Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Bishopsbourne family:
I, Noncedo and my family are very well wishing all of you the same. Thank you for your unceasing support and your prayers through out the year.
Diocesan Company – CAPRAWAY
This is to inform you that our Diocesan Company is situated in East London at 15A Greenwood Street, Berea. The person who is the Personal Assistant to Rev.Canon Ntshingwa is Mrs. Mhletywa. For information contact Canon Ntshingwa at 082 498 3221 until you are advised of the newly installed telephones. Do pray for the Company, for the process of its setting up and its establishment in order that all things may run smoother in the near future.
Gala Dinner 18 September 2009
For information monies are still coming in. In our last Ad Clerum we reported that an amount of R99 160.49 was paid into the deficit account and it has increased to R129 064.49. We want to encourage all those Parishes that still owe in form of ticket sales to pay in their dues before the 10th of December so as to realise the actual balance. Thank you for your support. See Annexure “A” (available from the Diocesan Office).
Family Day
We give thanks for those who have not contributed but are contributing from R139 000.00, our last total has increased to R170 345. 33. Parishes that have not contributed see Annexure “D”. For those contributed see Annexure “E” (available from the Diocesan Office).
Assessments
We want to thank all the parishes for their hard work for God by supporting the operations of the Diocese in God’s mission through paying their assessments. Nevertheless there are parishes that needs serious attention such as St Mathews Keiskamahoek owes R140 775.96, St Gregory East London R214 482.97, St Luke – Nxaruni R66 073.05, St Marks – Cambridge R169 867.35, St Peters - Peddie though they have paid R120 000 this year which is a tremendous achievement they still owe R164 656.07, St John and St Chad R84 970.60, Holy Name- Stutterheim though they have paid R88 009.92 they still owe R140 090.00, St Saviour - East London though they have paid R187 000.00 they still owe R64 168.21. We command these parishes which have been mentioned to your prayers so as to receive the necessary grace to update their assessments for the glory of God and for the betterment of the diocese in its operations in serving God in Christ.
Lent
Thank you to all Parishes which have forwarded Lenten offerings to our revenue account which amounts to R46 575.25. We want to encourage the parishes which have not done so to do so before the 10th December 2009. Be reminded that this Lenten offering will be given to Scenery Park, the church called Bernard Mizeki under St Saviour’s, towards its buildings and renovations which are costing +- R900 000. See Annexure “B”.
Bereavements:
This is to inform you of the following bereavements:
Ø The tragic death of Fr. Clive Newman who was brutally murdered at the College of the Transfiguration. He has been buried at St Mary’s Cathedral in Port Elizabeth on 16th November 2009 after a memorial service was conducted at COTT. Other memorial services were conducted at St Philips Church Grahamstown and also at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George Grahamstown.
Ø Diocesan Bishop +Lesley Walker of Mpumalanga died on Friday evening, the 20th November 2009, after a short illness. Please pray for his wife, Marian and the diocese of Mpumalanga as they mourn his death. The funeral will take place at 11H00 on Thursday the 26th November 2009 at St Georges Church, White River.
Ø From the Doda Family: Archdeacon Doda’s brother, Ntsikelelo Doda was buried on 21st November 2009 and his other brother Nyanisile Doda will be buried on the 5th December 2009.
Ø Mr. Sonwabo Tshabe son of a Priest, who suddenly died without illness on Saturday 21st November 2009. The date of the funeral is not yet known.
Ø Bishop +Dinis’ mother, Mrs. Rosita Sengulane died on the 22nd November 2009. The date of the funeral will be announced.
All these deaths have deeply saddened us, as we mourn we are strengthen by the assurance and support of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town and the Metropolitan of ACSA, together with the various Bishops of the Province. We have also been encouraged by the words and blessings which we received by The Most Revd. R. Johnson and the prayers of our diocese and the province as well. Therefore we pray for Clive, +Lesley, Sonwabo, Rosita and for all who suffer: Rest eternal grant unto them, oh Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace and rise with Christ in Glory. We command all these families to your prayers.
Ordination
On the 16th December 2009 at 14H00 at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George in Grahamstown we intend to ordain the following God willing:
Deacons:
v Mr. Zweni Nqoko – will serve at St Michael, Queenstown
v Ms. Nokulunga Smile – will serve at St John and St Chad, Zwelitsha.
v Mr. Mlungisi Sihoyi – will serve at St David’s, Queenstown.
Priest:
v Revd. Randall Gallant – will serve at Holy Trinity, King Williams Town.
v Revd. Vanessa Murray – will serve at St Paul’s, Port Alfred.
v Revd. Simphiwe Mnukiso – will serve at St Augustine, Grahamstown.
v Revd. Fanele Simanga – will serve at St John and St Chad, Zwelitsha.
v Revd. Noluthando Gixana – serve at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown.
We command all the servants and their families to your prayers.
Clergy Moves
Be informed with the following Clergy moves within the diocese:
v Revd. Noelene Arends – will be Priest in Charge at All Saints, Westbank.
v Revd. Cynthia Webbstock – will be Rector of St Saviour, East London.
v Revd. Mzikazi Mfenyana – will be Rector of St Philips, Gompo.
v Revd. Sebenzile Williams – will be Rector of St Martin-by-the-Sea, Gonubie
v Revd. Hazel Goodfellow – will be Rector of St Clements Grahamstown
v Revd W Bada will be moving from Lady Frere to St Andrew’s Mdantsana on 7th December 2009
Overseas Trips/ Exchange Programmes
1. On the 26th January 2010 till the 4th February, I will be attending the Bishops Conference (Bishops Training) in Kent at the Canterbury Cathedral Study Centre.
2. This is to inform you that our ordinand at the College of the Transfiguration, Mzinzisi Dyantyi will be partaking in an exchange programme in Ripon College Cuddeston, Oxford OX44 9EX, England, from the 9th January to 19th March 2010.
We humbly ask you to pray for all these trips at our time in the UK.
College of the Transfiguration – New Computer Lab:
The Rector of the College of the Transfiguration (Revd Canon Dr. Bill Domeris) would like to extend their deepest gratitude for such generous support, to everyone who has contributed towards the developments being made at the College of the Transfiguration.
At the moment the new computer lab is up and running with 30 new terminals installed, thus reducing the ratio of students to computers from 9:1 to 2:1. However there is still much work to be done in transforming the college giving it a brighter face. Therefore if you would like to renew your support or you have yet to play your part in the developments please do so by visiting their website.
SAB Environmentalist of the year awards
We congratulate Bishop Geoff Davies who has received the SAB Environmentalist of the year award, in Johannesburg, 9th November 2009. May God continually shower his blessings upon our dearly beloved Bishop and his family as he plays an important role in our communities. For more information click here.
ACSA / Anglican Communion:
(a) Archbishop Thabo Makgoba writes to the people of God – to the Laos. Click here.
(b) Archbishop of Cape Town calls to respect rights of Shack-Dwellers: the Most Revd. Thabo Makgoba, has called on the African National Congress and the Government to take practical steps to reassure us of their commitment to the democratic rights of shack dwellers. See full text of his message.
(c) Archbishop Thabo Makgoba meets President Zuma and Religious leaders of the Western Cape at Bishopscourt, 17 October 2009. See full text of the welcoming address.
(d) Statement by the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba on Restorative Justice in response to developments at the University of Free State. See the issued statement.
Intercessions – Please pray for:
v Peace and harmony over the world that, we may be able to live without fear or hatred, especially in the areas of Pakistan.
v Bishop Meshack who will undergo a hip replacement operation in Donald Gordon Hospital around Park Town in Johannesburg. The date of the operation is not known yet.
v Bishop +Rubin Philip and his team as he exercises his prophetic role by intervening on behalf of the poor which is “Abahlali 13” of Kennedy Road and Pemary Ridge, against the injustice caused by the ANC government through the police. May God bless these interventions to bare fruits.
v South Africa : HINI Virus – 13 000 infections, 91 deaths (half of the fatalities were HIV Positive people and pregnant women. Health Department will do one million vaccinations countrywide.
v Bulwa in KZN suffered damage to houses and people injured due to strong gale force winds. The government is committed to repair and restore swellings in the area and the Red Cross is assisting with food and clothing.
v Eastern Cape and KZN water supplied to be improved in rural communities by government. Thanks to Minister Buyelwa Sonjica
Tragedies, Disasters and Global Prayer Needs
Ø Floods in New South Wales, Australia damaged buildings and roads
Ø Suicide Bombers killed 35 in Pakistan and second bomb explosion in Lahore believed to be revenge attack
Ø Pakistan – persecution of Christians as nine people burned to death in Gojra
Ø Zimbabwe – Violence has continued against members of parliament and other leaders of MDC and Zanu PF refuse to co-operate within unity government. Continuing abuse of humans in Zimbwabwe in spite of the Constitutional Mandate of the Unity Government to protect human rights
Ø Snow storms in China – 38 died, 7000 buildings damaged and many people displaced
Ø World Summit Food Programme – UN to address problems of hunger. The poor have access to irrigation systems
Diocesan office – Year End arrangements
The Diocesan office will be closing on the 18th December 2009 and reopens on the 11th January 2010.
Important Dates:
1. ACSA Training For Ministry: will be held at the College of the Transfiguration (COTT) in Grahamstown, from the 23rd to the 26th November 2009.
2. Mother’s Union Provincial Council: 9th to the 13th December 2009.
3. Ordinations: Scheduled for the 16th of December 2009 at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George in Grahamstown, at 10h00.
4. Elective Assembly for the Diocese of Ukhahlamba: 21st to 23rd January 2010
5. Global Day of Prayer: will take place on the 23rd of May 2010 just three weeks before the FIFA World Soccer Cup ‘kick off’. Christians from all over the will be praying together, and one of the main prayer focuses will be the “reaping in of the harvest” during the four weeks of the World Cup.
6. Consecration of the Bishop of Ukhahlamba: 24th April 2009 in Queenstown.
APB 1989 Price Increase
We have been informed by the publishing committee (ACSA) that the price of Anglican Prayer Books has been increased from R89.99 to R114.95 as from October 2009.
We wish you a prayerful advent, a blessed happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May God bless you abundantly. Join me in the prayer of Mary Sumner’s personal prayer “all this day, Oh Lord, let me touch as many lives as possible for thee: and every life I touch, do thou by thy Spirit quicken, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I breath, or the life I live. AMEN”
Grace and peace.
Yours in the service of Shepherd of Shepherds
+Ebenezer Grahamstown
Bishop of Grahamstown
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