My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

What a blessed and glorious Service of Repentance & Reconciliation we shared on Sunday 20 July 2008. We could not have asked for a more perfect day, the kind of winter's day that can only be experienced in the Highveld. The warmth of the winter sunshine, not too hot or too cold, a gentle and pleasant breeze enjoyed by the estimated five and a half thousand Anglicans gathered on the Mitchell Field of St John's College, to ask for God's forgiveness. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond, as he gazed upon that wonderful scene, whispered to me and said: "Isn't this a most wonderful sight in such a perfect setting." I knew then without a doubt that this Service was a blessing; and we would all be blessed because of our obedience to God who called us to repentance for what we, as South Africans, had done to the people who have come to us seeking refuge.

Why do we need to repent because of the xenophobic outbreaks that occurred in our country? I was asked this by someone when the notice of the Service of Repentance and Reconciliation was first announced to the Diocese. This is my attempt at answering that question, especially in the light of the wonderful Service that it turned out to be.

In Luke's Gospel 13:1-5 we read:

"At that time some people were there who told Jesus about Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices to God. Jesus answered them, 'Because those Galileans were killed in that way, do you think it proves that they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans? No indeed! And I tell you if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did."

When it is reported that Pilate has engineered the massacre of some people while they were offering sacrifice, Jesus is quick to respond that that did not mean they were worse sinners than anyone else. He rejects outright any notion that there is an equation between suffering and sinfulness; still more he repudiates false ideas about God: the God he speaks about is not out to punish but rather to help us to do what is in our own best interest.

A sensitive awareness of sin in my life, a recognition that I fall short of my high calling as a son or daughter of God, is not indulging in some kind of neurosis but rather facing up to reality; and that is a blessing, provided that it is accompanied by the awareness of God's abiding love for me, his readiness to forgive, whatever my failures.

Of course there are many ways of opening ourselves to God's forgiveness: for example, the Eucharist, an act of contrition, or a Service of Repentance and Reconciliation to all refugees and to all victims of crime and violence in all its manifestations. But at this time in the life of our Diocese it might be worth considering making the sacrament of Repentance and Reconciliation a part of our daily worship.

The sacrament of Reconciliation is not some terrible burden imposed upon us, but a unique privilege offered us; an opportunity to confess before all in our wonderful rainbow country that we have failed in this way or that, for after all, our sins harm not only ourselves but also the whole Church. It is the sacrament in which we meet Jesus as friend of sinners, rather as we meet him in the Eucharist as Bread of Life, and receive the assurance that our sins are forgiven.

It is an opportunity for us to show that we take sin seriously, as God takes it seriously. Above all it's an opportunity to show we really do believe on the one hand in the utter holiness of our God, and on the other in his endless mercy and compassion. The true centre of this sacrament is the Lord, not ourselves.

Let me share with you some of the comments that I have received on behalf of the Diocese since our Service of Repentance and Reconciliation.

Dear Gerard,
Our sincere thanks and congratulations to you especially, and to your team, for an extremely well organized, and very meaningful service yesterday at St John's College. You led it all with great dignity and warm sincerity.

I have no doubt that it will be very significant.

May God bless you

Jerry and St Luke's

13 Frere Road 21^st July 2008
Parktown West
Johannesburg
2193

Dear Gerard
You will, I know, be receiving praise from much higher quarters than this for the magnificent service yesterday morning, but that doesn't stop me from putting in a word or two myself!

I must confess that I was anticipating the service with a degree of trepidation. Too long? Too cold? Too - dare I say it? - chaotic? Too much responsibility with coping with three people from Park Care on unfamiliar territory? In the event, all my stupid fears were totally ill-founded. The service wasn't a minute too long, the weather was perfect and my Park Care passengers enjoyed it all. I am so, so glad to have been there.

Everything was so tremendously well-organised and enormously professional and I know that doesn't happen without lots of forethought and careful planning. You and your team (and I was, of course, delighted to see such strong St. George's representation!) deserve huge congratulations.

I have admired - and defended - Archbishop Tutu for years but, even so, I was totally amazed and impressed by the way in which he captivated and inspired so many of us yesterday. What a truly remarkable man and how wonderful that he was able to come and talk to us.

The ashes are washed off my hands but the memory of the service will live long with me - the music, the Liturgy and above all, the people. I feel really blessed to be part of such a wonderful Diocese and I appreciate your faith and courage in organising a function which could, I think, have been difficult and perhaps disastrous. What an example to anyone else thinking of a mass gathering!!

Once again, you - with your customary grace - and your team, deserve the thanks, congratulations and admiration of the whole Diocese.

Lots of love to all

Gilly

Dear Mr Dean and Vicar General,

You all excelled yourselves and did a splendid job on Sunday. Well done. I'm in Kalamazoo and didn't get to my laptop early enough to wish you and Pearl a happy wedding anniversary yesterday. Happy anniversary better late than never.

I did want to congratulate you as an outstanding leader of a superb team. Do let them know that I'm proud of them as a former dean and bishop of the diocese! I believe there was good coverage on TV.

Love and blessings,

Arch

Dear Gerard

Just a short note to say thank you for the service on Sunday.  It was very well organised, obviously Spirit-led, and a joy to have been part of.  Working in a busy Parish I have some idea of what went in to organising the service, so thank you, and may God bless you.

Shirley

Dear Gerard

Our congratulations to you for leading your organisational team and putting on a magnificent, memorable and poignant service.   It was all so well organised, thought out and prayed about (and dear Desmond Tutu DID turn up on cue!).  

Thank you from us both - it was a service we shall always remember.

Kenneth & Hilary Owen

Dear Gerard

On behalf of the people at Holy Cross we wish to thank you and the team for preparing such a wonderful and great service this past Sunday. It was really blessed of God and did edify God's people in this diocese. Please pass our thanks to all the members of the team for job well done.

Greetings.

Steve

Hi Rodney,

This is a very belated email to thank you and everybody else involved in last Sunday's service at St. John's. It really was a wonderful service, everyone from St. Martin's who was there has been raving about it. It was very slick and my children even managed to last until communion.

Thanks for all your hard work - I hope this week has been a bit quieter!

Regards

Jo Tatalias

St. Martin's

Is this not just such a wonderful testimony to a loving and caring God who, when we show such obedience and commitment to his Gospel, blesses us in so many ways?

May I take this opportunity to thank the Diocese for turning up in such great numbers and for coming to share in the Service as a family. To my fellow clergy I want to thank you most sincerely for your support, your prayers and for your encouragement as we prepared for the Service and especially for your presence which represented a wonderful testimony of unity in the Diocese of Johannesburg.

May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to pour out his blessings upon us.

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

Gerard Sharp

VICAR-GENERAL

Spiritual Formation

Clergy Quiet Day: Our next Diocesan Quiet Day 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, 5^th August 2008 at St Aidan's, Yeoville. The Revd Trevor Pearce (Director) will be speaking about the Growing the Church Conference to be held in September; and The Revd Dr Peter Wyngaard will give a presentation on the Ordination Process.

Directions to St Aidan's: From the M2 East freeway - Take the Joe Slovo/Harrow Road off-ramp. This is a one-way road for just over 2km where it becomes a two-way street. Pass Ponte Towers on the left. Continue for a little over 1km and turn right, at the traffic lights into Raleigh Road. After just under 1km, on the corner of Shoprite turn left into Bedford Road. Take the third right into Regent Street. The Church is on the LEFT hand side (No 59), opposite Yeoville community school.

Family News

Province

• Bishop Nathaniel Nakwatumbah underwent surgery at the Windhoek State Hospital recently. Please keep +Nathaniel and his wife, Vistorina, in your prayers during this time of ill health.

Diocese

• The Revd Lynda Wyngaard has been seriously ill recently with a problem with her small intestine. Please continue to pray for Lyn, Peter and their family as Lyn prepares to have an internal investigation to find the cause. For more information contact Peter Wyngaard on 082 574 8345.

• The Revd Lankiri Thaba's mother, Henriet Manqabang Thaba, passed away recently in Lesotho. Please keep the family in your prayers as they journey through this time of grief. For more details contact Revd Lankiri Thaba on 073 535 8384.

• The Revd Abel Molefe passed away on Thursday, 31^st July 2008. A memorial service will be held for him at 3:00pm on Tuesday, 5^th August at St Francis', Moroka; and a funeral service will be held at 08h00 on Thursday, 7^th August. (Also at St Francis', Moroka.) Our condolences to Mrs Pauline Molefe and the family. Please remember them in your prayers. For further details please contact Revd Mothusimang Makata on 082 294 1575 or the Molefe family on 011 984 1515. May Fr Molefe's soul rest in peace and rise in Glory.

Dates for Diary

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

Moves, Appointments and Vacancies

• The Revd Eve Abrahams was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church, Mayfair on Sunday, 13^th July 2008. Please keep Eve, Omar and family in your prayers as Eve undertakes this new ministry.

Birthdays

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, 26^th October 2008 from the parish of Christ the King, Mondeor. The Rector is Canon Eric Ephraim.

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

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.

• The Parish of St Katharine's, Uitenhage in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth has a vacancy for a Rector. This is an urban ministry situated within the broader Nelson Mandela Metropole. Applications to be submitted to the Anglican Bishop of Port Elizabeth, PO Box 7109, Newton Park 6055. Fax: 041 365 2049 or E-mail: pebishop@iafrica.com.
• Anglicare:
  (1) In July, clergy would have received an e-mail about Anglicare with their new constitution attached, and some information about the counsellors in their parishes. All clergy are invited to join our counsellors in listening to guest speakers on our training mornings.  The next training morning is Saturday 23rd August in St George's Church hall, Parktown and our guest speaker is Ursula Keel, an expert in trauma debriefing, instructing on the newest method.  The talk begins at 9:45am until approximately 11 am.
  
  (2) More news - since the beginning of June, in response to a crisis situation, some of our Anglicare counsellors have committed themselves to working with the Psycho-Social Services, aiding those refugees of the recent xenophobic attacks at the Glenander site.

• Siyafundisa Update: Congratulations to the Archdeaconries of Randfontein and St. Andrew's for submitting candidates for training as requested. Sadly, no participants were sent from Simunye, Pimville, Diepkloof (St. Stephen's) and Yeoville (St. Aidan's). I encourage all the sites already involved in the implementation process to keep it up. I also ask Parish Leadership to please give the Siyafundisa Programme your full and continued support. This was the 2^nd LIFE SKILLS Training workshop in our Diocese, held at PURE JOY CONFERENCE LODGE in Kameeldrift. We welcomed also our Ecumenical brothers & sisters from the Houghton Methodist & Yeoville Catholic Churches who are also taking part in this Programme.
  
  The Siyafundisa Field Worker reports directly to the Programme Leaders at the Anglican Aids & Healthcare Trust Office in Cape Town. He is expected to do a specific number of visits per site around the Diocese. The schedule for such visits is also sent out to you all. I know that you will give him a warm welcome into your parishes and co-operate with his reporting process.
  
  There is an urgent need for the training of Clergy in this Programme. This will be carried out according to Archdeaconries and Archdeacons are requested to liaise with the Field Worker to arrange such workshops. Any other information may be obtained from JABULANI MIYA, Siyafundisa Field Worker, from the Siyafundisa Office 011 333 4399 or 082 323 9948.

• HIV and AIDS Update: (1) The Johannesburg North parishes recently held a successful outreach programme at the Diepsloot Mall. Two hundred people (108 males and 92 females) were tested by New Start, of whom 154 tested negative and 46 tested positive. (2) Owing to Women's Day on 9^th August 2008, the Quarterly Parish Representatives' meeting has now been moved to 16^th August 2008 at 10h00. The venue is St Paul's, Jabavu. All parishes are urged to send representatives as there will be an update on new developments in the Siyakha Funding that will enhance our ministry and various programmes. An update on the HIV Vaccine will also be given. (3) St Luke's Day falls on 18^th October 2008, therefore October has been nominated Health Month. All those involved in the Health sector will be invited to attend services on Health Sunday which is normally held on the Sunday following St Luke's Sunday. (Further details still to come.) (4) Research and past events show that people are becoming more and more open to testing. Let us therefore make it easier for people to be tested in our own parishes by booking Voluntary Counselling and Testing dates with New Start. Phone: 011 333 6868. Fax: 011 333 6969. E-mail address for the VCT Co-ordinator, Lindiwe Ndlela, is Lindiwe@sfh.co.za or for the Centre Manager, Millicent, is Millicent@sfh.co.za. You are also welcome to make your bookings through the Diocesan HIV and AIDS Office. (Please note that bookings need to be made one month in advance.) Perhaps you could consider taking advantage of Health Month in October. The Revd Tsépo Matubatuba, HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator. Office telephone number: 011 333 4399.

• The Young People's Portfolio: Change Agents Youth Leadership Training Camp on 15 to 17 August 2008 at Magaliesburg YFC Campsite in Cyara. The camp cost is R390 per person. Contact the Youth Coordinator for further details @ (011) 336 8724. Bookings close on 8^th August 2008.

• A big thank you to all the young people who were assisting as ushers at the Diocesan Repentance Service - St John's College on 29 July 2008.

• On the 19 to 21 September 2008 the Provincial Growing the Church Team will launching mission opportunities. One third of the GtC (Growing the Church) Implementation teams from all Dioceses in the province (ACSA) will be made up of young people. The provincial Youth Executive will be introduced. There will also be a Re-Commissioning of Provincial Youth Ministry. The young people's portfolio urges Youth Pastors and Youth Leaders to be involved exciting venture. Please contact our office @ (011) 336 8724 for further details.

• The Church Growth Portfolio asks that you please make a note of the following important events:
  
  19-21 September 2008: Growing the Church Conference at The Good News Centre, Muldersdrift
  
  The Provincial Launch Service for "Growing the Church" takes place on Friday 19 September 2008 at 10:00. We are delighted that this event will take place within our Diocese giving us an opportunity to host the Archbishop, Bishops and PSC from our 25 Dioceses together will all the Diocesan GtC Coordinators and their Implementation teams. This International Conference includes the six countries that form ACSA, together with SOMA team members from thirteen other countries. Speakers: Bishop Albert Vun (East Malaysia), Dr Aldo Fonteo (Argentina), Dr Michael Cassidy (Pietermaritzburg) and Bishop Martin Breytenbach (Polokwane).
  
  Cost for full conference is R250 or R150 per day. For more information contact Steve Moreo (tel: 011 936 1394) or Keith Brown (tel: 011 781 0593)
  
  24 September: Growing the Church Diocesan Launch (Venue to be confirmed)
  
  Diocesan Launch of Growing the Church will be held at a special event for the whole Diocese.
  Our Diocesan vision "requires that we develop and implement evangelistic programmes that:
  
  
  •  will equip all our members to live and express their faith within the world;
  •  will lead to new church plantings, especially in new developing communities.
  
  Book this date and watch for details that will soon be circulated for us to meet as a Diocese and grow.
  
  22-28 September: Growing The Church Mission In The Diocese
  During the week following the Provincial Growing the Church Conference our Church Growth Team together with a SOMA UK team will working in the Diocese. They are here to inspire and to equip for growth sharing practical skills among leaders, groups and Parishes. Encourage your Archdeacon to call on the team to help meet needs which you have identified in growing the church. Contact Steve Moreo (tel: 011 9361394) or Keith Brown (tel: 011 781 0593)

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