IINDABA May 2001  The official gazette of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth  - Church of the Province of Southern Africa
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Previous issues Other Christian News More info about the C.P.S.A. Diocese of Port Elizabeth website	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)

Page 1 Encounter in Egypt Three very different men, who display humility, faith and a proactive approach in the persecuted church of Egypt, touched the lives of 15 men and women from three churches in Port Elizabeth and one in Cradock on a recent ten-day outreach. And they were not the only ones. The warmth, honesty and openness with which the group was received by Christians far outweighed the impressions left by the pyramids and Egypt’s other ancient monuments, reports Debbie Derry. But why Egypt you ask? Why fly from the bottom of the Continent to the top on a Christian mission when there is so much poverty and need on our own doorstep? The answer is simple. In South Africa with all its problems, you may worship freely. In Egypt with 86 per cent of its population Moslem, you may not. On paper freedom of worship exists. In reality, this could not be further from the truth. And so we were there “incognito” - tourists who prayed in Afrikaans with eyes open for those around us to come to know the Lord. It’s a frightening fact that every three seconds a Moslem dies without so much as having heard the name Jesus. We prayed with the hard-pressed Christians too - men and women who quietly yet defiantly laud the name of Jesus. They do so in churches blasted from stone or erected without permission; in homes, caves, on boats, under canvas and even the stars. They worship against many odds. In today’s modern world this is hard to conceive. Egypt today is much like South Africa of yesteryear with its apartheid policies. There is open prejudice. It’s not law but it’s tangible. Christians, for example, may not ride horses; their identification papers carry the word Christian just as ours used to be emblazoned with ‘black’, ‘white’ or ‘coloured’ and they often struggle to find decent employment. Generally then they find themselves in menial or filthy jobs just to eke out a living. The trash collectors of Zabbaleen, commonly known as the Rubbish Dump City, are a case in point. Here thousands of Christians live cheek by jowl recycling the leftovers of Cairo’s 18 million inhabitants. Despite the squalor and stench of their surroundings, however, these people exude the love of the Lord. They simply beam - be it through toothless smiles or shining eyes, their faith is openly apparent. The massive cave church above them, hewn from Mokattam Mountain overlooking Cairo, is further proof of their commitment. The church seats 15 000. It’s full every week. The group travelled far beyond Cairo and its pyramids to various parts of Egypt. The places they visited, however, are not important in terms of the readers’ understanding of Egypt, but the people they met are. They were, and indeed are, jewels of the Nile - men and women who stand tall for the Lord in a country where the Iman’s voice bellows loud and clear everywhere (yes, even at 4am!) These are those men who continue to do the Lord’s work, like the pastor whose flock has never numbered more than 40 in his 20 years of preaching and yet makes plans for the building of a youth centre. Or those who “take permission” be it for building churches, book shops or retreat centres and then ask for forgiveness of the authorities afterwards. Or for those who happily step down from the pulpit in order to reach a village where it needs help most - with health, family life and economic stability. Egypt has many such giants but they need our prayers of constant encouragement. The outreach is the third led by David Stansbury, Rector of Holy Trinity, and Kirsten Roux of St John the Baptist, Walmer. It will not be the last. Responding to a call three years ago to support and encourage the suffering church of Egypt, the group’s presence was so obviously affirmed on the last day of their tour when a group of Christian intercessors shared their vision for Egypt and indeed, Africa. They told of the restoration of Egypt and a coming together from Cape to Cairo in the name of the Lord. “Your coming here from South Africa assures us of a start to that vision,” the leader praised. If you would like to hear more about Egypt and the suffering church, please contact Kirsten Roux at (041) 374 4245.   Last month Iindaba printed a very short note about St Alban’s Chapel being saved from fire and now we print two testimonies. Frances Beckley gives her testimony on ‘Draaifontein’s little miracle.’ Fire had been raging at Draaifontein since late afternoon on Tuesday 12 March. By 05:30 Wednesday morning we had stopped it jumping the road, preventing the blaze carrying on to Blue Horizon Bay. However, it was still burning on the farm though the wind had dropped. Later in the morning gale force winds fanned the flames and the fire was burning everywhere. Everyone battled to keep the flames from the Church as the flames rampaged on. In the evening the wind dropped a little and we went in for a quick bite. Our son, Christopher, got up from the table, went to the kitchen door, and we heard him say, “Oh no.” We all rushed outside. The wind had spun round giving a cyclonic effect, and with a terrifying ‘Whoosh!’ the pines in the horseshoe across the road from the house flared up, sending burning bark and debris high into the air, which the wind brought raining down onto the house and surrounds. Luckily the wind changed to its original course and we could water down the falling debris. The fire continued to burn up towards Sunnybank cottage. We went inside feeling quite helpless, even though we were all praying. Then Tracey ran inside shouting, “Come and see!” We dashed out - Peter was standing with outstretched hands, shouting, “It’s raining!” Not a shower of rain, but big drops of rain were slowly falling and within a couple of minutes those ugly flames were subdued and Peter just said, “This is a miracle.” The fire was not out, of course, but it was under control. This was Draaifontein’s Little Miracle. No one else had rain. . . . and at Surrey Hills, Carol Carter is thankful too Wednesday 14 March was a normal morning until Kit and I went outside at 10 o’clock. We noticed smoke and flames coming from our farm boundary. Then the fire jumped the boundary and started burning towards the house and camps. My thoughts were racing, thinking, “Put the fire out” and I prayed that God would be with us, and it was so wonderful how God brought everyone together - the farmers and neighbours - to put out the fire ... and we’re so thankful that it didn’t get any worse, and we still have our home and families. We were blessed with lovely rains over the weekend.   Taize music brings healing Angela Brown shares thoughts on the Taizé Sevice and testifies to the Lord’s healing her through the music. Taizé, France - This is the village where a community of Brothers lives, focusing their prayer-life on all aspects of reconciliation. St John’s, Walmer - This is the Anglican Church where, on the Monday of Holy Week, several hundred people experienced the Taizé Service in which repetitive chants provide the channel for deep prayer and reflection - reflection on God reconciling himself to us through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus, on the Cross - reflection on the need for reconciliation in the world and the need to take seriously the New Commandment - “Love one another as I have loved you.” It was a moving spiritual experience, whether, (like Bishop Eric and Joyce), one sat in the congregation, or participated as a musician or as a singer in the choir. At the end of the service there was a real sense of having been in the presence of God and under the power of the Holy Spirit - and few in that packed Church, could have gone away without feeling closer to the Glorious God we serve. That was the impact of the Taizé service, but for some of us, the wonderful experience began weeks before, with each choir and music practice. Maureen Lang opened the way for us to understand the beauty and meaning of the Taizé music and Robert Penrith, as the Conductor, walked us gently along that way. There was no doubt that the Holy Spirit was at work at each one of those practices.For me, it was particularly remarkable. The day before one of the practices, while working in my office I had been surprised by an intruder. In God’s strength and in His peace, I was able to go through the events that followed with, as I thought, no after-effects at all. It was only when singing through the beautiful Taizé music and absorbing the words as prayers, that I knew real peace - I hadn’t realised it, God did though - I needed His healing and received it, by His Grace, during that practice. The invitation in the programme for the Taizé Service read: “We invite you to join in with the chants and allow the Holy Spirit to permeate your very being and flow out into the world.” Praise God, that happened! Adoramus Te Domine - We adore You, O Lord. back to top

Page 2 Those were the days While doing some clearing recently Rae Smithers came across an expenses list for catering for an all-day churchwardens meeting held in the early 1970’s. The meeting was held at St Paul’s church and there were 70 people present. Lunch was cold chicken and assorted other cold meats, salad, rolls, peaches and ice cream, tea and coffee ... and the cost per head was a mere 70 cents. Of course, when one looks at: a total of R15,78 for 12 chickens (one is lucky to get one chicken for that today, let alone 12 of them), 7lt milk @ 29c, 5 doz eggs @ 47c and 15 tins of peaches @ 36c one realises why. Yes, those were the days.   Ibhayi Prayer Tower The churchwardens of St Barnabas report that on Wednesday 4 April the dedication service of the Ibhayi Prayer Tower took place in the church hall. St Barnabas church in Sydenham is playing host to this non-denominational prayer tower whose members intercede from Monday to Friday between the hours of 09h00 and 16h00. During this time supplication is made for the church and the unsaved. Prayer is on a macro-spiritual basis as opposed to specific ministries or personal issues. "However, we do need intercessors who feel called to this ministry to join us. We also need financial assistance and we will be praying for ministries who support us, but we do not replace each ministry's own responsibility for intercession," they said. "Firstly our prayers cover Port Elizabeth and then the Eastern Cape and finally the whole of South Africa. Anyone wanting to know more about this ministry is asked to contact Roelof - fax: (041) 581 1748 or e-mail: prayer.tower@webmail.co.za   Your letters Haven report response I liked the article on the two boys from the House of Resurrection Haven. What I found really surprising is that you think anti-retro drugs are unnecessary. Not that I have an informed opinion either way but the press and doctors seem to think that they are vital. Maybe you can do a for and against article about the Aids drugs. Although I hope that you too subscribe to the belief that HIV does not cause AIDS. Danielle George Iindaba asked Jean Underwood, Matron of the Haven to reply: In reply to Danielle’s letter, I would like to make the following comments: It is unfortunate if Danielle deduced from your article that the Haven thinks anti-retro viral drugs are unnecessary, as we do acknowledge the important role these drugs play in the management of PWAs (People living with AIDS) especially in the 1st world countries where HIV/AIDS can be managed like any other chronic condition. We do however, have reservations about the distribution of toxic medication in the absence of effective monitoring systems such as medical supervision, laboratory systems, counselling, etc. These are certainly not freely available in the Eastern Cape. These drugs not only cause side effects, but must be continued for as long as the patient lives. They do not “cure” AIDS and courses that are discontinued and recommenced carry a high risk of developing resistant strains of HIV. We at the House of Resurrection Haven have found over the past six years that malnutrition, lack of hygiene and poor psychological emotional support contribute mostly to the declining health of PWA’s - pneumonia, TB, STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and diarrhoeal infections are the most common causes of death and can all be treated. However, financing for treatment is also not always available. Being a non-profit organisation, we took the route of managing the basic needs of someone living with a compromised immune system. Firstly, we encourage a balanced, low-fat, sugar yeast diet, supplemented with a high soya intake and micro-nutrients. Added to this we use local herbal antioxidants and natural foods that will boost the immune system. Personal hygiene, clean water, rest and counselling are a daily requisite and PWA's are taught to take control of their health so that they return to a full and productive life. If all the millions suffering from malnutrition were fed, had a dry warm place to live, water and toilets, I would also say: “Yes, let’s try anti-retrovirals”. So far our PWAs do very well the natural way at very little cost. Yours sincerely, Jean   In town recently Many members of the diocese will remember John and Kay Morison who ministered here before returning to the UK about 18 years ago. John and Kay were visiting friends in PE at the beginning of April and Iindaba managed a quick interview with them. John said that, although he had retired, he was still involved in parish and wider church ministry. Kay is still a Lay Minister and is the parish organiser for Christian Aid which is an NGO that cares for the less fortunate members of society. They sent greetings to all the folk of the diocese who remember them and say that part of them will always be in South Africa.They are living in Poole in the County of Dorset, which is on the central south coast of England, and ministering at All Saints', Branksome Park, where the Rector is a very good friend of theirs. They are also thrilled that they are now living close to their daughter Jill and their grandchildren who live in Wimbledon. John continues his work as advisor to the Church Mission Society and is also in a management capacity on Natural Church Development (a way of evaluating where a church is at. The church evaluates itself on eight categories then seeks to strengthen the weakest areas and so bring all round growth). back to top

Page 3 Bishop Bethlehem writes ... My dear People of God, Greetings in the Name of Christ, our Saviour and Lord! Coming to Port Elizabeth The news of our coming to PE has been received with mixed feelings - joy and sadness. Joy because the Lord affirms us further in our ministry, and you have successfully listened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the Elective Assembly. You have found a leader for the diocese. Well done! Sadness because it is far from feeling enjoyable to part with your acquaintances. We have made friends in the Diocese of Grahamstown. The time to say goodbye has come. It’s not nice! I do wish to thank the Ven Leon Foster and the Revd John Goliath for availing themselves in order to facilitate the process of finding, under God’s guidance, a leader for our diocese. May the good Lord bless them abundantly and grant them fruitful ministry in years to come. Remember, we are co-workers to build God’s kingdom by making Christ known to many. The Beginnings It is my wish to share with you my humble beginnings. I was born in the province at Sentubi Administrative Area, in the district of Engcobo. My father, Bention Manekwana, was called to eternal rest thirty years ago. My mother, Sennah Notalente, is eighty-two years old, living with my elder brother at Sentubi. There are seven of us - four brothers and three sisters.I came to faith very early in life under the guidance of the late Fr Alfred Beresford and Fr Hannington Gcanga of All Saints’ Parish in Engcobo. I come from the Amaqwati tribe, under Tembus. Before I finished primary education, I knew that I would be a priest one day. Yet the thought of being a bishop was far too remote. My Christian life has been influenced by various traditions. While I grew up under the Anglo-Catholic tradition in the strictest sense, the Clarkebury Methodist Institution near Idutywa and the Dutch Reformed Church of Dicoligny near Umtata have prepared me for ecumenism. I was exposed to their form of worship to the extent of leading their forms of worship myself. Coupled with these influences was the Students’ Christian Movement (SCM). The latter exposed me not only to a charismatic way of worship in the Spirit, but also to various known characters, such as Cyril Ramaphosa, Revd Frank Chikane and Bishop Mvume Dandala, to name but a few. It was only in 1977 after a two-year teaching career and three year SCM work that I finally took a plunge into training for the ministry of the church at St Bede’s, Umtata. I have studied through the Universities of South Africa and Glasgow. Mazoe studied at Queens College, Glasgow and the University of Transkei. She is with the Education Department as an Home Economics Subject Adviser. Pray with us as we seek her transfer to PE. Mazoe and I got married on the 31 December 1976. God has blessed us with three children - Lwazi, who is in Sandton, just having passed the CA examinations; Siviwe, at PE Technikon, in Civil Enginnering; and Unathi, in Grade 11 at DSG in Grahamstown. Finally - We intend moving to the diocese early in July. The enthronement is on the 28 July at 10h00. You will be informed of the venue in due course by the relevant people. Friends, pray for us as we pray for you. With our very best wishes and blessings, Bishop Behlehem Nopece   Exodus Initiative - Covenanting Service and launch This was a fantastic event for the Christian Church in Port Elizabeth, reports PE Churchnet. Although about 300 people were expected, over 400 attended the service o Sunday afternoon 25 March. Exodus Initiative seeks to get various churches in any given community to work together for powerful and effective social change. Before the service, there were 18 congregations committed to this process. During the service a further eight churches paid membership dues and joined the covenant pledge. This created great excitement. Building on this excitement the Chairman of the organisation, Pastor Lance Kock, challenged the member Churches, “It is only natural that out of this pledge, each member Church should work to gain influence amongst ourselves and then amongst the communities we serve. A successful Church is a growing Church.” This followed on from Bishop Mike Coleman of the Roman Catholic Church. He said in his address to the meeting, “It is excellent to see the new life created in the Church when we all bring our different talents together. It is excellent to see how Exodus Initiative has brought so many denominations and cultures together in this service, and this good work.” The meeting also acknowledged the fact that Bishop Eric Pike of the Anglican Church had a very important role in raising $45 000 for the organisation through channels in the United States of America. It was therefore appropriate that Bishop Coleman concluded, “Do not give up the habit of doing this good.” he mayoral representative, Councillor Charmaine Williams, said that the Nelson Mandela Metro council and the Mayor, Mr Faku, were particularly excited to see a church-based community organisation coming to the fore. She said, “Please feel free to knock on our door at any time and we will open it.” The congregation gave applause as she continued to say the council is looking forward to building a positive working relationship with Exodus Initiative. For further Information: Steven Lancaster between 8.30am and 1pm at (041) 453 7590 Reverend Terence Faltein (Lead Organizer) at (041) 453 7590 or 082 695 7226 Pastor Lance Kock (Chairman) at (041) 365 1467 or 083 261 7229   40 Hour Famine Tanya Bennetts, National World Vision SA 40:hF Organiser, has issued the following challenge and it is not too late for readers to take it up. Challenge your youth (and the young at heart) to “Give Up, to Give Out” for the World Vision 40-Hour Famine! (40:hF) - 11 to 13 May 2001. If these dates don't suit you please chose others as close to this as possible and let me know. The 40:hF is a campaign which challenges young people to make a difference by giving up solid food for 40 hours to raise awareness and funds for poor and hungry children in South Africa. This campaign challenges schools, youth groups, youth clubs and churches to experience the hunger pangs that many of South Africa’s children endure everyday. It’s a chance to empathise with those in need. All you have to do is register your group, get as many people to sponsor your group and have fun by running activities during the 40:hF weekend, 11- 13 May. Be part of a movement of young people in our country that are saying yes to “Give Up, to Give Out”. For more info call the Famine Hotline on 086 011 2001 or e-mail us at 40hf@wvi.org or visit www.wv.org.za and complete the on-line registration form. Register your group now! The sooner you register, the sooner we can send you your Famine Kit so you can start getting ready for the 40:hF. Do it for your Nation’s sake! PS: If your group can’t give up food for 40 hours, they can give up some other luxury like electricity or running water instead.   The view from Pulpit and Pew v ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ - so goes the title of a book of a family with 12 children. However it’s certainly not cheaper having 12 grandchildren! Bishop Eric and Joyce were in Port Elizabeth last month to see their 12th grandchild - a boy - Callan - who was born on 31st March to their daughter Carmen and her husband Mark Wesson, and a brother for Joshua. v Some Clergy moves are in the air. As mentioned in the April Iindaba, Gary Griffith-Smith, Priest-in-Charge of the Alexandria Parish has left for New Zealand. Sipambo Ludidi, who with Gary was Priest-in-Charge of the Parish has now been appointed Rector; whilst Terry Beadon, a Self-supporting Priest at St Hugh’s in Newton Park has been appointed Assistant Priest, and is now in the stipendiary ministry. Iindaba congratulates them both on these appointments. v Ralph McGuigan is to be instituted as Rector of St Cuthbert’s on Sunday 13 May at 18h00. Ralph and Margaret are sad to have left the Sundays River Valley, but are no doubt enjoying being back in the Big City! Sunday 13 also happens to be Mothers’ Day. Iindaba commends to the prayers of its readers the Parishes of the Sundays River Valley and St Simon of Cyrene - both without clergy at present. Pray that suitable incumbents be found for these members of the Diocesan family. v Roy Snyman, the previous Rector of St Mary’s, was seen at the Taizé evening at St John’s - looking years younger after two months in retirement. However, retirement is not a permanent state as he will soon be going to Mossel Bay to look after a Parish there. With Sidwell Thelejane - also a retired priest from this Diocese in the George Diocese as well, and with their new Dean originally from this Diocese, it would seem that George has a particular relationship with this Diocese. Johannes Hardnick, who has just moved to Queenstown from this Diocese, also spent some time in the George Diocese. v George Wood, a previous Rector of Christ-the-King, visited Port Elizabeth recently. As always, George was on a continental-hopping trip visiting his daughters and their families scattered around the globe. Claire - the youngest - has recently been appointed the Director of Women’s Tennis for Wimbledon, and also manages all women’s tennis tournaments in Europe. v Susan Holmes, wife of Christopher, Rector of St Francis Xavier in Kabega Park, is recovering from recent surgery in St George’s Hospital. Iindaba wishes her a speedy recovery. v Some members of the Diocese sometimes have problems pronouncing the name of our Metropolitan Njongonkulu. At the Elective Assembly, one Priest from the northern parts of the Diocese stumbled over his name, to which His Grace replied that others have also had such a problem. At one service, the pray-er said “And we pray for... pray for... that Bishop over there!” On another occasion he was referred to as “Jonah Lomu our Metropolitan!” v Iindaba Announced their engagement, and now has pleasure in congratulating Steven Lancaster and the former Joy Brooks on their marriage on Easter Saturday. May they have much joy and many blessings in their life together. Steven is the older son of Howard and Sheila, and Joy is the younger daughter of Eleanor and the late Peter. back to top

Page 4 God works in a mysterious way Miracles still happen today, and Genny Walthew shares one that took place at the beginning of Eastertide. Shirley Rands, a parishioner of St Paul’s Church in Parson’s Hill, knows the truth of the words of Ps 144:2 “He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge.” When she arrived home from Bible Study on the Wednesday evening before Lent, the house was in darkness as her husband, Michael, was at a meeting. She parked in the driveway, switched off the engine, and as is her custom, she put the car key in the little gap around the ignition lock to keep it safe while she collected her books. However, as she was getting out, her spectacle case dropped on the floor of the car. She bent down to retrieve it and, as she looked up, she saw a dark figure of a man approaching down the drive. Calling out, “What do you want? I have nothing for you,” she quickly sat down inside the car. There was no reply, but the man kept walking towards her. In a panic, Shirley tried to start the car, but her hands were shaking so much, and it was so dark in the car that she couldn’t find the keyhole. By this time the man had reached the car and was looking directly at her through the front window. “Please Lord, help me,” Shirley prayed, and that instant the car started. She says that under normal circumstances she has to look out of her window to reverse out of the narrow drive, but on this occasion the window was still closed and yet the car reversed in record time. She raced away, and then drove around the block very slowly. By the time she judged it safe to return the man had left, but to be on the safe side, she parked in the street under the street lamp. When she looked down to remove the car key, she found it still hanging by its tip in the gap around the ignition lock. “There is no way that car could have started on its own,” Shirley says, “God must have started it for me, and guided me out of the drive. There is no other explanation for it.” God does indeed work in mysterious ways His wonders to perform   Short but touching ceremony Such is an apt description of the manner in which the Eucharist at St David’s Bushman’s River closed on Sunday 25 March 2001, writes Peter Bowen. The Chapelwardens received as a gift to the Chapelry a beautifully crafted brass processional cross, which the late Revd Walter Parry de Winton Kitcat, had brought with him as a gift from his former parish of St Matthew’s, Buckley, England, when he came to South Africa in 1903. Born in the year 1874, Walter Kitcat always had a yen to come to “darkest Africa”. Ten years parish work in the Cape did not satisfy him, and he twisted Episcopal arms until he found himself spending a thirty year stint in Transkei’s Cala parish. He never did learn to drive a motor car. His faithful “one horsepower” steed would take him on far flung visitations which sometimes took him away from home for a week at a time. His closing years were spent at St Batholomew’s Church in Grahamstown until his death in 1959. Former St Paul’s students recall being asked to serve for Walter in the CR Sister’s Chapel at Grahamstown Training College. Standard instruction for new servers was “Do not under any circumstances close your eyes to pray - just watch Fr Kitcat like a hawk and catch him if he falls!” Such was a man who served God until he dropped”. The cross was donated jointly by two of Walter’s ‘children’ - Wally Kitcat and sister Maud, both of whom sing in the St David’s choir, with Wally, a well known EP Veteran Squash player, also a Lay minister. Another son, John Kitcat was well known for years as a Rhodesian Rugby fullback, knocking on the door for Springbok honours. The Kitcats explained that the family had always kept the cross for handing over should any other member of the family be called to the Priesthood. Sister Maud Kitcat was for a great many years on the staff of Settlers’ Hospital where in her time she ‘delivered half the children in the Albany District’. An acquaintance said of her “A real salt of the earth and leaven in the lump type of Christian - lots of activity - no noise!”   Amusing extracts from parish records While trying to work out how his great-grandfather Wignall Akeroyd, had his surname recorded as Aykroyd, Peter Bowen discovered that extracts from parish records can be very amusing. The Revd Patrick Bronte, made famous by the literary prowess of his well known daughters, spent a lifetime as Vicar of Howarth on the Yokshire moors. Judging from the parish registers of his day, very few parishioners could read and write. Thus it was that this Irish born priest had to bend his ear to discover what the broad Yorkshire dialects of his parishioners were trying tell him. This seems the only explanation for a family with the surname Boocock, being penned as Bowcock a few pages further on. Likewise the surname Pickles later is rendered as Pighills. Peter says that in the Humansdorp parish registers is a man with the surname of Fondavestazon - one can picture an early Rector - a “rooinek Engelsman” as Humans-dorpers would have said behind his back, trying to work out how to spell the surname of an illiterate van der Westhuizen. Similarly, African parishioners would come knocking at the rectory door asking for copies of their Baptism Certificates. After hours of searching for a surname such as Oliphant or Grootboom, the rector would eventually discover same, but listed in the register as “Ndlovu” or “Mtimkulu” (the Xhosa equivalent). The applicants would simply shrug shoulders and say “dis mos dieselfde”, and wonder why the rector was such a silly idiot not to have known! One former rector of Middelburg was surprised at the numbers of little ones brought to baptism, for whom the given name was “Baby”. When he enquired, the parents would say that the name had not been their choice, but the hospital’s. The child would come home already named and tagged - “Baby Swartbooi” or whatever!   Taking records seriously Peter Bowen writes to say that nothing pleases him more than to discover the CPSA taking its parish records seriously. In later life, people want to know “who am I?” “From where do I come?” On his last trip to the UK he spent countless hours looking up ancestral roots. The Mormon Headquarters in Kensington have millions of names on Computer and Microfiche. Some are directly from the UK census returns going back to the 1800s. Others are copied (not too well) from those parish records that have been made available to them. Peter worked in County records offices in Trowbridge, Bradford, Durham and Chelmsford. The computers were fully occupied all day - up to forty people at a time doing their research in every place. One has to book in advance and often one is given a maximum time limit, depending on pressure. Genealogy has become a national pastime, and vast numbers of people have found remunerative occupation in tracing records on behalf of applicants from elsewhere. It is all a matter of knowing where to look. In most places, folk had first to hand in all parcels and packages, and only blank paper and pencils were allowed. Head of Port Elizabeth’s Genealogical Society has explained why, “Some folk try to alter their ancestral records, or even cut them from the registers, leaving an empty space on the other side of the page.” Why should people do such a thing? Well, Peter Bowen was looking up his great grandfather’s baptism in Haworth parish Church in 1837 and found that the famous Revd Patrick Bronte had filled in hundreds of baptismal; records with the word “Bastard”. Warren and Gloria Morris are doing a great work sorting out the Diocesan archives and need to be assisted and supported by parishes.   Retired bliss? Not really retired bliss ... just as Fr Roy Snyman TSSF thought he would be enjoying ice cream, lollipops, rugby and candyfloss, he's been called to help out at a parish in Mossel Bay in the Diocese of George. back to top Previous Issues: April 2001 January 2001 December 2000 October 2000 September 2000 July 2000 Current issue

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