ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA(ACSA) MISSION AND MINISTRY DRIVE
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RECTOR’S LETTER TO ALL THE FAITHFUL
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RECTOR’S LETTER TO ALL THE FAITHFUL
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LIVING WORD INSIGHTS
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TUMELONG NEWS
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ANGLICANS ABLAZE 2018 NEWS
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SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
Renewed focus on mission and ministry Letter to the faithful
Anglicans Ablaze 2018
FRA N CI SCA N
M O N T HLY
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARISH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WATERKLOOF, PRETORIA, RSA
PARISH IN MISSION AND MINISTRY DRIVE Antony Jongwe
IN THIS ISSUE:
Parish News
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6
The Anglican Prayer Book has a section on Prayers and Thanksgiving for Various Occasions (pp 82-92). An important prayer in this section is the prayer for the “Mission of the Church” (p.83). St Francis of Assisi is a missional church and has a proud history of supporting spiritual growth of individuals and communities alike through its various inward-looking and outward-looking ministries. It is against this background that the 2018/19 Parish Strategic Planning session identified the Mission portfolio as one the key pillars through which it will reposition itself as a growing church firmly rooted in proud missional heritage.
at the Ministry House. Lay Ministry in St Francis of Assisi is important in the missional agenda and it was therefore befitting that it was the first ministry to be engaged with by the Mission Portfolio team.
The Mission portfolio does its work through four departments, namely: pastoral care; development; inreach; and outreach.
The meeting was attended by over 10 Lay Ministers from both the 7:30am and 9:30am services. It was also attended by Rob Lewis representing the Churchwardens. Fr. Julian Kok facilitated the meeting.
Pastroral care focuses on visiting and support ministries. Development focuses on environment, spiritual and relational growth, and ministry development. Inreach concerns itself with members of St Francis of Assisi such as financial assistance, practical assistance, parish families, and new members. Last, outreach focuses on social responsibility, diocesan institutions, and community needs The Assistant Priest, Fr. Julian Kok, has been entrusted with the huge responsibility to lead the Mission portfolio. As a member of the Parish Executive Council (PEC), he is assisted in this role by three parish councilors: Nadine Pienaar, Rudi Von Staden, and Elizabeth Boje. Pursuant to evolving an operational plan for the Mission portfolio, a meeting with Lay Ministers was convened by Fr. Julian Kok on 14 July 2018
The agenda of the meeting focused on identifying the passion of Lay ministers present in relation to the various areas of need such as: regular communion to the sick and those housebound; hospital and other visits, bereavement; intercession; house groups; and updating of parish roll among others. The meeting also discussed the need to build capacity in Lay Ministry through encouraging others with a calling to come on board while supporting those on board with continuous training and development. The meeting noted that ministry is the way in which the Church continues what Christ began and still intends, namely, the salvation and transformation of the world. Lay Ministry is exercised in the “gathered” church through the organizations of the Church (e.g. vestry, Christian education, Continued on page.10
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Letter to all the faithful My Dear Brothers and Sisters of St Francis of Assisi, Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen. This prayer is known as a doxology. It is the most common of all doxologies and has a Latin name for it – Gloria Patri – Glory to the Father. It is modelled after the closing verse that we had as part of 2 nd lesson of 10th Sunday after Pentecost (Pentecost 10) from Ephesians 3:14-21. An expanded and more comprehensive doxology also based on that passage is in use in many traditions of the wider body of Christ: Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more that we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen
One of the reasons that this is important is because of the idea that Glory is properly attributed to God because God has the power to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. It captures a sense of awe. It captures a sense of appreciation for the incredible wonders of God – both in us, through us, and in the world. It is a great big statement that is worthy of God. It doesn’t try to explain God or God’s handiwork but rather marvels in it and praise God for it. Other matters affecting our community of faith that I need to share with you and do beg your indulgence on. Children's and Youth Ministries: Children are a blessing from the Lord. With these blessings also come responsibilities. As stewards of God’s children, parents are responsible for helping children grow physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. The Church has a responsibility toward children, too. Here at St Francis of Assisi we want to provide an environment in which children are safe, are taught at an age-appropriate level, and are encouraged to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. We minister to the spiritual needs of our children through youth and children’s ministries. The need for these ministries is evident in that many young people reach adulthood and decide not to follow Christ. They had not been prepared to accept him as their Saviour. The existence of both our children’s and youth ministries help validate the importance of children and young people within the church. As a result, children and young people feel welcomed and loved at church. If we are to have a healthy future, it is essential that we have viable children’s and youth ministries. To realise this and have an effective children’s and youth ministries, we
need a continuous buy in from everyone. Your support in any way is sought. Effective children’s and youth ministries will facilitate church growth. Christians need other Christians to help them grow. This is one reason Christ founded the church. Only in a community are humans led to and nurtured in the love of Christ. The same is true for children and young people. Please pray for the children and young people of St Francis of Assisi. I The Rector Venerable Mariri would like to thank both the St Francis of Assisi’s Children’s and Youth Ministries Teams for your valuable contributions in this part of God’s vineyard. Well done good and faithful servants of our Lord… Be assured of my support and prayers as you continue with formation of these impressionable minds. Issues to ponder on: William Barclay commenting on the 9th Sunday after Pentecost (Pentecost 9) Gospel lesson from St Mark (6:30-34, 5356), makes this statement: “The rhythm of the Christian life is the alternate meeting with God in the secret place and serving people in the market place.” Thus, the essence of the Christian life is this ebb and flow of moving into the presence of God, from the busyness of life, and then returning to involvement with people, enriched by our spiritual renewal. How can we do God’s work without some time to practice the presence of God in our lives? St Mark is continuing his story of Jesus’ response to the return of the disciples from their first missionary journey in the countryside of Galilee. And it was with some measure of excitement that the twelve apostles returned from their first outreach. They had fulfilled their commission and were keenly reporting to Jesus on all that they had said and done. If ever there was a focus for the Christian life, and for ministry, it is this: that in the final analysis we are accountable to Jesus. As Jesus listened to each “team” report, he must have also seen fatigue in their faces and so, in a gracious moment of concern, Jesus said to them: Come away for a while and rest… an invitation to step out of all the bustle and activity of life. Rest … a chance to slow down, to change the pace. Come away for a while and rest. Fast forward as the crowd intercept Jesus and his disciples. And Jesus had compassion for the crowd. We know that Jesus would again and again demonstrate his concern for the people of Israel whom he likened to sheep without a shepherd. Mark says that Jesus taught them "many Continued on page. 2
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LETTER TO ALL THE FAITHFUL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
things." But he does not spell out what Jesus actually said. In a way, Mark serves us well by leaving that question open. We don't all need the same things. We don't have the same trials. Yet here, Jesus is able to speak to each of us. Whether we are here because of "compassion fatigue" or because we need a shepherd, Jesus hears our prayer and speaks to our hearts. Our worship is centred in Prayer, the Word and the Eucharistic meal. What we do in an act of worship here at our parish church, is bring our prayers of praise and intercession and supplication to God. We hear the Word read and proclaimed. And we are nourished by the bread of heaven. God responded to Israel in the desert by giving water from the rock, the law at Sinai and manna to nourish them. God responds to the prayers of the church by Word and Sacrament. These are the sustaining, comforting and healing gifts given to the people of faith. We need to hear Our Lord’s words about the importance of Sabbath, the literal breaking in upon the craziness of life. We need to rest, Jesus tells us. Our world is a hectic place. With all the miracles of modern technology we are only a cell-phone’s ding away from whoever thinks he or she needs us, and we get addicted to being needed. We must be careful that we do not wake up with an imbalanced life and an arid spiritual existence. Come away: The beauty of the commandment about the Sabbath is that it calls us to move away from all that normally fills our lives. Jesus reminds us that he is not an angry boss, who works us from sunrise to sunset. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who assures us that we shall not want. Jesus is the one who promises that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. And we need to go apart, to a quiet place and be with him and let him speak to us. This is the essence of the devotional life. The devotional life is not another bit of work to do or another discipline to follow. It is rather, a Sabbath time; a time of rest and refreshing; a time to tell Jesus and to let him teach us many things. I urge you to embrace the spiritual practice of rest and renewal for Jesus’ sake. Rest, relaxation, and vacation are not only God-given gifts; they are God-directed necessities. And I am convinced that we will discover that … the peace of God that passes all human understanding, will keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God. Reflecting on the Gospel reading for Pentecost 10 - the two miracles that we heard about, in St John’s Gospel (6:1-21) – the feeding of the 5000 and Jesus walking on water…Such stories capture the essence of the people involved. This story captures the truth, the essence of all the people involved; the essential truth
about Jesus and the essential truth about the disciples and the essential truth about God. It got to be later, long into the day, and one of the disciples said: “Lord, the hour is late and the people don’t have any food and we are a long way from any villages. Maybe you should send them home now.” And Jesus said to Philip, according to John’s version of the story, “How are we going to buy bread, so that people can eat?” Jesus said this in order to test Philip. Philip replied, “It would take more than two hundred denarii, more than two hundred days of wages, and even that wouldn’t be enough bread to feed all these people.” Jesus said, “Look around the crowd and see what you can find.” Andrew found a young boy with five loaves of bread and two fish, and brought the boy, fish and bread to Jesus. Jesus invited everyone to be seated on the green grass. Jesus took the bread…looked up into heaven…gave thanks…broke it…gave it to his disciples…who gave it to the crowds. And they all ate and were all satisfied …and… there were twelve baskets of bread left over. The number who ate were five thousand men, plus women and children.
This story about the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish, seem to capture the essence of all the people involved. It captures the very essence of Jesus as the wondrous Son of God. It captures the very essence of God, in God’s abundant and extravagant generosity and grace, twelve baskets full of bread left over. And it captures the very essence of us his disciples, who don’t get it, even after we have seen first-hand God’s miraculous work in our lives. Jesus can work miracles with five loaves and two fish. That is at the heart of the story, that the little boy brought his meagre gifts to Jesus, his five loaves and two fish, and look what mighty miracles God did with them. And God wants to do the same with us; that we surrender and bring our meagre gifts to God, our five loaves and two fish, our meagre and ordinary talents and gifts, we bring the simplicity of who we are to God, and see what mighty miracles God can do in and through our lives. When you think you’ve got almost nothing to give, God can use that-God used a poor peasant carpenter to be the saviour of the world by dying on a cross. In our Christian story, God does not conquer the world with power and might, God dies. And then God is resurrected. Which means God will go into the darkest places of the world, the emptiest place, the place most void of any hope – the place of death and God will bring about life. If there is one theme in the Scriptures that can feed us it is that God takes not only our successes and our gifts, but our weaknesses and our meagre places and uses those. We are often told that our successes and our gifts are what we offer to the world. To get good grades. To work hard. To treat people right. And these are all gifts to the world which God can use. But the God we are dealing with won’t just use your strengths and your gifts, God will also use your broken places and your weaknesses too. Sometimes I hear people talk about the way things used to be for our churches. Back when the church was packed and the offering plates full. Back when parents didn’t have to make their kids go to church. They wanted to go to church. But maybe this time in the church when things are a little uncertain... when the pews aren’t full, when we wonder if the offering will pay all the bills…you know, when it seems like there are 5,000 mouths to feed and only 5 loaves of bread and a couContinued on page.4
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Letter to all the faithful ple of fish…maybe that’s rich and fertile soil in which God can use us to do great things. All God needs is for you to offer your 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish… Stewardship of time, talent and treasure. What are you offering? The second miracle is a story about Jesus walking on water. “They saw Jesus approaching the boat walking on the water.” It is the verse that reports that they rowed in rough waves for about three or four miles (translating to a good couple of hours) trying to, I would assume, make it to shore. Pretty impressive I must say. I admire their willingness to work through adversity. Work through the adversity-That spirit was in the disciples. They rowed in a storm that did not allow them to make headway. They were most likely in a life or death situation. If they didn’t row there was the possibility they would capsize, so row they did for what must have been hours. And it must have been exhausting. In the midst of the struggle we can become discouraged and yes, even afraid. We become so afraid that we can’t stop rowing. In trying to find a new job or the right medicine or the money to pay the overdue bill you say to yourself, I cannot keep this up much longer, and fear sets in. That is exactly where the disciples found themselves, in a boat struggling against something much stronger than they were and afraid of what was about to happen to them. When the disciples see Jesus walking out to them on the water, they are not sure what to do about him. Obviously, they are afraid simply because of the spot they are in: rough seas; unable to make headway. All of this would be enough to make a person second guess oneself as to whom s/he would let into the boat. The true power of the story for the church is this: the adversity that we are working through is always more manageable when Jesus works through it with us. When we find ourselves rowing against whatever it is in our lives (individually and as a church) that is churning up the waves, having Jesus with us will make the rowing a lot easier. I truly believe there is a calming presence that Jesus Christ brings to us in the midst of our adversity that makes navigating that adversity much easier, regardless of the nature of the outcome. You can face the adversity alone and row against the waves all by yourself, or you can ask Jesus to help you work through the adversity and to give you the strength to do whatever you need to do to come out on the other side. On a boat where the disciples were being tossed from here to there and all about, Jesus came and said, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Jesus will do the same for you. All you have to do is let him into the boat.
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Let us pray the prayer we have in the form of the 2nd reading of Pentecost 10 from Ephesians 3:14-21: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
In Prayer and partnership, Oremus pro invicem
The Ven Dr. L Meshack T Mariri † RECTOR
BAPTISM CLASSES NOTICE
Parents interested in having their child(ren) baptised should please contact the parish office at 012 346 1106 or alternatively you may sent an email to mail@st-francis.co.za. The Baptism class dates and date of the Baptism will be announced soon. Thank you Parish Administrator
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LIVING WORD INSIGHTS WITH ANTONY JONGWE by the Devil. When confronted with his lies, we can always follow the example of our Lord and Personal Saviour Jesus Christ by answering back: “It is said…” while citing the appropriate Scripture. Let us remember that the Word is the truth and will not return void to the Father (Isaiah 55:11). The structure of this column is that I will select a Scripture and bring it to life so that we can relate to it.
Dear Reader I would like to welcome you to this inaugural instalment “Living Word Insights” in which we meditate on the Word to bring it to life. The words of John 1:1 are instructive: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” The Word is the bread of life and it was released to you and me by the Father. The Father has commanded us to meditate on His Word day and night (Joshua 1:8). We cannot live on bread alone but from every Word that proceeds from the Father. When we meditate on His Word day and night we are essentially activating it or bringing it to life so that it continues to create miracles in our lives just as it did from the beginning of time. Most importantly, when we meditate on the Word, we enable it to renew or mind and strengthen our faith. The Word is also the weapon which we can use to reject the falsehoods that are constantly peddled against us
We kick-start this instalment with the following Scripture and a brief discussion of its insight to you and me: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27, NIV) Dearest friend, one of the most valuable things in life is peace. In the Anglican Prayer Book, we have a Collect for Peace which goes as follows: "O God, the author of peace and lover of concord to know you is eternal life to serve you is perfect freedom: defend us your servants from all assaults of our enemies that we may trust in your defence and not fear the power of our adversaries through Jesus Christ our Lord" We recognise God as the author of peace. True peace begins by accepting and receiving Jesus as Lord and Personal Saviour. It is no wonder that He is also known as "Prince of Peace". Dearest friend, do you yearn for peace?. Come to Jesus and receive true peace. Will you do that today?. Amen.
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NEWS FROM TUMELONG MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT
Diana Higgs On the 18th July 2018, Madiba Day, we visited Maboloka Haven in the North West Province. Fr Meshak Mariri, Jill Daugherty, Elizabeth Boje, Dorah Semenya and her sister and Diana Higgs represented the parish. We took with us a large amount of non-perishable food which will be shared between Maboloka Haven and Jo Seoka Skills Centre in Ga-Rankuwa. It has taken two years of dedicated fundraising to get the this point where the children at the Haven now have proper classrooms and toilet facilities. There is also a new kitchen, an office and a sickbay, a borehole and water tanks. There are 54 children at the centre: 33 girls and 21 boys aged between 3 months and 6 years. Most of the children are either orphans or come from destitute families. Bishop Allan Kannemeyer blessed the buildings. There was a wonderful turnout of Anglican clergy, organisations, Guilds and Friends of Tumelong. Pauline Tlaka, Director of Tumelong Mission thanked many people for their dedication to this project, both in financial terms and in building the new structures. I would like to thank Dorah Semenya for her dedication to this project and for coordinating a number of fundraising initiatives. And to you all the faithful at St Francis for the generous donations of good second hand clothes for our exclusive jumble sales and for financial contributions.
See more pictures on page.8
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NEWS FROM ANGLICANS ABLAZE 2018
My dear people of God, Warm greetings in Christ’s name! I am writing to encourage you to attend the Anglicans Ablaze Conference, 3 to 6 October in Hillcrest, Durban. I am also asking that you encourage your fellow parishioners and friends to attend. I am joining my voice to the voices of Bishop Dino, Host Bishop, and Bishops Tsietsi and Martin, Liaison Bishops, who have already sent out video clips – see www.anglicansablaze.org Some days ago at the General Convention of TEC which I attended, hosted by Presiding Bishop Curry (who preached at the recent royal wedding), I attended one of their Revival Sessions. I was deeply moved by what they were doing. I was encouraged by the fact that we have been doing these Revivals for a few years now with great encouragement to our members. We now have capacity for up to 3000 people. Let’s fill every seat. I hope to see you there. Your Brother in Christ, Thabo Makgoba ARCHBISHOP THABO MAKGOBA
Important information on ANGLICANS ABLAZE 2018 Early Bird deadline extended to 31 August 2018! Please tell others about the conference and this extension via Whatsapp, Twitter, & Facebook etc. Please like our pages and hit share too. Please! Registration: You must register for the conference please, not simply pay for it, or we will not know that you are coming. Write names clearly please. Registration forms for individuals and groups are attached. These are for those who are struggling to use the online system. Fill it out in capital letters, then scan and email it to info@growingthechurch.org.za OR office@growingthechurch.org.za . You can also fax this to 086 623 6187 Payment due 31 August please! Accommodation: Please ensure that you have booked your accommodation Payment is due by 31 August 2018 latest please. (After that folk will have to arrange their own accommodation.) The prices are per night and you will need to book for 3 nights. Breakfast, dinner and transport also included in the price Continued on page.10
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PARISH CELEBRATES WOMEN’S MONTH By Diana Higgs On Saturday morning, 28 July 2018, in early celebration of Women’s month, Retha Meintjes SC, came to St Francis to share with us the myths surrounding sexual abuse in women and children. Retha was well positioned to address us on this topic and debunk these myths for us. She has been a prosecutor. Admitted to the High Court of SA in 1977, promoted to
State Advocate in 1979, Senior State Advocate in 1985 and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions 1993 – 2018. She is the founding member and President of the South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and she has contributed in drafting the Handbook on ‘’Effective Prosecution Responses to Violence against Women and Children” Two points to ponder: Victims truly are just that and myths around provoca-
tion are simply not true.
Children are most at risk for rape by someone known well to the family and will not speak out, as they have been “groomed”
There was an excellent turnout of women from the parish and beyond and wonderful fellowship over tea and nourishing eats. Carole Evans is to be thanked for coordinating the morning. It is hoped that there will be more such events in future.
READER FEEDBACK: Please send your comments on any story in the Franciscan Monthly to Mrs Zenobia Francis via the Parish e-mail: mail@st-francis.co.za or to the Editor: antonyjongwe@yahoo,com
The keynote speaker, Retha Meintjes SC
Some of the participants at the Women’s Month talk by Retha Meintjes SC
Snacks were available for the participants
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PARISH IN MISSION AND MINISTRY DRIVE (CONTINUED FROM P.1) parish programmes, etc.) and in the “scattered” church as the ministry of the baptized is expressed in the home, marketplace, and in the many places where there are opportunities to live the Christian faith. The meeting noted that the ministry of lay persons includes bearing witness to Christ wherever they may be. The laity are the people of the church who have been baptized but not yet ordained. This means that most people in St Francis actually fall into the category of “laity”. Lay ministers need to embody certain qualities inorder for them to be effective in ministry. They need to have human qualities which are
critical to forming wholesome relationships and being instruments of God’s love and compassion. They need a spirituality and practice of prayer that roots them in God’s Trinitarian life which enables them to ground and animate all they do in ministry. L a y m i n is t e r s n e e d a d e q u a t e knowledge in theological and pastoral studies, along with intellectual skill to use it among the diverse people and cultures of South Africa. Lay ministers in St Francis of Assisi have an important part to play in the provision of pastoral care. They work alongside the clergy ministering to people within the church and beyond in their journey through life.
Lay ministers present at the meeting identified their passions within the new Mission portfolio while one of the participants at the meeting disclosed a calling to join Lay Ministry in 2019! The meeting was hugely successful with many brilliant ideas emerging on how the various departments under the Mission portfolio can be strengthened going forward. It was resolved that as many as possible church members should be sensitized on the various opportunities available to them to really live their Christian faith by “loving their neighbor” and being witness of the church in their communities. There is no doubt that St Francis is poised for growth through Mission and ministry work.
GOOD NEWS FROM ANGLICANS ABLAZE 2018 Available accommodation: Glenmore Pastoral Centre Kearsney College – Adults Concord Retreat Centre Kearsney Youth Hostel Vuleka Youth Centre – limited
R400 x 3 nights R400 x 3 nights R400 x 3 nights R350 x 3 nights R350 x 3 nights
Transport: Make sure that you have indicated your transport needs and informed the office of your departure and arrival times i.e. ... from and to the airport or bus station, to and from accommodation to the conference. NB: Transport will ONLY be provided to and from accommodation venues listed on our registration forms at no additional cost. NB! If you are depositing cash into the conference account, it is a lot cheaper and easier to do the deposit into our account at a Standard Bank ATM than paying in at the counter. Ask a clerk at reception to show you if you don’t know how. Please bring your proof of payment slips along with you to the conference to avoid complications. Please don’t forget!!! For queries please call the AA 2018 office on 021 763 1315. Please keep praying for the conference and all involved! God bless you all, Trevor Pearce
Fr Trevor Pearce For Liaison Bsps Tsietsi Seleoane and Martin Breytenbach. Continued from page.7