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Vol 18 No 9 September 2007 ONLINE The official gazette of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth: Anglican Church of Southern Africa

Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage PAGE 3  •  The Bishop writes ...  •  The view from pulpit and pew  •  Tag lines  •  A wonderful night at the Ball The Bishop writes ... My dear People of God, The fact remains Greetings In the name of Christ, our Lord and Saviour! The world around us displays no stability. There are challenges to face up to. Many stomachs are hungry. Many lives suffer the scourge of disease, particularly HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, abuse both verbal and physical in many homes and communities. Crime is a great menace. It is very sad when it infests even the law enforcement agencies. Families are far from enjoying any security, fellowship and togetherness. The media unearths dampening stories on a daily basis. Some will ask: Is God still alive? Where was he when my child was raped, my mother abused, and my granny robbed and my school mate kidnapped? Is this the kind of freedom we fought for? Life is not worth living any more. These questions are based on bare facts. The fact remains: God is not dead. God exists. We must discover God not very far from us. The apostle Paul writes to the Roman Church: “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and your heart, that is the word of faith we are proclaiming; that if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom 10: 9). It is faith in action that brings justification and clear conscience within us. It is the confession of our lips, ie what we say, that influences transformation of whatever situation in which we find our selves, and turn it to the life worthy of our calling. God is in us and, is with us. We speak in his name and share his peace as we make his presence felt among us. We speak and act in the name of Jesus, a name above every name under the sun, whereby we obtain good life and salvation (Acts 4:12). My dear Christian stand up, stand up for Jesus; say/do something and transform a situation. Remember God has given us not the spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind (APB pg 602). The fact remains: Homosexuality threatens to rip the church asunder. We cry “unity” amidst a diversity of opinions. We agree we should exercise pastoral care. We do not seem to understand this in the same way. For some it means acceptance of the condition with more concessions. Some are led to believe that the orientation is “somehow no longer sinful,” even if the Bible has not been rewritten to say the contrary. This kind of perception pre-empts the transforming power of the gospel we preach. Sin hurts and destroys. Grace transforms and gives life. If our theology does not depart from the Holy Writ (Article XX), our prophecy will realize no change of heart/attitude towards that which is displeasing before God. Repentance means a new life style. God has given us choice to do so or reject (2 Cor 5:16). The traditional view on the issue remains to uplift our moral life. Can we walk the same way except we agree? (Amos 3:3). The fact remains: The work of the Bishop is pastoring, sanctifying, and church governing and prophesying in the name of God. While politics, social issues and everything that builds up our common life as intended by the creator are of importance in matters of faith, the bishop does not cease to be the servant of Jesus Christ and need not be apologetic about that even in inter faith issues, as it seems to be the case sometimes. So is the Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan. On 25 September 2007 we shall assemble in Cape Town to elect this person. Sadly only three men have been nominated, without ladies. One hopes that one day we shall grow to this phase of our life as well. In the Southern Anglican magazine page 15 three nominees have been published, viz Bishop Joe Seoka, The Revd Barney Pityana and Bishop Thabo Makgoba. Let us continue to pray for them and their families at this time. Pray further that the Holy Spirit will give both the diocese of Cape Town and the province, a pastor and a custodian of our faith as revealed in the scriptures, and discerned by the Church. Experience is the best teacher. May the Almighty grant us a true leader in this person in Africa at this point and time in our history to further the gospel and to intensify the extension of his kingdom. The fact remains that we are called “to go” and propagate the kingdom as revealed basically in the scriptures, both in word and deed. Yours Affectionately in the Service of Christ, Bishop Bethlehem Nopece The view from pulpit and pew iindaba extends to †Bethlehem and Mazoe condolences on the sudden death of Mazoe’s mother, Mrs Miriam Pikelela. iindaba is also sad to record the death of Valerie Ellis, wife of the late Jock Ellis, former rector of St Saviour’s, Walmer. Valerie was 87 years old. Church bells rang out on Wednesday 1 August at 08h00 to mark the 100th anniversary of the first scout camp for Boy Scouts. The camp began when Robert Baden-Powell blew a kudu horn at 06h00 English time (08h00 here) on 1st August 1907 at Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour in England. Scouting is now open to girls, whilst the Girl Guide (and Brownies) movement continues. Young scouts are known as Cubs, and many from the diocese have been members of the movement. Christopher Holmes, Rector of St Hugh’s, Newton Park, told iindaba that when he was rector of the Zwartkops River Valley Parish in the 1970s, he asked a group of Sunday School children at St Nicholas, Redhouse, who had founded the Boy Scout movement. Young Peter Goddard, son of Ian and Nancy from the village, enthusiastically answered “I know, I know, it was Lord Baking Powder!” In last month’s Diocesan Intercessions, Esmé Downey, wife of Eddie from the Parish of the Good Shepherd, was doubly blessed as she was prayed for on 3rd and 10th for her birthday. Her birthday was in fact on 3rd. Unfortunately Joan Bright, wife of Winston from All Saints’, Kabega Park, and Terry Beadon, whose birthdays were on 10th, were omitted. Ag shame! Anyway, Joan, you won’t get older until next year! It would seem that the Kenton on Sea and Bushmans River Mouth region is the preferred place for retired clergy. Joining Peter Bowen, Pam Goodwin, David Gwilliam and John Davis is Ewart Collett from the Diocese of Grahamstown. Ewart’s parents, David and Joan Collett, well-known farmers in the Middelburg region, also retired to Kenton many years ago. We welcome Ewart into the family of retired clergy living in the eastern region of our Diocese. Tag lines Minds are like parachutes, they work better when they're open. A wonderful night at the Ball Some came in period dress, others in warm clothes against the cold, but all enjoyed themselves at the Holy Trinity Church ‘Jubilee 150 Ball’ held at the Edward Hotel on Saturday 4 August. What a wonderful ‘masked’ ball it was - with a banquet of food, a music group that had most people dancing, and where one learnt ceilidh dancing and the art of sending all sorts of messages with fan-language … and one could stay incognito behind a beautiful mask. The band, Second Generation, whose bass guitarist, Colin Botha, is a member of Holy Trinity, kept folk on the floor with plenty of 1950’s and 60’s music, wth some modern tunes too. Linda Louise-Swain and two of her students had people in fits of laughter with a demonstration and explanation of the use of a fan to send love messages, or ones that say ‘leave me alone’ or ‘you bore me’ and much more. Then the Aldersgate Ceilidh Group demonstrated, and managed to encourage many people to learn the steps, of some ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee and meaning ‘party’ in the Gaelic) dances. Ken Berry and Daphne ffoliott are to be congratulated on their hard work in putting the evening together and the Edward Hotel, Prestons (wine), Ansie @ (table centres) thanked for their sponsorship towards making the evening such a wonderful success. Pic: They made it happen - Daphne ffoliott (incognito) and Ken Berry who helped to make the Ball the wonderful succes it was. Pic: Left, right ... or is it right, left? - Learning ceilidh dancing takes lots of concentration! Seen on parish notice board: The choir needs new recruits - all those who enjoy sinning are welcome to join. Travelling Along the Anglican Way This very popular book by The Revd Fr Roy Snyman tssf has been re-printed by popular demand. Cost: R45 plus postage and packing (±R5) Contact: Fr Roy on Tel/fax 041 373 1283 e-mail: fr.roy@telkomsa.net Quick Links: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top | Homepage