Umbuliso - The Greeting
Newsletter of the Diocese of Grahamstown
October - November 2007
Thabo Makgoba elected Archbishop
Synod paves way for new Ukhahlamba Diocese
Diocesan Office re-organisation
Pre-Synod Imbizo welcomes new diocese
Extracts from the Synod Charge: Counting the costs, taking the risk
The Challenge to respond to Gay and Lesbian Anglicans
Three priests, two deacons ordained
Computer training: still an exception?
Care Givers receive health kits
International congratulations for St Andrew’s Bedford, 125 years old
Induction of East London Youth members
Stork Support: Basics for babies
Umbuliso
uyakubulisa (short items of news and greetings)
Hon Canon, wife, visit for Ordination
Thabo Makgoba elected Archbishop
At an Elective Assembly in Cape Town on 25 September 2007, Thabo Makgoba, Bishop of Grahamstown, was elected as Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan (head) of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. He will be collated on 1 January 2008.
Archbishop-elect: Bishop Thabo Makgoba.
Bowing out:
Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane
retires on 31 December.
Synod paves way for new Ukhahlamba Diocese
At a one-day Diocesan Synod meeting at St Alban’s
Church East London, the Diocese of Grahamstown took the next steps in the
process of “multiplying” into two dioceses, each with its own bishop and
administrative centre, with the aim of bringing ministry closer to the people.
The
Synod, comprising the clergy of the diocese and lay representatives from
every parish, passed the necessary resolutions to pave the way for the
creation of the new diocese of “Ukhahlamba”. Named after the mountain
range in the region (part of the Drakensburg), the new diocese will
consist of the parishes of the present “Northern Region” of the Diocese of
Grahamstown, i.e. the Archdeaconries of Aliwal North and Queenstown. The Free
State Diocesan Synod, which met in August, rejected the resolution which would
have seen certain parishes from the southern part of that diocese added to the
Diocese of Ukhahlamba. The Bishop of Free State, Paddy Glover, was reported to
be disappointed at this decision.
For
the first ten years of its existence, the Diocese of Ukhahlamba will be subsidised
by the Diocese of Grahamstown, the total subsidy to amount to over R4 m. The
Financial Administrator of the Northern Region, Ruth Brandt, also noted that
the region’s giving had shown a marked improvement since the proposed
multiplication was agreed in February.
Delegates
from the area which will form the Ukhahlamba Diocese
were upbeat, looking forward to the change, which they hope
will be completed within a year.
The future Ukhahlamba Diocese: Synod agreed on the boundaries
shown.
Diocesan Office reorganisation
The other business completed at the Synod was
the division of the onerous tasks of the Diocesan Secretary between two people
in future, to be known as the Diocesan Administrator, and the Diocesan
Treasurer. This will now be reflected in the Acts of the Diocese.
The Synod was undertaken in a spirit of
prayerfulness, with time given to lively worship together, and Bible
study in groups.
A mighty rushing wind: Members of Chapter and other
dignitaries process into St Alban’s Church to pray for the guidance of the Holy
Spirit on the proceedings of Synod.
Pre-Synod Imbizo welcomes new diocese
At an Imbizo held in
Queenstown on Saturday 18 August clergy and laity of the Northern Region
expressed enthusiastic support for the formation of a new diocese in that
region. Participants met in homogenous groups by age-groups, men/ women,
clergy, but the degree of agreement was remarkable.
All
supported a new diocese, which would bring the bishop and diocesan office
closer to the people. Financial challenges should be addressed by promoting
tithing. Greater efforts should be made to involve professional people and the
youth in the life of the church. The Imbizo approved
of the time-line proposed for the process, which would result in the formation
of a new diocese on 30 November 2007.
Starting young: making use of the
white board at the Imbizo.
Extracts from the Synod Charge: Counting the costs, taking the risk
Dear People of God
Something is burning in our hearts, as when Cleopas
and his companion were on their way to Emmaus and were joined by Jesus (Luke
24:13-35). They commented in verse 32: “...did not our hearts burn within us
while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?”
Christ Jesus present in scripture, and in our lives, is urging us to go to “
For me,
“going to
We,
as the Diocese, have since 2004 been engaged in an intense dialogue and journey
about the multiplication, so that there may be effective mission and ministry,
and adequate response to God’s people in the North of our diocese. We were
joined along the way by the Diocese of Free State. For now, they have sadly
decided not to divide their Diocese, but we are continuing on this journey.
Journeys are full of risks and uncertainty, but we are never alone on this
journey, because Jesus, unseen, unknown, uninvited, through the power of the
Holy Spirit joins us, and will lead us.
Going
back to
I quote from Catholicos
Among strategic issues facing us as we give birth to a new Diocese are:
· Christian discipleship and leadership formation
· Planting new parishes
· Strengthening existing congregations
· Peace and nation-building
· Responding to socio-economic challenges of our time
· Fostering a healthy communion within our global church
Friends, let us step out in faith, to create a
way for the people of the North to count the costs and take the risk, and
develop a new Diocese. Let us take the risk knowing that this journey is not
possible without Jesus, and that Jesus will be with us at every step of the
way.
May God bless our journey
+Thabo
The challenge to respond to gay and lesbian Anglicans
Are gay and lesbian
Christians accepted by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa as members of the
Body of Christ? And if so, what should the Church do when such people ask for
their committed faithful partnerships to be blessed? These challenging
questions are posed in a document issued on Trinity Sunday 2007 over 32
signatures of bishops, clergy and laity of the ACSA, among them the former
Bishop of Grahamstown, David Russell.
The document, Call for a more Pastoral Response to Gay Christian Partnerships of Faithful Commitment, points out that while so far the Synod of Bishops and the Provincial Synod of the ACSA have refused permission for the blessing of such partnerships, holding to the “traditional understanding of biblical teaching on this matter”, the Church is in a process of seeking the mind of Christ on this matter and has acknowledged the need to “listen to people of all orientations”. Over the last five years changes in thinking in the ACSA have been reflected in resolutions passed by Provincial Synod and PSC. “We have made it clear that gay and lesbian members of our church share in full membership as baptised members of the Body of Christ, and are affirmed and welcomed as such. (Provincial Synod 2002). Homosexual orientation is not regarded as somehow sinful (PSC 2003). We do not, as a church, therefore share the views of certain other denominations that teach that gays need to change their sexuality (even if that were possible).”
Conceding that “wounds still need healing”, citing the “sin of rejection” and “negative attitudes”, the document sees the recent passing of the Civil Unions Act as “an opportunity for us to challenge ourselves theologically.” This is not to say that the State is putting pressure on the Church, given that “the State has made it clear that it has no intention of undermining our religious freedom concerning these issues.” The centrality of the Scriptures is affirmed by all sides in this debate (as in others, e.g. about the ordination of women). Only the interpretation differs, as has always been the case. For this reason “there is a need to avoid the assumption of dogmatic certainty, and leave room for diversity of convictions in these matters.” Given that there are “ members within our church who believe in good faith and conscience that God accepts them as gay, and further that God blesses their commitment to faithful relationship”, the document ends with an appeal to church leaders and members to “give fresh consideration to offering prayerful support to those gay members who come forward to make their commitment to faithfulness in relationship.”
Click here for the full text of the document
Letter to the Editor:
Pastoral Response to Gay and Lesbian Christians
From the Revd Janet Trisk and Canon Graeme Deas
Bishop Thabo attached to his latest Ad Clerum a copy of a document entitled “Call for a more pastoral response to gay Christian partnerships of faithful commitment”. Although the title is something of a mouthful, the idea contained in the document is quite straightforward. Those of us who support the document state that we believe God accepts those who are gay and lesbian and blesses their faithful partnerships. In the light of such belief we believe that the church should be open to blessing same-sex partnerships. We recognise that not all Christians share our view and respect the views of those who believe differently. However, we believe the time has come for us as a church to explore together a more loving and pastoral response to our members who wish to have same-sex partnerships blessed.
What we are seeking to do is
· gather the names of those who are supportive of the “Call” document so that we have some idea of how wide-spread support is
· discern whether there is a need to set up a group which might comprise gay and lesbian Christians as well as those in ministry who seek to listen more carefully to their voices and support them in the church.
We would like to reassure readers of Umbuliso that we take this initiative with the support and blessing of Bishop Thabo with whom we met a few weeks ago. As a consequence of that visit he invited us to make a presentation to the Chapter, which has since taken place.
(After the Chapter meeting, the Chapter’s report was sent to all the clergy of the diocese via the Ad Clerum. Ed.)
If you are
interested in either supporting the Call or becoming involved in such a group,
please contact either:
Graeme Deas, Tel. 043 748 3147; 082 677 1327,
Email: graemedeas@telkomsa.net,
or Janet Trisk, Tel. 046 622 3700,
Email: janet@imaginet.co.za
Mariya uMama weThemba
Monastery
and Guesthouse
P O Box 6013, Grahamstown 6141,
(046) 622 8111,
E-mail: guesthouse@umaria.co.za; www.umaria.co.za
16 - 18 November 2007
A Celtic Weekend led by Br Andrew OHC
In preparation for Advent,
enter into both the practical and mysterious world of Celtic Christianity with
Brother Andrew as he takes you on a journey of discovery of wisdom and
love.
Fee : R400; Deposit : R200
20 - 25 November 2007 (please
note date change)
The Enquirers’ Week
Have you noticed young men in
your church who seem to pray deeply or who have a particularly strong interest in
their spiritual development? Do they ask
soul-searching questions about themselves?
Do you know of a young man who has a longing to seek a deeper knowledge
of himself and of God? Perhaps this man
has a vocation to the monastic life.
We would like to alert all of you to a special programme that the monastery is hosting.
This is a week of exploration
for those men who would like to understand more about monastic life. It is even an opportunity to see if the
monastic vocation is for you. We invite
all the participants to take part in our daily rhythm of prayer, study and work
while offering guidance and words of experience about our own lives as
monks. For more information contact Br.
Andrew or Br. John. There is no fee.
Three priests, two deacons ordained
The four men and a woman ordained as deacons
and priests by Bishop Thabo Makgoba, on 1 September, had “been to the
mountain” (for a retreat at the monastery at Hillandale) and were returning
with rejoicing to begin their new life. So said the preacher at the
ordination service, Archdeacon Moses Madywabe of
In a
packed, colourful and joyful service at which the choirs of St Philip’s and St
Augustine’s churches in Grahamstown sang, two local people, Kholiwe Sunners of St Philip’s,
and Thato Monaheng of St
Augustine’s, were ordained to the permanent,
self-supporting diaconate. The Bishop has appointed them both to
assist with ministry in the country congregations of Sidbury and Southwell. Three deacons who have been ministering in
various parts of the Diocese of Grahamstown were ordained to the priesthood:
Gordon Johnson of Barkly East, Richard Wyngaard who is Youth Chaplain at St
Alban’s Church East London, and Clive Newman from
Back from the mountain: Outside the Cathedral after the
Ordination service were: front row, left to right: Clive Newman, Bishop Thabo
Makgoba, Richard Wyngaard, Gordon Johnson, Kholiwe Sunners. Back row: Thato Monaheng and the Bishop's Chaplain Brother Ernest Moeketsi SSM.
Tshwaranang news
Youth in need of care
By Zolile Ntlale and Zoleka Stemela
Bulumko Xintolo,
a grade 12 learner at
The paralegal officer Zoleka
Stemela, approached Bishop Thabo for assistance. The
Bishop responded positively by offering financial assistance which covered
school needs and household necessaries. Bulumko is
back at school and his teachers have undertaken to help him make up for the
lost time. Bulumko nearly forsook his dreams of
becoming an electrician due to lack of support from the community.
The Centre coordinator informed him of the
Bishop’s help and he responded “It has been tough. I will grab this opportunity
with both hands”. Thanks to Bishop Thabo, Bulumko has
been saved from becoming a street kid.
Computer training: still an exception?
By Themba Mdedelwa and Thozama Ndabazandile
It seems access to computer training is still an
exception. Even in the post-apartheid era very few schools have computer training
facilities. In some schools, computer training is done, but only at senior
levels.
Early in August 2007, a 13-year-old girl
from
Keen: A young learner gets to grips with
computer skills
Care Givers receive health kits
By Zolile Ntlale
Health standards require high
quality services from each health facility. This includes services rendered by
Home Based Caregivers. Our caregivers have always been challenged by the
shortage of health kits. They could not even be helped by the clinics because
stores were only provided to those caregivers attached to the Department of
Health. As a result, our caregivers could not perform certain functions.
Hope Africa intervened and bought 10 health
kits from St John Ambulance. Each set includes Sphygmomanometer and
Stethoscope. The caregivers were overjoyed when the kits were handed over to
them. They will be more compliant with the required standards.
What does DSR do? AGM hears of year’s activities
A well-attended Annual Meeting of the diocesan
Department of Social Responsibility on 21 August in King William’s Town was
given a review of the past year’s activities. These included giving para-legal advice, AIDS education and assistance to orphans
and vulnerable children, and land reform.
Staff
members spoke enthusiastically of their work, which is sustained by a number of
donors. Among these HEKS has announced that its funding is coming to an end, so
Director Tony Schnell is engaged in seeking new sources.
It
was noted that with the formation of a new diocese in the north, DSR will
continue to operate in both dioceses. Among new projects in prospect for the
year ahead are a new ARV roll-out site in Middledrift,
and the development of tourism at some sites of historical interest.
Thandiswa Nketyana,
Para-Legal Justice Co-ordinator
Ray Magida, Land
Justice Co-ordinator, emphasising a point on land reform and sustainable
living units
The lighting of the AIDS candle (Director Tony
Schnell is on the left).
Obituary: David Matsolo
David Matsolo, a
retired self-supporting priest from Barkly East, died on 6 August, shortly
before his 85th birthday. Employed as a clerk, he was one of the first to be
ordained to the self-supporting ministry in the Diocese of Grahamstown, being
ordained deacon in 1986 and priest in
1987. The Rector of Barkly East at the time was Vincent Oram,
who wrote from
“David was one of two self supporting clergy
ordained at the time and working in Barkly East and the surrounding area. He
was held in high esteem and with affection by many local people. A
gentle but strong man, he exuded a quiet dignity and was a faithful Christian
and priest, having served as a lay leader in the parish for many years before
his ordination.”
Prayers are asked for his wife
International congratulations for St Andrew’s
Bedford, 125 years old
By Pat Wells
On 18 August St Andrew’s Church Bedford, celebrated
its 125th Anniversary with a formal dinner held in the church hall. Guests
included Bishop Thabo Makgoba and his chaplain from Grahamstown, Archdeacon
Moses Madywabe and his wife Thembisa
from
Bishop Thabo proved to be an excellent Guest Speaker. To a
standing ovation Mr Garth Morwood was presented with
a framed citation, in recognition of his many years of faithful service as a
Lay Minister when there was no resident priest.
On Sunday morning the church bells pealed out, as people from
all denominations in
One of the members, Joan Howard, had contacted via the Internet
Anglican Churches dedicated to St Andrew, all over the world. This was to let
them know that St Andrew’s Church,
Obituary: Moses Moletsane
Moses or Thami
Moletsane, Rector of Holy Cross Mdantsane, died on 5 September at the age of
63.
Born in Stutterheim, Moletsane trained as a
teacher at Healdtown, and taught in various schools
including St Matthew’s High School, where he felt a calling to the ordained
ministry. His theological training was at FEDSEM in
Moletsane
returned to the Grahamstown Diocese in 1988 as Rector of Holy Cross Mdantsane,
where he remained until his death. He served a seven-year term as a Canon on
the Cathedral Chapter, and for a while was also responsible for the parish of
St Luke Newlands.
In
a tribute for his funeral he was described as an approachable man, appreciated
for his pastoral care and love of Church music, “a leader, a father, a friend
and most of all a Priest of high magnitude”.
He
leaves his wife Nontobeko, children, brother, sisters and grandchildren.
Induction of EL Youth members
By Immanuel Ngubo
The
Greater East London Archdeaconry youth structure decided to hold one big
induction once a year for new members. This year the induction was held in St
Gregory’s Church Mdantsane. The sermon was given by their Lay chaplain Mr
Immanuel Bangubukhosi Ngubo,
churchwarden of St Philip’s Church Gompo. After the sermon the Rector of St
Gregory’s, Peter Lenkoe, inducted thirteen members from the following parishes:
St Francis, St Gregory, Holy Cross and St Bernard Mizeki.
Two brothers from St Luke’s were supposed to take part, but were absent because
of a family funeral.
After the
induction the Greater East London Archdeaconry Bernard Mizeki
chairperson, Frank Mbata, encouraged the youth to be
“angels of change”, quoting Immanuel Ngubo’s sermon.
The Diocesan Bernard Mizeki Chairperson, Tembalakhe Mzamo, was also
present. The young people went singing around NU 2/5 encouraging people to stay
in the house of God.
The youth
would like to thank the Revd P Lenkoe and the congregation of St Gregory’s Church
for their support and warm welcome. They encourage all parishes to observe
September as youth month and encourage the participation of all the youth.
The
Greater East London Archdeaconry Youth congratulated Bishop Thabo Makgoba on
being proposed as a candidate for the post of Archbishop of Cape Town, wished all the best for him, and prayed for
the Elective Assembly to elect the right person for the post.
Stork Support: basics for babies
A hospital chaplain’s
concern for mothers and newborn babies has led to the formation of “Stork
Support”, an organisation which supplies over 250
bags of baby needs to hospitals each month.
Lorraine
Rusch, chaplain at Cecilia Makiwane, shared her
concern with a group of women talented at knitting and sewing, who decided to
put together some basic baby items and a blanket to give to the mothers with
new-born babies at the CMH. Realising they were too
few to cope with the numbers, they spoke to friends and sent letters out to
churches in East London asking for anyone willing to sew, knit or crochet.
Among those who took up the challenge were the elderly, lonely and housebound,
many of whom have said it has given them a reason to get up in the morning and
to work together with others. Some knit jerseys, others booties and squares
while others crochet or sew the squares together. This encourages fellowship
and gives them an opportunity to speak to others about their problems.
There
are approximately 1,000 babies born per month at the hospital. Poverty is rife
in the area and many mothers who come to the hospital have little or nothing for their babies. The women
of Stork Support have put together a
basic kit which they personally give to the mothers, giving them an opportunity
to pray for the mother and baby. The kit consists of a bag containing a
blanket, cap, booties, vest, teddy, bib, jersey, baby-gro,
face cloth, baby products (donated by Johnson and Johnson) and when available,
nappies. From humble beginnings distributing an average of 25 bags per month,
they now distribute 260 per month, and even send ten bags a month to a rural
hospital in Sterkspruit. The challenge is great to
obtain sufficient of everything to include in the bag. All outside assistance
is greatly appreciated, and the project has been overwhelmed by people’s
generosity.
Umbuliso Uyakubulisa
Chaplain for Bishop
Umbuliso greets Brother Ernest Moeketsi,
a monk from the SSM in
Just
married
Congratulations to Simphiwe Magxwalisa,
Assistant at Sada and St Andrew’s Queenstown, and his bride Nzuki,
who were married on 15-16 September.
Hon Canon, wife, visit for Ordination
All the way from
Vacancy at COTT
Dr Esther Mombo, who
was appointed last year to head the College of the Transfiguration from July
2007, has now announced that she will not be coming. Please pray for the
College, COTT Council and Search Committee as they repeat the process of
searching for a new College Principal.
New HIV/AIDS projects
Canon Nzukuma, Canon
Sage and Archdeacon Morgan together with the Sunday congregation took part in
the celebration, when Isibindi Ezibeleni
and the
Southern Region Family Day
The Cathedral hosted the parishes of the
Southern Region of the diocese on 4 August for a Family Day, at which the
donations totalled a splendid R117,372.65.
Congratulations!
For
prayer
Gordon Johnson suffered a heart attack in August, only a few
weeks before he was due to be ordained priest on 1 September. We give thanks
that he recovered in time, and is able to continue his ministry in Barkly East.
Canon James Hoyle had an arthroscopy to
his knee on 31 August, but unfortunately it requires a further operation. We
pray for his full recovery.
Lutho, Richard Jolobe’s
son who is in Grade 12, was admitted to St Dominic’s Hospital in August.
Diocesan Events during Bishop Thabo’s Sabbatical
October
13 Sat Cluster Confirmation (in English), St Alban’s EL, + Godfrey Ashby 10:00
14 Sun Cluster Confirmation (Xhosa), St Gregory’s Mdantsane, + Godfrey Ashby 09:00
Evening: Kingswood Confirmation, + Godfrey Ashby
15 Mon DSG, St Andrew’s Confirmations, +Godfrey Ashby
22 Mon Diocesan Finance Committee
23 Tue Chapter
27 Sat Cluster Confirmation, St Michael’s Queenstown, +Patrick Matolengwe
28 Sun Aliwal North Cluster Confirmation at St Michael’s Sterkspruit, +Patrick Matolengwe
November
10 Sat Grahamstown/ Albany Cluster Confirmation at Cathedral +Patrick Matolengwe
13 Tue Executive, Trusts Board
From Bishop Thabo’s
diary
October
- December
Sabbatical in the UK and USA
November
3-8 Sat-Thur Lambeth Design Group
9-11 Fri-Sun Northern Ireland: Fund-raising dinner for Sinikithemba, (St Augustine’s Grahamstown AIDS project)
12-13 Mon-Tue Attending media and journalism course, UK
14 Wed To Episcopal Divinity School, USA, until 21 December
December
23 Sun Back in South Africa, but still on sabbatical
Umbuliso is your diocesan newspaper!
Contributions welcome
Deadline for next issue: 20 November 2007
Please send news to:
P O Box 181, Grahamstown 6140
Tel: 046 622 7803
Fax: 086 685 3968
Please note change of fax number.
E-mail: umbuliso@diocesegrahamstown.co.za
Umbuliso is published by the Diocese of Grahamstown, edited by Maggy Clarke