, of darkness and light, of solitude and community. In this she offers us, for our journey of faith, a model of confidence in God and an expectant, grateful heart. Through guided meditation, silence and communal silent prayer, this retreat provides us the opportunity to prepare, with Mary, to receive the Christ-Child this Advent Season.
A team from the Eastern Cape Region of Contemplative Outreach, South
Africa, will facilitate the retreat.
Celebrated conductor, Richard Cock, will be conducting a specially invited choir, chamber orchestra and excellent local soloists. The choir of about sixty voices will include members of the Cathedral Choir, the Port Elizabeth Oratorio Choir and other local ensembles. Final details including ticket prices will be announced in the press. Advance booking enquiries, particularly for groups from other churches in the diocese will be very welcome - those interested should contact Eric Spencer, Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers, on 041 581 3141 as soon as possible with the numbers of tickets required. 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
Delegates
and observers from all the diocese that have AWF branches, except
Namibia, attended - 101 in all. The theme chosen for the next two
years is “Building Family Life with a Difference”. Although
the gathering proved to be a real challenge, the input given was
aimed at supplying resources to tackle the theme and to enhance the
functioning of the AWF at diocesan level. Some of the talks given
included ‘Leadership Motivation’, ‘HIV/AIDS vaccine
and medication’ and ‘Violence against Women and Moral
Regeneration.’ Speakers included Mazoe Nopece, Sr Mathilde
Mogale and Sylvia Adams. Other important visitors, who were also
contri-butors to the programme were Thandie Xundu, Provincial
President of the Mothers’ Union, and Dr Pat Gorvalla, a former
AWF Provincial President.
On
15 August 1954 Philip Thorne gave his life to the Lord and has been
serving Him for the 50 years since then.