Diocese of Grahamstown

Ad Clerum

November 25, 2008   No. 11/08  

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ

In this two and a half month in the office, I am encouraged by your attendances in the Diocesan gatherings viz Diocesan meetings, funerals, confirmation services etc. This shows a spirit of generosity in your time availability, love and commitment to one another as a body of Christ. This concludes my observation that we are a loving growing family of God. Keep it up!

It is a great joy to inform you that up to date we have been able to “grapple” with massive work in our hands such as Episcopal Acts, Diocesan meetings and consultations.  Though in some aspects still behind we are catching up. Please pray for us in this regard.

Our children, Zipho have been admitted in Grade 9 in the Diocesan School for Girls and Anda will be starting at St Andrew’s Primary for Grade 6.  We are grateful to Shirley and Gordon in the respective schools who warmly received us and we thank God for their leadership and hospitality.  Application for Aphiwe is still in process.

 

Farewell of former Rector, now Bishop of Grahamstown

As the family, we were humbled by the wonderful farewell which the Parish of St John & St Chad has done for us.  It brought lots of memories that we were leaving behind. The farewell itself was profound and it is still in our lips even today.  May God bless the people of Zwelitsha and those that put efforts for this day to be a success.

 

Bishopsbourne

I would like to inform you that the Bishopsbourne is still being renovated and the removal will take us on the 17th December 2008 from King William’s Town to Grahamstown.  We are grateful to the Trust Board, The Dean. The Diocesan Administrator for the enormous work they put in the renovations. The focus of the renovations is still in the first stage and we are still faced with other stages which will need a lot of funds.

 

Consecration and Installation of the Bishop of Lesotho

On the 18th – 19th October Noncedo and I attended the Consecration and Installation of “my brother” Bishop Adam Taaso in Lesotho.  This was such an emotional and touching moment for us because we were both elected on the same day in the Episcopate. We were together in the Pre-Lambeth and Lambeth Conference and the climax was our Bishops’ training in Cape Town.  In Lesotho we enjoyed their reception, hospitality and a very vibrant service. Our presence was highly appreciated by the people of God in Lesotho.

 

Placements

We have done consultations with Parish wardens, core group of Parish Councils and Archdeacons so as to be able to do the appointments of rectors, priest in charge for vacant parishes. The names selected were presented to Chapter, and the Bishop in Chapter made the appointments. The appointments are as follows:

  1. Reverend Thami Mhlana appointed as Rector of Holy Cross Mdantsane
  2. Reverend N Matshaya – Priest-in-Charge of Good Shepherd East London
  3. Reverend Mzoxolo Doda from the Diocese of Port Elizabeth appointed as Rector of St John & St Chad Zwelitsha with effect from 1st January 2009 and Archdeacon of King William’s Town from 21st May 2009.
  4. Reverend Sam Makalima from the Diocese of Mthatha is appointed Rector of St Alban’s Cathcart with effect from 1st January 2009.
  5. Reverend Themba Mdedelwa appointed Priest-in-Charge of St Peter’s Ezibeleni and Acting Administrator for the newly proposed Diocese of Ukhahlamba as at 1st January 2009.
  6. Reverend T Bada from the Diocese of Mthatha appointed as Rector of St Andrew’s Lady Frere with effect 1st January 2009.
  7. Acting Archdeacon Peter Lenkoe appointed as Rector of St Paul, St Peter Aliwal North and St Andrew Burgersdorp and as Archdeacon of Aliwal North with effect 1st January 2009.
  8. Reverend Elliot Masoka appointed as Priest-in-Charge of St Barnabas Sada with effect 1st January 2009
  9. It is also in pleasure to inform you that Reverend Melany Adonis, Rector of St Clement’s Grahamstown has been appointed as Diocesan Canon Theologian to support further Theological Training to stipendiary clergy, non-stipendiary clergy and lay ministers.  We pray that she will be alongside those who study Theology at the College of Transfiguration and those who study part-time in other institutions. She will also be responsible for formation up to Post Ordination Training.
  10. Canon Prof. Mtuze has been appointed as Chairperson of Training for Ministries
  11. Archdeacon George Van Der Merwe appointed Bishop’s Chaplain with effect 1st February 2009. He will reside in Grahamstown with his family to support the life and ministry of the Bishop.
  12. It is also with delight to inform you that after prayers and consultation with Chapter we have appointed The Venerable Lawrence Nzwana from the Diocese of Mthatha as Bishop’s Vicar for the newly proposed Diocese of Ukhahlamba with effect 1st January 2009. He is commissioned and accountable to the Bishop of Grahamstown for all the set responsibilities. We pray that he receives the Grace to work with the people of God in that region for the building up and the betterment of our Diocese. We welcome him and his family as they will be joining us to the Diocese from 17th December 2008. 
  1. The Acting Administrator in the office, Ms Zoleka Maqwili has been appointed as the Diocesan Administrator from 1st November 2008.
  2. Reverend Hazel Goodfellow will be going to the College of Transfiguration with Reverend Mzikazi Mfenyana and Reverend S Mhlontlo for one year formation at COTT. Mr Makhandula will be at the College for three full years

Sad news: It is sad news to report that

·        Reverend Ruth Brandt is leaving us for the Diocese of Port Elizabeth.  We pray  that God will bless her in her ministry in Port Elizabeth and we shall greatly miss  her. Congratulations our dear Ruth, keep it up!

·        Reverend Godfrey Walton is leaving to assume a position as Rector at St Peter the Fisherman in Cape Town.  We will greatly miss him.

Joy, news

·          It was a great joy to have Archbishop Thabo in our Diocese on the 13th November at the Historic event of giving land of 240 hectors back to the community at St Luke’s Nxarhuni. May I congratulate Father Louis Flint and Father Sage with their wives and their steering committee together with the office of the Premier, Land Affairs, the royal family and the congregation for all their contribution in making this day a success. It was a colourful occasion graced by Hope Africa, DSR, Tshwaranang etc.

 In a nutshell, I would say in the service there was a spirit of love, enthusiasm, commitment between the church and its stakeholders for the development of the people of God and for the eradication of poverty.

 ·          We celebrate with the people of America for the successful election of President Obama. We pray for him and his family as they prepare themselves for this task.

 ·          We would also want to congratulate Archbishop Thabo for the concept of “Indaba” which he introduced to Design Group of Lambeth Conference which has worked outstandingly to bringing a broad understanding of issues at Lambeth Conference. We celebrate with him for the Award for the Cross of St Augustine which he has received with other members of the Design Group. May God bless him as he leads us in ACSA and beyond.

 ·              We are pleased of the ministry of Noelene Arends as HIV Co-Ordinator for her ministry in the Diocese.

 Thank you: a special thank you to the parish churchwardens for attending the Imbizo which was held on the 25th October 2008 at Zwelitsha. The attendance was good and we achieved understanding and election of 8 parish wardens that will represent them at the Diocesan budget team. 

Ordination: Clergy and Deacons will be ordained on the 16th December 2008. Kindly uphold them to your prayers. The ordinands are: 

  Priests                                              Deacons

   1.  Reverend N Arends                               1. Ms N. Gixana

   2.  Reverend T Mdedelwa                          2. Mr R Gallant

   3.  Reverend V. Kuse                                  3. Mr S Mnukiso

   4.  Reverend Z Kilana

   5.  Reverend M Sibamba

   6.  Reverend B B Mfenyana

   7.  Reverend N Biko

   8.  Reverend P Boucher

   9.  Reverend R Norman

** The ordinands must please bring their bedding to the retreat.  The retreat will be held at Assegaai Trails from Tuesday, 9 December at 16h00 to Saturday 13th December after breakfast. Thereafter rehearsals will be conducted at the Cathedral at 9h30.  Kindly remember to bring your chasuble and stole to the rehearsals on Saturday.

 

Retirement:

·              We want to thank Archdeacon Chris Kokoali and his family for outstanding service to God and to us and we pray as they go that they may have a blessed retirement.

·              Be informed that The Reverend Canon Hardnick is also retiring as from end of February 2009 and he will reside at his home in Port Elizabeth. We thank God for their love and service as the family of the Diocese we wish for them a blessed retirement.

 

A word from the Very Reverend Andrew Hunter

1.  Bishop’s welcome: attached is the letter from the Dean for your information

2.  Please find herewith letter from the Dean regarding the ordination of Priest and   Deacons which is self explanatory.

 

To all Rectors, Priest-in-Charge or Acting Priest-in-Charge and Churchwardens

Many thanks for your hard work you do in the Diocese by serving God in your parishes.   I want to remind you of the following:

1.      Family day (love gifts for Ministry Endowment Fund)

2.      Lent (Projects)

3.      Confirmation fees (Training for Ministries)

Could you kindly deposit all these monies before the 31st December 2008 as they form part of the Diocesan budget.  May God bless you as you practice as His stewards in His vineyard.

To all churchwardens: Could you kindly give love gifts in form of Christmas bonus and umkhumezelo to your Rectors, Priest-in-Charge, Acting Priest-in-Charge and further give something to all Assistant Clergy – Stipendiary and Non-Stipendiary so that they are able to enjoy their holiday.

Conclusion: As we approach Advent, Christmas and a new year, I want us to pray the Collect of the first Sunday in Advent in a meditative way. We pray “Almighty God, give us grace to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ come to us in great humility, so that when He shall come again in His glorious majesty we may rise to the life immortal, through Him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.”

May you have a wonderful, prayerful, joyous advent, Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Grace and peace (a New Zealand Prayer Book He karakia Mihinare O Aotearoa)

 

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