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• Comforting the elderly
• Orphans given school uniforms
• The King and the Chief visit MU Conference
• Gifts to warm both hearts and bodies
Comforting the elderly
[ By Nicky Willemse
]
Pic: Some of the women dressed up in their traditional clothes for the
blessing of the Ruth Centre.
For many years, Gqebera resident Nancy Nanto welcomed the elderly into
her home, providing them with food and ministry and teaching them new
skills.
Despite Nancy’s death in 2005, her passion to uplift the community lives
on in the very home in which she lived. With the blessing of Nancy’s
daughters, Dorcas Mabi and Lulama Nantu, the Centre of Concern at St
John’s in Walmer has turned the three-bedroomed house into the Ruth
Centre - a haven for the elderly residents of Gqebera. It was officially
opened and blessed by the rector Robert Penrith on 24 June.
Headed up by St John’s member Julie McDonald, assisted by other church
members, a social worker and four carers from the community itself, the
Ruth Centre has become a place of refuge and fellowship for about 50
elderly residents. Twenty of them receive care in their homes, while the
rest gather at the centre three times a week.
Nicolette Leonard, our assistant-priest who heads up St John’s Centre of
Concern, said of Nancy, “She had a heart of gold, filled with God’s love
for God’s people… I praise God that, even after her death, we are able
to use her house and honour her, by continuing her work in the community.”
Although the Ruth Centre has only recently opened, Nicolette said the
project actually began in January 2007 with visits to the elderly in
their homes “for caring, washing, making sure they have enough food and
are able to get to a hospital or clinic”. This aspect of the project is
still continuing.
Along with receiving food and ministry, those who visit the centre three
times a week learn skills such as sewing, knitting or making goods out
of recyclable materials. There are also beds available for the sick and
vulnerable. “Some of the women feel vulnerable over weekends, as their
families abandon them.”
Nancy’s daughter Dorcas Mabi, who rents the house to the church, said
she is thrilled the work her mother started is able to continue, “She
wanted her work to carry on – I’m very grateful to St John’s for helping
my people.”
The project is being funded from the estate of McWilliams and Milde. St
Dominic’s Priory School has also supported the project from the start,
donating food and even bricks, to build an adjoining house for the
recently- appointed caretaker.
We welcome the prayers of the Diocese for the growth and sustainability
of this project.
Orphans given school uniforms
[ Linda Ncaca
]
On International Day of Orphans, 1 June, Church of Ascension in Cradock
and St Paul’s in Cookhouse handed out school uniforms to Vanavethu (our
children). Vanavethu is the term used to replace ‘orphans and vulnerable
children’ and the uniforms were given to children aged from 7-17.
Church of the Ascension combined the handing out with a Candle Light
Memorial Service.
On 8 June uniforms were handed out during a service at James Calata
Church in Govan Mbeki. The funds for the school uniforms was received
from the Anglican AIDS Office in Cape Town who fund parish Vanavethu
projects.
The Diocesan OVC coordinator who facilitates all the projects is Nosipo
Dyonki who is based in Cradock.
Pic: Ernest Cengani the assistant priest at St St Ninian’s in Somerset East,
was present at St Paul’s in Cookhouse when school uniforms were handed
out to the children.
Pic: Self supporting priest, Nontsikelelo Memese, helped the children who
received school uniforms at James Calata church. School
principal,Nkosinati Mzuzu, looks on.
The King and the Chief visit MU Conference
[ Nomonde Qoto
]
Members attending the Provincial Council Mothers’ Union meeting held at
the Kwa- Nzimela Centre in the Diocese of Zululand from 2 – 6 July felt
honoured when King Goodwill Zwelithini paid them a visit.
He gave a brief message using women in the Bible, such as Esther and
Miriam, who had special gifts to serve, as a motivation to the members
He challenged the MU members to do something about church buildings that
are falling apart, bring peace into conflicts in parishes, ensure
African languages are sustained and to look after child headed families
while fighting poverty and HIV/AIDS. He also donated an ox to feed the
members and guests.
The following day Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi paid the meeting a visit
and encouraged the women, as the pillars of the church, to continue to
teach young children and ensure their safety against rape and abuse.
Each diocesan president received a beaded picture.
Pic: Bishop Bethlehem looks on as King Goodwill Zwelithini receives a
citation from Eunice Lucas, Provincial President of the Mothers’ Union. Eunice Lucas, the Provincial president, spoke on the theme for the
conference - ‘Renewing our image, transforming our world.’ She said she
hoped the council would bring sizeable renewal, since renewal was of
great significance for the growth of the MU and so also for the growth
of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Members should be catalysts
for change by improving almost every situation they get into, and
becoming productive, despite the challenges they might face. Quoting
Jesus, she spoke of Christians needing to love their neighbour who may
be HIV+, poor, illiterate, victims of xenophobic violence etc. She
applauded those who had joined forces with NGO’s to help victims of
violence with food, clothing, blankets and cash.
Bishop Bethlehem, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Archdeacon Mbatha
embraced and hugged the members from Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho and
Swaziland who had been affected by xenophobia.
Gifts to warm both hearts and bodies
 Last month St Katharine’s Fellowship Group in Uitenhage packed gifts and
hampers at their meeting. The contents of the parcels were especially
chosen for the cold weather and consisted of blankets, jerseys, bed
socks, beanies and toiletries. The gifts are for patients at SANTA, and
for HIV moms, babies and premature babies at the Provincial hospital and
victims at the Cosmos Rape Crisis Centre.
Twenty-one parcels were handed to the babies, toddlers and school
children at SANTA recently, and all the adults received bed socks and
beanies.
Pic: Alyth Schmitz, Heidi, the social worker from SANTA, Patty Matthews,
Denise Cunningham and SANTA driver, Pumelelo Ngxelo with Glenda Dollery
in front.
MU Provincial prize winners Kitu Hurn, a member of the All Saints’ in Kabega Park MU Christian
Family Life won first prize in the Provincial MU competition to produce
an educational toy. Her toy farmyard is on the right.
St Matthew’s, KwaMagxaki won the baby layette competition.
World-wide
Anglican news
The Anglican Church is going through many challenges at
present such as: The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) being
held in the Holy Land and being attended by many bishops who are
boycotting the Lambeth Conference; The Archbishop of Canterbury saying,
the adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK "seems
unavoidable", and much more.
Stay in touch through: http://contact-online.blogspot.com
Do visit the blog and check out what all the news and views - and the
simple way it works.
If you have any suggestions or comments to make, please email David
MacGregor at dsmacgregor@gmail.com
Keep
up to date with what is happening among Christians in the NMM:
www.pechurchnet.co.za
iindaba
Editor: Frankie Simpson
Layout / design : Frankie
Email: iindaba@anglicandiocesepe.org.za
Tel/fax +27 041 360 6808
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iindaba is the vehicle for sharing
your parish news with the rest of the Diocesan family.
Please send contributions and photos to the editor.
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