My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

It was by sheer coincidence that the Sunday on which the bishop's letter was read - in which he instructs the diocese to hold a Service of Repentance - was also Refugee Sunday. We were asked to pray for all REFUGEES as it is part of our special days of prayer that have been commended to us by the Synod of Bishops to be included in our intercessory prayers at the Eucharist.

On Monday I received a good number of telephone calls from clergy as well as laity who were in full support of the Service of Repentance and I felt extremely positive about this. But there were also some who asked why we - as Church - needed to repent, since we had done nothing wrong. I was caught up in the joy as well as the deep sadness that a part of the Church continues to fail in following the example of God who did nothing wrong, but for the sake of God's community humbled himself and came to dwell among us and took on all the sin and evil that we as a sinful people had committed, and made the supreme sacrifice by dying for us so we could once again love God and our neighbour as we love ourselves.

I would like to remind you again as we prepare ourselves for the Service of Repentance, of this God of infinite love whose birth as an infant into a hostile world filled with greed for power and at the same time a world that is so insecure in itself that it behaves as atrociously as recorded by St Matthew 2:13-23. When Mary brought forth her first-born son, a trinity of relationships was formed, mother, father, child: a visible family. "He who has wife and child gives hostages to fortune", said Francis Bacon. How well Joseph would have understood! He had already experienced an agony of indecision when he learned that Mary was pregnant. Then he was obliged by law to take part in the census, returning to the family's town of origin when the baby's birth was imminent. By the end Mary was grateful to give birth in any warm, safe place. A woman with no home, in an alien place, she had to rely upon her trust in God, that having kept her pledge, God would provide for her. Herod's obvious fear of would-be rivals drove Joseph to act immediately, fleeing, like so many of today's refugees, gathering the little they had, seeking refuge in a foreign country

Herod threatens Jesus and the other newly born infants with death, but God protects the Holy Family; God sends an angel who leads them to safety in Egypt and later directs them to return to Nazareth.

St Matthew would later see the symbolism of this exile in Egypt and would hear the echoes of history. Like Pharaoh, a king was reported to be killing Israelite children. As Moses had to be hidden in order to ensure his safety, so Jesus must be hidden from Herod's soldiers. Like many refugees today, the return of the Holy Family depended upon the assurance of safety; and then only in Nazareth, that small town in Galilee, the border area which housed all the zealots and bandits, a place despised by many.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph were forced to become refugees, seeking asylum in Egypt. They experienced fear and uncertainty, knowing what it means to be outsiders, but their loving unity supported them. The unity of the Church is now called upon to support those who find themselves as refugees in our country. We can show that support by acts of repentance for our failure to welcome the refugees amongst us, and for our acts of violence towards refugees, whether these were actively or passively committed. The Service of Repentance will allow us to search our hearts and to be truly reconciled to all of God's people.

Our God calls on us in God's name to consider the plight of God's people in the world today. Is this not the awful scenario we are confronted with each day? Pictures of refugees escaping from the conflict of war have become familiar images on the TV. Poor families with a few possessions loaded onto a tractor and cart move out of rural areas.

Most homes are abandoned and will probably be looted and vandalised. It may never be possible for these people to return to their homelands. The victims of these tragic situations seek places of safety, not knowing where they will be found. The question of how the developed world receives asylum seekers and refugees has become a major moral and political issue.

God calls on us to be ONE as he and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are ONE. And when we are One, we become more holy - and more authentically human. As each day we treat each other with courtesy and kindness in an atmosphere of affectionate humour and goodwill, then we are strengthened to carry these positive attributes into the wider family of the world around us, thereby creating a channel for God's love and extending his kingdom on earth.

May God's healing and reconciling love be visible in us, God's people

Gerard Sharp
VICAR-GENERAL

Reading Recommendations

There are no reading recommendations this month. Apologies for any disappointment caused -- reading recommendations will resume again next month.

Spiritual Formation

Clergy Quiet Day: Our next Diocesan Quiet Day which will be at Bishop's House on Tuesday, 19^th August 2008. Prayer is central to effectiveness in ministry so please plan to make this day a part of your spiritual life.

Clergy Day: The next Clergy Day will be on Tuesday, 1st July 2008 at St Stephen's, Sunninghill. Jocelyn Jardine will be running a special workshop on Stress for Clergy. The programme includes Morning prayer 09h00 to 09h30; Tea from 09h30 to 10h00; and Workshop from 10h00 until 12h30. All clergy are encouraged to attend as stress is something that affects all of us. Jocelyn will be preparing booklets for clergy so it sounds as though it will be a really worthwhile and professional event.

Directions to St Stephen's, Sunninghill:

Travelling on the M1 North towards Pretoria -- Just after the Woodmead off-ramp, take the next off-ramp towards Roodepoort. Take the Rivonia off-ramp and turn right into Rivonia Road. At the second set of traffic lights turn right into Witkoppen Road (runs parallel to the Concrete Highway) and continue to Nanyuki Road (second traffic light - Sunninghill Hospital is on your left). Turn left into Nanyuki Road. Church is on your right - 67 Nanyuki Road (just beyond the business development area).

Travelling on the N3 East towards the N1 - Take the Rivonia Road off-ramp and keep left into Rivonia Road. At the first set of traffic lights turn right into Witkoppen Road (runs parallel to the N3) and continue to Nanyuki Road (second traffic light - Sunninghill Hospital on the left). Turn left into Nanyuki Road. Church is on your right - 67 Nanyuki Road (just beyond the business development area).

Service of Repentence

I and many others believe and feel that it is time that our church demonstrated its willingness to stand for God and oppose all that which is evil. I am therefore calling upon us as a Diocese to join together at 09h30 on Sunday, 20th July 2008 for a Service of Repentance.

All morning services on that day are therefore to be cancelled and I ask all parishes to hire buses to bring their congregations to the Diocesan Centre. I fully realize the difficulties of what I am asking of the individual parishes, but I truly believe that we as a Church need to confess our sins and humbly ask pardon of those whom we have wronged.

In my absence the Vicar General will be co-ordinating the event. Please address all your queries to him. Brian Germond, Bishop of Johannesburg

N.B. It is hoped that we will be able to hold the Service of Repentence at St John's, Houghton. We will let everyone know as soon as this is confirmed. Gerard Sharp, Vicar General.

Self Supporting Clergy Training

The next meeting of self-supporting clergy will take place from 08h30-12h30 at St Gabriel's, Florida (not at St Thomas', Linden) on Saturday, 5^th July. The meeting will be facilitated by Godfrey Henwood and Di Buchanan. Please do not use Bishop Brian's absence at Lambeth as an excuse not to attend.

Direction to St Gabriel's, Florida:

Travelling West along Ontdekkers Road. After crossing the N1 highway, turn left at the second set of traffic lights into Die Oupad. At the second set of traffic lights turn left into 9^th Avenue. At the first set of traffic lights turn right into Goldman Street. Church is on your left - corner of Goldman and 4th Ave.

Family News

Provincial News

• The Revd Barry Wood has been appointed as Chaplain to Archbishop Thabo with effect from 1^st June 2008 until 31^st January 2009. Fr Barry retired from St Thomas' Church, Rondebosch at the end of May having served in the province for 40 years and at St Thomas' for 13 years. His duties as Chaplain are primarily to serve the Archbishop as a spiritual companion, to assist Bishopscourt to be both a place of spirituality and pastoral care rather than an administrative centre only and to develop the ministry of intercession for all the concerns and needs that are brought to the Archbishop's attention. We pray God will bless Fr Barry's ministry, and we welcome him to Bishops-court and in the Province.

• The office of the Bishop of Gibraltar has advised us of the death of Bishop Daniel de Pina Cabral, a former Bishop of Lebombo.   Please pray for his wife Anita in her bereavement.

• Bishop Rubin Phillip underwent surgery on the 24^th July and will be recuperating for a couple of weeks once he has been discharged from hospital.  Please remember him as well as his wife, Rose, and the family in your prayers.

• The Consecration and Enthronement of Revd Adam Taaso will take place in Lesotho on 19^th October 2008. Please pray for him, his wife and family as he prepares for this move in the months ahead for this.

• The Consecration and Enthronement of the Venerable Ebenezer St Mark Ntlali will take place on Saturday, 20 September 2008, in Grahamstown.  Please pray for him and his wife Noncedo as he prepares for this move in the months ahead.

• Bishop Paddy Glover will be undergoing surgery on the 21^st July and will, therefore, not be attending the Lambeth Conference.  Please pray for him and his wife Kirsty at this stressful time.

Diocesan News

• The Revd Brian Williams passed away in June and his funeral was held at St Margaret's, Bedfordview, on Monday 23^rd June. A Requiem Mass was conducted by &David Beetge. Please continue to hold the family in your prayers as they journey through this period of grief.

• One of our candidates at the College of Transfiguration, Charles van Rooyen, has been selected to attend Ripon College in Cuddesdon, England from January to Easter 2009, as part of their College exchange programme. We congratulate Charles on his selection and wish him every success during his visit.

• Please pray for the Revd Simon Meje, an LoP at St Bartholomew, Kagiso. Revd Meje is sick and undergoing chronic treatment at home. He may be contacted on 011 410 1114.

• Mr Algy James, the father of the Revd Sharmain James, died recently following a short illness and was cremated from St Francis' Chapelry in Davidsonville on Saturday, 28^th June 2008. Please hold Sharmain and the rest of the family in your prayers during this period of grief.

• Thembi Maseko's father, Sipho Nong, passed away recently and his funeral took place at St Andrew's Pimville. May the soul of Sipho Nong rest in peace and rise in glory. Contact: the Revd Lefetlho Lethoko (Rector) on 082 475 2149.

• The Revd Canon Godfrey Henwood advised that one of the diocese's longest serving parishioners - Tony Brink - passed away on Thursday, 19^th June 2008. Tony was a recipient of the Order of Simon of Cyrene, the highest award given by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa to laity for distinguished service. Please keep his wife, Monica, and the rest of the Brink family in your prayers during this time of sorrow.

• Lorraine Mbali, a student of School for Ministries, passed away in Baragwaneth Hospital this week. Her funeral will be held at St Andrew's, Pimville at 08h00 on Saturday, 5^th July 2008. May Lorraine's soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

• Mrs Nelly Ramoabi (clergy widow), passed away on Saturday 28^th June 2008. Her funeral will be held at St Saviour's, Khutsong from 08h00-11h00 on Saturday, 5^th July 2008. May Mrs Ramoabi's soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

Dates for Diary

JULY

AUGUST

Moves, Appointments and Vacancies

• The Revd Lynda Shimmin will be moving from St Luke's, Orchards to St Augustine's, Orange Grove as an Assistant Priest with effect from Sunday, 29^th June 2008. We wish Lynda everything of the best in her new parish. Please pray for her and her family during this time of transition.

• The Revd Vicentia Kgabe was appointed Rector of St Peter's, Auckland Park on 1^st June 2008, following the retirement of the Revd Nigel Mollink, and her institution was held on Sunday, 22^nd June 2008. We wish Vicentia every blessing in her new ministry, and ask for your continued prayers for her during this period of transition.

• The Revd Lankiri Thaba will be instituted as Rector of St Michael and All Angels, Alexandra at 14h30 on Sunday, 13^th July 2008. All are welcome to attend. We wish Lankiri every blessing in his new ministry, and ask for your continued prayers for the whole Thaba family.

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

General Notices

• The SAfm Sunday Morning Radio Broadcast Service: Will be relayed at 11h05 on Sunday, 13^th July 2008 from the parish of St Thomas', Linden. The Music Director is Mrs Colleen Hart and the Rector is The Revd Canon Godfrey Henwood.

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

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.

• Clergy Directory: Please note the change of contact details for the Revd Nigel Mollink:

Postal Address: PO Box 130714, Bryanston 2021
Home Phone: 011 706 2695
Cell: 073 822 3578

• The Young People's Portfolio: thanks to all the parishes that sent their young people/youth to the Diocesan Youth Festival Event on the 16^th June 2008 at St Barnabas College, Bosmont. The event was a resounding success, as there were a variety of outstanding performances by young people, from poetry, dance, string quartet music, to drama and lots of fellowshipping and fun games. 500 young people attended the event, from 21 parishes within the diocese.

• SACLA - Change Agents Weekend Camp for Youth Leaders will be held on 15 to 17 August 2008 at YFC Cyara, Magaliesburg. Cost: R390 per person. To register online you can visit www.changeagents.co.za. We will send out an email with all the details. For further details contact Linda @ (011) 336 8724. An e-mail with all the details will be sent to all parishes.

• The Provincial Youth Conference took place on the 27 to 29 June 2008 at St Benedict's House Rosettenville. Delegates from different dioceses in the province (ACSA) attended the conference. Rev Tim Mncube, Linda Mokgatlhe and Lebo Matubatuba were delegates representing our diocese.

• Holy Cross Orlando West - The Holy Cross Alpha Weekend Away will be held on 18 to 20 July 2008 at St Joseph's Centre, Sophiatown.

• The ASF (Anglican Students Federation): an umbrella body of all Anglican Societies (Ansoc) is hosting a weeklong conference from 29 June to 05 July 2008. The Conference is held in Bloemfontein. The Young People's Portfolio is sending two representatives to the Conference.

• Siyafundisa Youth Life Skills Programme:  Siyafundisa is a Youth programme on HIV/AIDS PREVENTION. By now you will all be aware that we have a full time Siyafundisa Field Worker, Jabulani Miya in the HIV/AIDS office.  You can read all about this programme and more by visiting the 'cpsajoburg' website under "HIV/AIDS", and Jabulani is available on: Mobile: 082 323 9948, e-mail: jmiya@anglicanaids.net or Fax: 086 624 5067.

• HIV and AIDS Update: We have been encouraged by the increasing number of parishes observing the month of May for Care, and observing the third Sunday as an International Candle Lighting memorial. Some did this as individual parishes while others as Archdeaconries meeting in one appointed parish. Building Archdeaconry structures is progressing quite well. Please continue to pray for those committed to supporting this building process, both clergy and laity. Revd Tsépo Matubatuba, HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator. Office telephone number: 011 333 4399.

• The Diocese of Johannesburg: Is operating a relief fund to provide humanitarian aid to persons displaced during the recent xenophobic violence. Donations can be made to the following bank account: Account Name: Diocesan Finance Board

Bank: Standard Bank of SA Ltd
Branch: Smal Street
Branch Code: 001805
Account Number: 00 130 235 3
Reference: Displaced Persons' Appeal 2008

For more information please contact the Revd Doug Torr on 084 458 5905.

• St Luke's, Orchards have had to change the dates of some of their events to fit in with presenters. Those dates affected are:

FAN THE FLAME Men's Conference Old Date: Saturday 12 July 2008 New Date: Saturday 26 July

EXHILARATION Women's Conference New Date: Saturday 30 August

PARISH MINISTERS W/SHOP Old Date: Saturday 26 July [Prov] New Date: Saturday 16 August

Please help to promote these events and to tell people of the changes. Our apologies for any inconvenience!

• The Revd Christian Viljoen, National Director SOMA Southern Africa, asks that you please make a note of the following important SOMA dates:

19-21 September 2008: Growing the Church Conference at The Good News Centre, Muldersdrift

This International Conference includes the six countries that form ACSA, together with SOMA team members from thirteen other countries. Our Church Growth Portfolio team would like to encourage members of the Diocese to attend this Conference and to join us in hosting and welcoming our visitors. For more information contact Steve Moreo (tel: 011 936 1394) or Keith Brown (tel: 011 781 0593)

24 September: Diocese of Johannesburg Growing the Church Launch and Dedication of the Diocesan Centre at St Joseph's, Sophiatown

Our own Diocesan Launch Service and mini-Conference will be held at a special event for the whole Diocese.

22-28 September: Growing The Church Mission In The Diocese

The Church Growth Team together with a SOMA UK team will be working in the Diocese to inspire and equip leaders, groups and Parishes with practical skills. For more information Archdeacons to contact Steve Moreo (tel: 011 9361394) or Keith Brown (tel: 011 781 0593).

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