Church of the Reconciliation Manenberg Celebrates Its 49Th Anniversary

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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF CAPE TOWN • ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

Church of the Reconciliation Manenberg celebrates its 49th anniversary

Page 2 Greetings from China: Noise in the silence

Page 3 From the Vicar General’s Desk

On Trinity Sunday, 7 June 2020, the Church of the Rec- growing congregation was under the leadership of the onciliation Manenberg celebrated its 49th anniversary. Revd Louis Bank, and he, together with the hardwork- Page 6 The church building was initially dedicated on 3 March ing congregation was quite instrumental in getting a Literacy packs and 1971 and was named Church of the Reconciliation. church building for the Anglicans in Manenberg. Their seedlings The name was adopted to reflect a broken and griev- hardwork finally paid off with the completion of the ing people. who were being reconciled to God and one building and its subsequent dedication on 3 March another and to become a unified parish. A brokenness 1971. and grief that was caused by the forced removals of the apartheid regime. In 1972, the Revd Bob De Maar was appointed the first rector of the parish and it has had seven rectors since According to records Manenberg was formally estab- then namely Revds Philip McMinn, Patrick Cornelisen, lished in 1966 and was gradually filled by families from Clifford Felix, Bertie Salo, Joshua Louw, Donovan Meyer Claremont, District Six, Constantia and Sea Point. Dur- and Marcus Slingers. We give God all the praise for their ing those early years the Anglican faithful met in homes faithful services to Manenberg and its people. across Manenberg, while many continued to worship in the places from which they were dispersed. In 1969, The church is currently under the incumbancy of the Page 7 the Anglican faithful made petitions to have services in Revd Derrick Cloete and has a total of sixteen church or- Clean-up blessing for one of the local community centres and the Druiwevlei ganizations and ministries that supports the parochial Holy Cross Nyanga during lockdown Centre was then granted to host Anglican services in ministry in the community. Manenberg on Sundays. During those early years the continues on page 3

VOL 63VOL NO. 7005 NO.05 FIRST PUBLISHED PUBLISHED 20 20 DECEMBER DECEMBER 1950 1950 JULY 2020 MARCH 2013 Page 2 THE GOOD HOPE JULY 2020

CLASSIFIEDS Editor: Rebecca Malambo EDITORIAL Address: Archbishop’s The Good Hope Under threat or stress, we naturally turn inward but the PO Box 1932, Education needs of those around us require our time, love, prayers Endowment Fund for and energy. We need to move outward to give of our- Cape Town 8000 Theological Education selves although we might feel strained and exhausted. Tel: 021 469 3766 (In office Thursdays only 10h00-14h00) Please support the Archbishop’s Today marks 101 days of our national lockdown. Our Fax: 021 465 1571 Education Fund so that we can reality has changed so much during the past 3 months. E-mail address: continue to train priests for the Dealing with the trauma of a pandemic, losing loved future of our church. Thank you for [email protected] all donations received. If you would ones, financial strains, balancing our spiritual and emo- like to contribute please consider a tional equilibrium - no one is exempted. donation. We are getting used to living in the now and facing the A sum of challenges that each day presents. God is at work in this R1 483 201.67 crisis. We can find peace, justice and purpose in chaos, it has been raised thus far. is what God has always intended.

Bank: Standard Bank Scan QR code with your mobile and learn Branch Code: Go and make disciples but be a disciple first. more about the Diocese of Cape Town Thibault Square Printed by: Branch Number: 020909 Love and Light, Rebecca Account Number: 070332428

Greetings from China: Noise in the silence

Lockdown created a space for us to be alone. The hands of poverty are tighter around our The sounds of normality have been silenced. necks... Our usual has been turned into abnormality, in that our daily routines had to be re-invent- Here in China it has been about staying within ed into the new normal. Living with silence. the plan... Keeping within the boundaries set Isn’t that what God actually desires for us to be for survival... Carrying your passport, wearing exactly in a state of quietness and know that a mask,... Being tested for your temperature He is God? Be still and know that I am God. The on every corner and entrance of a shop as you noises of the world now not audible to our ears go out for food supplies. Adjusting to online from human interaction but blasting into our work and being patient with colleagues and minds and visual memory bank through end- management as you have to survive for in- less Social Media Facebook posts, Instagram come and your livelihood... photos, LinkedIn messages and the maze of YouTube videos. It shows what the current ca- I guess the answer is that we have to stay in tastrophe of this COVID-19 is. It demonstrates the boundaries of God’s Divine Plan... Do not what it is doing to humanity, the potential You turn to your abilities and talents and re- haste and attack God and say He is procras- healing or destruction of the earth, universe orientate your daily life. Fill it with a new rou- tinating... As Psalm 31 said... He wants us to and our planet ... Silence is what God requires tine, learn new ways of living ... Cooking, bak- be in His presence and within that enclave He ... Running to Him ... Is what He desires ... Trust- ing and cultivating plants and flowers ... You provides... In that silence He gives us wisdom ing His guidance ... Resting in Him and hiding live each day to embrace the new normal and to navigate the noise of the world within our in His enclave ... Our lockdown should be in silence the noise from the outside world ... lockdown spaces and the opening spaces be- His hiding place ... ing created. The situation in South Africa is getting to peo- Psalm 31:1-5 ple.. Job losses, food shortages and an une- We all are building our story each day of the qual economic system now crippling the poor lockdown. Desperate sounds in the silence: and the marginalized to their knees. Our hearts are bleeding with thunderous In the silence of our beings and as we navigate emotions which have erupted from this global God does rescue... Everytime... As Michael W through the outside noise may we hear His storm we are in. Alone, frightened and with- Smith sings... The shouts and hunger cries... thunderous voice... out sufficient information... Worsened by the The tears in silence... And the noise of children fact that you in a foreign country and you in lockdown little homes, shacks, flats and A voice thundering in marvellous ways! don’t understand the sms’s from the Chinese rented apartments and homes which people government and you don’t understand what can’t pay for... Those are the noises vibrating The full poem can be found on my Facebook you will do now to keep yourself healthy and at this time... page @Sedrico’sStories protected from this new virus... Alone... Fright- ened... Scared... This thing is out to get us... - Selah Sedrico Husselman

Philip Sydney “The ingredients of health and long life are great temperance, open-air, easy labour, and little care.” THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF CAPE TOWN Page 3 From the Vicar General’s Desk Dear Sisters and Brothers to clergy. As you can see, our work is becom- Some thirty years ago, as ing much more demanding rather than less a young priest, I was given so in these perilous times. We are navigating a copy of Time Magazine through the unchartered waters of a Cov- by one of my parishioners. id-19 pandemic into an unimagined future This dear parishioner was that awaits us. After all, despite our frailties fully aware of the stresses and strains that go and vulnerabilities, clergy are expected to be hand in glove with the pressures, responsibili- made of sterner stuff. ties and demands of the busy life of a parish priest. “You still have a long way to go in your We are familiar with the disgraceful treatment ministry, Father. Read this article and take of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the good care of yourself,” she cautioned me. The hands of the Apartheid regime. In an attempt article had the picture of a rather haggard to threaten, intimidate and silence him, mon- and worn out looking priest, accompanied by key foetuses were attached to the gates of his the siren headline: “Clergy Find The Church A dwelling at Bishop’s Court. It made headline Hard Cross To Bear.” At the time, this was the grace in their daily prayers, I am confident that news. Bishop Tutu however used the dis- outcome of research done to establish the many of you are doing the same for our bish- tressing situation to remind the clergy to pay top ten most stressful jobs. The results placed ops, priests and deacons with renewed vigour. careful attention to their prayer life and spir- the role of a parish priest at the very top of Let’s be honest, we are all taking strain and we itual life. “You will receive many painful jabs in the list. If this research was to be done today, all need to plunge into the depths of prayer your ministry that will hurt like crazy but you clergy might well be off the scale. Our parish- for our spiritual sustenance, survival and faith. mustn’t react to every sharp pin prick. Endure ioners and non-parishioners, essential work- These days we continue to pray for those in- it. You must develop the spiritual resilience ers, frontline workers from those commuting fected and affected by the HIV and AIDS dis- to absorb the pain and poison,” he enjoined to work in taxi’s, carers for the destitute and ease. But, when we pray like this about the us. We have all benefited from his wisdom hungry, to city officials, to hospital heads, to SARS-Cov-2 virus disease it’s for all of us, with- and guidance for which we are very grateful. professors and researchers call upon clergy for out exception. Mama Leah and Father Tutu celebrate their help, prayers and pastoral ministry. 65th wedding anniversary this month. We The article in Time Magazine described some wish them heartiest congratulations and pray We all know the devastating impact that the of the ways clergy are affected when they find God’s richest blessings upon them. Covid-19 pandemic wreaks on everybody eve- the church a hard cross to bear. They suffer rywhere in the world. Imagine what it is doing from depression which presents itself in dif- Let us continue to wear our masks, wash our to clergy. Parishioners are taking economic ferent forms. For example, lethargy, inability hands, practice social distancing and stay at strain, some are losing their jobs and their to function, being delusional, schizophrenic home. We pray for the safety and protection of livelihoods are under threat. Facing sickness or bipolar and so forth. One of the many con- those who cannot stay at home or observe so- and death adds to the suffering as does the cerns around Covid-19 is the potential rapid cial distancing. We pray for Covid-19 patients additional worry about the deadly virus infec- rise in mental illness. One in every four of us is in critical care in hospitals, quarantine facilities tion and the trauma of Covid-19 hospitalisa- potentially susceptible to some form of men- and recovering at home. We pray for all who tion and death. Clergy carry the burdens of tal ill health. Clergy are not exempt. Yet we care for the sick, especially frontline health their parishioners in their hearts at the best of are recognised and relied upon as important care workers, essential workers and other ser- times. Now in the worst of times our churches role players to help people in suffering and vice providers. We earnestly pray for a break- remain closed for regular worship and clergy distress. All of you, dear people, must look through in the research to produce a vaccine are heavily restricted from exercising the min- after your emotional, psychological and spir- to put an end to this worldwide pandemic. istry of their pastoral hearts to the fullest ex- itual well-being. If you, or anyone around you, tent to their parishioners. As clergy bring you, notices something amiss do not hesitate to Grace and Peace the people of God, before the throne of God’s seek help. I want to stress the same especially Keith De Vos

Church of the Reconciliation Manenberg celebrates its 49th anni- the Reconciliation and its people, as they journey towards 50 years and versary from page 1: Over the past 49 years the church has played an beyond. Every praise is to our God for the 49 years of faithful ministry integral role in Manenberg through soup kitchens, feeding schemes, and service to Manenberg and its people. medicine collection points and it actively participates in community and ecumenical structures to help in the fight against crime, gangster- - Report by: Remano Morgan / Photographer: Edwin Joshua ism and drugs.

Despite all the hardships faced by the community it still remains a place of abundant faith, love, compassion and hope. No matter what the people faces, their responses are always, “Die Here is goed. Hy sal ons deur dra.” These words are a testament of faith of the people in this community and of Reconciliation.

Our 49th anniversary might have been subdued this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But we trust that God will indeed guide, strength- en and protect us as we journey towards our 50th anniversary in 2021. We pray that we will be able to celebrate this milestone like only Manen- berg can! A celebration of praise, worship, dance and adoration to God for carrying us through it all. We pray God’s blessing on the Church of

“No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” Taylor Swift Page 4 THE GOOD HOPE JULY 2020 Introduction to From a frontline essential LEAN worker in law & order

(Local Ecumenical Action Networks) As a frontline worker for the South Afri- lockdown was lowered a spike in cer- can Police Services (SAPS), it was chal- tain areas regarding crime in general “In these times of isolation and physical lenging for us as essential staff espe- from petty to serious crime increased. distancing, what if collaboration could be our cially under lockdown level 5. Police brutality was always highlight- most powerful act of spiritual resistance?” ed via social media and this frustrated Church leaders and leaders in Churches: have you This meant that added strain was and angered many people. Behind the heard about LEANs? Local Ecumenical Action Net- placed on the SAPS to monitor com- scenes the police suffers under strenu- works are locally-initiated, community-level, organ- pliance after President Ramaposa’s an- ous abuse from the very communities ised groups of interdenominational church leaders nouncement that as of 27 March 2020 they serve and protect. Most times we that exist to provide a response to the particular issues all non-essential working South Afri- do our duties under the harshest con- faced by their particular community with regard to the cans should stay home to help curb ditions with the hurling of insults and COVID-19 pandemic. the spread of the Coronavirus. Limited swearing at a dizzy level that at times movement in cases of emergency, buy- are unbearable towards our members. You will find more information on the following link ing essential food or medication we This goes unnoticed as people tend to https://www.warehouse.org.za/2020/04/03/local-ec- permitted. All other movement includ- use social media to focus on the nega- umenical-action-networks-lean-starter-pack/ ing funeral services, travelling to other tive aspects of policing especially when provinces for emergency situations it affects one of their own family mem- To register your LEAN, WhatsApp 087 153 1011 etc… would need the necessary per- bers or friends. with text ‘register’’. mits and Affidavits. This in itself strained the SAPS manpower. Criminal activities To maintain law and order, continues were and is still ongoing activities that to be a challenge and as we patrol in need the SAPS response. Whether it our local communities, we too as SAPS was petty or serious crime, our role was members are at risk. to investigate as normal, yet we also had to contend with non-compliance As a frontline essential worker, I salute issues of people not observing the hard all SAPS members as well as all in their lockdown of level 5. Some local areas various sectors such as emergency ser- were living day to day as if there was no vices and all healthcare workers who lockdown in place. continue to be at risk during this time of Covid-19. Sadly in some instances as the levels of

Healthcare workers speak out

I am Abigail Adams, an ECG technician in the Department of Cardiology at Groote Schuur Hospital. I am also a member of the diocesan pastoral care team and a parishioner at Church of the Holy Spirit, Heideveld. I serve as a Layminister and Bible Study Coordinator in the Junior Church.

As a healthcare worker, my job entails doing Ecgs, Exercise Stress Tests and various administration duties. I’’m passionate about my work and love the interaction with all different patients in the Clinic, ICU and the wards. During this period of Covid-19 my colleagues and I have to embrace the loneliness, sadness and emotions which the patients experience. It touches ones heart when you listen to their experiences Masks for Sale especially when they ill and cannot have family visiting, not having the opportunity Protect yourself, be safe, wear a mask to hug them either makes one feel hopeless at times. Cost: R30 each Contact: Marie-Anne to place your I encourage them through prayer, together and in my own thoughts. My motto in orders & arrange collection. these trying times is to dress myself with the Armour of God daily and to be covered Telephone / WhatsApp: 072 928 6210 by the blood of Jesus.

Working in a laboratory during a pandemic For the past 34 years, I have been employed in a prominent city hospital and for the last 20 years I worked have worked in its laboratory. For so many people its life as usual on the streets. They think Covid-19 pandemic is nothing more than a myth used by government to control the masses. It does not help that social media is flooded with false posts and conspiracy theories to assist all the confusion. continues on page 5

Oscar Wilde “When it rains, look for rainbows; when it’s dark, look for stars.” THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF CAPE TOWN Page 5

Healthworkers speak out from page 4: challenged and question how people of God weeks had on me. The engagement with my On 26 March 2020 was the 1st day of a na- could face such tremendous difficulty. Then clients as a mental health nurse changed and tional lockdown, but as essential services, its we hit rock bottom as the news breaks of our did not feel the same anymore. We were asked work as normal with a difference. As a labora- colleague who was battling the Covid-19 vi- to de-escalate the amount of clients we were tory worker we are exposed to many variable rus, had been in hospital on a ventilator and seeing and counselling wasn’t deemed essen- illnesses. Spare a thought for those doctors has succumbed to the virus and lost the battle. tial at the time and still is not. In the past two and nurses who are in direct contact with pa- months our roles started to change and our tients. Appreciate the cleaners that have to Work is unbearable and as weak as we are we way of working. We were divided in groups physically enter the areas to clean. The porter support each other during this dark and diffi- to assist and screen clients for possible test- who has to transport patients often in small cult time ... How can they still be ignorant and ing as we were one of the testing sites in the confined spaces such as elevators. That folder question the validity of the virus when people community. My weekdays became a routine that moves from doctor to nursing sister to ad- are dying daily? How do we move on from at work, attending daily meetings, seeing ministration clerk ... The decision on who gets here is the main question? minimal clients, assist with issuing of medica- what level of PPE depending on the level of tion and screening clients before they would exposure. This is answered when our second colleague, be allowed into the clinic. As the numbers of who suffers from hypertension and chronic positive people increased I witnessed how Being in lockdown seems like a walk in the asthma, was hospitalised and placed on oxy- frustrated my colleagues became. They felt park compared to a day in the life of frontline gen, returned to full duty after a 48-day battle our management was not doing enough to healthcare workers. Talk about a test of faith with Covid-19. So yes, God is good all the time protect staff members, the management of when you have to drag yourself out of bed in and His Grace is sufficient to carry us even clients was being questioned and which cli- the morning as you undergo a battle of emo- when we stumble and doubt Him. Our faith is ents get access into the clinic. Although most tions. For someone who loves their job, you our strength. Let us proclaim it when we are of the staff members had similar fears and experience yourself challenged by the battle strong and let it carry us when we are weak. concerns I couldn’t relate with them. of now having to go back to “that place.” The God Bless and comfort us all. Amen last three mornings in a row I have pulled up at Over time I have developed my own coping work to see a mortuary van do another collec- mechanism. I would read every document, de- tion. This has unfortunately become a regular “We rejoice in our partmental circulars, protocols and guidelines sight with each one ending in a prayer and a sufferings, because we know to keep me up to date on what was happen- stabbing pain in the heart. We are extremely ing daily on a provincial and departmental fatigued physically, as well as mentally, as we that suffering produces scale. Weekends I would work in the garden, now have to constantly be aware of our sur- perseverance: although small, and doing crafts which I found roundings and what we are doing. perserverance, character: and very therapeutic until two weeks ago. character, hope.” Where you touch, where you sit, every phone Romans 5:3-4 I was struck with the news that my husband call you receive, where you eat, ensuring that tested positive for the corona virus. There was you do not share utensils as you previously a positive contact at his work place, his shift would do. You are also robbed of the act of leader. On that day tears just rolled down my sharing meals. If it was just about work it An advanced psychiatric eyes as it hit home but I wasn’t fearful at all. would have been different but we have to go back home to our families. This in itself brings sister gives her account The following day I informed my children a different set of paranoia as you constantly I can still remember the day/night our presi- about it and I was amused how mature they afraid of taking it home to your loved ones. dent announced that the country would go reacted to the news I was giving them, tell- into a full lockdown. I was happy and over- ing me I don’t have to worry everything will I have a chronic asthmatic daughter and a joyed as I’ve seen in the past weeks that the be fine. grandson born with liver problems which just public was not adhering to any social distanc- raises my level of paranoia as the thought of ing rules as requested by the government. My husband never showed any symptoms infecting those with comorbidities is a fright- and stayed asymptomatic up to today, while ening thought. Every day is a challenge. As the days went by I was constantly psycho self isolating alone in our bedroom for two educating my clients on the new corona virus weeks. Luckily my mom and I tested negative Then in a matter of a week total pandemo- and measures to prevent them from contract- and the children were also symptom free. nium as 15 staff members tests positive for ing it. Working at a day hospital can be very Covid-19. Still there are people who ignore exhausting, trying to see all your patients in an However for my husband it was a bit of a dif- the call to be mindful of social distancing and 8 hour period, going without tea breaks and ficult time for him, in his own words stated share food and converse without masks, while at the same time not focussing on your own ... “I have never cried so much in my life and the extremist is wiping down everything in mental state and coping mechanisms. Weeks prayed to the Lord in my time of difficulty”. their path. past with me having the same daily routine and one day it really hit hard when I got the What I’ve learned over the past 100 days of Throughout this ordeal our places of worship news that one of my clients has passed away lockdown: have been closed down and we have to find in hospital due to cancer, at the age of 37. • Develop a good support network and coping innovative ways of worshiping as a church. It’s mechanism. like when we needed to draw closer as people I wasn’t able to give the family a visit, hug • Acknowledge your feelings and create a path of God we were pushed further apart. or a rub on the shoulder due social distanc- to let it all out. ing. I could only relay my condolences to his • Avoid negative people. Our faith is tested to the bone as we find our- mother. On the same day when I got home • Knowledge is power. selves becoming less confident in our phras- after a long day I just broke down into tears, • I never regret becoming a registered nurse as es such as “God is good all the time”. We are just realizing the emotional toll the past few I made an oath to care for the ill.

“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” Oprah Winfrey Page 6 THE GOOD HOPE JULY 2020 To the Laos - to the people of God

More than three months what is our response as a Church to the prob- into the coronavirus pan- lem, which affects us also? Please pray for the demic, we are beset by ever- Sithole family in the Diocese of Natal, where changing challenges as gov- Mrs Nomthandazo Cynthia Sithole, the wife of ernments ease lockdowns to help save jobs the Revd Sandiso Sithole, Rector of St James and the economy, while at the same time the Parish, Tongaat, died tragically recently. Pray incidence of COVID-19 cases is rising in parts also for the Revd June Major, formerly a priest of our church Province. in this Diocese, who at the time of writing was camping and on a hunger strike outside the Since I issued my Pentecost letter, hardly two gates of Bishopscourt after alleging that she days go by without reports of people known was sexually abused in 2002. (Sadly she is su- by name in the Church dying, being hospi- ing us and our lawyers are telling me not to talised or going into quarantine after being comment publicly on the matter pending the tested positive – parishioners, clergy, clergy court hearing.) spouses, bishops and their families. As I write, the number of cases in South Africa alone has Our Canons, Pastoral Standards and the Char- exceeded 160,000, with the number of deaths and actions you adopt; listen to experts with ter for Safe and Inclusive Church now lay a firm heading towards 3,000. As Bishop Brian Mara- differing opinions; follow the data and the sci- basis for dealing effectively with allegations of jh of George says in an Ad Clerum, “These ence; seek to find a consensus response; and abuse – you can find full details here: https:// numbers are no longer just statistics made then communicate your course of action early anglicanchurchsa.org/safe-church-guide/ up of numbers, the numbers have faces, and and often. I repeated this call in an address to it is persons known to us or to others that are the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School Please pray for the people of northern Mozam- close to us.” of Business. bique, and especially the Diocese of Nampula, where an insurgency that has grown in recent The financial implications of the pandemic are Most important, in the Church we should strike months and years is bringing terror to people’s also afflicting the church, notably bringing a note of hope as we steer our way through lives. Bishop Carlos Matsinhe of Lebombo re- about the sudden closure of the Bishop Bavin the pandemic: hope in facing the challenges ports that last weekend the town of Mocim- School in Bedfordview, Gauteng. The school, with eyes of love, sensibility and as much cer- boa da Praia, in the province of Cabo Delgado, founded in 1991, was having difficulties al- tainty as we can. We need to be asking, who was invaded and 30 people were butchered, ready when the pandemic and lockdown hit is my neighbour and how do I care for her or and their bodies set on fire with petrol from us, putting paid to efforts by the school and his welfare? What can I do to alleviate hunger? motorcycles in the town. Hundreds of thou- the Diocese of Johannesburg to rescue it. How can I help those in quarantine? And we sands of people have been forced to flee their must be disciplined about wearing masks homes and Bishop Manuel Ernesto is living in At a time such as this we are all called upon outside the home, observing distancing and fear. to be leaders, helping guide our congrega- generally behaving as Christians with loving tions and our communities to make decisions hearts, acting lovingly towards others. Pray too for the people of Palestine and Israel, which both keep them safe and allow them to where the Israeli prime minister is threatening live their lives as normally as possible. But with I have written before of the shocking occur- to annex the West Bank. Already the establish- changes coming so fast, we don’t always know rences of gender-based violence during lock- ment of Jewish settlements there has under- in advance what we will be called to make de- down, not only here but across the world. mined the viability of the long-promoted two- cisions about. In an important initiative, the authorities in state solution (one supported by the Lambeth South Africa want to create a National Coun- Conference) to the ongoing conflict in the Asked at a recent webinar hosted by the Gan- cil for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Holy Land. Annexation would finally put paid dhi Development Trust about leading in times which would have as its objective “amplifying to it. of crisis, I emphasised the importance of how the national response to GBV” by building “a we make decisions in disruptive times: ap- strengthened, survivor-focused, resourced God bless you. proach problems with an open mind; hold firm and coordinated strategic response” to the + Thabo Cape Town to your values but be flexible on the policies problem. Such developments challenge us:

during this time. The kids were excited to re- Literacy packs and ceive Edu-packs and “literacy bibles” as well seedlings as crayons and masks. They were also given spinach seedlings and instructions on how to make compost. They are excited to start their The Sunday School at Eluvukweni in Cross- own gardens. When children start young they roads was blessed with donations of Edu- can fall in love with the excitement of growing packs , spinach seedlings and Masks. their own veggies! The schools have been closed for three A big thank you to St Andrew’s Newlands for months, and suburban schools have been the Edu-packs and masks, and to the Bible So- able to offer online classes, most of our kids ciety of South Africa for the literacy bibles. have not received any educational support

Bill Copeland “Try to be like the turtle – at ease in your own shell.” THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF CAPE TOWN Page 7 A clean-up blessing for Holy Cross Nyanga during All children matter - lockdown PERIOD 1st June, 1st November and 20th November are generally celebrated as – Children’s day. The first week of June is also BEFORE known as Child Protection Week when everybody is supposed to wear a green ribbon to signify commitment to the protection of children. These dates seek to raise awareness of the plight of our children and to advocate for their rights in every way.

In the South African Constitution, Chapter 2 and Section 28, we clearly have the rights of our children enshrined. The exercising and implementation of these rights are not intended for one day, or for a week every year only, but an ongoing day by day imperative for the benefit of ALL children. Unfortu- nately, we have failed miserably to ensure that ALL our children enjoy the benefits of nutritious food, quality education and safety and security within a loving and caring environ- ment and home, on an equity basis. As a consequence, and in my opinion, our children are getting a raw deal in our new democracy in that they are not considered one of the highest priorities for government (alongside Covid-19 and resus- citating the economy), and has in fact been removed from the main agenda since the portfolio for children was dropped some years ago.

AFTER As someone said, recently - “The system is not broken (for children), it was built this way.” We are not to fix the system, but to build a new one that seeks to bring equality and equity to ALL. Covid-19 has exacerbated an age old problem which was not adequately remedied during the first 26 years of free- dom in our democracy, and has acutely highlighted the plight of the children when school feeding schemes and education was stopped during Covid-19 lockdown.

A policy brief by the United Nations in April 2020 on the impact of Covid-19 on children, reports that “Children are not the face of this pandemic. But they risk being among its big- gest victims. While they have thankfully been largely spared from the direct health effects of COVID-19 - at least to date – the crisis is having a profound effect on their wellbeing.

All children, of all ages, and in all countries, are being affected, in particular by the socio-economic impacts and, in some cases, by mitigation measures that may inadvertently do more harm than good. This is a universal crisis and, for some children, the impact will be lifelong. Moreover, the harmful effects of this pandemic will not be distributed equally. They The streets around Holy Cross Church are expected to be most damaging for children in the poorest in Nyanga had become an illegal countries, and in the poorest neighbourhoods, and for those dumping ground. Neighbours took the in already disadvantaged or vulnerable situations.” opportunity during lockdown to clear the rubbish and rubble and to create a In addition we are also underestimating the long term impact pavement garden. of the traumas and stresses under which children are growing up – in many cases inflicted on them by their own parents. Where there is a will there is a way! What is most beautiful is that the street Churches and faith based institutions like our Church, have is named after a former rector, Father a fundamental role to play in helping to advocate for the full Mfenyana who recently passed away rights of children, as well as to provide relief in times and ar- and now Mfenyana Street looks beau- eas of crisis. tiful again! continues on page 8

- Revd Dr Rachel Mash

“Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” Voltaire Page 8 THE GOOD HOPE JULY 2020

All children matter from page 7: St Cyprian’s Retreat celebrating With our efficient connectivity with the members of our Parishes and the community, we are able to spread Good Youth month in Lockdown News of hope and courage, and are St Cyprian’s Retreat is blessed to have a very ents, friends and neighbours. It is well with my able to facilitate and mobilise the ser- active young people’s ministry (YPM) and we soul was the evening session. This programme vices that are needed to ensure no child have worked hard throughout lockdown to had the Young Adults and matriculants share goes hungry, or is neglected. keep the young people motivated. with us how they were experiencing online learning in lockdown. They expressed how dif- Jesus in Matthew 18 gives us adults an Our YPM includes, Sunday School, Faith Find- ficult it was in the beginning but with time they idea as to how we need to view chil- ers, the grade seven class, three Confirmation were learning to cope. Those who returned to dren, as examples of faith. Let us not Stream classes (C1- grade 8, C2- grades 9 or school shared their understandings and gave allow those examples of faith to be 10, C3 – grades 10 or 11), Senior Youth, Young us hope that the school systems were helping eroded and destroyed by the ills of soci- Adults, Servers’ Guild, Liturgical Dancers and them cope. Some gave us encouragement and ety and the ignoring of their voices. Retreat Holiday Club. practical ways of coping for example doing ex- ercises, eating healthily and taking the neces- It was Nelson Mandela who said : When youth month started the Revd Canon sary breaks when they were no longer retain- “There can be no keener revelation of a Mark Andrews allocated Fridays to the youth ing information. society’s soul than the way in which it so that the congregation could hear their treats its children.” For the renewing of voices and learn from them. Throughout lock- 12 June 2020 the Servers’ Guild took us on their the soul of society, we are going to have down we have had audio Eucharistic Services journey where they told us what they missed to step up our efforts in greatly improv- on a Sunday and audio Morning and Evening about serving and added messages of hope ing the wellbeing of all our little people. Prayers from Monday to Friday. The congrega- and prayers. They shared that they needed to Let’s “see” our children with the eyes of tion was therefore accustomed to this rhythm have faith and pray as nothing in life is perma- Jesus, and listen and respond to their before youth month and as we are aware of nent. The evening the C1’s shared the Promises most dire need for care, love and safety. possible data limitations the audio format re- of God on which they rely. 16 June 2020 Revd duced data usage. Ronald Muller blessed us with Morning Prayer So, I urge our parishes to go beyond that incorporated Youth Day and 19 June 2020 spiritual formation in Sunday Schools, 22 May 2020, in preparation for Youth Month the Liturgical Dancers completed their first and, to seek out the children of the we did our first session called Trust in God combined video to the song You Say by Lau- community who have need of advoca- showcasing the Faith Finders. They recorded ren Daigle and sent beautiful Father’s Day mes- cy, of sustenance, and of justice, and to audio clips of no longer than one minute ex- sages. The evening the C3 class shared which assist in providing for their every need pressing how they felt about lockdown and chapter or verse from Proverbs stood out for in order for them to grow up into well how they felt having to return to school 1 June. them and told us why they had chosen that reared productive adults. Comments from them ranged from being anx- Proverb or verse. Retreat Holiday Club (RHC) ious to acknowledging that they had to go would have taken place 22-24 June 2020 and ------ooOOoo------ooOOoo-- back to school. The session also included some our theme would have been: “Wherever I am, encouragement and music. Kevin Wyngaard God is”. 26 June 2020 we therefore dedicated Contribution by Tony Lawrence, a and Caryn Welby-Solomon offer their technical to RHC. Janice Cozett, RHC director, put to- Child Safety Specialist with a focus on support in putting the programmes together gether a Junior Youth programme focussing the prevention of abuse and violence and uploading them. The Music ministries also on God being with us in our “caves”. Children against children. work very hard recording appropriate songs for spoke to us about what they thought caves to the services and the sessions. be and where we could find them, how dur- He is Managing Director of SaferKidsZA ing lockdown their homes became their caves NPC which focuses on training and ed- Pentecost Sunday we uploaded our first Praise and some expressed how death could feel like ucating organisations and schools on and Worship service to draw us all together and a cave, we also heard how scouts utilise caves. the highest standards of child safety. it also acted as our way of praying for South Af- The evening was a Teen Programme led by the rica as President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked. C2 candidates and facilitators and looked at He is a mentor and coach in Christian the aspect of Night Skies, Psalm 147:4. Leadership and was trained by the 5 June 2020 we experienced programmes Haggai Institute International. called Blessings from the Sunday School in the Our prayer is that God will protect us all dur- morning where Allison Petersen shared with ing lockdown and that we will be powerful wit- Until 3 years ago he was the Provin- them how special they are and Karen Goliath nesses of God’s love. To those infected with the cial Youth Coordinator in the Anglican prayed for them. The young ones shared how Covid 19 virus may God heal you and to those Church of Southern Africa. happy they are to spend time with their parents losing loved ones that God will comfort you. but also shared how they miss their grandpar- - Dr Michelle Burrows

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