My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

I imagine that few of us are familiar with the name of Thomas Middleton (1580-1627), and there is probably little reason why we should. He was a contemporary of Shakespeare (1564-1616) and, like Shakespeare, a playwright. I, for one, had never heard of him until I came across his name in a magazine article where he was proclaimed to be '.... the dark, edgy equal of Shakespeare. The article went on to say that his plays '.... went right to the limits - his sex was dirty, his violence grisly, his politics risky.' But it is the sex and Middleton's obsession with sex that is the focus of the article. 'Middleton,' says the article, 'knew that sex sells, and he filled his plays with it' - 18 different kinds of sexual behaviour are mentioned in the article (I counted them rather than list them) - and it would seem that the professor who has edited the 2016 page book, 'Thomas Middleton: The Collected Works,' shares Middleton's belief that 'sex sells' because he is promoting the book with a lecture tour on sex in Middleton's plays.

Time and again the article spoke of Middleton pushing the boundaries, going to the limits, and writing with the intention of shocking his audience. And yet, at the same time, it kept insisting that Middleton was writing about real people living in the real world in language that still connects with real people who live in our day and age. I was intrigued that these outrageous, deliberately shocking and what I would regard for the most part as being sordid and depraved behaviours were somehow seen to be indicative of real life in a real world. The article almost seemed to be saying that real life is a litany of all that is worst in our world. But even more: I was disturbed at the obsession with sex that permeated the article and the way in which its view of sex and sexuality seemed to foster a distorted perspective on the whole of life. Interestingly, the latest edition of a leading women's magazine reflects this same concern about distorted perspectives in a commentary on a film recently presented at the Berlin Film Festival entitled 'Green Porno' (a film on the sex life of insects). There the writer laments that the idea of sex and sexuality has become so pervasive and debased in secular Western society that there is no longer any sense of mystery and that sex has lost its power in everything other than as a commodity of consumption.

As I reflected on the Middleton article it struck me that so much of our modern understanding of sexuality (like so many other aspects of life) is distorted because we insist on looking at life from a sociological rather than a theological point of view. In the story of the creation of the world, the bible tells us, "God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Gen.1:27. I have retained the sexist language of most bible translations; it seems almost impossible to use gender sensitive language without affecting subtleties of meaning). What those words tell us is that our human sexuality is good and is ordained by God as a key component of creation. But it also says that human sexuality is not simply an accidental arrangement of the human species for the purpose of procreation, but that our sexuality, our maleness and femaleness, is at the very heart of our humanity and is inextricably connected to our being created in the image of God.

In the same sentence humankind is spoken of both in the singular ('he created him') and in the plural ('he created them'). On the one hand, humankind is a single entity, standing in solidarity before God and in that solidarity revealing, as nothing else in all creation, the image of God. But at the same time, humanity is a community, male and female. No one is the full image of God alone; God is to be seen in community and relationship. Only in community is God reflected; only in relationship is God made visible. Our sexuality shapes, and in turn is shaped by, our capacity to love and to be loved. Sexuality is intimately related to our being created in the image of God, and the image of God is seen not in a fixed image (such as an idol), but in the ever changing fluidity of the human image and the changeability of relationship.

Being created in the image of God is also a mandate of power and responsibility. We are stewards and shepherds of God's creation. Nowhere in the image is there any sense of dominance that tyrannical or coercive; it is rather the image of the lord who is servant. Such servant leadership is made fully visible in Jesus whose love mirrors the gracious self-giving of God. This aspect of being in the image of God is relevant to this meditation only because it shapes the nature of all relationships, which are governed not by power and domination, but by mutuality and interdependence.

Setting sexuality in the context of the creation story completely changes the perspective. The trouble with Middleton's obsession with sex and sexuality is not that he emphasises sexuality too much; it is that he does not emphasise it enough. His obsession, and that of so much of the world, trivialises sexuality by confining it and focussing it entirely on the genital in ways that are all too often linked to coercive power and domination. Gone is the sense of sexuality as expressing the heart of who we are in God. Gone is the sense that God disclosed in community and human relationship. The creation story enlarges our perspective and places sexuality at the heart of our being made in the image of God and at the heart of our relationship with God, with one another, and with the rest of creation.

The creation story ends with two little sentences, easily overlooked, but profoundly significant:- "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh. And the man and the woman were naked and not ashamed." Two final points; the deep intimacy of marriage - a process of leaving and cleaving - is a visible sign of the one flesh that is the man and woman in creation. And secondly, it is an idyllic picture of human sexuality wholly integrated into all of life; an image of sexuality that is expressed in wholeness of being and in which there is no shame.

It is this enlarged view of human sexuality that we need to recover in our own lives and proclaim from our pulpits - a sexuality that pervades all of lives, enriching it and enlarging it in ways that are infinitely beautiful and make visible the image of God in all creation.

May the image of God be visible in the wholeness of your sexuality,

+ Brian

Spiritual Formation

Clergy Day: Our next Clergy Day will take place at St Margaret of Scotland, Bedfordview from 09h00 - 12h30 on Tuesday 4^th March. The topic for the day is "Biblical Giving."

Clergy Quiet Day: Our next Diocesan Quiet Day at Bishop's House will be on Tuesday, 15^th April 2008. Prayer is central to effectiveness in ministry so please plan to make this day a part of your spiritual life.

Clergy Marriage Course: A few of you have already booked to be part of the Marriage Course starting on 13^th April. We can only accommodate about 8 couples, so book your place now.

Reading Recommendations

Philip Yancy has written a very easy-read book on prayer simply entitled "Prayer." Like all of Yancy's books it is light reading, but not superficial and both you and your parishioners will find it helpful. I recommend it to you all.

Vestry 2008

A number of independent verifiers have commented on the tremendous improvement there has been in the standard of accounting in parishes and in the quality of leadership shown in the preparation of the annual financial statements. My congratulations to you all - laity and clergy alike. At this point it seems as though every Vestry in the diocese will have been completed before the final due date. Well done everyone, and thank you for all your dedication and hard work. I am proud of you.

Revised Prayer for Africa

In the last couple of Ad Clerums I have been encouraging you all to use a revised version of the Prayer for Africa. Graham Shortt, a musician at the Church of the Ascension, Rangeview, has set the new words to music. A copy of the music (and a midi file so that you can hear what it sounds like) can be obtained from Darryl Cotton at Rangeview. I commend it to you.

Diocesan Conference on Biblical Giving - 12 April 2008

You should all have received your summons to the Diocesan Conference - if not please contact the Diocesan Office. The summons gives details of the times and venue as well as details of the parish representatives expected. A great deal of work is going into preparing for the conference and I hope that it will provide us with a valuable and workable way forward. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Meeting of Rectors and their Self Supporting Clergy

I am calling a meeting of self-supporting clergy together with their rectors to discuss the expectations of both sides and to plan ahead for the future. The lack of common understanding has been the cause of much ongoing tension. Please diarise this date now as it is a meeting of obligation. Failure to attend may well lead to the revoking of your licence (in the case of self-supporting clergy) or to the self-supporting clergy in your parish being moved to another parish (in the case of rectors).

This meeting will lead into the 4 Saturday morning training sessions for self-supporting clergy for 2008 (24^th May; 5^th July; 23^rd August; and 6^th September). These self-supporting clergy trainings are also of obligation.

The meeting of Rectors and Self-supporting Clergy as well as the Self-Supporting Clergy Trainings will all be at St Thomas', Linden and will run from 08h30 to 12h30.

Two Changes to the Yellow Pages

Despite all our attempts at ensuring that the Yellow Pages were as close to perfect as possible, please note the following changes and correct your Yellow Pages and dairy accordingly.

Meeting of Churchwardens and the Bishop: This meeting was scheduled for Saturday 19^th April, but needs to be shifted to accommodate changes in my schedule. This meeting will now take place at St James Diepkloof from 08h30-12h30 on 10^th May.

Clergy Spouse Retreat: This retreat was scheduled to take place over the weekend of 9^th-11^th May. Unfortunately, St Benedict's will no longer be able to accommodate us over that weekend and the retreat will be absorbed into the Clergy Spouse Retreat that will take place over the weekend of 7^th-9^th November.

Family News

Provincial News:

• Please pray for Thabo Makgoba as he prepares for his installation as Archbishop on 30th March. Please keep the family in your prayers as they adjust to their relocation and new life in Cape Town.

• Sarah Breytenbach, wife of Bishop Martin is in hospital having just undergone another bout of brain surgery (her 4th in 7 years). Because the operation comes so soon after he last bout of chemotherapy it is important that all of the new tumour be removed. Sarah's life and health has been an ongoing testimony to the graciousness of God. Please pray for another miracle.

• Since the mention of Sister Maureen in our last Ad Clerum, it has been diagnosed that the cancer has metastasised and has spread to the point where no further treatment is possible. A farewell service for her was held at St Benedict's on 23rd February and she has returned to the Priory at Whitby. Please keep her in your prayers at this time.

Diocesan News:

• The Revd Reg Dove passed away on Saturday, 1^st March. Reg was 92 years old, and had been a long serving and well respected priest in the diocese. The funeral will be held at St Margaret's Bedfordview at 14h00 on Tuesday, 4^th March. Please pray for Rhoda and the family during this sad time. May Reg's soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

• Trevor and Gwyn Slade have cut their sabbatical leave short to be with Trevor's father who has had a stroke. Although they are back in South Africa, they are not yet back in the diocese. We welcome them back and look forward to welcoming them home.

• Meg Fargher, has announced that she will retire as the Head of St Mary's School at the end of 2008. Meg has been headmistress there since the beginning of 2000 and her presence will be sorely missed. Please pray for her and her husband, Ken, as they prepare for a future without the School. Pray too for the School at it begins the process of seeking for Meg's replacement.

• Stephen Damien-Walker has been in hospital with heart problems and has recently undergone an angiogram. He is now recovering at home. Please pray for his full recovery.

• It is with sadness that I must report that, following a disciplinary hearing, Thembi Maseko has had her licence as a deacon revoked and will not be eligible for reinstatement until such time as she fulfils the requirements laid down for her by the Ministry Formation Portfolio. Until then she may not exercise any ministry, not wear clerical garb, nor present herself as a clergyperson to others. Please keep her in your prayers in what is for her a very painful time.

Dates for Diary

March

April

Directions for St Joseph's Diocesan Centre: Sophiatown

From Beyers Naude Drive turn into Westpark Drive. Pass cemetery on left. Continue along past shops (on left) and rubbish dump (on right) to traffic light. Turn left into Coronation Street. Continue past the turning to Christ the King (Ray Street). About 5 blocks beyond Christ the King turn left into Good Street. St Joseph's is at the end of the road.

From the N1/Western Bypass turn into Gordon Road.  Continue on Gordon Road to Long Road. Turn left.  At next set of traffic lights turn right into 8th Road.  Pass Albert's Farm (on left) and turn left at the first road after the Farm (Meyer Road).  Continue to the traffic lights at Coronation Street and turn right.  Continue past the turning to Christ the King (Ray Street). About 5 blocks beyond Christ the King turn left into Good Street. St Joseph's is at the end of the road.

From Kingsway turn into Lewes Road and follow past Westdene Dam (on left).  Lewes Road curves left around the edge of the Dam into Tenby Street; and then right (away from Dam) into Thornton Street. Continue along Thornton Street past Shopping Centre (on left). Turn right into Good Street. St Joseph's is at the end of the road.

Directions for St Luke's, Orchards:

Travelling North: Exit M1 at 11^th Ave. Turn right and continue to 3rd robot after freeway (garage and shops). Turn left into Grant Avenue and 3^rd street left again into Oaklands Road. Church is on right on next corner.

Travelling South: Exit M1 at Glenhove. Turn left and and continue to 3rd robot after freeway (garage and shops). Turn right into Jauncey (follow St Luke's sign) which doglegs to become High Road.

Moves, Appointments and Vacancies

• We welcome Royce Meyers back as a priest of the diocese. Royce has been appointed Assistant Priest in the Parish of Mayfair.

Birthdays And Anniversaries:

Please remember the following persons in your prayers as they celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in the coming months:

General Notices

• The Sunday Morning Radio Broadcast Service: Will be broadcast on Sunday 16^th March 2008 from the Parish of St Mary's, Rosettenville. The Rector is the Revd Rod Greville.

• Emergency Planning in Churches: The second part of the course which is being presented by Jenny Clarke will be held at St Luke's, Orchards on Saturday 10^th May 2008. The closing date for applications is 2^nd May 2008. Times are 09h00 - 16h00. The cost of R100.00 per person covers documentation, light refreshments and certification.
  
  This is a good opportunity for those clergy who completed the first part of the course on a previous occasion, and were not able to get to the second part, to complete their training. Please contact Revd Allan Williams on 011 728 7015 for further details.

• St Stephen's, Sunninghill: St Stephen's are seeking the services of a music conductor / choir master / worship leader who will be able to help with consolidating music.  A small allowance will be given to reimburse any travel expenses incurred by the individual.  Contact person:  Trevor Prince: 083 593 8145.

• Post-Ordination Skills Training: The programme for 2008 is as follows:

March 15 Preaching "help, preacher hasn't turned up!"
Bring preaching roster, Bible, note book
May 17 Eucharist
1^st Communion, varieties, problems, questions
June 21 Baptism, Confirmation
Bring notes already using
July 19 Death & Dying - trip to undertakers
Hospice, anointing
Sept 20 Marriage
Priests to have applied for Marriage Officer's Licence (Saras)
Oct 18 Confession, exorcism (un-holy ghosts)
Nov 22 Deacon vs priest and self-supporting vs stipendiary

Venue: St Margaret's, 9 Harper Road, Bedfordview. Time: 09h00 to 16h00. Bring & Share lunch. For more information contact Revd Patricia Lane. 011 455 4449.

• Council Formation Training: Has been renamed Parish Governance Workshop to distinguish it from the Parish Council Formation that is run by the Small Group Resource Team. Please note that the Parish Governance Workshops scheduled in the Yellow Pages for Saturday, 5^th and Saturday, 12^th April 2008 have been cancelled. These Workshops will now be held on Saturday, 10^th, 17^th and 24^th May 2008. Venue/s still to be confirmed.

• Bishop's Meeting with Wardens: The Bishop's meeting with churchwardens that was scheduled to be held on Saturday, 19^th April 2008 has been cancelled. The meeting will now take place from 08h30-12h30 on Saturday, 10^th May at St James', Diepkloof. Please make sure that your churchwardens are advised of this new arrangement.

• HIV and AIDS: The Siyafundisa Youth Programme Fieldworker has now been appointed and started work in mid-February. He is Mr Jabulani (Jabu) Miya. His Programme covers Young People from ages 10-24 years old. We have been allocated the Life Skills Programme to start with. When it is running we will follow up with Peer Education. Please join us in welcoming Jabu and supporting the Ministry of Prevention to our Young People.

• HIV and AIDS: The Revd Tsépo Matubatuba, HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator, has started visiting those Archdeaconries that have invited him to come and assist in building Archdeaconry HIV and AIDS Teams. He is requesting others to also inform him of their meetings and to invite him to join them. Our new office telephone number is: 011 333 4399.

• Holy Cross Alpha Course: The Alpha Course for 2008 will be starting at Holy Cross, Orlando West (next to Hector Pieterson Museum) on Saturday, 5^th April from 14h00 - 16h00 and will run for the following ten weeks thereafter. For further details contact: 011 936 1394.

• Alpha Newsletter on the web: The Holy Cross Alpha Newsletter is published weekly on the Anglican Church of Southern Africa website (ACSA); it is accessed from the Holy Cross parish page - www.cpsajoburg.org.za

• Diocesan Young People's Portfolio (DYPP): a Servant Leadership Workshop for Young People's leaders will be held for the following Archdeaconries: Far West; Randfontein and Krugersdorp at St John the Divine, Randfontein on Saturday, 15^th March. For further details contact Linda at the Diocesan Office at (011) 336-8724.

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