My dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord, Jesus Christ!
Bishopsbourne family: on Friday, 28th August 2009, Masandi, Zipho and Esona were involved in a motor car accident between Johannesburg and Pretoria and the car was a write off.
We thank God that under His protection the injuries sustained was minimal. Zipho suffered a cracked hip, Masandi neck injuries and the baby was unscathed. Thank you for your prayers and ministry to us as a family during their recovery. Mzinzisi is enjoying a break from COTT and looking forward to the final term of this year. We will celebrate our Consecration Anniversary on 20th September 2009.
Chaplaincy:
We congratulate Canon James Hoyle who has been appointed as Chaplain for the Sisters of the Community of the Resurrection. He was installed on the 13 October 2009 at 07h00 in the Chapel of St Peter’s 23 Donkin Street Grahamstown.
Do pray for Father James and the Sisters as we minister together in Gods’ vineyard.
Diocesan Company- CAPRAWAY (Development Agency of the Diocese):
On the 18 September 2009 we had the first meeting of the Board of Directors at 12 Kennington Road, Nahoon, East London, where we looked at the following matters:
Adoption of the agenda
Formal constitution of the Board of Directors
Rectification of the purchase of the shelf Company
Approval of the Company Logo and letterhead
Adoption of the Company profile with vision and mission
Appointment of Company Auditors
Approval of the Company policies
Staff remuneration
Company Office location
Staff appointments
Governance
Training of the Board of Directors
Approval of the programme of the Gala Dinner
All this was done in good spirit and we remain accountable to the Diocesan Council in whatever we do.
Executive summary points:
Church based development agency
It is a section 21 company- legal status
The profile carries the long history and the legacy of the church
The programmes will not be started from scratch, as there is work that is already happening in the Diocese. Heritage and Tourism is the new focus for the company and will be the major driver of all programs.
Health: it is work which is already in existence (HIV/AIDS, Home Based Care, OVC, Roll out of ARVs AND HIV Testing at Middle drift etc)
Education: Theological Education and also linking with the revival of missionary schools.
Land – 900 Acres which is 354 hectors of unused land in the Diocese.
Resource mobilization- stewardship of resources and fund raising
Gala Dinner 18 September 2009 at Christian Centre:
We have run out of words to thank you of how you as chapelries, parishes and individuals have supported our Gala Dinner for the launch of our new development agency CAPRAWAY Section 21 Company. It was amazing to see almost 800 of you in a joyful spirit. We are grateful to Vuyo Mbuli (Morning Live) of how he conducted the proceedings and our former Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, who delivered to us the key not address “Alignment and collaboration with government and other programmes” – A theology of churches involvement in development. Let alone the presence of our Premier of the Eastern Cape Mama Noxolo Kiviet, what a great message with the following promises:
Donation of R120 000 towards catering and
A “2nd Creek” project in the Duncan Village to the development agency.
The evening was also graced by the presence of Mrs N Ngcaba, Director General, National Department of Environment and Tourism, who gave a message of support and later told us that her department is pledging a support of R20 million for the project at St Matthew's Keiskammahoek and St John's Bholothwa Queenstown.
Fundraising: Gala Dinner
Income: R355,580.00
Expenditure: R256,419.51
Deficit account R99,160.49
Bishop's Awards
Those honoured at the gala dinner were:
Canon Peter Mtuze, author of significant books on African Spirituality
The Revd Isaias Chachine, on his PhD in Social Ethics
Canon Bob Clarke, author of Anglicans against Apartheid
Ms Bongiwe Kali, award-wining young woman farmer
Cannon N.Lubelwana for her contribution in pastoral work and healing ministry
The Revd Lorraine Rusch for hospital chaplaincy work and in particular assisting mothers of newborn babies with clothes
John Kingsley-Hall, architect, for assistance with church building projects in East London
Mrs. N.Madyibi, award-wining Chief Financial Officer of the East London Industrial Development Zone
Mr N Nqodi, churchwarden and champion of stewardship, Zwelitsha
Mrs Thandiwe Mkwelo, who opened her home for an orphanage project
Mr BB Mabandla, generous donor and dedicated parishioner
Prof Michael Whisson, 2009 Grahamstown Citizen of the year, Cathedral Churchwarden and Municipal Councillor.
These Anglican Christians of the Grahamstown Diocese received Bishops’ awards and were acclaimed for their achievements. This will be an on going event. Those who attended the Gala Dinner will be our advocates to spread the message, we cannot finish all in an Ad Clerum. DVDs will be made available at a reasonable fee.
Bernard Mizeki Men’ Guild, 13 Diocesan Conference 25-27 September 2009 Diocese of Grahamstown.
This is to inform you that Bernard Mizeki had a successful conference in St Augustine’s Parish Grahamstown. Their theme was “role of Bernard Mizeki in the church and development of youth” the other highlight of the conference was the elections of the new executive for the Diocese of Grahamstown in which the Reverend M.Mize became president and the Reverend L.Sokopo became chaplain. We also conducted the elections for the proposed Diocese of Ukhahlamba and a new executive were elected and the Revd S.Mhlontlo became the President and the Revd Walaza became the Chaplain. We pray that God may continually shower his blessings on Bernard Mizeki as they play an important role in the life of our diocese.
Synod of Bishops
Kindly receive and read for your information a statement on human sexuality from the Synod of Bishops dated 9 September 2009.
We had a fruitful time at the Synod of Bishops in which we were trained of what does it mean to be a trusty and how to manage trust, properties and funds. We were also led through a process of the revision of disciplinary hearings as the church is faced with challenges in its journey of faith.
Provincial standing committee
Could you please read the attached PSC resolution for your information. We urge you to continue to pray and take ministry of tertiary institution more seriously. (see Annexure “B”, available from the Diocesan Office)
Ukhahlamba news:
A new Anglican Diocese, called Ukhahlamba Diocese, was inaugurated on Saturday 3 October 2009 by the Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, in a festive service of Holy Communion in Queenstown at Queen’s College Recreation Grounds. The preacher of the day was the Bishop of Natal, + Rubin Phillip.
The Diocese is named after the mountain range in the region (part of the Drankensburg), and situated in the northern half of the present Diocese of Grahamstown. The new Diocese includes congregations in the district around Aliwal North, Burgersdorp, Sterkspruit, Barkly East, Dordrecht, Sada, Queenstown, Cathcart, Lady Frere, Lanti, Bolothwa and Tarkastad.
It is of great joy to announce that Archbishop Thabo has appointed Revd Gordon Richard Ernest Johnson as the Vicar General for the Diocese of Ukhahlamba. Phambili Ukhahlamba, phambili!
We thank the Dean and his Steering Committee from the South and Northern part of the Diocese for the outstanding work which they have done. Our sincere gratitude to the Diocese of Grahamstown and Trust Board for its understanding and contribution in facilitating for the buying of the Bishop’s car and new Diocesan Offices.
All thanks to Advocate Brooks our Chancellor and our Registrar Mrs Brenda Amsterdam, members of Chapter, all clergy, parishioners, various guilds, our staff in the South and North, the Bishop’s Vicar Revd Lawrence Nzwana, Media Officer Maggy Clarke and all others for their contribution and to make the day so colourful.
We wish our brothers and sisters in Ukhahlamba God’s blessings and we pray that through our prayers God in His Son Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit will give us Bishop that will lead the new Diocese and its people to the future.
ACSA / Anglican Communion:
Human Sexuality: We do realize this debate still has a long way to go which requires prayers, careful and sensitive reflections. We, as the Diocese of Grahamstown will be looking at this issue in our Chapter meeting on 12th November 2009. See the statement on human sexuality from the Synod of Bishops
To the Laos: in the September issue, Archbishop Thabo reminds us, there is only one true foundation for us all – that foundation is Jesus Christ, upon whom we build everything. For all of us, our identity and calling, our integrity and authenticity, is based on Christ alone and on the quality of our relationship with Him. The foundation of our lives as individuals and within the church is embraced by Jesus Christ’s love. Therefore, if we are in Christ, then no matter how different, we are united with one another within His body, the church. The Synod of Bishops was also working on pastoral guidelines for ministering to those who are in same sex relationships. An appropriate pastoral response will follow shortly.
Siyakha Programme Workshop, Anglican AIDS and Healthcare Trust: for your information please read the Archbishop’s Press Statement which he made at the Siyakha Programme Workshop – Anglican AIDS and Healthcare Trust. (see Annexure “C”)
New Dioceses:
The Diocese of Ukhahlamba was officially inaugurated on Saturday 3rd October 2009 in Queenstown – the third born of Grahamstown. The Diocese of Mbashe is being formulated through the normal process. We thank God for the new birth, especially at this time of spring.
Nigerian Primate:
We are pleased to inform you that the church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has elected Nicholas Orogodo Okoh as its fourth Primate in succession to the Most Revd Peter Akinola. May God bless Nicholas and his family as they lead God’s people.
Intercessions - Please pray for:
South Africa – H1N1 virus impact on the lives of people. Pray for the rollout of treatment and effective monitoring by the health authorities. Pray for our own members involved in healthcare;
The consequences of the HIV/Aids pandemic of death resulting in the increase in the number of orphans. Thank God for Vana Veto (OVC) programme in the country in their drive to train Child Care Workers and provide training in parenting;
The National Consultation on Orphans and Vulnerable Children for 5-6 November 2009. The consultation will focus on the biblical mandate and challenges facing the church, models of care, advocacy and legal issues and a development strategy;
Pray for Errol Naidoo, Director of the Family Policy Institute (attached NIRSA), assembling a delegation of church leaders to meet with Bheki Cele, National Police Commissioner to enforce laws that protect women and children from criminal’s syndicates and sex traffickers already operating in South Africa.
We are urged to pray for the brutality that occurs in the Kennedy Road shack settlement of Durban that the Political leaders and Police may ensure that democracy and the rule of law are upheld. See the statement by Bishop Rubin Phillip (available from the Diocesan Office).
Give thanks for the launch of the South African Satellite “Sumbandila” from Kazakstan to monitor global warming and natural disasters. The introduction of the National Health Service by government to bridge the gap between Medical Aids and Health Service provider.
We are also urged to pray for the Bishop of Mthatha and the Diocese, that peace and reconciliation may be achieved.
SAFC I: Please remember in your continued prayers for Bishop Geoff Davis and his wife Kate, who fell whilst on holiday in Zambia and damaged her spine. Her recovery will take about three months.
We ask you to pray for the coming Synod of the Diocese of Zululand in 3rd October 2009.
Tragedies, Disasters and Global Prayer Needs
Raging fires on Game Farms in the Eastern Cape near Queenstown – the loss of property, grazing, livestock and injury to people;
The sinking ferry in the Philippines whose five people died and many injured;
Floods in Turkey and the displacement of people and damage to property, roads and communication;
Post-election violence in Gabon;
Floods in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana and the Ivory Coast;
The Turkish ship that ran aground in Cape Town – the sea rescue operations crew working on the safe transfer of the cargo;
Zimbabwe: the attempt of SADC to end the political row in the unity government;
The UN Mission to Sudan during the referendum to combat ethnic violence and initiate reconstruction;
Kenya – the positive move by the government to relocate shack dwellers to formal housing. This is part of honouring the challenge of the Millennium Development Goals
Vacant Parishes
St John’s East London needs a Rector. Any person in the Diocese and outside the Diocese is allowed to apply for this vacancy.
Election of a Canon
We kindly ask all clergy to return their voting forms for the election of a Canon by fax at 046 622 2445 or 046 622 5231 before our Chapter meeting which will be held on 12th November 2009.
Clergy and Spouse Retreat: Scheduled for 8-11 September and 16-18 October 2009, conducted by Revd Charles Lagan.
Archdeacons’ and Spouses’ Retreat: 13-15 November, dealing with management, ministry and professionalism, relationships in ministry, priesthood, servanthood and leadership, the role of spouses in ministry, spirituality and the bishop’s expectations.
Bernard Mizeki Conference: 25 – 27 September 2009 at St Augustine Grahamstown
Ordinations: 16th December 2009 at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George at 10h00
Inauguration: The inauguration of the Diocese of Ukhahlamba took place on Saturday 3rd October 2009 at Queens College in Queenstown by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba assisted by other Bishops. The preacher of the day was Bishop Rubin Phillip
Elective Assembly for the Diocese of Ukhahlamba: 21st – 23rd January 2010
Consecration of the Bishop of Ukhahlamba: 24th April 2010 in Queenstown
The time is October and we are moving towards Advent. We want to thank you sincerely for the hard work that you are doing for God in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and thank you for your various contributions to the life of our Diocese.
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:24-25)
Grace and peace.
Yours in the service of Shepherd of Shepherds
+Ebenezer Grahamstown
Diocese of Grahamstown
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