P.E. Church Net

Benedict Rules ... OK!
The ancient Rule of St Benedict as it speaks to the breakdown of law in our society today was the framework of Bishop Eric's Charge to Synod.

Iindaba quotes a few passages from the Charge but encourages readers to obtain a copy of the full Charge from their Synod representatives.

Benedict and his monks, from the hills to which they had retreated, saw much disintegration and brokenness. We too have seen the breakdown of the rule of law in Zimbabwe and ongoing violence and lawlessness in our own country. Clearly issues of poverty and landlessness are major concerns which need to be addressed by our leaders, but as a church we must speak out against the unlawful and violent occupation of land, as we did in this country in the past, and strongly voice our protest at the Zimbabwean Government's flouting of the rule of law, while praying earnestly for free and fair elections in June. Likewise we must not be afraid to speak out and expose the rampant corruption, particularly that in our Government Departments, which is so evident. However, we must be careful lest in our condemnation of corruption, we as Christians are not found wanting ourselves. We must ask ourselves whether or not we are guilty of, for example, buying stolen goods, shielding criminals, cheating the Receiver of Revenue, or failing to pay TV Licences.

Let me also say here that it disturbs me to receive correspondence from parishes from time to time in Government envelopes or on official paper. That may seem a very minor or petty issue but, as the Church, we must be totally free of dishonesty and corruption at every level, otherwise how can we with a clear conscience, condemn Government officials and others for fraud, corruption or theft. In relation to the AIDS pandemic, I do pay tribute to all who have contributed to five years of excellent ministry at the House of Resurrection Haven. The Haven is a very significant mission institution in our city, of which we are justly proud, and I urge parishes and individuals to redouble their support for this splendid ministry.

Youth
As far as our young people are concerned, I must say that I was challenged while in Humansdorp recently by one of the youth leaders from Blueliliesbush in the Tsitsikama, who asked me to whom in the diocese they could report about what God was doing and how the youth were responding in that part of the diocese. I had to admit with shame that our youth structures in the diocese have not come together, yet I give thanks to God for so many other positive developments in relation to young people. Our leadership training project with Youth for Christ is producing fruit for which I thank God.

Soul Survivor is growing in the City and we are part of that growth. A number of parishes have appointed youth workers, and many are seeking to be more focused in ministry to our ever growing youth population. I attended an incredibly impressive parish youth evening in the Centenary Hall at the end of last year where the theme was “meet us half way”. It is time for us to rise from sleep, while never neglecting any of our people - the Benedictine monastery was a place of hospitality and warmth where all felt at home - young and old. Let us meet the young people half way and make them at home in our liturgy and our life.

Benedict was a layman
You may have been thinking that this great man of God, whose life and rule has impacted on our church so greatly, must have been a bishop or a priest. No, he was a layman, and that ought to say again to us that we must continue to work energetically to release and empower the ministry of the whole people of God. God is pouring out His Spirit on all and all must be given the space and the training to exercise the gifts and ministry which God gives to each one of His children. Let us not elevate the clergy to a place above but place us all under the cross of Christ where the gifts of every person will be affirmed and recognised. We are pilgrims on a journey Let us not turn back but rather expect God to raise up more Benedicts who as laymen and women will tower above us beacons of devotion and prophetic vision.

36 Years of faithful service
In his Charge, Bishop Eric Pike gave thanks for 36 years of service by Keith Cremer as Registrar of this Diocese and of the former undivided Diocese of Grahamstown.

The Bishop presented Keith with a plaque wrapped in gold paper, and said the gold represented the quality of the service Keith had given to the diocese

Keith was appointed registrar of the Diocese of Grahamstown by Bishop (later Archbishop) Selby Taylor in 1964, and has been Registrar of this Diocese since it was established in 1970. At various Provincial Synods he has been asked to sit in when the Provincial Registrar has been called away - Kimberley and Swaziland being two such times.

He was born in George and matriculated from Cradock Boys' High School. He was articled to a Cradock firm of attorneys in 1935. His studies were interrupted by the outbreak of war, when he served with Die Middelandse Regiment in Egypt. He completed his studies in 1946, returning to Cradock to practise with the firm with which he is still associated. He has worshipped at St Peter’s, Cradock, since school days and is a Lay Minister.

For many years during the Apartheid era he defended clergy and ANC comrades against the State - often not receiving a fee when the defendants could not afford the fees.

Standing ovation
Keith received a standing ovation from members of Synod after he had been presented with the plaque by Bishop Eric. On the request of Synod, the title of Registrar Emeritus was bestowed on him by accaim.

Roger Schärges is the new Registrar. (More about him in the next issue of "Iindaba")

back to top

Holidays up for grabs
Many members of the diocese filled the hall at St Hugh's to bid for 17 holidays that were being auctioned.

As part of their 'Project Amos' outreach to the Schoombee area, the Parish of the Karoo held an "Auction with a Difference" on Wednesday 17 May. Bidding began slowly but soon hotted up. Three days at "Wilderness House" was knocked down for R700, "A visit to Temple Farm" drew a final bid of R825 but a "Song of Songs" (Honeymoon?) weekend was had for as little as R300. Both auctioneers, Robert Lord and Jakkie Nel, were excellent and kept up the momentum and a wonderful R18 000 was raised for the project..

On a lighter note the "Blotto" machine, rooster Henry, brought in R500 as people had to guess where he'd make his mark on numbers on the floor of his cage. People were also asked to dig deeply into their pockets to help pay bail for "A purple figure" who had been caught flashing through the Karoo at high speed. R970 was raised and Bishop Eric was released from the two balls and chains that bound him.

The spread of cheese and wine, farm breads and patés put on by the women of the Parish of the Karoo really was a really delicious start to the evening.

More holidays available
Many of the holidays are being offered on more than just 'once off' and will cost their auction price. Nearly all of them include all meals and some include trying one's hand at hunting and taking home a springbok!

Please contact Rory Middlecote at (049) 842-1279 for details of which holidays are still up for grabs and the cost of them. The money will boost the 'Project Amos' fund so readers are encouraged to take advantage of this wonderful offer.

back to top

Celebrations lasted 24 hours
When the Church of St Matthew's, Marselle, in Bushmansriver was dedicated the celebrations lasted 24 hours.

The celebrations began with Drum Majorettes leading the Bishop and many members of St David's in procession through the streets of Marselle. When they arrived at St Matthew's, tea was served and a Baptism and Confirmation Service followed. After this the congregation moved to the Community Hall where Evangelistic outreach and praise continued throughout the night.

On Sunday morning the dedication Service began at 10 o'clock and continued until well after noon when a tree-planting ceremony took place. Sipambo Ludidi thanked the members of St David's for all the work and help they had so freely given towards the completion of and the furnishing of St Matthews. This was followed by lunch in the Community Hall.

back to top

Page 2

Editor's guest

Doreen Collett
God's timing is always right. It was so for me when retirement was imminent and I felt a call to serve in the church. Leaving the well loved familiar path and contemp-lating the way ahead had brought uncertainty and apprehension.

Then I heard Esther de Waal speak on her book "Seeking God" (the way of St Benedict). As I listened I found my heart both challenged and encouraged by the thinking underlying St Benedict's vows of stability, openness and obedience. Here it seemed was a path I could take when the way ahead seemed unsure and daunting. Not to become dependent on a set of rules, but to be guided into recognising the moment's need and respond.

For St Benedict stability meant the need not to run away: that instinc-tive response of flight when I find myself in difficult or unpleasant circumstances. I may not run physically, but the temptation is to escape into unreality, to wish it away with the "If only" syndrome or some other means. Into this situation, St Benedict says, "Stand fast!" When circumstances of life cannot be altered then our freedom lies in accepting them as our way to God and to face reality with Him.

More important than stability of circumstance is that of our hearts: the need not to run away to look for God somewhere else. Christ Jesus tells us that He and the Father make Their home within us. If I don't find Him here within me, I will not find Him elsewhere.

While stability asks me to stand fast and face life, it never means being static or rigid. St Benedict gives the counterpoise, openness to change, to be always moving on, to grow. Change in all of life is inevitable. All creation and our own bodies reflect that pattern. God's Word teaches the recurring theme of death and new life. The way no longer seemed dark but a joyful entering into the new.

And obedience? The first word of the Rule is "Listen" - a faithful, sensitive listening to God's Word, to those about us, and to ourselves, and to act on what we hear. That is the most difficult part. But obedience is also about love - my "Yes" to the infinite love of God.

Stability, openness to change and obedience is what God offered me as my guide, not only to answer the need for the moment but for all life. All rest on the steadfast love of God who is in control of every circumstance and every change. Our trust is in Him who called us in the beginning and who will sustain and support us to the end.

back to top

Letters to the Editor

Gay controversy
There has been a lot of controversy about homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people who have recently been allowed to marry and attended churches.

The Bible does not look favourably on same-sex unions. The Bible actually teaches that homosexuality is a sin. I am not saying that gay people should be banned from church; instead they should be encouraged to attend. Only by being in church and being loved by Christians, will they realise their sin and so reach salvation.

The church has never favoured homosexuality and same-sex unions. In the last century homosexuals, whose sexual orientation was made public, were arrested and sometimes banned.

Oscar Wilde, a well-known English writer in the 19th century was arrested, exiled and later died in disgrace after his affair with an English lord was made public. Today, singer George Michael is famous for his encounter with a male prostitute in a public toilet. Has morality taken such a turn for the worse in the last hundred years?

Today gay partners are getting married and adopting children. Is it fair allowing a child to grow up with gay parents? Allowing a child to grow up in the ridicule of others, despite how loving its parents are, could never be. God did not want same-sex unions, which is why a man cannot reproduce without a woman, and reproduction has to take place for the survival of the human race.
Lee-Anne Butler

Thank you
I would like to thank Bishop Eric for his support in prayer and visitation as well as requesting support in prayer from fellow clergy and parishes. These events have served to confirm my belief in the power of prayer. Each person combining in prayer has assisted in my recovery. I cannot stop thanking each of you as you supported me in my illness. The situation in which I found myself reiterated the fact that we serve a loving God. Through His love I was able to develop the strength to make it through a difficult time.
Jack Bramwell

back to top

Books

The Women's Theology Group in Umtata has released 10 very good booklets each costing only R5. Nine of them are also available in Xhosa.

Women, the Bible and the contemporary church - an introduction to women's theology.

Matriarch, Judge, Foreigner and Liberator - Four women of the Old Testament

The other disciples of Jesus - Women in the New Testament

Towards a theology of sexuality - pregnancy, abortion and contraceptive, rape and battering.

God, our loving parent - Bible studies on AIDS

When two become one - Bible studies on marriage

When two become more - Bible studies on parenting

When one is alone - Bible studies on singleness (not yet available in Xhosa)

When two part ways - Bible studies on separation and divorce

When one grows old - Bible studies on ageing

Send order to: Co-ordinator, Women's Theology Group, P O Box 550, Umtata, 5099.

back to top

What's the purpose?
Palesa Mbele attended the Diocesan Youth Leadership training camp and reports back.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" Prov 3:5-6

The second youth leadership training camp hosted by Youth For Christ (YFC) was once again held at Landela Farm. The question that we, the potential youth leaders had to ponder was: "Why does our ministry exist, and what is the purpose?" We were taught that youth groups are not about numbers, but about purpose. The five Biblical purposes that a youth group should be centred around are: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. The next step was for each church group to prepare their own youth purpose statement and this gave us an idea of why our ministry existed.

Of course, what is an effective youth group without an effectively planned youth group programme? In groups we had to plan and present our own programmes in front of all the leaders and fellow campers.

The whole weekend helped me realise that a youth group functions on team work. The camp was not all work. There was time for relaxation and friendship were relit and fellowship shared.

Thank you once again YFC for a wonderful camp.

back to top

Really cool!
Iindaba prints an edited version of the PEChurchnet Youthforce report by Ashleigh Henderson on the Soul Survivor Conference which was held from 27 to 30 March.

So there I find myself, this near 22 year old, at a youth conference and the first thing that enters my mind is, “What am I doing here? I’m too old for this.” Then I remembered that Mike Pilavachi, the pastor at Soul Survivor, is virtually double my age and so I felt more relaxed.

Port Elizabeth was the third and final leg of Soul Survivor’s tour to South Africa, which was really cool because the best is always saved for last.

Worship was lead by Matt Redman and team. The really amazing part about worship is taking a few moments to think about what you are singing. I mean, what on earth does “Nana nana nana hey” mean? No seriously, we are singing such beautiful songs to a really awesome God and sometimes we don’t actually realise what we are saying because we are too busy having fun.

Then of course there were the High Fibre evening celebrations where God moved sovereignly amongst His people. It is just so amazing to know that God wants to heal people, set them free and equip them to do works for Him. Every message that was brought was so relevant and I just thank the speakers for being so obedient to what the Lord was saying.

The theme for this year’s conference was, “For the audience of one.” In other words, it’s all about God. Mike, with some help from Matt, led a seminar with the same title which was very interesting. It was basically aimed at worship leaders, but although I'm not a worship leader, I learnt a lot from it.

There were also various work-shops which people could attend. The ones I attended were very interesting and very challenging and from what I’ve heard of the other workshops, they were also very good.

Later each evening there were bands doing gigs. They were: The Benjamin Gate; Eminent Child and Tree. So that was that and Soul Survivor came to an end.

My advice to everyone is that you come next year and experience Soul Survivors for yourself!!!

back to top

A time of encouragement
During May Shaun Gouws of PE Church Net attended a meeting by Michael Cassidy and reports.

My wife, Diana, and I were privileged and blessed to be part os a large gathering of ministers, pastors and ssorted Christian workers on Thursday 18 May at Walmer Methodist Church. Dr Michael Cassidy, the Founder of African Enterprise, shared on our place as Christians in a post- modern society - why the world thinks and acts the way it does and what we need to be doing to impact it with the Gospel message. We went away challenged, with much food for thought.

Dr Cassidy’s keynote passage was John 17:8 “As You have sent Me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.” - the words as/so. In a world suffering from “information overload”, we need to go beyond the mere facts of the Gospel message in a vivid demonstration of God’s love to those around us, and by showing them that Christianity really works! He drew our attention to the way this is modelled in Jesus’ own ministry - He was a great story teller. And ultimately history is His Story.

back to top

Page 3

The Bishop's letter

Let every day be Ascension Day

My dear People of God,

In one of her splendid addresses at our recent Synod Prof. Elna Mouton encouraged us to live every day as if it were Ascension Day. What a wonderful challenge and so let me share some thoughts with you as to what that means for me:

1) That Jesus is my King “seated in the heavenly realms far above all rule and authority, power and dominion ... “ (Eph 1:20). This means for me that Jesus has not relinquished His authority and power to the forces in this world that are constantly threatening us, but that every authority and power on earth is subject to Him. I know that at times I get disheartened and discouraged by terrible and violent crimes, the horrible abuse and sadistic rapes which continue relentlessly in our country, that I begin to wonder just who is in control. The ascension of Jesus reminds me day by day, however, that Jesus is Lord and that in Him every knee must bow. There is no power which has authority over Him and while the forces of evil continue to play havoc among us, my Lord is still in control and I must work and witness to make His Lordship more and more evident and acknowledged wherever I am. Jesus is the ultimate authority and power and His will and purpose will prevail but he wants me and you to labour with him so that His Kingdom will come on earth as it is in Heaven.

2) That Jesus is my intercessor and “that He lives to intercede for me” (and you). Heb 7:25 I know that this country was rescued from the brink of disaster in the early 90’s through the prayers of God’s people linked into the ceaseless intercession of Jesus and I know that if we were but joined together again in the same intensity and persistence of prayer, the one who “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Rom 8:34) will again rescue us from the forces of evil which are seeking to break this country down by destroying our moral values. So to live every day as if it were Ascension Day is a reminder to me to pray and to intercede earnestly for this country. Yes, Jesus is there at the right hand of the father interceding, but he is looking for the whole army of the church to join Him in this battle, whose victory is already assured, because He has won it for us!

3) That Jesus is with me because the one who is ascended promised me “and surely I will be with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:20). I don’t have to ask or plead with Jesus to be present with me, but instead I begin each day by praying

“Lord awaken me to your presence
Open my ears to hear your word
Lord awaken me to your presence
Open my eyes to see your coming
Lord awaken me to your presence
Open my heart to receive your love”

We so often ask Jesus to be present with us in our struggles, our pain, our day to day activities and in our areas of need, but He keeps saying “But don’t you remember, before I ascended I promised to be with your always and all I ask is that you will open yourself to receive and know my presence.”

4) That Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me (John 14:3). What an incredible assurance that is which comes to me day by day as I seek to make every day an Ascension Day. My eternal home is not here on earth. I have, with you, a destiny which is way beyond, with the one who is seated in the heavenly realms, because the one who is ascended is the same Lord Jesus of whom Paul says is “ ... Christ in you the hope of Glory” (Col 1:27) and to Him be Glory for ever and ever.

With every blessing.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Eric Pike

back to top

They kept a Promise to God
Fifteen people kept their promise to God and made an extra-ordinary difference to the Christians in Egypt when they returned for a second year writes Charmaine Byron.

“God laid this vision before us to go and support and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, who are such a beacon of light amidst the darkness of persecution,” explained Nicky Bragg, coordinator of the Outreach Mission Group.

The group was led by Kirsten Roux and David Stansbury. Two projects were chosen for the outreach - one of helping a Christian Book shop owner, Joshua, see his vision come true of taking the word out to isolated areas of Egypt; the other to support a Christian Retreat Centre in the middle of the desert. Material for two prayer cells was provided and they are to be called “The Port Elizabeth Rooms”.

The group were involved in intense spiritual warfare and were led to the words of Joshua 1:3 as they prayed into every place (and person) they came in contact with, claiming it, or them, back for the Lord.

Jayne Penrith, of St John’s, commented on the soulless expressions in the people's eyes amidst the bustling influential Egyptian markets, and yet she was taken aback by the joy of the Christians in the Rubbish Dump City of Mokkattam. “The rubbish collectors are filled with the joy of Christ,” she said. This is the area that the cave church, described in the June 1999 issue of Iindaba, is situated.

Members from the five participating churches (Holy Trinity, St John the Baptist, and Trinity Baptist, PE, St Barnabas, Somerset East and All Saints', Middleburg) returned with a renewed vigour to be bold for Jesus. Nick Bragg, in a deeply touching quiet moment with Ruth, Joshua’s wife, felt confirmation that it had been right for the group to have visited Egypt again to encourage the Christians there.

back to top

The View from Pulpit and Pew

Iindaba is sad to record the death last month of Fr Fanico Makwela. Fr Fanico, who was ordained in 1976, took early retirement due to ill health a few years ago. Iindaba extends its condolences to his widow, Angelina, and his family. May he rest in God’s peace.

As can be seen from other reports in Iindaba, our Diocesan Synod was filled with much joy and blessing. There were also some amusing happenings. Fr Christopher Holmes was asked if his Bible could be borrowed - no problem, but he did not expect it to be used to prop up the Bishop’s microphone!

The Intercessory Group made their presence felt during Synod, as they constantly upheld Bishop Eric and all in their prayers. However to show that prayer leads to action, Brenda Hill came to the rescue of some hapless representatives who did not have towels with them. One of the reps from a Parish in the Western Suburbs (Iindaba knows who he is) used his vests on the first morning - he was a grateful recipient of one of Brenda’s towels!

Zwelidumile and Tembeka Tom have moved to St Augustine's, Gqebera, where Zwelidumile has taken up the position of Priest-in-Charge. Iindaba wishes them a happy stay in their new home.

Iindaba is happy to report that Fr Jack Bramwell is now at home after further cardiac surgery. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

On Pentecost Sunday, Bishop Eric blessed the four final panels of the glorious new window at Saint Margaret of Antioch in Summerstrand. In the congregation was Canon Noel Aldridge, former Rector of St Katharine’s in Uitenhage. Fr Noel, who still has jet-black hair, was ordained in 1943, and now lives in retirement in Springs, and was in Port Elizabeth as a guest of Fr John Dunn.

Fr Noel pointed out to Iindaba that clergy never retire, and he is active in a Parish in Springs with an interesting set-up. The lady Rector, who comes from what he calls a ‘good Catholic tradition’, is the wife of a retired Methodist minister, who himself is in the process of being licensed as a Lay Minister in the Parish!

As if one Synod at a time is not enough, two of our Clergy attended not one but two Synods. Fr Ambrose van der Merwe, who also ministers at the North End Methodist Church, and Fr Dudley Greenshields, who is the Rector of the All Saints’ United Church in Somerset East, also attended part of the Methodist Synod, which was taking place at the Walmer Methodist Church.

Much fun was had at the Karoo Auction With A Difference at St Hugh’s last month. It was interesting that none of the Clergy present bid for a weekend living in the Rectory! No aspersions on Fr Rory and Lin Middlecote, but no clergy in their right mind could really relax in a Rectory!

Please note that Saint Saviour’s has been able to shake off the American spelling of their name in their e-mail address.The correct address is stsaviours@isat.co.za

"Like a touch of spring" was what many Synod members described the abundance of beautiful floral arrrange-ments that graced the hall and foyer. Accolades go to Jenny Yates and Daphne Sims-Handcock who worked under very difficult circumstances (no ladder!) to produce such magnificence.

back to top

Page 4

Good news triumphs through two millennia
No matter how bad the news has been over the past two thousand years the Good News has always triumphed over the bad.

Daphne ffolliott's sound and light presentation, "The Man for all Millennia", held at Holy Trinity Church on 14 May, reminded the congregation of this. Throughout the evening Bob Law presented the "Bad News", such as the crucifixion, and Natalie Stear the "Good News", such as the Resurrection, which counterbalanced each event. As the news was read slides depicting the events were shown on the wall.

Interspersed between the newscasting were items of music and drama by the Holy Trinity Singers and ensemble, the choirs of Pearson High School and Riebeek College, Pearson High Marimba band and various guest musicians and song soloists.

This wonderfully uplifting evening was well worth while and the writer looks forward to more presentations of such evenings by Daphne.

back to top

Synod ... and Synod ... and more Synod
The 18th session of Diocesan Synod was held at the Willows Holiday Resort from 26 to 28 May 2000. Iindaba prints a few highlights but suggests readers ask their Synod representatives to lend them the copies of "Synergy 2000" which came out on the Saturday and Sunday.

Back to our Roots
Called to be light and salt in our world, Synod invested time in exploring how the church - bearing the light of Christ - could bring order, stability and hope to a decaying and needy world, writes a roving Synod reporter.

Mcebisi Xundu spoke passionately in presenting the background to the motion on Moral Reconstruction, after Synod had resolved itself into Conference to enable greater participation and expression. David Stansbury pleaded that the scriptures become our starting point and not a justi-fication for our decisions.

The motion calls all parishes to consider seriously again how we engage the world around us with the Good News of Jesus - making a difference not only in individual lives, but in the fabric of our society too.

Each of the seven discussion groups grappled with different issues (such as politics, science, religion, commerce, wealth) and how they relate to the moral decay so evident around us.

Repeated themes threaded through the report-backs from the groups were the call to uphold Biblical standards and values, to teach, to exercise our God-given authority and responsibilities, and that the church itself needs to be a clear witness and example.

This mandate comes to us through the Scriptures and through our Canons. As this motion focuses our collective efforts, may we truly see God’s Kingdom come among us.

The motion was carried

Reparations
Have you ever waited expectantly for something that was due to you, only to be ignored and forgotten?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission worked to identify those who had suffered under the Apartheid regime, and to suggest the reparations they felt should be due to them. Although the government has received the recommendations of the TRC, it is dragging its heels over implementation and this is causing hardship to many people.

This concern, with its pastoral implications, was addressed by Synod, who called upon Bishop Eric to take up with President Thabo Mbeki the delay in awarding repar-ations acknowledgment packages to those victims identified by the TRC.

Mcebisi Xundu told Synod that many people had approached the church with their frustration at the delay. While the TRC process had been a valuable one, the waiting made it difficult for people to find closure and to move on from the pain and loss they had experienced.

Snippets of news and trivia
Millennium Cross
The beautiful Millennium Cross was at Synod and made a wonderful Processional Cross for the Bishop. This will be its purpose once it has been to every church in the Diocese.

Euthanasia
The motion against Euthanasia, brought by Andrew Symes, was passed with no debate taking place.

HIV/AIDS
The second motion on a diocesan HIV policy, brought by Jean Underwood, caused some debate when Maureen Lamb said she was unhappy with the resolution as HIV/AIDS is not a notifiable disease. Mcebisi Xundu proposed an amendment on the issue but it was lost. The original motion was passed.

CUC Churches
When Keith Rae presented the Schedule of Parishes Rory Middlecote asked, on behalf of Dudley Greenshields of All Saints' United Church in Somerset East, that the CUC parishes be included in their respective Archdeaconries. At present there are anomalies that cause problems and the Registrar recommended that the Bishop appoint a committee to look at the rules relating to United Congre-gations and to bring proposals for changes in order that these can be taken to the next Provincial Synod.

As some changes had already been made, the All Saints' United Church representatives were able to be full members, so not only did Synod enjoy the contributions and fellowship of Dudley Greenshields and Alison Brown, but they were also able to lend their full weight to the business of Synod. In this Synod was fortunate to have the perspective of fellow Christians who are living out a broader vision of the Church.

Code of Conduct
This Motion evoked much emotion. Those who had reservations spoke of their sadness that the church felt it needed such a code, but most of the objections were against the requirement for ministers, both lay and clergy, to sign the Declaration. Concern was also expressed over definitions of terms used in the code.

A lighter note, although expressing a very serious point, was brought by Mzwamandla Mzileni when he said it is not always the clergy who are to blame as it is often the parishioner who 'chases the cleric'.

School crisis
The crisis in schools was addressed at Synod and a motion calling for Synod:
to recognize the critical state that obtains in schools that are operating in the historically disadvantaged suburbs was passed.

Synod resolved to:

Encourage parents in these areas to contribute to the school fund so to improve the resources of such schools;

Encourage people to physically, materially and morally support the schools in these areas;

Encourage parishes in the Diocese to adopt a school in these areas.

Lionel Heath, in supporting the Motion, brought to the notice of Synod the National Norms and Standards for School Funding which are to be implemented in this Province - all schools in the Province are to be divided into five groups according to their position on a resource targeting list. The schools in the poorest group will receive the most money per learner (about R200 per learner) and the least poor schools will get the least (about R30).

This money is to cover all running costs (text books, stationery, electricity, water, telephones and maintenance). The amount given will be inadequate to cover all these costs and school committees are going to need to raise funds.

Parishes and competent members in the parish are asked to assist schools in the difficult path ahead.

back to top

IINDABA Vol 11 No 5 - July 2000 *The official gazette of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth* *- Church of the Province of Southern Africa*
Benedict Rules ... OK! Holidays up for grabs Celebrations lasted 24 hours Editor's guest Letters to the Editor Books What's the purpose? Really cool! A time of encouragement The Bishop's letter They kept a Promise to God The View from Pulpit and Pew Good news triumphs through two millennia Synod ... and Synod ... and more Synod	Source: Frankie Simpson (Mrs) Editor "Iindaba", Diocese of Port Elizabeth, P O Box 34992 Newton Park, 6055, South Africa Tel/fax: +27 41 360-6808 (home/office)