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• From the vicar-general
• The victory of Christ – reality or fiction
• The view from
Pulpit and Pew
• Tag lines
From the vicar-general
Dear People of God,
 As I write this letter this month I am struck by the Morning Prayer New
Testament readings which all come from Paul’s letter to the Romans (week
14 – 18 July). Some folk may feel that God has abandoned his ancient
people. Paul says a very clear ‘no he has not’, he is kind enough to
allow others who were not part of the promises to be included. Many
people in our day feel that for Jews ‘that’s it!’ We are reminded in the
letter to the Romans that this is not so. God broke off some of the
original olive shoots and grafted in some wild branches (the Gentiles).
This is no reason to boast, Paul says, for God can just as easily break
off the wild ones (Rom 11:7-24). We stand, or are in, only because of
faith and there is no boasting, rather there is a sense of awe for this
great God who can just as easily graft the Jews in again.
Paul rejoices in what God is doing, “Their stumbling results in riches
for the world” “and their defeat, riches for the Gentiles, what would
their full inclusion mean?” In a world where people are either in or out
(and often we think and plan who is in and who is out), it is good to
see just how God views all this and it isn’t what we think. The Lord God
allowed his people to become blind (they thought they were in) so that
those who know that they were out could come in (this is us). He is kind
and generous, especially to outsiders, so that they, the Jews, would
become jealous of Gentiles and desire to know him, who is the Way.
The Gospel is one of Good News as it carries with it a message of life
for the dead and inclusion for those who were excluded, with a provisio
- I need to hear and respond to this message of grace. Well, what do we
do from our side? How do we respond to our Jewish friends? Pray for
their eyes to be opened, their ears to hear and their hearts to respond
to this great God who showed us the way in Jesus Christ his only son.
Let us be moved with pity and earnest desire to see people who are out
come into the light of his holy presence and receive his mercy and grace.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you all,
Dudley
The victory of Christ – reality or fiction
Ronnie Allwright is the rector of The Good Shepherd Parish and he shares
with the diocese the vision the Lord has given to him over a period of
months. I am Ronnie Allwright, previously employed by the department of
justice for a period of seventeen years, of which nine years was as a
magistrate and four years as a prosecutor. I left the department in 1986
after receiving a calling to the fulltime ministry within the Anglican
Church. I have been ordained as an Anglican priest for 19 years and am
presently the rector of The Parish of the Good Shepherd in Humansdorp.
I’ve encountered God’s love in many ways and would like to share a
special experience of His grace and confirmation of His Word.
On 2 April 2007, at about 05h00, I woke up in a cold sweat. I had had a
dream. The dream was so real. I saw a dead man come to life and he
joined me on a journey for a while. Suddenly a voice said: “Go and
preach this sermon within seven days!” I freaked, looked around and
noticed that the person who had been with me was gone. The seventh day
was Easter. I was compelled to deliver this sermon on Easter morning
despite the fact that I was not scheduled to preach at that service. The
community’s cup overflowed with this second sermon at St Francis Bay.
The thoughts shared were on:
1 The reality of the resurrection of Jesus. This is what we celebrate at
Easter.
2 If you have been baptised into the death of Christ, so to, is the
promise to rise with Him.
3 The possibility of being spiritually alive or spiritually dead.
This dream is in line with God’s Word and promise as revealed in the
Pentecost experience which we find in the Bible (Acts chapter 2). For me
this is a type of an “Emmaus road” experience.
Time went by. On Sunday, 2 March 2008 , before the end of our service at
the St Francis Bay chapel, the following word was received from the Lord
by Pat Munro, a lay minister, “I will raise up from among you one who
will speak my word. Proclaim the/my victory.” This is a confirmation of
what St Luke declares will happen in the book of Acts.
On Monday evening, 5 May (seven days before Pentecost) at 17h30 I
collected my wife, Alwylene, from her work in Humansdorp. Travelling
south, we stopped at a stop sign and Alwylene exclaimed: “Look at that
cross!” Straight ahead of us, above the road was a cross clearly
depicted in the sky. What a blessing!
Pic: The cross in the sky photographed on cell phone by Alwylene Allwright.
The Christian faith upholds the Cross - Christ died for our sins on the
cross. We celebrate his victory over death with a promise of eternal
life for those who receive and believe in him. It is however only in the
baptism of the Holy Spirit that we truly celebrate the victory of Jesus
over death and effectively bear witness to Jesus Christ. Thus we
celebrate Christ’s victory not only at Pentecost but as a daily
occurrence for every believer.
As a magistrate my life had been programmed to receive facts. Evidence
was not based on fiction. The reality of God’s love for me has always
been real since receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour. The present
incident has once again just affirmed that Christ presently reveals
himself to us as mentioned in his word. His victory on the cross is real
and no fiction. We are compelled to share his victory in a country,
continent and world that has lost its moral and ethical fibre. I share
this experience as a command from Christ. His victory is contained in
the resurrection experience, the word of prophesy to proclaim his
victory and the empty cross (and Christ’s absence from the tomb).
The hour is late – celebrate Christ’s victory in word and deed. This is
our witness to Christ. God is indeed indescribable, but today we still
experience God’s grace in Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This comes with God’s love and God’s blessing to you,
Ronnie Allwright
Cell: 083 280 6038
e-mail : stmark.s@mweb.co.za
The
view from pulpit and pew iindaba hears there’s a wedding on the horizon! Sharon and Piet Nell
will have a busy few months as they prepare for the marriage of their
elder son, Pieter, who is getting married in February next year. Sharon
has hinted that there may be another wedding announcement soon.
iindaba is very sad to record the death of David Kiviet, rector of St
Andrew's, KwaNobuhle. David had been fighting a very brave battle
against cancer. Our thougts go out to his widow, Noni, and his family.
Our condolences also to:
Some clergy moves are afoot in the diocese:
David Molema, formerly from St Barnabas and St Philip’s, has moved as
an assistant to the Parish of the Zwartkops River Valley. David is a
self-supporting priest;
Elroy Damon, formerly from St Francis Xavier, has been appointed
priest-in-charge of St Luke’s, Palm Ridge. The parish has been without
an incumbent since Michael Julius moved some time ago;
Pumla Mtila, formerly assistant priest in the Parish of the Karoo,
becomes rector of the Church of the Ascension in Cradock;
Lungile Ngcola, formerly assisting in the Parish of Alexandria, moves
to the Parish of the Karoo as an assistant; and
Zola Nanana from St Augustine’s, Walmer Gqebera, becomes
priest-in-charge of St Cyprian’s, Zwide.
Thokoza Mngomezulu, rector of Holy Spirit, KwaZakhele, has been
appointed hospital ministries chaplain.
iindaba wishes all these clergy and their families every blessing in
their new parishes.
The Cathedral has taken leave of its longest-serving lay minister,
Claude Murphy, who has moved to be with his daughter and family in
Johannesburg. Claude, whose wife died some time ago, was sub-deacon then
lay minister for 36 unbroken years, and began when Derek Hill was
vice-provost of St Mary’s, and has served ever since. He will be sorely
missed, and iindaba wishes him every blessing as he settles into his new
home. He is a member of the Order of the Diocese.
Lynn Damon, wife of Elroy from St Luke’s, Palm Ridge (see above), has
been unwell, and spent some time in hospital. iindaba wishes her a full
recovery.
There is a very proud step-mother in the diocese. Jenny Cowling, the
bishop’s secretary, has a step-son, Professor Richard Cowling, who was
recently appointed to the US National Academy of Science, an exclusive
academy with about 2 100 members, of which fewer than 400 are non-USA
citizens. Richard says that South Africa has a very complex culture and
bio-diversity which creates cutting-edge science research. His
appointment is a very great honour as he is recognised as a world leader
in his field. iindaba rejoices with Jenny.
One of our clergy has been left out in the cold! Robbie Penrith, rector
of Saint John-the- Baptist in Walmer, loaned his black clergy cape to
one of the clergy – but he can’t remember who it was. He would greatly
appreciate its return – especially before the end of winter!
iindaba wishes Nelson Mandela God’s blessing in his 91st year. May God
continue to bless him, and may his influence continue to make Africa a
safer and happier continent.
MU Christian Family Life are seeking a Diocesan Treasurer
The applicant must have experience in financial management. She has to
be prepared to do voluntary work for the organization on a part time
basis and attend the meetings where the statements will be presented.
Duties will include:
1 Record income and expenditure on a monthly basis.
2 Prepare quarterly financial statements for executive meetings.
3 Prepare annual financial statement for the council meeting.
Applications to: The MU President
P.O Box 7109, Newton Park, 6055
Closing date 30 September 2008.
Angus Buchan crusade 25 October 2008 at NMMU (UPE) outdoor stadium
Entrance R20 Book at computicket (as soon as possible) 
Tag
lines
Truth can walk around naked. A lie has to be clothed.
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