My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

This reflection began back in the Garden of Eden. It began as a springboard for a reflection on five central qualities of the Benedictine life, but rapidly took on a life of its own, catapulting me not into Benedict, but into the words of the 'J' writer who so profoundly reveals the heart of God.

It all began, as I said, back in the Garden of Eden, in a parkland 'planted' by God to be, as its name suggests, a place of delight, enchantment, and pleasure. The story that unfolds there is foundational for understanding human nature and the course of human history and provides the basic material for every Oscar and Grammy. It is a story that plays itself out in four scenes:-

Scene 1: Genesis 2: 4b - 17 Placing Adam in the garden
Scene 2: Genesis 2: 18 - 25 Creating a partner for Adam
Scene 3: Genesis 3: 1 - 7 Disruption in the garden
Scene 4: Genesis 3: 8 -24 Expulsion from the garden

Although each scene is interrelated, Scenes 1 and 4 clearly belong together; the first describes human entry into the garden, the fourth describes the leaving of the garden. Similarly, Scenes 2 and 3 belong together; the one describing the establishment of community, the other with its violation. Together they form the setting in which the human relationship with God is lived out, and it would be fun if time and space permitted it to explore the story in full. However, for the purpose of this meditation I want to focus on only three verses, verses which are often overlooked and seen only as background to the drama that unfolds. The three verses are:-

Genesis 2: 15: where the man is placed in the garden and given responsibility for it;
Genesis 2: 16 where the man is given free reign over everything in the garden; and,
Genesis 2: 17 where the man is forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Those verses form the basis for human life in God's world; each highlighting one aspect of that life - vocation, promise, and prohibition.

It all begins with vocation. Adam is to 'till and tend' the garden; words that evoke images both of gardening and shepherding. It is, I think, telling that what here belongs together separates and becomes the source of conflict in the story of Cain and Abel. But the point I want to make is that, before disobedience becomes part of the story, work exists. Work, therefore, is not punishment, nor is it the enemy of the spiritual life, a drudgery to be endured in order to be able to live and enjoy life. Work is intrinsic to God's plan for us and at the heart of God's purpose for our lives. Much in our western culture has distorted and robbed work of its true meaning, and done untold damage to humans in the process, but work itself is a holy thing, for it is a sharing in the work of God. As such work is, perhaps, the most spiritual of all activity, the most sanctifying thing we can ever do. Our calling is to treasure and nurture all that God has so graciously entrusted to us and, in the process, to make the world what God intended it to be.

We live in a world obsessed with status, position and power; one that rewards people out of all proportion to the contribution made. But worth is measured not in terms of worldly rewards, but in the indescribable privilege of our calling to share in the work of God and to participate in what God is doing in the world. All life is vocation - a living out of the call to 'till and tend' creation. However lowly our position in worldly terms, however unimportant what we do may seem to be, our work in the community, in our home and at our place of employment is entrusted to us by God and a making perfect and complete the work of God in the world. And the mystery of grace is such that it is often the lowliest of jobs in the eyes of the world that are the greatest in the kingdom of God.

The gift of Eve as 'helper' and 'partner' for Adam introduces a new element of vocation. It is not good for the man to be alone. Vocation is lived out in partnership, in a duality that is a unity, and that reflects in its very essence and being, the wonderful mystery of the 'spiritual unity between Christ and his Church.' Vocation is lived out in partnership, and the partnership itself becomes vocation. That new aspect of vocation is itself material for a meditation of its own.

Our vocation, both to 'till and to tend' and as 'helper and partner,' are worked out, says the story, in the context of both promise and prohibition. It is, I think, telling that the popular understanding of the story focuses on prohibition rather than permission. The two belong together and whenever one is held above the other perspective is distorted and human life is skewed either into legalism or licentiousness.

The garden is a place of God's abundant providence and blessing. Everything is gift and cause for wonder and celebration. Everything is permitted and a source of ongoing delight and pleasure. But there are always boundaries, and the garden is bounded by one prohibition. he story does not explain the prohibition for the prohibition in and of itself is unimportant. What is important is the authority of the one who speaks and the expectation of an absolute obedience that is born of trust. This is God's world and we live in it on God's terms.

The conversation that comes later between the woman and the serpent is fascinating. The prohibition is interrogated and challenged, and what is a given is reduced to an option. In the process, what was boundary becomes threat, promise is obscured, and what was trust becomes defiance.In his commentary on Genesis, Walter Brueggemann rather scathingly says, 'Theological-ethical talk here is not to serve God, but to avoid the claims of God. … The serpent is the first in the Bible to seem knowing and critical about God and to practice theology in the place of obedience'.

I wonder how often we 'practice theology in the place of obedience,' how often we use it to avoid the claims of God on our life? In the garden when the prohibition is violated, the promises are perverted and vocation is undermined. The energy once spent in 'tilling and tending' God's creation is now focussed entirely on the self and its new-found freedom that is not freedom but bondage.

Vocation, promise, prohibition are three strands of human life lived in God's world on God's terms, interdependent facets of divine purpose. Prayerfully they must woven into a threefold cord that is not easily broken and that can sustain us in our ministry. All life is vocation.

May the three-fold chord of your life be renewed this Advent and Christmas

+ Brian

Year-Planner 2008 - The Yellow Pages

The Yellow Pages for 2008 will be e-mailed to you in the coming week together with a covering letter of explanation. If you do not receive it please contact the Diocesan Office for a copy. Please read the information carefully and highlight all dates of importance to you and your parish. Please make sure that those dates are entered into your 2008 diary as well as the parish diary and that everyone in your parish knows all the dates that apply to them.

Spiritual Formation

Clergy Day: Our final Clergy Day for 2007 will be on Tuesday 4^th December at St Francis, Parkview. The topic, as always for our final meeting of the year, will be a reflection on the past year and an opportunity for you to talk with me about any of your concerns. You are all invited to lunch at the Bishop's House at 12h30.

Clergy Quiet Day: The next Diocesan Quiet Day at Bishop's House will be on Tuesday, 19^th February 2008.

Sermon & Liturgy Resources: Check the website for sermon, liturgy and other worship resources for Advent. Our theme for Advent is 'The Jesse Tree.'

Reading Recommendations

There has, as always, been a flurry of new books in anticipation of Christmas sales. Some are quite specific to Advent and Christmas, while most are of a more general nature. While there are a number I would recommend, there is one in particular that is worth a read, if only for the light it sheds on the ministry of all believers. 'Living Baptism: Called out of the Ordinary' by Claire Watkins is a pastoral theology of baptism. It has two sections. The first, 'Reshaping our Understanding of Baptism,' explores the meaning of baptism in 3 chapters: 'Baptism and Christian Discipleship, Baptism and the Reshaping of the Church, and The Tradition of Baptism as Vocation. The second section, 'Baptism for Life,' looks at baptism as a way of life in chapters such as 'Baptism as the Womb.'

Another book that many of you will want to read is John Suggit's latest book, 'Mysterious Reality.' It is his response to Richard Dawkin's book, 'The God Delusion,' and is a response to what Dawkin says rather than a rebuttal of his arguments. Copies are available from Cynthia Botha at Provincial Publishing.

Vestry 2008

I want to commend all of you who have taken seriously my words of warning about the need to begin preparing now for Vestry 2008. Many parishes have already been in contact with their Independent Verifiers or made plans with their auditors for an early audit. Some Parish Councils (and their Executives) have already discussed Vestry and begun preparing their reports. Thank you for taking a serious matter so seriously. For those who have not yet begun to put things in motion, please get going now. Preparing for Vestry is not always plain sailing, and I would hate to have to act against anyone for not fulfilling the canonical requirements in respect of Vestry.

When I met recently with the clergy of the Archdeaconry of St Andrews (SOWEJO) one of them suggested that we use each of the Sundays in the weeks leading up to Vestry to do some teaching about the process of Vestry, the duties of a Churchwarden and Parish Councillor, how long they should serve (I recently heard that a few parishes elect new wardens annually - not a good idea in the light of a need for continuity), what it means to be a servant leader, and about accountability to each other and the congregation. I think it an excellent suggestion and commend it to all of you.

STILIM Lay Training Programme

Many of you may have attended the ST THOMAS' INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY (STILIM) and have found it an invaluable tool for improving your leadership abilities. A new initiative is now going to be offered to lay leaders within our Diocese, starting in 2008. The purpose of this initiative will be to empower our lay leadership and deepen their ability to be more effective in all areas of ministry. An 8 morning, pilot Course for a limited number of lay leaders will be offered in 2008. The course will be held from 09:00 till 12:30 on the 2^nd Saturday of each month, February - May and July - October, starting on the 9^th February 2008. Application forms are obtainable from the Diocesan office. For more information please contact Darryl Cotton on Tel: 084-526-8866; 011-794-4198 (home); 011-954-6618 (office); or email: dcotton@axxess.co.za.

NB: Places are limited and a number of parishes have already booked.

Hope in Africa Award

Hope in Africa is an initiative by Hope Africa to recognise and appreciate all the outreach projects being carried out by our individual parishes within the African Church of Southern Africa. It's worth mentioning that the award goes together with lucrative prizes! In order to qualify, parishes need to tell Hope Africa their story of Hope that addresses a developmental issue (Poverty, HIV/AIDS, Education, etc), in the form of an article.

Through this initiative Hope Africa is looking to get an understanding of exactly what parishes within the African Church of Southern Africa are doing on a grassroots level, and to encourage those parishes that have not started with development work to do so. For more information contact Hope Africa's website:hopeaward@hopeafrica.org.za or phone Maropeng Mohola on: 021 674 5111/082 713 3366.

Marriage Licenses

Home Affairs have advised us that, because of a backlog in the registration of marriages, a number of marriages have not been registered. For those who have access to the internet, (another reason why every parish should have a computer with internet facilities), you can check whether the marriage has been registered by entering the ID numbers of the couple at the site http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/enquiry/get_status.asp. Queries can be faxed to Ms Grace Makhofola at 012. 810.7546 or call her on 012. 810.6485.

For all marriages where one partner is a foreigner, a copy of the first page of the passport and proof of residence must be attached to the marriage forms submitted.

They are also conducting an audit of all marriage officers and will be introducing new 'BD” marriage officer numbers. The marriage officer licenses of Clergy who are retired and those who do not hold a licence to exercise ministry will not be renewed.

Following Protocol

Just as a bishop may not exercise any ministry in the diocese of another bishop without the permission of that diocesan bishop so, too, clergy may not exercise any ministry in a parish other than their own without the permission of the rector of the parish. This protocol applies also in respect of any person who approaches you for ministry and who is not a member of your congregation or living within your parish boundaries.

Similarly, no clergyperson may exercise any ministry in any parish unless are properly licensed. Where the person is licensed as an assistant in another parish, permission should be obtained from the rector of that parish. Where the person holds a licence in another diocese, they may only be invited to conduct a service or to preach in a parish in this diocese by the rector or churchwardens of that parish, and the invitation is for a single event. Any extended ministry (more than one service) by a priest from another diocese requires the permission of the bishop in whose diocese the ministry will take place.

I am concerned that there have been a number of breaches of these protocols over recent months, especially in respect of clergy who are not licensed (a matter that is also in breach of the Canons). I will be following up in respect of individual complaints I have received, but I am giving warning that I will take these breaches of protocol and Canons very seriously.

Family News

Provincial News:

• Bishop Bethlehem Nopece was hospitalised during mid-November. Following tests he has been released from hospital and confined to bed for a period of rest. We wish Bishop Bethlehem a speedy return to health. Please remember to include +Nopece and his family in your prayers.

Diocesan News:

• Erna Basson has been experiencing a problem with her back during the last few weeks. Please remember Erna and her family in your prayers.

• Mpho Chaane experienced a short stay in hospital during November after collapsing from pain around the kidney area. Please pray for healing for Mpho and continue to hold him and Precious in your prayers.

• John Warren has been admitted to Linksfield Clinic ICU with chest pains. Information about his progress can be obtained from Gerard Sharp and/or the Cathedral Office.

• Stephen Damien-Walker has come to the end of his period of suspension from ministry and has asked that he again be allowed to exercise ministry within the parishes of this diocese. I am happy to do so. Invitations should be made through his Archdeacon, Martin Louw.

Dates for Diary

DECEMBER

JANUARY 2008

Diocesan Office

Please note that the Diocesan Office will be closed from lunch-time on Friday, 21^st December 2007, and re-open on Wednesday, 2^nd January 2008. The Diocesan Office staff would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Moves, Appointments and Vacancies

• Michael Oliphant begins as Rector of All Saints, Fourways Gardens, on the 15^th January. Please keep him and the family in your prayers as they move during the course of this month.

• Lankiri Thaba has been appointed as Priest in Charge of St Michael and All Angels, Alexandra. Please pray for him in this new ministry.

• Enos Mhlongo has been appointed Interim Pastor of the Parish of St Mary's, Orlando. Please pray for him and the parish as he begins the process of healing and rebuilding the parish.

• Dan Ngqumeya is relieving at St Stephen's, Diepkloof.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:

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

December Birthdays and Anniversaries:

January Birthdays and Anniversaries:

General Notices

• The Sunday Morning Radio Broadcast Service: Will be relayed on Christmas Day, Tuesday, 25^th December 2007 from the Parish of All Saints, Somerset West. The Rector is The Revd Jacques Jeffries.

• Sunday School Notes: Sets of these notes will be ready for collection from Revd Patricia Lane at the Clergy Day to be held on 4^th December. The cost is R60.00 for the package. Please remember that payment is required at the time of collection - no payment, no notes!

• Emergency Planning in Churches: St Luke's, Orchards have invited Jenny Clarke to present another two-day course on Saturday, 26^th January 2008 and Saturday, 10^th May 2008 (not 19^th April as advertised in the last Ad Clerum). The closing date for applications for the first part of the course is 18^th January 2008; the closing date for applications for the second part of the course is 2^nd May 2008

  Both days will start at 09h00 and end by 16h00. The cost of R150.00 per person for the first part of the course covers documentation, light refreshments and certification. Similarly, the R100 per person for the second part covers the same. This is a good opportunity for those clergy who may have missed the two previous courses run by Jenny Clarke. Those who completed the first part of the course on a previous occasion and were not able to get to the second part are welcome to register for this second part. Please contact Revd Allan Williams on 011 728 7015 for further details.

• 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 1st 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 license (Saras)
  Oct 18	Confession, exorcism (un-holy ghosts)
  Nov 22	Deacon vs priest and self-supprting 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.

• Siyafundisa Youth programme Field Worker: Applications are invited for the position of Siyafundisa youth programme field worker for Johannesburg diocese, to be attached to the Diocesan office although largely working with the Siyafundisa office at regional and provincial level. The applicant should be someone with a Matric level of education or equivalent and a good level of communication, ability to facilitate learning and good administrative, organising and coordinating skills as can be seen from the duties.
  
  Closing date for applications is Friday the 7^th December 2007. Applications to the coordinator, Rev. Tsepo Matubatuba: 
  

  e-mail: tsepo.matubatuba@gmail.com;
  Fax: 011 333 3053.
  Post: P.O. Box 1131, Johannesburg 2000.
  Street: Office 215, 2^nd Floor, Darragh House, 13 Wanderers Street, Corner Plein, Johannesburg Cbd. (Just Below Park Station).

  (See job description.)

• Clergy Directory: Please amend your Directory as follows -
  
  Revd Sarah Andrews Home phone 011 787 4015
  Revd Corney Mphaki Cell 084 983 8477

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