Diocese of Grahamstown

Dean leads workshops on Canon Law

Legislation is important, but attitude of love is vital

Andrew Hunter, Dean of Grahamstown, who recently obtained his Masters in Canon Law from Cardiff University in the UK, has been sharing his expertise with the clergy and people of Grahamstown Diocese at a series of Workshops held throughout 2011 on “Canon Law of the Parish”.

Topics covered in these workshops were:

1. The four Instruments of Communion;

2. Sources of Canon Law;

3. Archdeaconry Structure (Archdeacons and Archdeaconry Councils);

4. The Incumbent (Canon 24);

5. Vestries (Canon 27 and Acts of the Diocese Chapter X);

6. Parish Councils (Canon 28 and Acts Chapter X);

7. Churchwardens (Canon 29, Acts X, Canon 32, Handbook for Churchwardens and PCC);

8. The law of the State.

Dean Hunter invited the participants to reflect on the qualities required for good governance: transparency and accountability, having both rights and responsibilities.

Workshops took place at St Clement’s Grahamstown on 5 May (for Grahamstown and Albany Archdeaconries), at Bernard Mizeki Scenery Park on 10 September (for Kidds Beach and Scenery Park Archdeaconries) at St John & St Chad Zwelitsha for the Archdeaconries of Alice and King William’s Town, and at St Saviour’s on 30 October for the remaining East London Archdeaconries. Attendance varied between about 30 for the first workshop, to well over 50 for the succeeding workshops, with particularly good attendance by the laity.

Dean Hunter commented: “I was impressed by the commitment of the parish leadership groups. There was a positive spirit at all the gatherings. We realised that while we can legislate for how we operate and conduct our business in the life of the church, at the end of the day it is our attitude of love, and spirit of service, that is so vital for the well-being of the church. Power struggles are counter-productive. We need to wash one another’s feet. This is an exciting project and I feel privileged to be part of it.”

Keen participants at the Workshop for the East London Archdeaconries.

What is Canon Law?

Canon law is the body of laws and regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical (Church) authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal law governing the Catholic Church the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of churches, of which the Anglican Church of Southern Africa is a Province. A canon was originally a rule adopted by a council; these canons formed the foundation of canon law. (Source: Wikipedia.)

Acts of the Diocese now on-line

Those who took part in Dean Andrew Hunter’s Workshops on Canon Law, and others, may be interested to download the Acts of the Diocese of Grahamstown as a pdf.

 

A broad subject: Dean Andrew Hunter demonstrates a point to the East London Workshop.

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Two new CR Sisters

Newly clothed: Two new sisters, Neheng (left) and Nthati, were clothed as Novices at the Community of the Resurrection’s Associates’ Day on 19 November. Both come from Lesotho. The Sisters’ Chapel in Grahamstown was packed for the service, which was led by the Visitor of the Community, retired Bishop Eric Pike. He was formerly Suffragan Bishop of Grahamstown, before he became Bishop of Port Elizabeth.

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Bishop Ebenezer writes...

Advent 2011

Dear People of God

We give thanks to God for giving us the gift of liturgy, which shows us the different seasons of the year that need our observation.

The Church’s liturgical year starts with the season of Advent, that is, four Sundays before Christmas. The Church employs the season to appeal to her children to renew their response to God’s love. It is the baptized’s positive response to God’s love that fulfils God’s mission to the world. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and the Virgin Mary and other saints exemplified it. Indeed, each of us is an agent of God’s purpose and Advent helps us to rediscover our position in God’s big and inclusive plan.

The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means an approach or arrival. It is the season that commemorates the three comings of Jesus Christ; the coming of Christ at Bethlehem as a baby, His presence in the world today and His coming at the end of time to present and judge the living and the dead. How lovely it would be to attend the three services on Christmas Day; midnight, at dawn and morning, because each service has a landmark on our Christian pilgrimage.

Advent therefore, is a time of preparation for the commemoration of the birth and coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords. The prayer for the first Sunday in Advent sets the tone of what is required of the baptized. The Church implores God to shower His undeserved and unearned kindness on the believers, so that they may turn away from darkness to the light of Christ (AAPB, pg 149).

Advent gives the Church an opportunity of seeking to love and serve God; Creator, Redeemer and Guide. It is an invitation to individuals, families, congregations, parishes, archdeaconries and the Diocese to identify the acts of darkness, repent of them and surrender to God for the coming of our Redeemer, even Jesus Christ.

Let us assist one another, but in love, in pointing out what has gone wrong in our relationship with God. All evil and anarchy in our homes, Church, community and the whole world starts with a broken relationship with God. We turn away from the light of Christ and get lost in the darkness that manifests itself in unhealthy competition, abuse of political, clan, ecclesiastical and organizational powers, and strife. The list is endless, but thanks be to God for this season, when the Church intentionally calls upon all of us to re-examine ourselves and get ready for the mental, spiritual and physical birth of our Saviour.

Advent turns our attention to the Virgin Mary who without hesitation agreed to God’s calling to the motherhood of the Saviour of the world. Her “Yes” to God’s proposal removed darkness from the world. Where does God expect your yes, so that the light of Christ may shine in your life, family, work place, Church, community and our beloved Diocese? Let this season help us to draw closer to God and seek to stay with Him always. When Christ the Light shines in our individual lives, we feel the presence of God at all times. 

We thank the entire Diocesan family and its Leadership for your love, hospitality, generosity and tireless prayerful support of the life of our Diocese in God’s Church.

May God bless you abundantly as we end the year. We wish you a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

+Ebenezer 

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Heritage Day celebrations for Amalinda Youth

Eat, pray and show off your cultural heritage with pride! That’s how the youth of Christ Church Amalinda celebrated Heritage Day.

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Youth ministry: a good investment!

By Nolusindiso Laxa

The theme of the Diocesan Youth Guild Conference at the end of September was “Investing in youth ministry to ensure continuance of the church”. Members of the guilds (MU, St Bernard Mizeki, AWF, St Agnes Guilds) the clergy and Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali, all vowed to work to increase the participation of youth guild members in all church structures. “We promised to always avail ourselves whenever the house of God requires our services. It is our mandate to ensure the smooth running of the church and huge presence of young people, this is because we are the church of today and that of tomorrow” said Nolusindiso Laxa, Lay Minister, after her re-election as Chairperson of the Youth Guild for a second consecutive period. Other executive members elected were: Siyabulela Gowa as Deputy-Chairperson, Malehlohonolo Mlabateki as General Secretary, Nandipha Mazinyo as Administrative Secretary with Sonwabo Mdubi as Treasurer. Thousand Mbolekwa was selected as Project Manager whilst Xolelwa Mlonyeni, Ntsikelelo Ngcwecwe and Belinda Xonxa were selected as Additional Members.

The Guild expressed thanks for the support received from the youth and clergy of the dioceses of Mbhashe, Port Elizabeth and Ukhahlamba, as well as the ASF Eastern Cape Region.

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Lay Ministers' preaching courses

Lay Ministers of the Diocese attended one-day preaching courses in November at the College of the Transfiguration, organised by the Department  of Training, and the Rector of the College, Barney Pityana.

Lay ministers at the College of the Transfiguration for training on Saturday 12 November (above or left) and Saturday 19 November (below or right). Trainers involved included COTT staff members Bruce Jenneker, Friar Nyandoro, Percy Chiganga, Simon Tibbs and Canon Abiaaza Kibirige (Canon Theologian). Bishop Ebenezer told Canon Kibirige that Lay Ministers “are the paramedics of our Diocese”.

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Obituary: Roy Barker, former Dean of Grahamstown

By Jeanette Eve

Roy Barker, who was Dean of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George from 1980 to 1992, died peacefully at home in Bristol on Friday 28 October.

He was born in 1933 in Shrewsbury, England. While on National Service in Germany, Roy felt called to train as a priest, and, on his return to Great Britain, studied theology at King’s College, London. He served congregations in Leeds until, in 1966, he was invited to become chaplain to students at the University of Cape Town. In 1973 he became Sub-Dean at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.

1980 brought Roy to Grahamstown as Dean. He regarded his mission as “the building up and nurturing of a worshipping, caring and loving community.” It is a vision that shone through his preaching, pastoral, administrative and outreach roles. As a fine preacher, he chose apt words and images to put across his messages from the pulpit or in the parish newsletter The Spire. “You are here,” he would say to his congregation, ‘because God loves you.” The “lovedness” and “giftedness” of people was an attitude he lived out. “Love people into the Kingdom of God” was a refrain.

As a pastor Roy had a particular gift for ministering to the sick and dying, and of encapsulating the life of a person most beautifully in his funeral sermons. His pastoral care extended beyond those with special needs to everyone, and, during his time, a neighbourhood visiting scheme for the parish was set up.

As a leader in the structures of the church, Roy Barker was firm and wise. He could show disappointment when people did not fulfil their duties, but affirmation rather than criticism was his way of dealing with such problems. At the same time he agonized over the distress of others and, often, over what he saw as his own shortcomings.

His care extended to the fabric of the cathedral, and, it was during his time that major restoration work had to be undertaken when it was discovered that the spire was cracked and that the copper roof of the chancel needed to be replaced. “I regret,” he wrote, “the necessity for vast expense, but we have a responsibility to accept it. There’s a need not only to create more beauty in our environment and in our lives, but also to preserve what we have.”

His regret for this necessity arose out of his deep concern for what was happening in South Africa. The 1980s were crisis years when opposition to Apartheid practices was reaching boiling point and laws were becoming more and more draconian. In 1983 Dean Barker spearheaded the establishment of a branch of the Dependants’ Conference for the Albany area. Information about civil rights was circulated, visits of family and friends to detainees arranged and financed, food parcels for families provided, and a supportive presence in court cases offered. He was sometimes castigated for his views and involvement but courageously stood firm.

In 1992 Roy and Margaret Barker returned to their home country, although their ties with South Africa remained strong. Roy ministered in parishes in Bristol, with the same wise, loving, often humorous touches Grahamstonians had known. In latter years he was handicapped by a severe back problem, and had to celebrate the Eucharist and preach from a seated position. He was diagnosed with cancer a few months before his death.

Roy Barker was a loving and supportive family man and our sympathy extends to his wife, Margaret, whom many will remember for her important contribution to the life of the church and the community in Grahamstown, and to their four children and seven grandchildren. He will be remembered with affection and admiration by many of his former parishioners as well as by those members of the wider Grahamstown community whose lives he touched.

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Training for the Permanent Deacons

Permanent deacons’ training took place at the College of the Transfiguration during November, conducted by Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali and the Canon Theologian, Abiaaza Kibirige. On the last day they were joined by the rectors who are nurturing the deacons. These included Archdeacons Fobosi, Doda, Dlanjwa and Mpumlwana.

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From the Department of Spirituality

Follower

Poem contributed by Charles Lagan

Mary of Magdala, the words spin easily off the tongue,
was seven times torn within,
had no centre from which the flag of self
could fly: it was in tatters Jesus found her
before he dealt with seven demons
and made way for her life. So it was
she simply followed him, God's gosling
taking to the air. She was the night walker
of The Song of Songs, searching
for him in the morning darkness,
and finding Him was first to proclaim
his Resurrection to the frightened patriarchy,
and continues still today to ruffle starched minds
embarrassed by what great love
gets up to next.

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Anglican Women's Fellowship News

Kokela Siqendu, Diocesan President, shares some highlights of the AWF year.

AWF Conference was held during Heritage Month with a Theme “Revive, Relate and Rejoice woman of God”.

On 24 September the venue was decorated with a heritage touch, where ladies went all out to ensure cultural diversity by wearing traditional attire. The speakers were excellent and four canons of the Diocese: Lulama Ntshingwa, Bubele Mfenyana, Abiaaza Kibirige and Simphiwe Magxwalisa, delivered addresses on the effects of racism in the Church, Leadership as a Ministry of stewardship, Vision of the Diocese and Spiritual Renewal. Other speakers touched on the importance of family law, family life, working with youth, responsiveness to societal needs and commitment to God. The importance of a Will was well described by Mrs Nzuki Magxwalisa and this touched all members.

One of the AWF conference resolutions was to adopt Youth and nurture them. The AWF members committed themselves to be role models and walk the talk and talk the walk, and to mentor the young generation. The issue of societal needs and the involvement of AWF members was explored, and it was agreed that they must stand up and be counted as Christian women in their areas.

Honoured at Annual Conference: (left) AWF awarded merit certificates to deserving members on 24 September 2011.

Lift up your hands: AWF members at the AGM at St David’s Ncerha on 30 July.

New branch at Pumlani: Members of AWF conducted a Eucharist service in St Mary’s Pumlani, where there was no AWF. Seven members showed interest. They were trained by All Saints AWF and St David’s, Ncerha, and were inducted on 4 September.

Members of Provincial Executive met in the Free State from 8-11 September 2011.

Praying for Matrics: A prayer service was held at Ntsonkotha SSS for Grade 12’s on 10 October, attended by the school governing body. Simphiwe Magxwalisa, the AWF Chaplain delivered a message of motivation and support.

Provincial AWF Bursary Fund

Provincial AWF has started a bursary fund which is open to all Anglican women who are in their second year of studies towards the priesthood. It covers tuition only. At the present moment Provincial AWF intake is one student per year and AWF is inviting applications for 2013-14. Enquiries may be directed to Kokela Siqendu (083 311 2627)