My dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We had a wonderful 10 days journey during this period of Lent, visiting Chapelries, that said yes, they want to be small Parishes in the Diocese, in the area of East London and King William's Town. These Chapelries were St James Mooiplaas (E/L), St John Gwaba (E/L), St Cyprian Qumrha (E/L), Bernard Mizeki Scenery Park (E/L), St Mary's Phumlani (E/L), St Mary & St Andrew Kidds Beach (E/L), St David Ncerha E/L), St Barnabas Tsholomnqa, St Katherine Berlin (KWT) and All Saints Breidbach (KWT).
We also had wonderful meetings with all the Archdeacons of East London and King William’s Town, with Capraway Company, our Development Agency to look at the issues of how the company could do development work within the Archdeaconries and the community (outreach).
It was also interesting to have a meeting with Rectors, Churchwardens of the Mother Churches from which these chapelries originates, together with Chapelry Churchwardens. Looking at the programmes which we have as a Diocese, and that is: Growing the Church and Effective Shepherding and Ministry. We can proudly say that we will be planting about 10 new Parishes in the Diocese.
It was interesting to meet the leadership and families that are worshiping in these Chapelries. Their warm welcome and hospitality, openness – telling us about their needs and challenges, their strong faith in the Lord, the beautiful churches they have, some with health centres and the need for leadership which will take some of their needs to their hearts, and their optimism to become small Parishes of the Diocese.
We also had the privilege to institute the Reverend Canon Cynthia Webbstock, as Rector of St Saviour, East London on the 7th of March 2010, and to do the closing thanksgiving service with all the Chapelries at Holy Cross Mdantsane on the 14th March 2010.
I want to personally thank the following Clergy : Revd Z. Dlanjwa, Revd S. Silwana and Revd W. Bada for taking time off to take me around all these chapelries. I also want to thank Revd Canon Cynthia Webbstock, Archdeacon P. Mpumlwana, who accompanied me throughout these chapelries. We thank the Clergy who have offered themselves to assist us in these new proposed Parishes:- Revd M. Mhlawuli, Revd S. Silwana, Revd V. Mnqathu, Revd T. Makalima, Revd J. Rusch, Revd P. Tiso, Revd Z. Dlanjwa and Revd G. Mvambo.
Lastly, we want to thank these Archdeacons: The Ven M. Spyker, The Ven T. Mhlana, The Ven M. Doda, The Ven P. Mpumlwana and The Ven L. Flint for their love, support and co-operation. We are very grateful to God who led me through this period of Lent, to do ministry in some congregations of East London and King Williams Town.
We humbly ask you to continue to pray for our 65th Session of Synod that will be held at St Alban’s, East London, at the above dates.
Ukhahlamba: Installation of Bishop Mazwi Tisani (24 April 2010)
Your prayers and attendance in numbers is kindly requested by us to go and rejoice with the people of Ukhahlamba, as they receive their Bishop, Mazwi Tisani and also thanking God for the Tisani family as they prepare to lead in Ukhahlamba Diocese. We also ask your prayers for Archbishop as he prepares himself for this installation.
1. Maundy Thursday: Please be advised that on the 1st April 2010 at St Philip's Gompo at 10:00 a.m. all clergy, their families and our members of our various congregation are kindly invited to attend the Chrism Eucharist at the above Parish and date. The colour is white. Be also reminded that the service focuses on:
i. Renewal of vows by Priest & Deacons
ii. Blessing of the oils
a) The oil of the sick
b) The Chrism oil.
iii. The Eucharistic and Prayers.
2. Lady Day: This is to inform you that the Mothers’ Union will be having a combined Diocesan Lady day in King William’s Town Victoria grounds, starting at 08:30a.m. We ask you to pray for this service and other activities of the Mothers’ Union.
Bishop of Chubu
We congratulate the Revd Peter Ichiro Shibusawa for his election as the Bishop of Chubu on the 11th February 2010. Let us pray for his consecration and installation and we rejoice with the people of the Diocese of Chubu.
The College of Transfiguration
This is to inform you that on Tuesday 9th March 2010 an award ceremony at The College of Transfiguration, and Rev Sarah Rowland Jones delivered a wonderful address. To read it click here.
Bereavement
This is to inform you that Rev Professor Steve de Gruchy of The United Congregational Church and The School of Theology & Religion in University of KwaZulu Natal who has already been buried on 27th February 2010. We commend this family to your prayers.
Invitations
There is International Youth Conference which will take place in United States at Oklahoma Municipal Hall between 18th to 21st March 2010 and Ghana Conference will take place between 25th of March to 28th of March 2010. The theme of the conference is to teach the youth to avoid Violence and Gangster life.
Brother Smache Josias Morobi, OHC, invites us to come and witness his First profession of the Monastic Vow at the Holy Eucharist in the Church of St Peter on the Rock Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery in Grahamstown on Saturday, 10 April 2010 at 10h00 with Light lunch to follow. RSVP by 1 April 2010 email: (guesthouse@umaria.co.za) Tel: 046-622 8111.
Soma Prayer Diary from March to May 2010 is available at the Diocesan Office.
Intercession – Please pray for:
Bishop of the Diocese of Christ the King, Bishop Peter John Lee and the people of his Diocese as well as those involved in the crisis of service delivery and perceptions of corruption, cronyism and self enrichment by officials in the Vaal.
Archbishop of Jos in Nigeria, Archbishop Ben Kwashi and other leaders as they try to bring healing and peace in the regions of violence in Nigeria.
The Diocese of Harare as they are faced with such a stressful situation of persecution and harassment. Pray especially for Bishop Chad who is leading the Diocese.
This is to inform you that Revd Canon L. Ntshingwa on the 17th March 2010 at 3pm was involved in a car accident. He has a fracture on the hip. He was operated on the 25th March 2010 at St Dominic's Hospital. Kindly pray for Lulama, Nomhle and children.
To the Laos:
For the Archbishop's letter for March 2010, click here.
As we are praying for one another as a Diocese inspired by the Lenten season, Passion week, Holy week and Easter, let us be sustained by the words that says "Christ is our Peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the Cross. We meet in His name and share His Peace." (APB, pg 142.)
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Our Love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Grace and Peace
Yours in the service of the Shepherd of Shepherds
+ Ebenezer Grahamstown
Bishop of Grahamstown
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