My dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
It is important for us towards the end of June to cast our minds to Corpus Christ, the commemoration of the Holy Communion, the celebration that is crucial to our Liturgy and worship. Indeed the Holy Eucharist is central to our faith as Anglicans, as well as our Spiritual sustainability. We remind ourselves that we pray in the Collect : “Almighty … page 245”.
It was a joyous occasion for me to celebrate the Chrism Eucharist, the renewal of priestly vows and the Blessing of the Oils with the Clergy of Ukhahlamba at St Andrew’s Mlungisi, Queenstown. We were all enriched and blessed on that day.
The Clergy must remember to uphold their ordination promises and set high moral standards within the communities in which they work, as well as being proper role models. In a recent request for prayer support, the Intercessions for Africa, Eastern Cape, alerted us of the following: “God is visiting us to assess our life, our family, our congregation, our ministry, our business, and if necessary bring transformation.” As ordained persons we are urged to remain faithful to what God has called us into.
The Mothers’ Union
On the 6th of June 2009 the MU assembled to elect their President. We are pleased to inform you that Mrs Noncedo Ntlali has been re-elected to be the President for another term. We congratulate Noncedo. Please pray for the Mothers’ Union as they will be holding their Biannual Conference at University of Fort Hare from the 2nd – 5th July 2009, the theme being: “Renew me to be God’s instrument of transformation in the World.” Pray for Noncedo as she leads the conference, for Bishop Ebenezer as he celebrates the mass for the gathering and for the new Chaplain, Fr William Fobosi.
Churchwardens
The churchwardens of the South met at Fort Hare campus, Bisho on Saturday 13th June 2009. matters discussed were as follows:
(a)
The role of the churchwardens in terms of leading and other
responsibilities towards finances, property, registers and the compilation
of a parish Vision.
(b) Diocesan Finances: Ms Zoleka Maqwili referred to the 2009 budget, the payment of Assessment and payment towards arrears by parishes. Parishes affected should make a concerted effort to settle dues to the Diocese.
(c) Fundraising: Mrs Letticia Ndema highlighted the plans for the Gala Dinner and Family Days and presented detailed information to the churchwardens for discuss with parish councils.
(d) Formation of Diocesan Company: An appeal was made to churchwardens to support the formation with suggestions of implementation plans and manpower who could assist in the establishment of the company. This initiative is going to be beneficial to all parishes and institutions in the Diocese in terms of development.
News from the Diocese of Ukhahlamba
(i) We are pleased to inform you that shadow structures are already in place such as the Chapter, Trust Board, Executive, Diocesan council, Mothers’ Union, AWF and Bernard Mizeki. We are also grateful that our Dean is making progress with the steering committee that is comprised of South and North. We are confirming that Archbishop Thabo will inaugurate the new proposed Diocese of Ukhahlamba and Bishop Rubin Phillip of the Diocese of Natal will be the preacher of the day. Let us continue to pray for the success of this historic event of our Diocese.
(ii) Classic Dinner - Ukhahlamba
The new proposed Diocese of Ukhahlamba will be having a Classic Fundraising Dinner which will be held on the 28th of August 2009 at Hangklip Primary School hall at 17h30.
(iii) Family Day - Ukhahlamba
This is to remind you that the Family Day for the new proposed Diocese will be held on the 29th August 2009 at 10h00 at the Parish of St Peter’s Ezibeleni. We humbly ask you that all donations of Ukhahlamba may be brought in by the 28th August 2009 at the Classic Fundraising Dinner. We commend both the Classic Fundraising Dinner and the Family Day to your prayers.
Diocesan Company Grahamstown and Ukhahlamba
We are pleased to inform you that progress has been made as far as the costing of the Key Performance Areas i.e Land and Property, Heritage and Tourism, Education and Health. Our Registrar - Mrs Brenda Amsterdam, our Diocesan Chancellor - Advocate Richard Brooks and Mr Dumisani Tabata (Smith & Tabata Associates) are working on the Legal Section of the company, and this will give us a complete draft of the Founding Document of the Company. This document will be presented to a special Diocesan Council for scrutiny and that process will be followed by the registration of the Company.
This Company will be useful in our Diocese as it will host all our Social Responsibilities, including DSR and Tshwaranang so as to have one accountable agency of the diocese. It will also have a great impact on the life of our Diocese and the communities around us, in God’s Mission.
The Company will be launched at the gala Dinner on the 18th of September 2009. We will also be acknowledging some of our own achievers and a few from community in general. We will be writing to all Parishes to give us names of people who may be acknowledged for their outstanding hard work in the Diocese in relation to the criteria.
Religious Communities
(a) UMariya uMama weThemba Monastery: Please bring awareness to the congregations of the community involvement of the Brothers. The Holy Cross Scholarship fund assists under-privileged learners. An after school programme helps children with homework conducted by a volunteer from the young Adult Service Corps of the Episcopal Church in the USA. A reading Camp was held in July last year and a second camp is planned for July this year. This year the Order of the Holy Cross is celebrating 125 years of Monastic presence, prayer and ministry in the church. The guesthouse at the Monastery host groups for workshops in training programs. Individuals are also welcomed by special arrangement.
(b) Community of the Resurrection (Sisters)
The Sisters conduct daily Eucharist. Mother Zelma celebrate the Eucharist at the Cathedral on Mondays and Wednesday mornings. Fr Roy Snyman will no longer be the Chaplain. There are plans in place to appoint a new Chaplain in due course. The Sisters also conduct services at St Clements on a monthly basis. The Sisters support the HIV/Aids project in St Augustine Grahamstown, and supply food to the old Aged Home in Joza Township. We appreciate the ministry of the Sisters in our Diocese.
New Bishop of Harare
This is to inform you that Canon Dr Chad Gandiya has been elected as the Bishop of Harare. We congratulate him and the people of Zimbabwe over his election. May God bless Chad and his family as they prepare for the oncoming consecration.
USPG – Anglicans in World’s Mission
Clergy and Laity are encouraged to apply to be the Desk Officer for Africa and the Indian Ocean. We attach “Annexure A” for information. Please do pray for USPG to get this Officer as soon as possible as this is a key position in God’s Ministry, in Africa and World-Wide.
Clergy moves
St John’s Parish East London: We are grateful to God that Revd William Nkomo SSM has been accepted by the Parish Council and Churchwardens to be their Acting Rector in the interregnum.
Vacant Parishes
· St Alban’s East London
· St John’s East London
· St Martin-by-the-Sea East London
· St Michael Herschel
· St Phillip’s Gompo
· St Clement's Grahamstown
All our Clergy and those from outside the Diocese are welcome to apply for these vacancies. We commend all these Parishes to your prayers.
Notices of Events Southern Region
(a) Family Day: will be held at St Alban’s East London on the 25th July 2009 at 10h00
(b) Gala Dinner: will be held at the Christian Centre East London on the 18th September 2009 at 17h30. Let us pray for our Diocese as we make fundraising efforts to recapitalize it.
We commend you to the grace and the love of God during this time of winter as we minister together in God’s vineyard. Be always reminded that “Christ has no body on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are eyes through which we look out Christ Compassion on the world. Ours are the feet with which we are to go about doing good, Ours are the hands with which God blesses now. “ (St Teresa de Avila)
Grace and peace
Yours in the service of Shepherd of Shepherd
Bishop Ebenezer Grahamstown
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