ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2
FRA N CI SCA N
FEBRUARY 2019
M O N T HLY
OFFICIAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE PARISH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WATERKLOOF, PRETORIA
CHURCHWARDEN’S VESTRY REPORT 2019 By Robert Higgs– Churchwarden
IN THIS ISSUE: CHURCHWARDEN’S REPORT TO VESTRY 2019
1
ARCHDEACONRY NEWS
2
ARCHDEACONRY NEWS
3
PARISH FINANCE REPORT
4
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
• Churchwardens Vestry report • Fellowship of Vocation meeting report • Lay Ministers meeting report • Financial Report to Vestry
This report covers the period from Vestry 2018 on 11 March 2018 until Vestry 2019 on 24 February 2019. The year 2018 was a year of significant change. We welcomed our new Rector, Fr. Meshack, ably supported by Fr. Julian. The beginning of 2019 also saw the coming on board of Rev. Thato Tsautse who, while assigned to the Archdeaconry of Pretoria East, has opted to have St Francis of Assisi as her spiritual home. We are blessed to have these servants of God who are imbued with unquestionable character and integrity at this time in the history of our beloved South Africa.. It is common knowledge that our Parish Church is facing a major financial challenge which the Churchwardens and Parish Council have confronted head on. The genesis to this problem was given in the address at the 2018 Vestry by former Churchwarden Rob Lewis , We are pleased to report that from our December 2018 Management Accounts, despite significantly lower than budgeted dedicated giving, expenses were curtailed and the ac-
tual deficit for the year was broadly in line with the budget. We would like to encourage you to read the condensed Financial Report on page 4 of this newsletter prepared by Brian Smith, our Treasurer, who continues to render a splendid service in this area of finances. A significant amount of maintenance was undertaken under the supervision of outgoing Parish Councillor and member of Maintenance and Plant Committee Andre Mare. The caretaker’s lodgings were revamped, paving was laid down in the west wing of the church building, windows at the back of the church were replaced with safety glass, and extensive repairs were made to the electrical wiring in the church and ministry house. The maintenance costs were funded by the Diocese through accrued proceeds from rent re-
ceived from the Cell C tower. The money was correctly applied to such use in terms of diocesan rules. The Churchwardens met regularly as the Executive both in formal meetings and informal breakfasts which ensured optimal communication and teamwork. We would like to express our great appreciation to all the parishioners, the Parish Council, and various ministries for their unwavering commitment and dedication to service of our Lord. Special commendation goes to Jon-Reece Evans and his wife Janine for their distinguished service in the Children and Youth Ministries. Their work is vital to the future growth of the church. N,B Edited version
FRANCISCAN MONTHLY
Page 2
ARCHDEACONRY NEWS FR. MESHACK FACILITATES FELLOWSHIP OF VOCATION (FOV) MEETING AT ST. FRANCIS, MAMELODI
Photo: Members of the FOV from the Archdeaconry of Pretoria East pose for a group photo at St Francis Church, Mamelodi West
By Antony Jongwe– Lay Minister The 23rd of February 2019 was a busy day for our Rector Fr. Meshack as he wore his other hat as Archdeacon of Pretoria East by participating in two highly engaging meetings at St Francis Church in Mamelodi West. This writer was priviledged to attend both meetings. The first meeting officiated by Fr. Meshack was the Fellowship of Vocation meeting which was attended by various people drawn from churches in the Archdeaconry who are at varying stages of spiritual formation and nurturing in ordained ministry. Starting at 8:00am, this writer arrived promptly at the venue of the meeting to see the Archdeacon already settled and waiting to receive participants. Although this was my first time to visit
the township of Mamelodi West where St Francis Church is located, I felt so much at home in their church and community. The meeting commenced with a prayer derived from the Anglican Prayer Book and this was followed with morning readings for the day as set out in the Lectionary (Advent 2018—December 2019, Year C) The readings were: Psalms 92 and 93; and 1 Timothy 6: 1 –21. In the Anglican calendar, the date 23 February is dedicated to the remembrance of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and Martyr, 156. The Archdeacon gave a detailed account of the ministry of Polycarp before anchoring his teaching on Paul’s letter to young Timothy. The theme of the Archdeacon’s teaching was the need to guard that which has been entrusted. In a way, this speaks to
stewardship and is an issue that the Archdeacon has also extensively covered in his Rector’s report to the Annual Vestry Meeting of St Francis of Assisi held on 24 February 2019. The Archdeacon explained clearly to members the processes, requirements and procedures set out by the Anglican Church for ordained ministry. His key point is that it is God and not man who ultimately qualifies one to serve Him. The following people attended this last physical formal meeting for 2019: Siyanda Mgudlwa; Janet Ketcher; Sibusiso Mnguni; Sidwell Nkambule; Charles Moeng; Jack Shilakoe; Jon-Reece Evans; Janine Evans; Juditha De Ruiter; Neo Ramushu; Patricia Noble and Antony Jongwe
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2
FEBRUARY 2019
Page 3
ARCHDEACONRY NEWS ARCHDEACONRY OF PRETORIA EAST LAY MINISTERS MEETING By Antony Jongwe– Lay Minister
Anglican Communion (TEAC) Grid.
Lay Ministers in the Archdeaconry of Pretoria East gathered at St Francis Church in Mamelodi West for their meeting on 23 February 2019.
The TEAC Grid is a training framework targeted at Deacons, Catechists and Licensed Lay Ministers.
Their meeting followed the Fellowship of Vocation meeting held at the same venue on the same day. Lay Ministers in the Archdeaconry have a chance to meet with the Archdeacon to get guidance in their ministry and learn of new developments in the Anglican communion of faith. This meeting was no exception and accorded the Archdeacon, Fr. Meshack who is also Rector of St Francis of Assisi Church, an opportunity to interface with the Lay Ministers present representing various churches in the Archdeaconry of Pretoria East. The main focus of the interactions was on the Theological Education for the
The TEAC Grid is a rubric with twelve (12) antecedents of success (vocation and discernment; clarity about nature of ministry; spirituality and faith; personality, character & integrity; relationships, leadership and collaboration, awareness of context, biblical and theological competence, practical competence, mission and evangelism, the Anglican way, and spouse) on the Y-axis and corresponding four (4) milestones (selection stage, ordination stage, post-ordination stage, and post-post ordination stage) on the X -axis which spell out learning outcomes for vocational deacons and Lay Ministers in their spiritual journey.
The Archdeacon also used this platform to share pertinent news concerning the Anglican Church in Southern Africa (ACSA). The key issue related to the resolution from the Provincial Standing Committee approving a motion from the Safe Church Commission concerning the additional requirement for police clearance for all ordinations, elections or consecrations of ordained ministers. The other issue related to the ongoing work by the ACSA Liturgical Committee on the development of a revised Anglican Prayer Book (APB). The Archdeacon revealed that various Parishes would start using the draft new APB. The meeting was attended by twentythree Lay Ministers and St Francis of Assisi was represented by Lorna Nxumalo and yours truly. We thank our Archdeacon for his efforts.
Photo: The Lay Ministers from the Archdeaconry of Pretoria East pose for a group photo at St Francis Church, Mamelodi West
F I N A N C I A L
R E P O R T
T O
V E S T R Y ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH
.By Brian Smith
Publisher: The Rector St Francis of Assisi Anglican Parish Cnr Long and Albert Street, Waterkloof, Pretoria Executive Producer: Antony Jongwe Editor: Antony Jongwe Online Producer: Dana Mahan Issue Contributors: Robert ‘Rusty’ Higgs Antony Jongwe Brian Smith Robert Lewis Enquiries: mail@st-francis.co.za
By Brian Smith– Church Treasurer My long form version of the Financial Report for the year ending December 2018 and accompanying PowerPoint slides was circulated and discussed during our Annual Vestry meeting held on 24 February 2019. I have prepared an additional slide shown below which best summarises our financial health as we forge ahead with our adopted theme for 2019: “The year of the Prodigal”. The overall budget for 2019 reflects a budg-
eted loss of R641 620 against a 2018 budget of R942 200. We have put in place measures to eliminate losses going forward. As a Church, we need to ramp up income from Dedicated Giving since it represents the core for long-term sustainability. It is heartening that investments in the Youth and Young Adult ministry is showing a return in terms growth in numbers of this segment forming the future of the church
Telephone: 012 346-1106/7 Website: http://www.st-francis.co.za