Provincial Newsletter of the Anglican Women’s Fellowship United in Prayer, Service & Love From the President’s Desk “Women Destined for God’s Purpose” “Blessed be the God and Father of our and families are destroyed through fires in the Anglican Women of Australia, I man- Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us the informal settlements ending in loss of aged to attend their Biennial Conference with spiritual blessings in heavenly places life, floods that cause displacement of many held in Orange County, New South Wales, in Christ, just as he chose us in him before people leaving them without homes nor Australia on 13-17 April 2015, and was ac- the foundation of the world, that we should food; or any other calamity affecting people companied by the Vice President, Ms Lu- be holy and without blame before him in at this time. To all my sisters in the AWF, cille Henniker. During the conference we love, having predestined us to adoption as this is an appeal to those of us who are discovered a few similarities between the sons and daughters by Jesus Christ to him- fortunate and have something to spare, to two organizations. self, according to the good pleasure of his please share and make a difference to those Their Mission Statement is to: will”(Ephesians 1:3-5). It is midyear and at your reach. During the month of July, re- • promote service and worship the winter season is upon us. We know the member Mandela Day and in his memory, • provide a point of contact challenges that some people less fortunate take some time to undertake good deeds • organize retreats, conferences and than us go through during the chilly nights around the community and other places rallies of this bitterly cold period of the year. It is needing assistance. As indicated in my last • operates to meet the needs of each also during this time when many homes communication regarding invitation from diocese . continues to page 2 First published in 1968 August 2015 Volume 12 - No. 2 Page 2 Provincial Newsletter of the Anglican Women’s Fellowship President’s Desk from page 1 who had been the only applicant, and was • Equality – pledging to be accepting of Their Aims and Objectives: funded to study at the College of Trans- all God’s people and refrain from any • work toward the extension of God’s figuration. We have also received an ap- form of discrimination. kingdom through workshops, study, plication from Ms Margareth Jane Paulse • Accountability – undertaking to accept service, fellowship and dedicated giv from the Diocese of Namibia who wishes responsibility when actions lead to re ing to complete her Diploma in Theology. Her sults which impacts negatively on oth • promote cooperation and understand application and credentials are under dis- ers. ing anongst groups that may exist in cussion. Our members are strongly encouraged to any one parish, and to make provision utilize these resolutions in terms of inter- for those included in such groups. The following are some of the priests/ action with the Mothers’ Union and other students assisted by this fund to complete groups within your parishes. Members are This was an unforgettable experience. We their Theological studies: further requested that in the forthcoming had a lovely time with everyone and made 1. Revd Keabetswe Tsikwe from the PEXCO and Presidents’ Meeting to put a lot of friends, and exchanged ideas; they Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman more effort when writing their reports and appealed to us to continue with this link 2. Revd Linea Hilfa from the to ensure that they reflect activities under- and exchange information about our dif- Diocese of Namibia taken along the four focus points of the ferent programmes and projects. I will 3. Doris Tsike from the Provincial Council Resolutions. Members forever be thankful to the AWF for afford- Diocese of Mthatha of the above Portfolio have further come ing me the opportunity to interact with our 4. Revd Natali Simons from the up with a Diary for 2015 featuring special sisters across the globe. We had our first Diocese of Cape Town holidays for women both locally and inter- Provincial Executive Meeting at the Syrene 5. Revd Sybil Solomons from the nationally, and AWF members are encour- Boutique Hotel, Rivonia, in the Diocese of Diocese of Cape Town aged to take note of these special days, if Johannesburg from 21-24 May 2015. We 6. Revd Matsietso Duma from the possible to take part during their various also welcomed Bishop Dan Kgomosotho Diocese of Lesotho celebrations. The Diary appeared on the as our new Liaison Bishop and Chaplain, 7. Revd Lindiwe Kunene from the back page of the Lenten Issue of Contact. and thanked him for accepting to be our Diocese of Grahamstown Over the years the Provincial Structures of Shepherd, also by taking time in his busy (currently studying) the AWF have had the desire to establish a schedule to be with us at our first PEXCO Provincial Office which would be centrally Meeting. We are convinced that working We wish to extend our sincere gratitude based for easy access within the following together would bring a sense of balance to all the Dioceses which have continued Dioceses: Highveld, Christ the King, Johan- and yield good deeds. And as we had not to contribute toward the bursary fund nesburg and Pretoria. This move would met for a lengthy period since our election throughout these years, and we’re also enable to centralize administration and op- nine months ago, this led to many unan- grateful to Cluster Coordinators who have eration. Towards the end of 2014 we were swered questions about whether we would ensured that all contributions are made in offered office space at St Edmund Parish be able to meet all the challenges set before time. The 2014 Provincial Council Meeting Kempton Park in the Diocese of the High- us. It is quite natural to be plagued with resolved to leave the contribution at R60.00 veld, in the meantime awaiting a response such questions at one stage or another. per Branch per annum. from the Diocese of Pretoria as the discus- However since embarking on this journey sions were at an advanced stage. It is now as the new leadership of the AWF, these During October 2015 we will be holding my duty to officially announce that the questions have instead strengthened our our second Biennial meeting of the PEXCO AWF Provincial Office has been relocated resolve to forge ahead, and have spurred and Diocesan Presidents in the Diocese of to the recently renovated and revamped us on to reach our maximum potential in Kimberley and Kuruman. The venue is the Diocesan Offices at 802 Pretorius Street, Ar- ensuring that we put the AWF on another Airport Hotel. This is a continuation of all cadia, Diocese of Pretoria, and occupation level. Despite not meeting regularly, we the decisions taken at the first joint meeting is effective from 01 July 2015. have kept in touch through regular com- and to ensure that some have already been munication and correspondence. implemented in our different dioceses, also Provincial Standing Committee (PSC) will to ensure that set goals are realized in tak- take place on 17-19 September 2015 at Ko- We wish to thank our sisters in the Diocese ing the AWF forward to the next level. The panong Hotel and Conference Centre. of Johannesburg for their warm welcome, “Action, Outreach and Social Issues” Port- and for making our stay very comfortable. folio introduced new Provincial Resolu- “Whatever things are true, whatever things We noticed how hard the executive of your tions drawn for 2014-16 to complement our are noble, whatever things are just, what- Diocese worked ensuring that the aims and new theme: “Women Destined for God’s ever things are pure, whatever things are objectives of the AWF are realized. Like Purpose”. lovely, whatever things are of good report, our Patron Saints, you were the Marthas of if there is any virtue, and if there is anything the day, with particular emphasis on your The Resolutions have been based on the praiseworthy; meditate on these things. The President who was busy with all the prepa- four focus points namely: things you learned and received, heard and rations that had to be made; and of course • Nation Building – as responsible citi saw in me, these do, and the God of peace we all found time to be Marys and sat at the zens and Christian women to lead by will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9). Lord’s feet, listening to his teachings. example. • Human Dignity – is the basis of human Yours in Prayer, Service and Love The Doris Gregorowski Bursary Fund for rights. Each person has values and is Nana Khoza 2014/2015 was awarded to Rev Kunene worth great respect. Provincial President August 2015 “Women destined for God’s Purpose” Page 3 Message from the Liaison Bishop The Rt Revd Daniel Malesela Kgomosotho Dear Friends and Sisters peace loving citizens of this be- in Christ loved land and there are many of I would like to share with you those, I have to say well done for a few thoughts on the subject of condemning the violent and rep- true neighbourliness. This is in rehensible behaviour exhibited light of the unfortunate and re- by some amongst our people. The grettable violent incidents which challenge remains though for us occurred in South Africa in the to be like neighbours to those who past few months. Some have are victims to the robbers.