My dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We do hope you
had a fruitful Holy Week and Easter. We thank God that our liturgies are
full of hope and fulfilment over this period and give us the opportunity and
privilege to focus on repentance and forgiveness. There is a sense in which
we go on this challenging pilgrimage with Jesus to the cross and beyond to
experience the resurrection. It is an honour to be able to proclaim the
realities of the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ “He is not here, He is risen” Alleluia. (Mark 16:6b).
At this time of elections in our country many people are confused, afraid
and uncertain about our future. Yet we know that God is above all the
politics in the world and He is in control. As a people of faith we must
pray for a leadership with integrity, honesty, compassion and sensitive to
the value of human life. Through our faith and commitment we can help
restore human dignity where it has been lost.
The former President of Nigeria, Olegosan Obasanjo said at the inauguration
of NEPAD in 2002 “Africa needs Renewal and Revival.” At the interview on
Morning Live on the 21st April 2009 he said “South Africa is a young
democracy and we need to allow time for growth and development.” We are
assured that God will comfort and protect all people who are vulnerable as
we find strength in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday, Bishop’s Retreat, Maundy Thursday to Easter
We enjoyed to be with the College of Transfiguration on Palm Sunday
(05/04/09) to worship and exercise the ministry of presence. May God bless
the College Community as it continues to nurture our future leaders in the
church. On the 6th of April we were privileged to be with the Community of
the Resurrection Sisters and on the 7th – 8th of April at UMariya uMama
weThemba Monastery. In both these centres we were able to experience quality
time retreat and hospitality.
Maundy Thursday – Chrism Eucharist and Renewal of Clergy Vows at Holy
Trinity King William's Town was well attended by clergy. We enjoyed being
together and having fellowship. The evening Eucharist and Foot Washing
Ceremony at St Philip’s Grahamstown was a good experience.
Good Friday – Three hour devotions with the seven words from the
cross at St Augustine Grahamstown was well attended and a great blessing.
Easter Eve – the Easter Vigil and blessing of the Pascal Candle at St
Alban’s East London was a great blessing to us all.
Easter Day – We celebrated the Holy Eucharist with baptism at the
Cathedral and welcomed Canon Roy Snyman as part of the service. We also had
an opportunity to baptize the daughter of our Archdeacon Elect Mzoxolo Doda
at Zwelitsha, King Williams’ Town, it was a joyous event.
Thank you to all who prepared for the above
services and the participants.
Confirmation and Licensing
On Sunday 19th April 2009 the first after Easter we confirmed 21 candidates
and licensed Revd Simphiwe Magxwalisa as Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity
Dimbaza. We thank God for the years of ministry in this parish, their warm
reception and hospitality.
Development Course for Bishops
We will be attending the above course in Johannesburg organized by Hope
Africa from the 22nd – 24th April 2009. Please pray for this episcopal
development. Please study the themes in the document entitled “Agents of
Transforming Justice and Peace.”
Consecration
The newly elected Bishop of Highveld, David Banneman, will be consecrated on
the 25th April 2009, which we will be attending. Please pray for all Bishops
who will attend.
Diocese of St Mark’s
We want to congratulate Bishop Martin for the inspiring Charge he delivered
on the 9th of March 2009 for his Diocese. We pray that they may grow from
strength to strength in their journey of faith.
Mothers’ Union Development Officer
We wish to inform you that Ms Nkosazana Maqoma has been appointed to the
above post with effect from 1st June 2009. Please pray for her in this new
position in the Diocese.
Training for Ministries (TfM)
The TfM will in the future be called the Department for Education and
Training for which the Canon Theologian, Revd Melany Adonis has
responsibility. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those
who have been part of the TfM Team in the past. Your contributions and
sacrifices are appreciated. May God continue to bless you in your different
ministries. The Bishop will in due time identify, people to be part of
Education and Training Team.
Assessment
In the March Ad Clerum we listed parishes who have not paid assessment for
2009. We apologise for including St John Winterberg, St Barnabas Tsholomnqa
and Christ Church Grahamstown, who have paid their assessment. We need to
remind the following parishes who have not paid to contact Zoleka and make
arrangements to pay: St John’s Fort Beaufort, St Matthew’s Keiskammahoek, St
Luke’s Newlands, Holy Trinity Dimbaza and St Philips Duncan Village. We want
to refer you to the Acts of the Diocese of Grahamstown, Chapter V.10b.
News from the proposed Diocese of Ukhahlamba
We give thanks to God for the ministry of the Bishop’s Vicar in the Northern
part of our Diocese. He has already commenced with his visits. Here are some
of the parishes that he has visited: St Barnabas Sada, St Andrew’s Lady
Frere, St Alban Cathcart, St John’s Bholothwa, St Augustine Dordrecht. In
these parishes he motivates the people of God for the new Diocese. We are
also grateful for his assistance in issues of governance, pastoralia and
administration. Whilst we are underway with the inauguration of the Diocese
on the 3rd October 2009 through the Trust Board we are also in a process to
purchase premises that would meet the need of Diocesan Office in the
Northern Region. May we continue to pray for Lawrence and family as he
assists us in this ministry. Let us also pray for our Dean, the Very
Reverend Andrew Hunter as he leads the inauguration Task Team in both
Southern and Northern Region in preparation for the 3rd of October 2009.
Bereavements
We have received said news from the office of the Archbishop that +Rubin
Philip’s son has passed away over the Easter Weekend. Kindly uphold Bishop
Rubin, Rose, Bryon’s wife and his family during this time.
Intercessions
Let us thank God for the National elections in our country where people
would exercise their freedom, let us continue to pray that there should be
peace and stability even after the elections and we also pray for the
initiatives such as NIRSA which prayed for peaceful process during this
time.
Recommended reading
Clergy are encouraged to purchase a copy of “Taking one step at a time” by
John Cooper, a selection of poems and writings. John, a priest in the
Diocese of Grahamstown died in 2005. The book was published by his widow Dr
Vivien Cooper, obtainable at P O Box 2067 Beacon Bay, 5205, Tel 082 782
3326, at R90 per copy, of which R20 will be donated towards Diocesan
HIV/Aids work. The book illustrates a courageous journey by John through the
ministry.
We commend all of us as the Diocesan family to the Grace of God inspired by
the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and Peace.
Yours in service of the Shepherds of Shepherds
Bishop Ebenezer St Mark Ntlali
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