First Edition, 2016 Vol. III No.9

Anglican Parish of St Francis Parkview

Lent Journey Diminutive 2016 pg 22 church Canon brings big heart By their fruits ye to ministry shall know them Pg 4 pg 22 Rescued by an Angel Changes come about in our Pg 17 Diocese Pg 23

A Season of Easter

Image credit: christianity.about.com The Franciscan

Contents 1. Diminutive church Canon brings big heart to ministry 4 2. Forgotten World 5 3. Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba's pastoral letter on same-sex unions 6 4. St Francis to tee off again on 6 May 8 5. Amazing Grace enthrals the audience 10 6. Upcoming Events: Church Diary 10 7. Using up the fat and milk before Lent 11 8. Happy Christmas spirit prevails at lunch for homeless 12 9. Youth conference planned on body image and self esteem 13 10. The Synod of Bishops recalls tough times past and looks ahead at social media use 14 11. What is Choral Evensong? 14 12. Four new members make for new-look parish council 15 13. Moving music marks Easter 15 14. St Francis Financials 16 15. Rescued by an Angel 17 16. Two babies welcomed into Christ’s fold during happy baptisms at St Francis 18 17. A Lenten Reflection 19 18. Lent Journey 2016 20 19. By their fruits ye shall know them 22 20. AD CLERUM: Changes come about in our Diocese 23

21. Seen and Heard 24

Editor Editorial and Photographs Mike Williams Sue Jordaan Maria Frahm-Arp Typesetting layout and creative Sue Alexander Mike Williams Terri Miller Ruth Coggin Mike Honnet

Melissa Malgas Theo Coggin Yvette Angoma Communication Consultant Bart Cox Theo Coggin Owen Franklin Editorial

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March 2016

One of the touching legends that sprang up around the holy memory of St Francis of Assisi tells how one day the saint walked up to an almond tree and said: Sister, speak to me of God; and the almond tree blossomed. This story in its way defines the best hopes of every Christian, for we have all heard the world address the same demand to us; sometimes shamefacedly, sometimes bluntly, sometimes subtly but always insistently, the world keeps saying: speak to me of God, do for me as Christ would. This then should be our deeply cherished hope: that we should respond as beautifully, as dramatically as did the almond tree. That is to say, we must project our life as a pursuit of excellence so that the sheer strength and beauty of our life and work,

our achievements, www.allartclassic.com Imagecredit: our thought and speech will speak loudly and clearly to the world of God. From Reflections ...path to prayer

by Fr James Turro

3 The Franciscan Diminutive church Canon brings big heart to ministry

In response to requests to know more about the folk who play leading roles at St Francis, The Franciscan will run a series of articles on our priests, church wardens and other office bearers in coming issues. Our first article, written by Theo Coggin, tells us about the person who has been a bastion of strength in the parish since our rector left us at the end of November last year. As this article makes clear, Cynthia Botha brings several gifts in her work as assistant priest at St Francis.

Small in stature, but big in heart. conference. College. Then she worked for a Only seven words – a good “I went, and I was lay person, Emma Mashinini, biblical number – but perhaps accepted.” who established a new office in exceedingly appropriate for That was the beginning of the Anglican Church as director Canon Cynthia Botha and the an exciting journey for Cynthia of justice and reconciliation in enormous amount of work she which has resulted in her the late 1980s. But her has put into St Francis since spending twenty years at St assumption of this post with Ms taking over the lion’s share of the Francis after ministries Mashinini co-incided with ministerial load since our rector, elsewhere. another seminal moment in Tim Gray, retired at the She slotted in to ministry Cynthia’s life as she became beginning of December. alongside Tim quite easily. She publishing secretary for the Cynthia was made deacon had first got to know him Church of the Province. in 1986, coming from a because the deacon’s course she She never looked back as background in which she had had attended had been at she excelled in that work and never actively sought out the Auckland Park, where Tim was has worked her way to a point ministry. It is clear that as an rector at the time. where she is now the full-time active member of the Anglican Cynthia’s experience in the publishing secretary of the community at Coronationville, church, as is her work at present, Anglican Church of Southern she had always felt a call to serve is far wider than serving a Africa, with responsibility for in the church. Commitment to parish. She began working for publishing and liturgical matters Christ was something deep in her the Church of the Province, as it being just some of her work. heart. was then called, when she was In the late 1980s she was “I’d always been involved appointed secretary to Father heavily involved in the – as a Sunday school teacher, Njongonkulu Ndungane in 1983. development of the new Prayer then in the youth, and then as a Those were seminal years in the Book which was published in lay minister. But I had never church’s witness against the six languages in 1989. It is now approached anyone with the naked sin of apartheid, and published in nine – a testament specific thought of becoming Cynthia came to know many of to Cynthia’s resolute ordained.” the Anglican personalities – as commitment to her work. Of course, in those days women well as those in our sister Her work in the publishing entering the ministry was still denominations – who were field has also seen her gaining somewhat novel in the Anglican involved in witnessing against international experience as she church in South Africa. Indeed, apartheid. serves on the liturgical there were many who frowned on She worked for Father committee of the Anglican the practice – sadly there still are! Njongo, as he then was – he was Communion – a responsibility But Cynthia’s priest at the time, to go on to become the that takes her away every now Father Eddie Daniels, had spotted successor as Archbishop of and again to interesting parts of the many gifts that Cynthia had Cape Town to Desmond Tutu – the world where she meets and she found herself invited to until he left to become principal Anglicans of different cultures attend the discernment of the St Bede’s Theological

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March 2016 and backgrounds. Kannemeyer, has chosen her years of ministry was to Cynthia regrets none of her Cynthia to be the preacher at his pause at some time and go twice journey. consecration in early April. to Assisi. “It is wonderful to serve the Quietly spoken Cynthia “These were formative times Lord,” she says. Cynthia did not may be. But behind it all is a in which we did all the things one go to theological college per se, pastoral care for those she would expect in such a visit. But but did a BA at Wits majoring in serves as a self-supporting priest they were also important for us to biblical studies, and then an at St Francis. see where St Francis lived and to honours degree. That pastoral care is well realise what an amazing person Church history was an illustrated in her love for her he was.” important part of her studies as family, and not least her mother, And St Francis of Assisi she completed a BTh at Unisa. many of whom carry of their Parkview? Quietly spoken, Cynthia own lay ministries at St Francis. Given all Cynthia’s brings both a prophetic and St Francis of Assisi, our experiences, she concludes that it knowledgeable in her preaching. patron saint, plays an important is a parish which provides for a It is not surprising therefore that role in Cynthia’s life. Her liberating ministry to all of God’s

the new Bishop of Pretoria, Allan greatest happiness, she says, in people, whoever they may be. Image credit: witspress.co.za Imagecredit: By Mike Williams between 1500 and 1820. They rivers. The soil on the terraces is housed a substantial population, volcanic in origin and so is richly organized vast amounts of fertile The first talk of the year took labour for infrastructural The inhabitants were place in February, and the development, and displayed connected to a trading system speaker was Prof. Peter Delius. extraordinary levels of which linked them to the coast of Peter grew up in Johannesburg agricultural innovation and Mozambique and to the wider and studied at London productivity. world of Indian Ocean Trade University. Typically, the settlements beyond. Early in the nineteenth After a period doing research consisted of a series of cattle century the settlements were at Oxford, he took up a post in kraals surrounded by a circle of overrun and plundered by more the Wits History Department. dwelling structures and storage aggressive neighbouring tribes. The title of his talk was ‘Bokoni facilities. Terraces were also None of the settlements has been – forgotten world retrieved or an constructed, following the declared a historical site. historical treasure trove contours of the hills, sometimes Peter’s latest book, co- squandered?’ several kilometres in length, and authored by Tim Maggs and Alex Very few people know much used for cultivating grain and Schoeman, is entitled The about these extensive settlements vegetables. Forgotten World – the on the Mpumalanga escarpment, They were also a means of Stonewalled Settlement of how and when they were created, managing rain water efficiently, Mpumalanga Escarpment. It is and why today they are deserted and could be used to contain available at the Wits Press. and largely ignored. The settlements defy the Congratulations to Bart Cox – this marks the usual stereotypes about backward African farming methods. They tenth year that he has been organising were at their peak in the period ParkViews.

5 The Franciscan Archbishop Thabo Makgoba's pastoral letter on same-sex unions

To the Laos - To the education and on work to ensure different pastoral challenges that that clergy and full-time lay the different dioceses and the People of God - Lent workers are adequately taken different countries of our 2016 care of in retirement. In our Province are facing. most vivid act of solidarity and The document we have Dear People of God identification with a God who agreed upon will go to Provincial knows pain and Synod for adoption in September‚ I am writing to you just as marginalisation‚ we undertook a and will be published a few we complete the February walk of witness to the site of the months ahead of Synod in the meeting of the Synod of Bishops‚ 1992 Bhisho Massacre and then First Agenda Book. I believe that where we continued to travel worshipped with the people of its adoption by Provincial Synod together as we wrestled with our the dioceses of the Eastern Cape would be an important first step episcopal leadership of the at Bhisho Stadium. in signalling to the LGBT Church. When we meet‚ we do so We have issued a joint community that we in the conscious that our vocation is not statement from the Synod‚ but I Anglican Church of Southern simply to serve you‚ the people of want to report to you in more Africa‚ through our top our Church‚ but to serve God detail to give you the full deliberative and legislative body‚ through you -- a tiny distinction context of one of the more see them as welcome members of perhaps‚ but an important one. challenging matters we our body as sisters and brothers We met in a spirit and discussed. One of the key tasks in Christ. In the words of the rhythm of prayer‚ beginning with before us was to fulfil the guidelines: Eucharist each day‚ followed by mandate given to us by "We reaffirm our assurance midday prayers and Evening Provincial Standing Committee to them that they are loved by Prayer together‚ on the edge of and to finalise pastoral God and that all baptised‚ the Wild Coast‚ north of East guidelines for couples in South believing and faithful persons‚ London‚ where we were Africa who are in same-sex civil regardless of sexual orientation‚ surrounded by the rhythm of God unions. Against the backdrop of are full members of the Body of seen in the beauty of nature. the international debate on this Christ. Many of these are The matters we discussed issue in the worldwide Anglican baptised and confirmed members were firmly rooted in mission‚ Communion‚ our discussions of the Church and are seeking the issues that affect how we serve were frank‚ open and robust. pastoral care‚ moral direction of God through and with his people. We sensitively considered the Church‚ and God’s So we heard reports on the our role as the Anglican Church transforming power for the living COP21 climate talks and on the in Southern Africa within the of their lives and the ordering of encouraging development of our broader family of the relationships." educational initiatives‚ which Communion‚ cognisant of the In another section‚ the involve establishing new schools divergent strands of theological bishops declared that: "We are of and strengthening existing ones. thinking within the Province of one mind that gay‚ lesbian and We also reflected on theological Southern Africa and of the transgendered members of our

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March 2016 church share in full membership by the broad consensus in the Synod‚ we consider questions of as baptised members of the Body Anglican Communion‚ human sexuality‚ we feel sharp of Christ..." expressed by the Lambeth pain and great distress at our own This has important Conference in 1998‚ which is differences and at the breaches implications in parishes where‚ that we "cannot advise the and divisions within the wider for example‚ same-sex couples legitimising or blessing of same Anglican Communion. Yet we who are living in civil unions -sex unions nor ordaining those strongly affirm that we are united under South African law bring involved in same gender in this: that none of us feels called their children for baptism and unions". to turn to another and say ‘I no confirmation. Having said that‚ we did longer consider you a Christian‚ a No child brought for baptism address the questions of brother in Christ‚ a member of the should be refused merely because whether that decision is body of Christ’. None of us says ‘I of the sexual orientation of the immutable‚ whether it has am no longer in communion with parents‚ and particular care replaced scripture‚ and when a you.’ should be taken against Province of the Communion‚ or We find that our differing stigmatising not only parents but a diocese within a Province views on human sexuality take their children too. may deviate from it. second place alongside the We also tried at the Synod of Of one thing I am strength of our overpowering Bishops to draw up guidelines for absolutely determined‚ and that conviction of Christ among us. As clergy wanting to bless couples in is that the Church in Southern long as we‚ the Bishops of this same-sex unions‚ or who want to Africa should build on our Province‚ know unity in Christ in enter same-sex unions history of refusing to allow our this way‚ human sexuality is not‚ themselves. We constituted a differences to separate us‚ and and cannot be allowed to be‚ for group of bishops reflecting a that we should continue to work us a church-dividing issue.” cross-section of our views to patiently through them together. So on a personal level I came discuss such guidelines. On this We overcame deep home from the Synod tired but full issue‚ I had to report back to the differences over the imposition of hope. I am encouraging our Synod‚ the only agreement we of sanctions against apartheid Province in dealing not only with reached is that we were not of and over the ordination of the issue of human sexuality‚ but one mind. women‚ and we can do the also on those such as climate Our differences do not only same over human sexuality. As justice and inequality‚ never to revolve around the theology of the bishops say in the pastoral abandon the hope that comes from marriage‚ but are also a result of guidelines: knowing the grace with which we different pastoral realities in “Given that we share such are held in the palm of God's different dioceses. For example‚ broad and deep foundations of hand. most of our dioceses across faith‚ when‚ as Bishops in God bless you. Southern Africa are predominantly rural‚ and for many the urgent priorities of food security‚ shelter‚ healthcare and education crowd out debate on the issue of human sexuality. In some rural dioceses‚ responding to challenges to the Church's restrictions on polygamous marriages is a much higher pastoral priority. As a consequence‚ the Synod of Bishops has agreed that we will continue to regard ourselves bound

7 The Franciscan St Francis to tee off again on 6 May

display banners in designated places at the prize-giving afterwards. If you have friends who may be interested in four-balls, or part of them, or are willing to consider a corporate spon- sorship, please do approach them. Some of the prizes The fifth St Francis Golf Day will from last year are also take place at the Parkview Golf pictured on this page. Club on Friday 6 May. At the time of going to press, preparations had begun, and organisers Keith Ballard, Theo Coggin and Mymie Vos are hoping to beat last year’s record field of 28 four-balls. Four-balls are available for only R2800 per team. This includes a most enjoyable dinner after the event, during the prize- giving, when some warm fellowship is enjoyed. Last year, the event was won by the boys’ team from St John’s Prep, and we are looking forward to other teams from the school taking part this year. The winning team is pictured on this page. Corporate sponsorships are also being sought this year at Alan Borkowski, Kian Rose, Joshua Sansom, Shaye Hutchings Grade 7 St John Prep, R5000 per sponsorship. This winners 2015 entitles the sponsor to a hole or tee of his or her choice on a first- come, first-served basis. The cost For more information, to book a four-ball or provide of R5000 is extremely low, and sponsorship and donations, contact any donation by a company Keith Ballard: [email protected] or 082-416-5105 would be well worthwhile. The company will also be entitled to Theo Coggin: [email protected] or 082-900-0168 Mymie Vos: [email protected] or 082-651-3621

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March 2016

Four-balls are available for only R2800 per team.

Book your spot now!

Pictured Above: Mannie da Silva of Tyrone Fruiterers, sponsor of 4 ball and prizes with happy helper, Louise Honnet.

Pictured right: Brett van Rensburg buys raffle tickets from Ruth Coggin and Yvette Angoma

Pictured Left: Jerseys sponsored by Quo Vadis as one of the prizes

Pictured below: The golf cart awaits while two of our golfers get in some practice on the putting green.

9 The Franciscan Amazing Grace By Owen Franklin -like sounds in Campanas del Alba by de la Maza, exquisite James Grace, head of contrasts in Turina’s enthrals the classical guitar studies at the Fandanguillo and elegant charm University of Cape Town, in Serenata Espanola by Malats. enthralled an audience of The four regional pieces audience over 200 in St Francis’ Granada, Cadiz, Asturias and Church on 4 February. Cordoba by Albeniz demon- Playing an all-Spanish strated superb light and shade programme entirely from and rich sonority drawn from memory on his recently- Grace’s fleet fingers. acquired instrument made by De Falla’s Homenage – a luthier Hans van den Berg of tribute to the impressionist Meyerton, Grace displayed Debussy – was full of dreamy consummate skill on just six dissonances, while Rodrigo’s strings with 19 frets. Invocacion y Danza showed A highlight of the Grace’s virtuosity to the full. concert was his playing of This memorable concert Fernando Sor’s 18th century ended with pieces by Tarrega Gran Solo Op.14. His and we were charmed by the lightning fingerwork held his gorgeous melody of Capricho audience spellbound. Arabe, the ‘portraits’ of Rosita, Grace explained that Adelita and Maria – cheeky, much of the modern guitar wistful and effervescent – and repertoire was originally that most memorable of this composed as piano music, composer’s works, Recuerdos making the arrangements for de la Alhambra, with its James Grace, Head of Classical Guitar guitar particularly deman- haunting melody and tremolo. Studies at the University of Cape Town. ding. We were treated to bell James Grace is amazing! Image credit: www.jamesgrace.co.za

Upcoming Events: Church Diary

March May

20 Sunday Palm Sunday 05 Thursday Ascension Day 09.00 Combined Eucharist JSA Ecumenical Service 24 Thursday Maundy Thursday 08 Sunday 17.30 Choral Evensong 19.00 Foot washing and Vigil

25 Friday Good Friday 09.30 Children’s Service 12 Thursday 18.00 ParkViews 12.00 Devotional Service 27 Sunday Easter Day 15 Sunday Pentecost 06.00 Easter Vigil 09.00 Combined Eucharist 09.00 Easter Eucharist

April June

03 Sunday 09:30 Licensing of Parish Council by Archdeacon 09 Thursday 18:00 ParkViews Michelle Pilet

14 Thursday 18:00 ParkViews 10

March 2016

Using up the fat and milk before Lent

Leone Jooste once again brought out her eager helpers to ensure that any goodies left over prior to the start of Lent were consumed by those who attended the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. She and her team produced a range of delicacies and young and old queued from early on to enjoy both sweet and savoury fare.

11 The Franciscan

Happy Christmas spirit prevails at lunch for homeless

The annual St Francis lunch for the homeless, held on 16 December 2015, was once again a resounding success. From early in the morning, long queues formed outside the side entrance to the complex, while Ann Pryor and her team of willing helpers prepared the delicious food in the kitchen. Although there were some tense words exchanged amongst the queuing homeless people while they waited outside, once the gates had been opened everyone joined in the happy Christmas spirit. The serving team included some of the young people of the parish, with Oliver and Jean Cloete, sons of Karen and Andre Cloete, the youngest members.

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March 2016 Youth conference planned on body image and self esteem

By Yvette Angoma

The year has started off well and I’m happy to see many of the same faces as well as some new ones. We have new and exciting things starting this year. We have started a leadership programme that takes place after the Friday night Fire session. Those chosen for the programme are then asked to help with the running of Spark and Fire. The idea is to help some of the youth grow into leaders in a Youth Pastor, Yvette Angoma with Isabelle Middleton at the safe controlled environment. Annual Youth Stay Awake held on 26 February 2016. There is a conference planned for later this year. In light of the many body image and self- esteem problems that many of our youth face we want to hold a conference in which boys and girls will have a space to explore this. The conference will be held at St Francis and the sexes will be split up in different workshops. The youth pastors from Weltevreden Park and Linden will be assisting in the conference. It will be open to other youth. Mike Montgomery has started helping with Rock&Roll as a teacher. We look forward to his Getting ready for a movie and bed new ideas and energy that he brings to the group. Tarren Dlamini has also started helping with the running of Spark and Fire groups as well as the lessons for the youth group on a Sunday morning. We welcome them both. Rock&Roll is still on a Sunday morning during the 09h30 service. Spark (junior youth) meets from 16h00-18h00 on a Friday evening, for Grade 3 - Grade 5. Fire (senior youth) meets from 18h00 - 20h00 on a Friday evening, for Grade 6 - Grade 12. It is a wonderful way for young people to come together and bond in a safe environment. The morning after

A late game of Uno to try and keep awake. Playing a game before dinner

13 The Franciscan The Synod of Bishops recalls tough times past and looks ahead at social media use

We, the Bishops of the Anglican forces and 28 were killed. Majodina, who is also a Church of Southern Africa, Premier Masualle who was on Methodist local preacher. The meeting at the Gonubie Hotel the march of 1992 and came Premier spoke powerfully about near East London in the Diocese close to being killed, joined the the need for moral renewal in the of Grahamstown between 13 and bishops in the march, together leadership of the nation. 18 February 2016, wish to share with the mayor and other At 14.00 the Eucharist began our experience and reflections dignitaries and many Anglican with some 1000 present including with the people of the Church. Church groups in uniform. choirs from all six Eastern Cape Archbishop Thabo Makgoba The Archbishop spoke dioceses. It was moving to be asked the Bishops on this briefly, apologising where the welcomed by the wife of the late occasion to arrive early for their Anglican Church may have Steve Biko, Mrs Ntsiki Biko and synod in order to express their failed to act adequately in the her family. The Archbishop pastoral presence in the Diocese past, and he and the Premier laid preached and celebrated and the of Grahamstown and the dioceses a wreath at the memorial. bishops were hosted by the of the Eastern Cape more widely. The bishops then proceeded Premier to a meal at the Steve On Sunday 14 February the into the stadium for a moral Biko Centre. bishops were invited for regeneration rally led by the As one bishop commented, refreshments at the guest house of MEC for Art, Culture, Sports 'It is important to remember the the Premier of the Province of the and Recreation, Ms Penny price paid by others during Eastern Cape, apartheid so that we can all be Mr Phumulo Masualle, in free'; the peace walk enabled us King William's Town before 'It is important to remember the to look back with healing eyes embarking on a moving peace price paid by others during to the tragedy of 1992, while the walk from the Good News apartheid so that we can all be rally and Eucharist addressed Centre up the hill on the route needs for reconciliation in the taken by the marchers to Bisho free' present and the future. stadium in 1992, when they Premier Masualle and his were met by the then security wife had also joined the bishops What is Choral Evensong? By Bart Cox the Anglican church that occurs recruited his own experienced late in the afternoon or early choir members. Kevin, with the The first Choral Evensong of evening. It is either a help of Louise Frahm-Arp, the year took place on 14 completely spoken service or, decides on the settings of the February. The music included when music is added, it Psalm, the Magnificat, the Nunc Adrian Batten’s ‘Lord We becomes known as Evensong or Dimittis as well as of the Beseech Thee’, Thomas Tallis’ Choral Evensong. It can be Anthem. a cappella setting of the compared to Vespers that are It is a truly beautiful and Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis found in the Catholic and inspirational service and we in a short setting and Lutheran Churches. urge you to attend them and tell Mendelssohn’s ‘Jauchzet dem The Choral Evensongs at St your family and friends to come Herrn alle Welt’ based on Francis take place four times a along as well. Psalm 100. Evening Prayer or year. They were initiated by The next Choral Evensong Evensong is a service found in organist Kevin Kraak who will be on 8 May.

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March 2016 the previous evening for a fundraising dinner to support the Four new members make for College of the Transfiguration, at which the Auditor-General of South Africa, Mr Thembekile new-look parish council Makwetu, gave a powerful and revealing address. Mr Makwetu gave his Our Archdeacon, the Venerable Susan Alexander, Nelisa support to the Public Protector Michelle Pilet, will licence the Furusa, Darryl McMullen and and to all the processes by which church wardens and members Peter Middleton. They join public money is raised and spent of the parish council who have sitting members Patience responsibly. He pointed his just been elected at our annual Dlamini, Mymie Vos, Melissa hearers to the public process by vestry meeting. Malgas, Keith Ballard and which budget decisions are made This will take place at the Mike Williams. known. 09h30 service on Sunday 3 The self-supporting The dinner was a sign of April. priests of St Francis, Canon commitment to COTT and was This is the only service Cynthia Botha and Rev Dr echoed during Synod in a call for that Michelle was able to Maria Frahm-Arp, serve as ex dioceses to support the College attend, given her heavy officio members, as does our especially on Theological workload as archdeacon of youth pastor, Yvette Angoma. Education Sunday in August. several of our fellow parishes, During the vestry Throughout the week, the as well as her job as rector of meeting, the budget for the next bishops have received our neighbouring church, St financial year was passed outstanding care and generosity Paul’s. unanimously, with the from the host Diocese of Our three church realisation that a lot of hard Grahamstown. wardens, Cally Tuckey, Theo work would have to go into The February meeting of the Coggin and Eddie Jooste, were meeting the budget in order to Synod of Bishops has a re-elected at the well-attended sustain and grow the church’s developmental character, with vestry meeting held on 6 March work. Various initiatives, some opportunity for learning, after the 09h30 service. of which are reported on in this discussion and growth in Four new parish edition of The Franciscan, will leadership in addition to an councillors were elected – be launched during the year administrative agenda. On this occasion the bishops heard from Theo Coggin of Quo Vadis Communications (and also a church warden at St Francis, Moving music marks Easter Parkview) about the missional use of social media, and from Beautiful music is the hallmark of Easter and The St Francis Henry Bennett about the recent Singers will be singing many such pieces during the Easter conference of the Canon Law services. one such piece is Bitter was the Night which they will sing on Maundy Thursday by Sydney Carter. Council and its proposals for changes to legislation at Provincial Synod in September. Bitter was the night Told them all a lie, Mr Coggin pointed to the Thought the cock would crow And I told it three times over. ways in which social media can for ever. Bitter was the night be used in a positive way to Bitter was the night Before the break of day. proclaim the Christian Youth and Before the break of day. grow the Church’s outreach. Bitter was the night Mr Bennett underlined the Saw you passing by, Thought there’d never be way in which schools and other Told them all I didn’t know morning. church institutions are keen to you. Bitter was the night bear the ‘Anglican brand’ but Bitter was the night Before the break of day. therefore need to be held to Before the break of day. standards in their use of it.

15 The Franciscan

Prepared by: ST Francis Anglican Church - Parkview INCOME STATEMENT - Actual vs. Budget : 01/01/15 to 31/12/15 ACTUAL BUDGET VARIANCE VAR % Dec-14 Value Percentage Actual INCOME DEDICATED GIVING 1 340 586.00 1 500 000.00 (159 414.00) (10.63) 1 370 407.75 COLLECTIONS AT SERVICES 146 338.35 150 000.00 (3 661.65) (2.44) 139 718.05 DONATIONS RECEIVED 122 507.00 30 000.00 92 507.00 308.36 40 610.00 DONATIONS FOR GRAND PIANO 23 626.90 30 000.00 (6 373.10) (21.24) - USE OF HALLS AND FACILITIES 40 601.50 62 000.00 (21 398.50) (34.51) 37 564.50 FUND RAISING 135 477.66 120 000.00 15 477.66 12.90 141 438.65 INTEREST RECEIVED 14 007.12 20 000.00 (5 992.88) (29.96) 21 211.03 1 823 144.53 1 912 000.00 (88 855.47) (4.65) 1 750 949.98 OTHER INCOME TRANSFER FROM FUNDS 73 384.74 73 384.74 (100.00) - TOTAL INCOME 1 896 529.27 1 912 000.00 (15 470.73) (0.81) 1 750 949.98

EXPENSES DIOCESAN CONTRIBUTION 351 420.00 358 920.00 7 500.00 2.09 304 560.00 DEPRECIATION 11 864.86 23 600.00 11 735.14 49.73 44 462.00 MUSIC EXPENSES AND LICENCES 6 210.15 7 200.00 989.85 13.75 4 529.00 LORD'S TABLE CONSUMABLES 9 699.80 7 200.00 (2 499.80) (34.72) 6 212.80 PARISH FUNCTIONS AND CATERING 22 886.87 9 000.00 (13 886.87) (154.30) 6 906.39 CLEANING MATERIALS 7 834.72 13 200.00 5 365.28 40.65 13 199.00 GARDENING 8 353.10 9 000.00 646.90 7.19 7 769.90 PUBLICITY AND COMMUNICATION 6 067.58 4 800.00 (1 267.58) (26.41) 6 770.03 SECURITY SERVICES 10 500.00 12 400.00 1 900.00 15.32 12 268.20 PROVISION FOR TAXATION ON HALL RENTALS (14 673.00) 14 673.00 (100.00) 14 673.00 SERVICE TO THE POOR - SOCIAL CONCERNS 27 239.00 36 000.00 8 761.00 24.34 33 642.70 SPECIAL MINISTRY - JUST FOOTPRINTS CAMP 73 385.00 (73 385.00) (100.00) DONATIONS PAID 38 750.00 39 000.00 250.00 0.64 39 000.00 ELECTRICITY WATER SANITATION AND GAS 198 206.88 192 500.00 (5 706.88) (2.96) 178 284.74 INSURANCE OF PROPERTY 25 713.41 20 000.00 (5 713.41) (28.57) 18 920.54 EQUIPMENT REPAIRS 4 223.11 3 000.00 (1 223.11) (40.77) 1 948.40 ORGAN TUNING AND REPAIRS 2 750.00 6 000.00 3 250.00 54.17 2 200.00 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 13 039.08 50 000.00 36 960.92 73.92 55 416.61 PROFESSIONAL FEES 7 590.58 (7 590.58) (100.00) TELEPHONE 33 344.88 34 500.00 1 155.12 3.35 33 492.66 BANK CHARGES 8 886.12 8 000.00 (886.12) (11.08) 7 847.30 COMPUTER EXPENSES 7 988.68 6 000.00 (1 988.68) (33.14) 7 282.51 PHOTOCOPYING AND STATIONERY 86 238.14 80 000.00 (6 238.14) (7.80) 75 162.15 POSTAGE 747.40 1 000.00 252.60 25.26 1 006.00 NON-CLERGY STAFF COSTS 622 932.68 642 500.00 19 567.32 3.05 479 500.39 CLERGY PAID THROUGH THE DIOCESE 272 852.32 308 400.00 35 547.68 11.53 278 476.81 CLERGY PAID THROUGH THE PARISH 17 726.00 27 000.00 9 274.00 34.35 20 390.95 VISITING CLERGY 1 600.00 2 400.00 800.00 33.33 2 400.00 INTERREGNUM 19 000.00 (19 000.00) (100.00) MOTOR VEHICLE EXPENSES 36 353.17 26 000.00 (10 353.17) (39.82) 22 521.06 GIFTS AND PRESENTATIONS 70.00 2 000.00 1 930.00 96.50 1 245.30 LIBRARY AND LITERATURE 1 903.50 1 500.00 (403.50) (26.90) 1 318.00 COURSES AND RETREATS 1 700.00 5 000.00 3 300.00 66.00 5 061.00 SYNOD EXPENSES 2 250.00 1 000.00 (1 250.00) (125.00) - YOUTH WORK 5 743.44 7 200.00 1 456.56 20.23 7 304.63 1 930 397.47 1 944 320.00 13 922.53 0.72 1 693 772.07

NET PROFIT / (LOSS) BEFORE TAX (33 868.20) (32 320.00) (1 548.20) (4.79) 57 177.91

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March 2016

Rescued by an Angel

By Susan Alexander and the full Financial Statements funded by special appeals for the in the Vestry Report. specific project, and it is hoped Towards the end of 2015 your Now we have to look to that parishioners will respond Parish Council became 2016, already well underway. with their customary enthusiasm. increasingly concerned because, The appeal for pledged But will we need in 2016 to in order to cover the monthly giving had mixed results: be rescued by an angel for our salary bill, constant withdrawals approximately 10% of givers running expenses? from the Parish Savings account increased their pledges by about It is vital that, as with the Diocese had to be made. 10%; this was mostly among parishioners, we are informed These were as follows: those who give under R1,000 about the financial position of the per month. Parish. June R 35,000 Few people stopped or The Diocesan Rules expect reduced their pledges, which that the monthly financial July R 100,000 was encouraging, but the final position should be displayed for August R 15,000 result gave only a small overall inspection every month. Taking a September R 30,000 increase in expected income. look at the figures will enable us November R 20,000 With inflation running as it is, to keep an eye on how things are -a total of R 200,000 this amounts practically to a going, and perhaps if necessary to decrease. The final budget has take the appropriate action. By October 2015 the Parish been approved was looking at a deficit for the at Vestry, year in excess of R150,000 and however the depletion of Parish reserves. preparing it has Then, in November, the miracle been difficult happened. Two of our for the Treasurer parishioners, a married couple, and the Finance who have worshipped here for Co-mmittee. many, many years, and have been Because of the active in a number of spheres of cash situation, parish life, decided to give to St main-tenance Francis a thanksgiving gift of projects which R100,000. should have We can only thank them, been undertaken which our Wardens did, from the in 2015 were bottom of our hearts. shelved, and are The deficit was reduced to now becoming about R40,000 (but was still a more urgent and deficit). The Income Statement indeed essential. for 2015 appears in this issue, They will pro- bably have to be

17 The Franciscan Two babies welcomed into Christ’s fold during happy baptisms at St Francis

It was a joyful, happy service at 09h30 on 14 February at St Francis, as two little boys - Santino Christiano Malgas, son of Melissa and Warren Malgas, and Nathan James Bremmer, son of Matthew and Jamie-Lee Bremmer - were received into the community of faith through baptism. It was a special moment for Revd Canon Cynthia Botha, who conducted the baptism, as she is the great-aunt of Santino. Here are some of the photos from the service and tea afterwards. The two couples are also pictured here with their lovely babies.

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March 2016 A Lenten Reflection ...

‘O thou Lord of life, send my roots rain’. How wonderfully the single-syllable words and long, repeated consonants in this short, simple sentence enforce the tone of desperation. R. S. Thomas described trying to connect with a seemingly remote God as, ‘Prayers like gravel Flung at the sky’s Window, hoping to attract By Sue Jordaan The loved one’s attention.’ Both of these poet priests were strong To ‘... find God in ourselves and ... ourselves in believers. In another poem, Hopkins asserts the God’ (St Teresa of Avila) would be to find a deep permanence and goodness of God’s omnipresence peace and sense of wholeness. The usual hi- in spite of life’s challenges asserting: jacking of the Christmas season by the commercial ‘There lives the dearest freshness deep down world left us having to dig deep to find Christ things’. then. There is something horrible about tinny Established churches like ours are sometimes music in shopping centres, encrustations of fake criticised for being so structured that they leave snow on shop windows in Africa and gaudy little opportunity for individuals to discover that decorations. ‘dearest freshness deep down things.’ There is nothing ‘in your face’ about Lent and The things we do are indeed familiar, but this Easter. This is an unobtrusive season in which Easter let us open ourselves to the profound each of us is encouraged to examine ourselves and messages within them. to journey inward. How we choose to do that, and The ash used to mark us as belonging to to what degree, is a private and personal affair. Christ on Ash Wednesday came from the leftover Traditionally, Lent is a time when we ‘give palm crosses from last year, reminding us of up’ something. The activity or habit we relinquish Christ’s death and resurrection. Our three main may be one which we consider bad for us and Holy Week services will actually be one in three, which we would like to banish permanently from or three in one. our lives. There will be a greeting at the beginning of Alternatively, it may be something we enjoy the Maundy Thursday service but there will not be divinitycurler.blogspot.co.za/ Imagecredit: and know we shall miss. Whenever we long for a dismissal until the end of the Easter Vigil when that wine/chocolate/ice-cream, we are supposed to we are joyfully sent out ‘to love and serve the reflect on why we have chosen to give it up and Lord, Alleluia! Alleluia!’. thus be prompted to deeper reflection. Perhaps The Good Friday service will have neither a more difficult than giving something up is trying formal greeting nor dismissal. What a dramatic to change our thinking patterns or ways of treating way to make us part of the whole story of Christ’s other people. death and resurrection. Apparently, it takes 21 days to change a habit. By using the time before Easter to venture If that is true, Lent is long enough! inwards and by facing whatever we find there, we Lent invites us to look inwards, often at dark give ourselves the chance to come up and out into places. Two poets, who were both also priests, a new and unexpected reality. We discover or

recognised that a faith that does not have space for rediscover that there is so much more and that we the difficult parts of being human is a hollow one. are part of a great wholeness: ‘We find God in Gerard Manley Hopkins pleaded: ourselves and we find ourselves in God.’

19 The Franciscan

true to yourself and acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers, that there is no way that Lent Journey 2016 any of us can escape the storms of life. In the Lent course I have By Maria Frahm-Arp expectations, views and ideas of been working with the others or culture of our time. philosopher Heidegger’s idea of During this Lent period I have We do not live in isolation, ‘destruction’. Heidegger was a been giving a five week series and our ideas and views are highly influential continental examining Luke’s Gospel in more always coloured and shaped by philosopher who unpacked the detail. The title of the course has our context, but when we concept ‘destruction’ in a series been: ‘In a World in Crisis: Can blindly follow the crowd, the of lectures between 1919 and Luke’s Gospel Speak to us norms and ideals presented in 1923. Today?’ the media, then we lose touch He argued that our sense of The central question we have with our true selves and begin to self becomes cluttered by what been exploring is how can we live inauthentic lives. he called the ‘ideal talk’ of the understand the challenges and Being ‘inauthentic’ is living media and the glib ‘truths’ about difficulties of life and possibly a life in which you barricade or the world and our place in the begin to see them as invitations to lull yourself into a false belief world that people un- a more authentic way of living? that your life is secure, that you questioningly follow. The idea of living an have life “taped” and understand He maintained that most authentic life is central to Luke’s exactly how the world works. people lived inauthentic lives Gospel. The great lie of inauthentic because they had what he called an ‘ignorant arrogance’ believing the myth that their lives were secure and completely in their control. Heidegger proposed that we all need to ‘destruct’ the false messages around us and begin to be more honest with ourselves about who we are and what is really important and life-giving to us. For Heidegger the Church was one of the biggest culprits in feeding people platitudes

about their faith that gave Image credit: www.windsorparkunitedchurch.com www.windsorparkunitedchurch.com Imagecredit: them a false sense of security and pride in themselves as good pious people, while at the same time turning a blind eye to the exploration of colonialism, the barbarism of In the ‘In a World in Crisis: Can Luke’s Gospel Speak to us Today?’ Lenten bible the First World War and the Study Maria Frahm-Arp looks at the what it means to live an authentic life in poverty in Europe during the todays world, destroying our original beliefs to hear Gods word, just as Mary had 1920s. done. She is pictured here receiving affirmation of her believes from Elizabeth. As we go into a recession, try to cope with a terrible drought living is that you believe you are and live through unstable By authentic, I mean living a fully in control of your life and political times it feels a bit as if life in which you are true to can master it so that it does not our world is in crisis. So what yourself; in which your sense of does authentic living and

throw you any curve balls. self and view of the world is not Authentic living is when you are ‘destruction’ have to do with shaped by other people and the

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March 2016 Image credit: www.gardenofpraise.com. www.gardenofpraise.com. Imagecredit: and over again to a process of ‘destruction’, as Heidegger would put it, to a process were we let go of our false ideals and security and realize that the only security we have is in God. Authentic living begins when we stop believing we are in control of our lives and begin to accept that life in all its complexity is bigger than we are. Writing at a time when the Christians and Jews had seen the destruction of what they considered the most holy place because this is where God dwelt, Luke is inviting his readers to see a new reality. The reality that God does not dwell in a building but in the hearts of everyone who believes. The very destruction of what they saw as most sacred was the According to the Gospel of Luke, After Jesus was Baptised by John the Baptist, beginning of a deeper and truer God spoke from This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. understanding of God. As we see our lifestyles Luke’s Gospel and helping us to knew how to control Him and ‘crumble’ or change because of cope? thereby their own security and recession and political crisis, During the Lent course I prosperity in the world. this just might be an invitation showed how Luke wrote his Luke shows how time and for us to more fully understand gospel in about 70 CE, so almost time again Jesus explains to the nature, presence and love of 40 years after the death of Christ. people that their security is not God. We might begin to see that He wrote it just after the Temple in worldly wealth, status or our free will is not in doing in Jerusalem was destroyed at a possessions. That no one can what we like, or building time when many Christians still fully understand God and that personal security, or ‘mastering had very close ties to the Jewish none of us can be in complete life’ but is exercised by faith. Seeing the destruction of control of our lives. In fact when choosing how to live. Living in the Temple raised many we think like this we are such a way that we choose to theological questions. Where was deluding ourselves and living in live with compassion, honesty God? Did God not care about his an inauthentic way. In his and humility through all the people? Was this a punishment parables Jesus invites us over seasons and experiences of life. for sin? Over and over again in his gospel Luke shows the reader that so many Christians and Jews could not see the truth of who Jesus was or God’s love and The Lenten Course ‘In a World in presence in their lives because Crisis: Can Luke’s Gospel Speak to they were not living us Today?’ took place on a authentically. They were living inauthentic Thursday Evenings at 19:00 in the lives. Luke is saying that the Frank Clark Hall at St Francis Jewish people and particularly during Lent. their leaders believed that they fully understood God. That they

21 The Franciscan By their fruits ye

shall know them Image credit: Freepik.com Imagecredit: faith that ‘things will improve’? Can we not all take action and do even just modest little things that will help, even just in modest little ways, to turn the tide?

If these exceptional conditions are no longer exceptional but fast become the new normal, is it not incumbent on us to rethink the way we live? And if we allow them to By Mike Honnet This means that resources will be the new normal for much become increasingly scarce. The longer, will it not perhaps be We have spoken before about Air Link in-flight magazine too late? ecological degradation, Skyways in January carried an Part of the responsibility of diminishing fish stocks, food article warning, on good the Eco Group at St Francis is insecurity and burgeoning authority, that by 2030 the world to record the actions we (the population growth. We have will face a shortfall between Church and individual spoken about our carbon water supply and demand of parishioners) take to assist in footprint, about reducing, re- 40%. living up to the promises of our using and recycling, saving An enormous under-supply in a credo as a ‘green parish’; water, using less electricity …. basic commodity we cannot do actively caring for God’s good we have spoken and spoken and without. But it is not just water. earth and all the creatures that spoken; but what have we done? Temperatures in the early live in it; the ways in which we The Times newspaper in months of this year soared to are walking the talk; not just January 2016 cited the Oxford record heights throughout the talking it. Economics Global Cities 2030 region. People died of heat So you are all invited to let study and UN sources as warning stroke. The Franciscan know what you of mass urbanization coming. The falling levels of lakes have done at home, in your They forecast: and dams made irrigation for personal lives, in your  Johannesburg’s population farm animals and crops businesses, offices and from 9.3 million to 11.5 impossible. Livestock has been factories, to help protect the million slaughtered, crops have not been environment. Write to  Cape Town’s from 3.6 planted; and still the population [email protected] and we million to 4.3 million increases. will consider publishing  More people to house, feed, Can such conditions success stories and good news educate, employ and care continue to be regarded as ‘acts in forthcoming issues of The for post-retirement. of God’? To be endured in the Franciscan. ‘Jesus Christ said “by their fruits ye shall know them”, not by their disclaimers’. William Seward Burroughs II (also known by his pen name, William Lee), American novelist, short story writer and essayist (1914 – 1997) 22

March 2016 AD CLERUM: Changes come about in our Diocese

We are about halfway through our Lenten journey, Thank you to the many who are so very and we have to set our faces to a Jersusalem which faithful. Remember, terrible as our situation is, our will demand a great deal from us. As we move Lord will give us assistance if we are prepared to be nearer and nearer to the Passion of our Lord, we faithful, and to make sacrifices. look at our own journey, not only as individuals, I am sure many of you will, and your loving but also as a Diocese. parishioners will be more than equal to the task. I There have been some significant changes have just returned from the Synod of Bishops, and since I last wrote to you. Our Bursar, Mark you will have received the Archbishop’s report. We Franklin has resigned, and our Diocesan Secretary, did, of course discuss the vexed question of same- Rodney Taylor has left us. sex marriages, and it is proving a difficult one. We have also had the sterling work done by David Butcher, Sidney Place and Peter Goldhawk and other members of the Diocesan Finance Board and we were quite astonished at what they have been revealing to us. Our finances are not in a good state, and there will be a lot of work required to make us able to pay for any significant work of ministry. We will be called to take up our crosses in various ways so that our Diocese can continue to be an effective force in building up the kingdom. One of the most important lessons we could learn from this is that we must not let things slide because it is too much trouble to be vigilant. How many Synods have we held where no audited accounts were presented, but we didn’t object? Does this lack of care reflect itself in our own handling of our parish’s assets? We have other problems too – and at this moment we have to find answers to some very fierce requests from SARS. We cannot point to our government for lack of service delivery when we Most of us are prepared to accept gay people, but have been lax about the stewardship of that money the issue of what is marriage, and are we called given us by hard-pressed members of our upon to perform it for same-sex couples, is where congregations. the problem lies. However, like our Lord, we need to turn over We were also reminded by those non-South a few tables in the temple, and we too must set our African countries of our Province that the question faces to the Jerusalem of accountability, sacrifice must not be limited to the LGBT issues, but that and a determination to pay our considerable debts, polygamy is a far bigger issue in Southern Africa. for without the crucifixion of our old ways, the (See report by the Archbishop in this issue). Resurrection of the kingdom of God will be Best wishes severely compromised. + Steve

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Above: Lay minister Sue Jordaan ignites the Teaching ‘em to read pew leaflets early! Baptismal candles for the babies

Wholesomeness at the lunch for homeless

Baptisms please everyone

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