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My dear brothers and sisters in Christ
By the time you receive this, the consecration and installation of our new bishop will be upon us. I am very grateful to the team of people who are working hard to prepare all that needs to be done for that day – the liturgy, music, venue, seating, security, catering, parking, security, tents, chairs, sound, invitations, servers, wafers, wine, processions, choirs, marimbas, bishops, chaplains, visitors, VVIPS, chancellors and premiers, ushers and sidespeople and readers… our sincere and heart-felt thanks to you all! It has been a huge privilege to be Vicar General during these past months, and I thank you all for your encouragement and support and prayers. My special thanks to my family, to members of Chapter, to our diocesan office staff, and to our Bishop-elect, for the love and support I have received. Our prayers now need to be particularly for the Bishop-elect, and Noncedo, as they prepare together for the big day, and as our Bishop-elect goes into retreat the week leading up to his consecration. He will be at the monastery at Hillandale, and one of the CR Sisters will be directing him.
Further details regarding the service of consecration, and the arrangements for this, are to be found with this letter. Please read and note them carefully!
Also of huge importance in the month of September is the Diocesan launch of Growing the Church. Again, a wonderful team of people have been working very hard on this. We are combining this event with several other landmark events, at a big diocesan gathering on Wednesday 24th September 2008 (Heritage Day and a public holiday), at the Indoor Sports Centre, Victoria Street, Queenstown. The service starts at 10 a.m. Posters and publicity letters are available. Please encourage all in our diocese to attend. Our newly consecrated bishop will preside and preach.
Diocesan Family Day. We shall be collecting and encouraging parishes and individuals to give generously towards the mission and ministry of the church.
Launch of Growing
the Church. We shall be joined by a team of people from
Journey
towards multiplication and the formation of our new dioceses of Ukahlamba and Grahamstown.
Let’s get together on that day, and celebrate, and worship, and pray God’s blessing on our journey and our mission – all that God is calling us to do and to be as God’s people.
In consultation with the Bishop-elect, I have appointed the Reverend Canon Dr Bill Domeris as Chancellor of the Cathedral. Bill was licensed at the Eucharist with which we began our August meeting of Diocesan Chapter, and installed in the Cathedral on Sunday 17th August.
The Cathedral Chancellor in this diocese has a particular responsibility for the formation of our diocesan ordinands, and has to ensure that the Christian faith is correctly taught in our schools and colleges. I refer you to the Acts of the Diocese of Grahamstown for further details. We thank God for Bill, and for Shona, and for the gifts that they bring to Grahamstown and to the College of the Transfiguration.
Please note that the Chancellor of the Cathedral is different from the Chancellor of the Diocese – such a person is an Advocate of the High Court. Our Diocesan Chancellor is Advocate Richard Brooks.
Several issues were discussed at our August meeting, and I have been asked to mention some of them here.
We had a long discussion about the Lambeth Conference. I refer you to the Lambeth Reflections that are available on the Lambeth web-page. The Archbishop’s letter will no doubt have something to say about Lambeth as well. Clearly, for those present, Lambeth was a profound experience of what it means to be church, and to belong together. The bonds of affection have been strengthened. At the same time, the divisions remain, and we need to do all we can to understand one another, to hold onto one another, particularly when we disagree; and to recognise one another’s faith and commitment to Christ. I am concerned by the possible development of two different Anglican global episcopal structures, and hope with all my heart that this does not take root in this country. We do not need this kind of division and battle lines drawn, and I do not believe that this is the way that we should be going.
It is important that we recognise the three pillars for discernment and guidance in matters of faith and belief: scripture, reason and tradition (i.e. what the church has taught over the years). These are themes to unpack in sermons and teaching series.
We also had a discussion regarding the use of the terms
“enthronement” and “installation”. It was pointed out
that the isiXhosa for both these words is the same:
“ubeko” (ukubekwa
– to be seated or placed). The bishop-elect has asked that when using
English we speak of his consecration and installation (as did Archbishop Thabo,
in March this year, in
Use of copes: There is a tradition in our church that members of Chapter wear copes at diocesan events; and that all clergy would wear copes on appropriate occasions in their own parishes. However, when clergy go as visitors to other parishes, there is a courtesy involved, and copes would not be worn except by the incumbent, unless invited or instructed to do so. Please let us respect this protocol.
Celtic Retreat conducted by Brother Andrew OHC
Venue: Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery: Hillandale Guesthouse
Date & Time: Friday 31st October 2008 at 16h00 to Sunday 2nd November 2008, ending at lunchtime (departure after lunch)
Cost: R560.00 per person, inclusive of all meals (parishes will normally pay for the annual retreat costs for their licensed clergy)
Bookings to be made through the Guestmaster,
Please also remember the earlier Weekday Retreat for Clergy and Spouses. Same venue as above. Date: Tuesday 9th September 2008 12noon to Friday 12th September 2008 finishing after lunch. Retreat led by the Very Revd Fred Pitout, Dean of Pietermaritzburg (and Dean-designate of George). Cost: R840.00 per person including all meals (parishes will normally pay for the annual retreat costs for their licensed clergy). Booking details as above.
Click here for the August ‘Ad Laos’ from Archbishop Thabo for your information.
We congratulate:
Simphiwe Magxwalisa and Nzuki on the birth of their first-born child, Phethokuhle, and
Chuma Mduzana and wife on the birth of their child.
Archdeacon George van der Merwe, who is in hospital having had stents put in. Pray also for his wife Maria, and their family.
Bishop David Beetge who is in hospital. Please uphold him and Carol in your prayers.
I had hoped to see some progress with these by now! Please continue to pray for clergy to be found for the following parishes, and for those who are leading the search processes:
I repeat what I said last month.
Date: Saturday 20th September 2008
Time: 10 a.m.
Venue: Cathedral, Grahamstown.
Clergy are asked to robe with alb/chalb, girdle and red stole; members of Chapter: chalb/alb, girdle, red stole, cope.
Seating and admission is by ticket only. With limited seats, even with a tent, we cannot accommodate all who would like to attend. All parishes will be represented, but please let us respect the arrangements that are being made.
Each archdeaconry is asked to provide two lay ministers to serve on that day. Dress code: alb, girdle, black shoes. Each lay minister is please to bring a large chalice, and purificator, both clearly marked with the parish name.
Other details: please see the enclosed letter.
Tickets and invitations to clergy and parishes will be sent out shortly.
Yours in the love and service of our Lord
The Very Reverend Andrew
Hunter
Dean of Grahamstown and Vicar
General
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