Umbuliso
The
Greeting
Newsletter of the Diocese of Grahamstown
Volume 31 No 1; Lent 2008
Reading Camps for Grahamstown
kids
DSR in joint ARV
roll-out venture
Bishop Thabo
writes: Being Good News people
Youth message: Make use
of your breaks in 2008
AIDS Ministries: Isibindis at work
Lent appeal 2008:
St Augustine’s Cathcart
From the Department
of Spirituality: Praying with an icon
Amadodana co-operate on learnerships
Some highlights of Thabo Makgoba’s ministry in Grahamstown Diocese
·
Consultation and reflection, Vision and
Mission
Umbuliso uyakubulisa
(short items of news and greetings)
Reading Camps to open books for Grahamstown kids
Reading rocks says the banner. But like many
South African children these 8-10 year old American girls found it a battle.
All that changed when they went to a Reading Camp. The first similar camp is to
take place near Grahamstown in July.
Thanks to US donors, help is at hand for
8-10-year-olds in Grahamstown who are struggling with their reading. A joint
initiative of the Diocese of Grahamstown, the OHC Brothers at uMariya uMama weThemba
and the Diocese of Lexington in the United States has been awarded a generous
grant to run summer camps for children, where they can be encouraged to develop
a love of learning, and given tools for reading proficiency, in surroundings
which do not feel like school.
The
Episcopal Diocese of Lexington has for some years run such camps regularly,
and Ben Bynum, who spent some time as a volunteer in Grahamstown, is now
employed as Executive Director of the programme. The camps are in an outdoor
setting, with an emphasis on games, crafts and fun activities. Last year a
group came from
An application to the
Trinity Grants Program in
The
first “Holy Cross Reading Camp” is due to take place on 7-11 July 2008, at
Assegai Trails near Kenton-on-Sea, for about 25 learners. Local professional
teachers will be joined by a number of visitors from
The
children will be recommended by their head teachers, and families should not
apply for their children to attend the camp. Those selected will be children
who are at least one grade level behind in reading skills.
Enthusiasm is catching! Bishop Stacey Sauls
of
To read more about the Diocese of Lexington’s
Reading Camps, CLICK HERE
DSR in joint ARV roll-out venture
By Tony Schnell
A joint venture between the Diocese of
Grahamstown, the Eastern Cape Health Department and AIDS Healthcare Foundation
(AHF) resulted in the launch of an Anti-Retroviral (ARV) Unit at Middledrift, between Alice and Dimbaza, on 3 December 2007,
amid much fanfare and the blessing of pouring rain.
This
pioneering model of the Church, civil society and Government working together,
is all the more remarkable because the government has agreed to accredit the
unit as meeting certain standards of quality. This commits the government to
supply the medication needed. The Church is in a position to play a vital role,
ensuring the dignity of people so that clients (patients) are not just seen as
a number, but as people created in the image of God and part of a community.
The Diocese through its Department of Social Responsibility is working towards
meeting this challenge, so that the unit becomes an example of holistic care
for people.
The
unit already has a project coordinator, doctor, part-time pharmacist, nurse and
some other help staff.
Recently
negotiations took place with “New Start”, an organisation which will be working
in partnership with the Diocese in ensuring that the VCT services are meeting
the need of the communities in the Middledrift area
through static and mobile services of high quality. This part of the service
should be operational early this year.
Co-operating: From left to right: Nomalizo Matsheketwa (Partnership project coordinator), a
representative from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) head office, Dr Ndilikazi Buhlungu (AHF
coordinator, SA, based in Durban), Tony Schnell from DSR, representing the
Church side of the partnership, and Dr Mbangaleli,
resident doctor for the ARV project at the Clinic.
To take part in this worthy cause, through
giving time, funds (or fundraising) or prayer, please contact Tony at DSR at 043
7820 771.
Be part of the solution!
Bishop Thabo writes…. Being Good News people
Greetings!
It was in 2002 that I wrote the first article
for Umbuliso, and today I am writing the last as a member of the diocesan
family. Lungi, Nyakallo and Paballo join me in saying thank you for the opportunity
to participate together in God’s mission through God’s ministry in this
diocese. We have felt your love, prayers and God’s sufficient grace during our
time in the diocese and you will all be in our hearts and prayers always. We
ask that you continue to pray for us in the new ministry within the Province.
The
Ash Wednesday imposition of ashes has this phrase: “turn away from sin and
believe the Good News”. This reminds us that this is a period of penitence and
repentance, but also of being intentional in being Good News people. As I write
this article, there are areas that need your special intercessions because they
are bad news: many Kenyan people have been displaced and some killed after
their recent elections; within our Anglican global family, tough decisions,
especially in The Episcopal Church (Episcopal Church of USA) and Zimbabwe are
being taken, that may have serious implications for church order; at home the
price of bread is set to increase and about 40% of South African Grade 12s did
not pass Matric in 2007, and Mozambique and the areas
around the Zambezi basin have serious floods, whilst our neighbour Lesotho is
experiencing famine.
This
Lent pray for these areas and many others that you may know and as the Holy
Spirit leads you, resolve as a parish or Lenten group, to do something
practical about the plight of God’s people who are marginalized at this time.
As a Diocese of Grahamstown, this Lent, we will be focusing on
The
Trustees took a decision that for all our Lenten giving, 10% should be tithed
to people outside the diocese. In 2007, we pledged to tithe 10% of our Lent
Appeal to Growing the Church Network and this year our 10% tithe of Lenten
Appeal will go to the diocese of Southern Malawi,
The
good news is, we as the Diocese of Grahamstown in partnership with the OHC and
the diocese of
Till we meet again, thank you all
for making God’s love tangible to all in this diocese.
Youth
Make
use of your breaks in 2008
By Immanuel Bangubukhosi
Ngubo
Greater East London Archdeaconry Youth Lay Chaplain
Do you find holidays boring? Some young people get into trouble looking for fun. To avoid that, here are some ideas that I hope will help.
Weekdays: Friends can organise themselves into small study groups of about eight from the same grade, even if they come from different schools. Formulate a time table that will include problem-solving for all subjects. Take one subject per day. Say from 9am to 11am devote yourselves to Maths. Then take a break, watch TV or play music. In the afternoon visit the library checking for more information on the subject discussed in the morning. Join any study sessions/ programmes organised by the school.
Saturdays: Visit the Zoo or museum to learn more about environment. Environment study is not only for whites, black people can also have an adventure. Other Saturdays can used for debates to discuss critical issues like Ilobola, sex after marriage not before, HIV/AIDS, violence, substance abuse and issues like poverty. Each one in the group can bring in two more extra people to keep the debate going. Churches, schools, halls, garages and homes can be used. Invite an older person or organise DVD’s/ video cassettes to watch after debates.
Sundays: It is good to attend church services. If you can’t, visit a friend’s home to read papers and magazines, share jokes and watch sport. Every day after 16H00 help parents and prepare for the next challenging day.
To stay cool, guys, is to stay away from drugs, crime and sexual activities. Success demands individual commitment and team work. We can organise ourselves under the slogan “Manage Your Choices – Manage Your Life”. In all you are doing, please put our Creator first. May God bless U all in 2008 and beyond, and keep us, as we work for Him for a better and safer world.
Obituary
Daisy Ncaca, MU stalwart, AIDS activist
Daisy Barbara Ncaca, “Sis Day” died on 11 January 2008 at the age
of 77.
Born in Boksburg in 1930, she was schooled there and at Pholela in Natal. It was while training as a nurse in Pretoria in 1951 that she met Patrick “Bra Pat” Ncaca, a social worker, whom she married in 1954. In 1958 they moved to Port Elizabeth, and Daisy worked at Walton orthopaedic hospital.
She received a bursary to study in England, at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in 1961-2. There she obtained diplomas in orthopaedic, paraplegic and orthopaedic after-care nursing. She continued her studies and did ward administration at Livingstone Hospital. She lectured at the Orthopaedic Hospital to post-basic students. With her husband’s ordination in the late sixties, Daisy had to balance being a minister's wife, a nurse and a mother. The ministry took the family to Cradock, Peddie, and Zwelitsha, and in retirement they settled in King William’s Town.
In 1973 she was appointed the first black matron of Nompumelelo Hospital in Peddie. She was transferred to Mount Coke Hospital as a matron in 1977, and in 1985 she was promoted Deputy Chief Matron at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane. In 1988 she was transferred to the Head office to be in charge of the HIV-AIDS module, a post she held until her retirement.
Devoted to church activities, she was the first black president of the Mother's Union in the Diocese of Grahamstown.
She was involved in many community projects, including Cripple Care, the Blind Association and the Benevolent society and the YWCA. Her greatest concern was for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, and she launched Yiba Nenceba HIV-AIDS support group in King William’s Town with the Revd Anaida Allwood, and worked with this project until the time of her death.
She leaves her husband Canon Pat Ncaca, three daughters, grandchildren and an extended family. We give thanks to God for her life of service.
Yiba Nenceba (Have Mercy): Activities at this HIV/ AIDS
project include vegetable growing, quilting and bead-work. All the money raised
by sales goes towards food and transport for project members. Daisy Ncaca (l)
is seen in front of some of the quilts, with one of her successors as MU President, Noluthando
Lucas, Ruth Brandt and Anaida Allwood.
AIDS Ministries
Isibindis at Work: 
What’s going on at the Isibindi projects?
What is “adopted”? (Left) These dolls have birth certificates
and adoption papers, to help the children to understand what happens when
parents die and to help them to cope. A private donor sent the dolls for the
children who attend the Isibindi projects. In the
church grounds at Alice young people take part in an adolescent development
programme.
Lent appeal 2008: St Augustine
This year’s Lent Appeal is for
The priests are Aaron and Monica Hobongwana.
Aaron Hobongwana is seen outside
The congregation has already collected money
and erected this goat– and vandal-proof fence. Now that it is secure, the church
plot can be used for outreach purposes, e.g it is
hoped to start after school and holiday care for children.
The people of
From the Department of Spirituality
Praying with an Icon
By Graeme Deas
A year ago a small group of Anglicans and Roman Catholics met together for two hours a week over a period of nine weeks to attend an Open Door Retreat, which is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. I was a privileged member of the group.
In Week Five we were each given and Icon of Christ Pantocrator – “Christ the Sustainer of the World” – and invited to pray in front of it. This has had a profound effect on me which I would like to share.
I have seemingly become much more aware of the Presence of our Incarnate Lord – there is a kind of physicality which was never there before – something hard to put into words. It’s rather like the Bride’s experience of her Bridegroom in the Song of Songs: “Hark! My Beloved! Here He comes, bounding over the mountains, leaping over the hills …There He stands outside the wall, peering in at the windows, gazing through the lattice.” (Song of Songs 2:8-9.)
I sit in front of the Icon, light a candle and gaze. I look through the Icon and into the eyes of our blessed Lord. And the Daily Office and the Lections and the Prayers become more meaningful, more ‘filled out’ as is were. And I feel I want to linger longer, and often do!
In the Icon Jesus looks on me with love, understanding and forgiveness. His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. The index and second fingers, signifying His divine and human nature, are upright. The remaining two fingers are bent down to meet His thumb, these three symbolizing the Holy Trinity, into whose Life I am at that moment invited. Christ holds the Holy Scriptures in His left hand. The Book is closed and sealed, and this tells me that only He can break those seals and open the Book, that He alone can interpret these sacred texts to unlock their meaning for today. They need re-interpretation for every generation and every circumstance; and He, the Word of God made flesh is the ‘filter’ through which the sacred texts must pass. At our peril do we seek to interpret them alone.
The challenge to be faithful to the Gospel is so much greater and more costly when I look through the Icon into the eyes of Christ Pantocrator, “Christ the Sustainer of the Universe.”
I would encourage you, dear reader, to experiment a little and pray in this way. Like me, you may be surprised by joy!
Mothers’ Union Conference
“Faith in Action”
The Mothers’ Union of the Diocese of Grahamstown held its biennial conference from 27-30 September 2007 in King William’s Town, with the theme of “Faith in Action”.
In her address the diocesan President, Noncedo Ntlali went through the Objects of the MU, and focused on marriage and parenting, her particular passions. The Unit Committees put over their messages in entertaining fashion with banners and songs highlighting different areas of concern such as crime, HIV/ AIDS and other health issues, poverty, divorce, orphans and vulnerable children, education etc.
The
Archdeaconries mounted displays of beadwork, sewing, crochet, grass-work and
other crafts. A demonstration of table-setting was followed by an inter-
Archdeaconry competition which was won by King William’s Town
Archdeaconry with East London in second place.
The conference was covered by the radio station Umhlobo Wenene, which featured the President’s address, and the opening “Hlukuhla Iselwa” ceremony of welcome.
Delegates showed their practical care by making a visit to Bhisho Hospital, to give gifts of blankets, toiletries and fruit. Archdeacons Ntlali and Madywabe prayed with and touched all the patients in the wards visited.
Although he was due to begin his sabbatical the next day, Bishop Thabo was able to be present at the Conference on 29 September, together with his wife Lungi. They received a rousing welcome, with songs expressing congratulations on his recent election as Archbishop. Others who contributed thought-provoking addresses included the Revd Melany Adonis and the Eastern Cape Premier, Nosimo Balindlela.
Time for tea: Setting a table for tea is an art, as MU
members discovered at their Conference in September. The prize-winning table
was set by Ms N Mbabela from
New Diocesan MU Exec
The Mothers’
Deputy Presidents: Orie Pule, Nomhle Ntshingwa
Secretary: Sikelelwa Putini
Treasurer: Zine Madyibi
Ex Officio: Thandi Kokoali,
Nokwanda
Mhlontlo
Bishop’s rep-
resentative Mr
Herbert Walton
Amadodana co-operate on learnerships
The Bernard Mizeki Guild has entered a new era of co-operation with the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP-SETA). The aim is to make available skills programmes and learnerships, which the Guild, as a church organisation, will be able to publicise among the youth.
The working relationship was sealed at a Launch which took place at Holy Cross Mdantsane on 8 December, appropriately during the 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children. Although the launch was well planned, there was concern that it was not well attended, and some of the invited speakers were unable to be present.
The site of the pilot project will be the Greater East London area, but the support of other Archdeaconries is sought, so that the project may spread.
Co-operating: Mr Gazi (l) Manager
of the
Doing “new things” under God
Some highlights of Thabo Makgoba’s ministry in Grahamstown Diocese
First part of a two-part feature
When Archdeacon Thabo Makgoba became a Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Grahamstown in 2002, he was only 41. Chosen by the Synod of Bishops after the diocese’s Elective Assembly had failed to agree on a candidate, he had spent his ministry in the Diocese of Johannesburg, although his wife Lungi came from Grahamstown.
After Bishop Thabo’s consecration, the family lived in Queenstown and he had special Episcopal oversight of the northern part of the diocese, but soon endeared himself to the people of the southern region as well. Two years later Bishop David Russell retired as diocesan bishop, and in a remarkably short elective assembly Bishop Thabo was elected to succeed him. He was installed on 14 February 2004.
Bishops and Archbishops, present and future: In this picture taken on the day of Thabo Makgoba’s consecration as a Bishop, he is seen with David Russell (left) whom he succeeded as Bishop of Grahamstown, and Njongonkulu Ndungane (centre), whom he followed as Archbishop of Cape Town.
AIDS, a special focus
While still Suffragan Bishop, Thabo Makgoba
already showed his special interest in fighting the scourge of HIV/ AIDS. The focus of the 2003 Lent appeal
was the conversion of the old Rectory of St Michael’s Queenstown into what
became Tshwaranang, a resource centre for the northern region, which he
dedicated in August of that year. Training offered here includes computer
skills and how to create gardens for food, as well as courses for those who
minister to people affected and infected by HIV/ AIDS, some of whom are
themselves HIV-positive. The appointment of two volunteer workers from the
Leading by example, after his installation, one of the new diocesan bishop’s first public acts was to go for an HIV test. This photograph, with the caption “The Bishop of Grahamstown knows his HIV status—do you know yours?” was distributed throughout the diocese.
Consultation and
reflection; Vision and Mission
In a break with tradition, the first two meetings of Chapter under Bishop Thabo were devoted to seeking new priorities for the diocese, with the assistance of a professional facilitator from Gauteng. The fruit of this process was the adoption of a Vision and Mission for Grahamstown Diocese. These have been refined over the years of Bishop Thabo’s episcopate, with the addition of Strategic Goals.
Vision
That all people in the Diocese should know God’s love in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us.
Mission
To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to a broken world through building a diocese which is:
·
Directed
by a Christ-centred vision
·
Spiritually
empowered for evangelism and mission
·
Building
itself up in love
·
Administratively
strong and committed to leadership development
·
Working
respectfully with people of other denominations and faith
·
Reaching
out into the communities it serves and beyond to bring the love of God in word and
deed.
Initiates come home safe and
happy—thank the Lord!
No fewer than ten of the young men in the
picture have the surname Walaza. They all went to initiation school on
27November 2007, and returned on 21 December, happy and healthy. The Revd
Patrick Walaza, a priest at St Michael’s Sterkspruit
whose son Ongezelekile was among their number,
expressed appreciation to Monde Dambuza,
father of another of the initiates, for staying at the school throughout. “It
is true that for the initiates to be happy in such a situation, their male
parents should be around all the time to support them.” The parents of the
initiates gave thanks to God for the safety of their sons, and thanked the
principal Mr Stone Mangcipu and his deputy Mr Wiseman
Walaza, and the teacher Mpathi Dondolo,
for their wonderful work and dedication.
Umbuliso uyakubulisa
Dean Hunter has arrived
Umbuliso greets Andrew Hunter, the new Dean
of Grahamstown Cathedral, his wife Claire and his two daughters Rachel and
Nicola, who moved into the Deanery at the beginning of January, and wishes them
God’s richest blessings.
Bells call to prayer
A church bell tolling daily at noon reminds the
people of the
Choir School meets in Eastern Cape
Grahamstown sings: Seven Grahamstown singers attended the Royal
School of Church Music (RSCM) Summer School at
For prayer
Please pray for Vuyiswa
Kuse, Deacon at St Andrew Queenstown, and her husband
Godfrey, on the sad death of their daughter, Dumisa Tyholwana.
David Nkwe, former
Bishop of Matlosane, died on 21 January after a short
illness, at the age of 72. He retired last year.
Johannes Hardnick has
had an attack of Bell’s Palsy. Pray for his complete recovery.
Crisis in Kenya
Prayers and material assistance have been asked
for the church in
Contact details: Major John Seii, Tel:
(cell) +254 721 385 605 email: johnarapseii@yahoo.com. More details available
from our Diocesan Office.
Vacant parishes
Rectors are sought for the following parishes:
Holy Cross Mdantsane
Good Shepherd
St Peter’s Ezibeleni
For more details please contact:
The Bishop’s Secretary,
Fax 046 622 5231.
Email: bpgtn@intekom.co.za
From the Diocesan diary
February
9 Sat Institution of Andrew Hunter as Dean of Grahamstown
12 Tue Chapter
16 Sat Installation of Godfrey Walton as AWF
Chaplain
18 Mon Training for Ministry
19 Tue Trust
Board & Executive
21 Thur Final Vows, CR Sisters
23 Sat Bishop’s Farewell, GHT
28 Thur Makgobas move to
March
4 Tue COTT Graduation
11 Tue DSR Management Committee
20
Thu NO Renewal of vows (postponed till
new bishop is elected)
23 Sun Easter
Day
30 Sun Enthronement,
April
1-4 Tue Synod of Bishops & Lambeth Design
Team meet in
8 Tue
Diocesan Council
15 Tue
Clergy and Dependents’ Benevolent
Fund
16-18
Wed Elective Assembly for a New
Bishop of Grahamstown?
Umbuliso is your diocesan newspaper!
Contributions welcome
Deadline for next issue: 20 March 2008
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