No. 06/14
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Bishopsbourne family
We are well at Bishopsbourne. We give thanks to God for the leadership, the Diocesan family and Diocesan staff for their prayers, support and co-operation in working together in God’s vineyard. We pray that we may continue to work together as we are all called to allow God to establish His Kingdom in us and through us, as we serve one another and serving others beyond our boundaries.
We were honoured to baptise our grandchild, Sambesiwe Dyantyi at the Cathedral on 30 August 2014. Let us continue to uphold our Sub-Dean and Lilitha in prayer as they bring up this beautiful gift from God.
Family Weekend
The family weekend, in celebration of the 160th anniversary of the Diocese, kicked off with a spectacular gala dinner hosted by the Revd Godukile Mbolekwa and Ms K Dziba. The history of the diocese was well presented by Revd Canon Cynthia Webbstock and so was the State of the Family Life by Mr Mmeli Sixaba. The decor of the hall was beautiful and the food deliciously prepared. We had lovely singing from various groups. We unfortunately missed out on the Saturday’s activities but the Sunday’s Eucharist was well attended despite the rainy weather. We had a vibrant, spirit-filled act of worship and lively singing from the choir and congregation and the Umjikelo was successful and well-supported. Firstly, we thank God for His generosity of His love revealed in Jesus Christ and for the diocesan family’s generosity and love. We thank God for Revd Wezo Bloko, the director of stewardship and giving and his team for organising the family weekend so well. We pray that God may bless them as they continue this programme in the life of the diocese. We thank Archdeacons Doda and Mtuze for hosting the family weekend and the 160th anniversary committee, convened by the Dean, for their hard work. We also thank God for all our donors for their generous donations. The Family Weekend was a great success as we received the marvellous amount of R345 967.10 in love gifts. We encourage those parishes, which have not yet contributed, to forward their love gifts to the diocesan account.
Diocesan Finance Manager
Ms Cynthia de Beer has agreed to stay with us a while longer. For the month of September she will still carry out her normal duties as finance manager. For the month of October she will be working on a consultancy basis, mentoring and coaching the new finance manager, taking him to meet all the archdeacons and generally sees that he settles in. The new finance manager Nceba January from Grahamstown will join us on the 1st of October 2014.
Congratulations
To Revd Canon Randall Gallant and Revd Canon Dr Samuel Beja who have been elected as Canons of the Cathedral at the Clergy School on 15 July 2014 and to Revd Canon Louis Flint and Revd Canon Charles Lagan on their appointment as Honorary Canons of the Cathedral Chapter. They will all be licensed at the Ordination Service on 20 September 2014.
Clergy Moves
The Revd Canon Christopher Cook left the Diocese at the end of July. He and his wife Sally have moved to Amber Ridge, Howick in KwaZulu Natal. We wish them well in their new abode.
The Revd Tobile Makalima has moved to Christ Church, Amalinda and Revd Simphiwe Silwana has taken over from him at St David’s Ncerha.
Clergy School
We had a very successful Clergy School on the 10th September, 2014 at St Mark’s, Cambridge, East London as part of the programme of the 160th Anniversary of the life of the Diocese. The subject was The Five Marks of Mission, facilitated by the Revd Canon Bill Domeris. We thank the Revd Barry Wittstock and his staff for overseeing the catering.
Ordination
The Ordination of Deacons will take place on the 20th of September 2014 at St Saviour’s, East London. This will be preceded by an ordination retreat at St Pius Pastoral Care Centre, Cambridge, East London. Please pray for those who are to be ordained: Lindelwa Kunene from St Philip’s, Gompo; Mxoli Sizani and Nobuntu Mageza both from St Augustine’s, Grahamstown.
Theological Sunday
We remind you that our closing date is 24th September 2014. Kindly deposit your offerings into the Diocesan Revenue Account with FNB: 5232 1144 702, branch code 210717; Ref: name of Parish/Theological Sunday.
Mother’s Union News
We congratulate the Mothers’ Union on a very successful seminar which was held on 9 August 2014 with Family Relationships as the focal point. The key-note speaker was well-known SABC1 News Editor, Noxolo Grootboom, and the programme director for this memorable event was Lulu Harmans, a presenter from our local Radio Station, Umhlobo Wenene whose programme focuses on stable family relationships.
Provincial News
Synod of Bishops and Provincial Standing Committee Meeting will take place from 22 to 26 September 2014. Please uphold these in your prayers.
The Very Revd Carlos Matsinhe, Dean of the Cathedral of St Augustine, Maciene in the Diocese of Lebombo was elected, on 8 August 2014 as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Lebombo. He succeeds Bishop Dinis Sengulane. The service for his consecration and enthronement takes place on 28 September 2014 in Maputo.
Bishop David Russell
We had the wonderful opportunity to represent the Grahamstown Diocese at the funeral service of our former Bishop David Russell. We held two services in his memory – one in King William’s Town and the other at the Grahamstown Cathedral. Please continue to pray for his family as we are all still in mourning.
Bereavement
Nonkonkoza Notsolo, husband of Revd Erica Notsolo, permanent deacon at St Cyprian’s, Qumrha, passed away on Thursday, 4th of September 2014. The funeral service will be held at 09h00 on Friday 19th September 2014 at St Cyprian’s. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.
Conclusion
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, for our blessed life in the Diocese, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen (Jude 1: 24-25).
+Ebenezer Grahamstown
+Ebenezer Grahamstown