The official newsletter of the Diocese of Cape Town (Anglican Church of Southern Africa ACSA) Happy retirement to our Dean of Studies Well, it’s been quite a journey, these past few years! When most people, at around 60 or so, are thinking of slowing down, I had to “up my game”, as Bishop Garth ap- pointed me Dean of Studies. Initially this PAGE 3 was part-time, then two years later full- FROM THE time. Thus, since 2008 I have served in BISHOP’S DESK this capacity. These have been exciting years as the Team – colleagues working with me in the Fellow- ship of Vocation, Central Tutorial Days, Post Ordination Training, Continuing Ministerial Education, and Lay Training arenas, sought to offer creative and substantial guid- PAGE 4 ance for those involved. I am grateful for CHRISM MASS AT the foundations laid for TEFT by Frs John ST GEORGE’S Stubbs and Karl Groepe. I am appreciative CATHEDRAL of the support and fellowship of colleagues who have worked tirelessly and selflessly in all the sectors of TEFT. I must acknowledge the particular role Brigette Moses played as Administrator un- til she was redeployed due to the restruc- turing of the Diocesan Office. Brigette was PAGE 5 like a “mother” to anyone and everyone UCT HONOURS who came to the office. She “connected” FELLOW ANGLICAN with TEEC and other organisations as- sociated with TEFT. She was the voice of welcome, help, information, reason, and guidance to many who phoned or visited. Thank you Brigette; blessings be upon you. To everyone at Zonnebloem, thanks for the fellowship and fun. I want to thank my colleagues in the wider PAGE 6 Diocese for their fellowship over the years, AD LAOS: for electing me as Canon, and for the many ARCHBISHOP THABO invitations to share in the ministry of Word SPEAKS and Sacraments. This has been an unal- loyed joy, for it has enabled me to engage first hand with what is happening in the Diocese and to work with some dedicated FAITH JOURNEY: Top - The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, the Rt Revd and effective people at the coal-face of Garth Counsell and the Ven Horace Arenz lay hands of prayer on the ministry. Good things are happening even Revd Dr Jim Harris. Bottom - Father Jim, his wife Jeanette and fam- though they are not often seen or heard of. ily with Archbishop Thabo and Bishop Garth at his Diocesan farewell PAGE 7 held at Zonnebloem Chapel on 25th March 2015. continues on page 2 MRS CECELIA Photos: Rebecca Malambo ERFORT TURNS 100! VOL 65VOL NO. 6303 NO. 05 FIRST FIRST PUBLISHED PUBLISHED 20 20DECEMBER DECEMBER 1950 1950 MARCH 2013 MAY 2015 Page 2 THE GOOD HOPE MAY 2015 CLASSIFIEDS Editorial THE GOOD HOPE ‘Shalom’: Peace be unto you! Editor: Rebecca Malambo The word peace signifies harmony, reconciliation and concord among other. Jesus said he would not Address: give us the peace of the world as it is inconsist- The Good Hope ent. Instead He promised the Peace of God which PO Box 1932, CONSTANTIABERG is the essence of salvation, safety, tranquility and FUNERAL HOME wholeness. What more can we ask for? We have Cape Town 8000 Tel: 021 469 3766 Preferential prices. an obligation to continue the work of Jesus in our witness and worship. Our country is experiencing Fax: 021 465 1571 24 hour service unrest through xenophobic violence and campaigns High ethical standards as member of for the removal of apartheid- era statues. Many peo- E-mail address: National Funeral Directors Assoc SA ple are silent on both accounts but we as Christians [email protected] have an obligation to spread the Good News and be 85 Kenilworth Road, Kenilworth like Mary Magdalene who became the Apostle to the Printed by: (cnr Rosmead Avenue) Apostles. We can’t be silent. 021 671 2400 Love and Light, Rebecca Alan Lindhorst Tony Wyllie & Co. EVENTS AND NOTICES Funeral Home FUNDRAISING the three Dioceses (Cape Town, False Bay Personal and Dignified Masked Ball: St George’s Silvertown will and Saldanha Bay). Save the date, 6th 24 hour service host the above at the Athlone Civic Centre June 2015. More information to follow. on 15th May 2015. The band in attend- 469 Voortrekker Rd ance will be Cool Sounds and the price is Retreats at Riversong Cottage Villiersdorp: Need to rest, reflect and be refreshed? (Vil- Maitland R100 per ticket. The dress code is smart. liersdorp, only 115 km from CT) Oppor- Tel: 021 593 8820 The ball commences with a cheese and wine in the foyer from 19h00 - 01h00. tunities for: Stillness - to “be”, listen and Bring your own xyz and platter. For more pray. Safe space to talk and share. Spir- 48 Main Rd information contact the parish office at itual Companionship /Direction, Walks and Muizenberg 021 633 3915. sleep. Absorbing beauty, and bird watch- Tel: 021 788 3728 ing. Come away for a Quiet Day or a few Car boot sale: St Cyprians, Retreat will be quiet days on your own, with a friend, or as member of the NFDA hosting the above each month from 08h00 a small group. Contact: Chris and Donella - 13h30. The charge is R50 per space. The Young Email: [email protected] next date is 30th May 2015. For more in- Website: www.riversongretreats.co.za formation contact Craig at 0823231799. Facebook: Retreats at Riversong Cottage Anglican Prayer Beads Landline: 028 8400841 Wonderful gift! Call Marlene at Green Anglican Carnival: a joint event for 072 841 7421 for more information. Happy Retirement to our Dean of Studies from page 1 To Bishop Garth, Archbishop Thabo, and members of Chapter, it has been a privilege to serve with you at this level. It has been so instructive and I learned so much from you all. To my family, thanks for “releasing” me over the years for this work. To God be the glory. And what’s the future? I’m doing some teaching, helping where I can with services (I have a PTO), and taking the occasional tour to wine es- tates. So, not too busy but not twid- dling my thumbs either! - The Revd Dr Jim Harris Psalm 145:9 “The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation.” THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF CAPE TOWN Page 3 From the Bishop’s Desk “Becoming a Word of God” Easter Paradox: As we continued Quiet Day at Schoenstatt our joyful Easter celebrations focus- sing on the post-resurrection ap- On Thursday 9th April 2015, Bishop Chris- pearances of our risen Lord, I found topher Gregorowski led a Quiet Day for the myself unable to shake off the nag- Diocesan and Bishopscourt Staff. He beauti- ging dismay and perplexity I felt as the statistics of fully unfolded the Resurrection in the Gospel the carnage on our South African roads once again of John allowing us to listen, reflect and think painted its horrific annual picture. Nearly 300 peo- deeply. ple perished in what, for the most, were probably avoidable “accidents”. Despite all the appeals, We were challenged to listen to God’s voice warnings and campaigns around road safety, this is and hear Him by receiving His blessing and about 100 more than in 2014. So while we joyfully hearing His call at Schoenstatt – the House of sang our Alleluias and announced that “Christ has Prayer. We were given the freedom to walk in risen from the dead,” thereby inviting the world to the garden and be still, allowing God to come join us in celebration and thanksgiving, in at least as He chooses to come, and opening ourselves 300 South African homes the dark clouds of sorrow so that we can recognize Him. and grief resulting from the untimely and unneces- sary death of loved ones hovered heavily, providing little cause for joy and celebration. At His Resurrection Jesus revealed himself to A paradox indeed. At the time when the gospel calls us to celebrate and affirm life, so his disciples – the ones he loved. He appeared many have again been forced to deal with the cold, harsh reality of death. I kept asking to John in his simplicity; to Mary Magdalene in myself, “Why, what can WE do? – How can WE make a difference so that the carnage her grief and to His disciples in various ways. on our roads, especially at times like Easter, is stopped?” We were challenged whether we are ready to recognize Jesus especially when at our great- Firstly, despite the gloomy scenario depicted in my reflections NOTHING, not even the est need. truth of this paradox, can negate the reality and power of the Easter message that stands at the very heart of our Christian faith. Through his suffering, death and resurrection The Quiet Day was thought provoking and al- Christ has overcome and conquered every circumstance, challenge, tragedy or loss we lowed us to use our senses in our quiet time. The sense of sight and sound were prominent may be confronted by. We should not ever allow our sense of awareness and compas- in the creation around us. With squirrels play- sion towards those caught in the grip of such pain and loss to be dulled by the repetitive ing in the trees, birds chirping and the beauty regularity of such statistics. As God’s Easter people we can, and must, hold out to others and calmness of Schoenstatt – what a privi- the message of our Lord’s compassionate love, of hope instead of despair, joy instead of lege it was! sorrow and life instead of death.