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• St Katharine’s bring joy
• Good Shepherd - as busy as ever
• Hope Africa Conference
• Meeting in Glory
• Young, but vibrant
• Welcome from the Kariega Archdeaconry Youth
St Katharine’s bring joy
[ Alith Schmitz ] During 2007 St Katharine’s Church in Uitenhage began a project ‘Adopt-a-child’ for the children from Amanzi Farm School.
On 20 November 2008 we held a Christmas party in the church where the children from the school were brought to the church and the ‘adopted’ parents joined them bringing a small plate of eats and a cooldrink for the children. The parents pay R30 a year for each child and that buys a small packet of sweets and chips for the birthday and the balance goes towards a Christmas present.
The children entertained the ‘parents’ with wonderful items, including a nativity play – all in English. Even the 12 pre-school put on items.
Adopted parents are not only members of St Katharine’s congregation but some are from various Eastern Cape churches as well as from Windhoek in Namibia and Paisley in Scotland.
Thanks to all who helped to make possible this special day for the children.
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Good Shepherd - as busy as ever
[ Pam Brown ]  The first quilt made by the Mothers’ Union Christian Family Life members of All Souls in Bluelilliesbush was proudly displayed for the photographer, together with a second sewing machine presented Tuesday 16 February by Eileen Bambrough. It had been donated by a parishioner in Jeffreys Bay. The ladies are keen to start on cushions next and to start knitting and crocheting. Wool has been donated but needles and suitable material are needed . Their soup kitchen is continuing every Wednesday and a very pleasant day was spent by Pam and Eileen in that very beautiful part of the parish. We hope to make it a regular monthly visit to encourage these industrious ladies.
Seventh year for Babypacks
 St Mark’s major sponsor, Jane Green from the UK, is photographed with toys she brought for the little ones who attend the ARV clinic in Humans-dorp.
We are thankful that Jane also brought her usual two bags of babygrows etc. which she brings from the UK every year.
We also thank God for her recovery from a second successful treatment for abdominal cancer. Her baby clothes collection keeps her spirits up even during treatment and she was often requested to cheer others while she underwent her treatment. Her faithful band of knitters are still supporting her and us and British Airways carried the extra kgs of overweight baggage free of charge. What a wonderful God we serve!
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Hope Africa Conference
[ Pam Brown ] Committed social development representatives from parishes of the Diocese came together on Friday 13 and Sat 14 February to meet with Hope Africa, who facilitate the Social development programme in the Anglican Church of Southern
Africa.
A warm welcome was extended by Bishop Bethlehem to Petrine Pakoe and Nomzano Landingwe from Hope Africa in Cape Town. Their vision is to facilitate effective development through partnership with the Diocese of Port Elizabeth.
After a scene-set by Mario Hendricks, the portfolio holder for social development on the BCC, the attendees were allocated small discussion groups to enable them to find out exactly what is being done within the sphere of social development in the diocese.
God rewarded us with much positive thought, shared outcomes and an opportunity of networking. We all have the same motivation but different constraints. We achieved our outcomes of a clear understanding of social development work in the diocese and reached consensus on how to go forward to reach a coordinated approach to development, incorporating a strategic planning process to achieve the diocesan vision.
An initial four person team (representing the four archdeaconries) will make contact with the churches in their archdeaconry. A working committee of six agreed to form a network, database and, hopefully a website at a later date, under the guidance of Mario. We thank Hope Africa for the encouragement and support given during this conference.
With God's help we will make a difference and obtain our millennium goals. Our thanks also to Neal and his team at St Luke's Retreat Centre.
Pic: Bishop Bethlehem with the Hope Africa delgates in the chapel at St Luke's Retreat Centre. [ Back to top ]
Meeting in Glory
[ Siyabulela Tshatshu ] On 28 February St Matthew’s, KwaMagxaki, youth had a ‘meeeting in glory’ which was in the form of a retreat conducted by the rector, Nelson Nongauza.
The theme of the retreat was “Building the Kingdom of God on Earth” and began with a Eucharist Service. Nelson introduced the retreat by saying that it was to help turn the young people’s thoughts to God; for them to be quiet and meditate for the transformation of their hearts; and to pray for their needs and the needs of others. He reminded them they were not allowed to talk, nor join with others to form groups, but that they were to quietly read their Bibles and reflect.
There were three addresses: ‘What is youth?’, ‘Cleanliness’, and ‘Building the Kingdom of God on Earth.’
On youth - They’re young with fresh ideas, minds and thoughts; hungry brains with which to build the Kingdom; challenged by a busy world; needing protection and guidance; needing to be challenged out of their comfort zones.
Cleanliness - ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ (Deut 23:12-14); cleanliness of heart, shown by the way you talk and act; need to be truthful, caring and smiling.
Building the Kingdom - This is doing the will of God, by giving, reading and studying the Bible, and by preaching; according to Jesus it is within people - approached through understanding, entered through childlike acceptance and spiritual rebirth. Who belongs in the Kingdom of God? Everyone who has made God the king of his/her life.
Pic: St Matthew’s, KwaMagxaki, youth group with their rector, Nelson Nongauza. [ Back to top ]
Young, but vibrant
[ Sipambo Ludidi ] The Parish of St Simon of Cyrene, Uitenhage, will be celebrating 30 years of existence, to be launched off on Sunday 3 May.
There will be a week of celebrations with revival meetings starting at 19h00 every night and a Parish Dance in the City Hall on Saturday 9 May. The climax of the celebrations will be a wonderful celebratory service on Sunday 10 May.
All the members of the diocese are invited to join us at any of the celebrations. For tickets to the dance contact the office:
Tel/fax: 041 988 1567
The parish came out of the small church of St Gabriel’s which became too small for the growing congregation, who had also mostly moved to Rosedale and areas around there. It was dedicated by the then Bishop of Port Elizabeth, Bruce Evans, as a chapelry of St Katharine’s under the rectorship of Peter Bowen with his assistant Cyril Muller. [ Back to top ]
Welcome from the Kariega Archdeaconry Youth We wish the new diocesan secretary/treasurer, Ruth Brandt, every blessing, and years of happiness, in her work in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth. [ Back to top ] Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage |
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