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• New Seafarers Centre opens
• What a day it was
• Archdeaconry Healing service
New Seafarers Centre opens
With the ribbon having been cut
by the Port Manager, Esther Goosen, the doors to the new
interdenominational Seafarers Centre were officially opened by Martin
Britz, who will be running the Centre and visiting the ships as they
come into port.
As everyone moved into the centre for the speeches, snacks and drinks,
the visitors, who included representatives from the various shipping
companies, the Port Authority and Yacht Club, were welcomed by Ruthell
Johnson, chairman of the Missions to Seafarers (MTS) and also of
the Centre Committee. Michael Coleman and Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of
the Roman Catholic Church were also welcomed as they arrived.
Ruthell paid tribute to the Dutch Reformed Churches mission operation,
“Biblia”, for making the facilities available to the
various Christian faith-based organisations who will be working
together out of the Centre in their mission outreach to the seafarers.
He also thanked Esther Goosen for her help given on behalf of the
landlord, National Ports Authority.
The Centre, within walking distance of the quay, is a place for
visiting seafarers to call their own, a place to relax and have access
to the internet (three computers), telephones, a games room, a lounge
to relax in and read or watch DSTV, and a small canteen. A small chapel
is available for church services or just quiet times, and there is a
room for one-on-one counselling if needed. The organisations which have
spent two years in negotiations to form the new Centre include Biblia -
Dutch Reformed Church, Anglican MTS, Methodist International
Sailors’ Society (ISS), and the Roman Catholic Apostle-ship of
the Sea (AOS).
Representatives from all the organisations made a special effort to be
present for the opening with Prof Fanie Snyman, the co-ordinator for
Biblia, travelling from Bloemfontein, The Revd Boet van Schalkwyk, the
principal chaplain of ISS, Terry Whitfield the National co-ordinator of
AOS and Des Vaubell the Chaplain for MTS all coming from Durban and Sid
Colam Exec Sec of MTS in SA from George. Among the locals present were
Sid Strong of the Knights of da Gama, David Stansbury our MTS chaplain,
Brian Roos, Godfrey Monaghan and John Davies, MTS Commit-tee members,
who had been very involved in the last Seafarers Centre which closed in
2003.
Members of our parishes are welcome to pop into the Centre in the port,  to
the right of the Campanile entrance, where Martin Britz, Joy Thompson
and Sis van Jaarsveld will make them welcome. Donations of Bibles
and magazines will be welcome and for those who can knit there is a
pattern for you to knit beanies for the sailors. Ruthell also has
prayer leaflets for any intercessors who would like to pray for the
work at the Centre and for Missions to Seafarers.
Pic 1: The doors are open and Martin Britz invites Esther Goosen the Port Manager to be the first to enter the new Seafarers Centre.
Pic 2: MTS committee members, David Stansbury, chaplain, Brian Roos, Godfrey Monaghan and Ruthell Johnson the chairman.
Pic 3: Chaplains to Seafarers, David Stansbury and Des Vaubell, testing the snooker table. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier in the background.
What a day it was
When
Bishop Bethlehem visited St Stephen’s on 5 August the theme of
the day was “Concentrate on heavenly things and allow Jesus to
come into your heart.”
They were the words used by the Bishop when he licensed 29 lay
ministers, of which nine were women. He then went on to confirm 27
people. The church was filled to capacity with parishioners and
visitors from other parishes.
At the end of the service Bishop Bethlehem could hardly believe his
eyes when he was presented with a live sheep donated by members of the
parish. He commented, “Ndibethe emloyeni” and he was
excited. He commended the effort put in by the parishioners in raising
funds for the renovations to the church ‘Which now looks like a
cathedral,’ and praised the rector, Mzie Doda, on the good work
he has done in the short time he has been there and the good
relationship he and his family have with his parishioners. Bishop
Bethlehem ended his visit with a delicious lunch.
LL Hopa
Pic: A new dimension for our chief shepherd, with gift of a sheep.
Archdeaconry Healing service
St Francis Xavier church was
packed on the afternoon of Sunday 26 August when members of the Parsons
Vlei Archdeaconry gathered for a Healing Service. 
The arch-deaconry is made up of St Luke’s, St Mark and
St John, All Saints’, St Francis Xavier and Christ the King.
Speaking on Matt 8:1-4, the archdeacon, Welile Kani, spoke about the
leper who had no doubt that Jesus could do the impossible but asked if
Jesus was willing, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me
clean.” Welile went on to remind his listeners that all too often
we put many excuses forward and block our healing.
After a couple of testimonies almost half the congregation went forward for prayer for healing.
Pic: Archdeacon Welile Kani and parishioners.
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