Synod of Bishops 26 September 2012

This statement was issued by the Synod of Bishops on 26 September 2012.

"For such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)

The Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) met together in Synod at the St George’s Hotel and Conference Centre in Centurion, Pretoria from 23rd to 26th September 2012. It was a joyous reunion and a time of deep fellowship for all. Our time was spent in an alternating rhythm of worship (both the Eucharist and Daily Offices) and work, with each informing and being informed by the other.

We were privileged to have an opportunity to meet with Governor Gill Marcus, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, and to be made aware of the extent of the global financial crisis and the long term implications it has for the nations of the Anglican Province of Southern Africa. Her address was challenging and inspiring. It would seem that the economic downturn will continue for some time, and that economic recovery will be slow, and that, as always, it will be the poor who suffer the most.

As we listened to our own bishops speaking about the national crisis in the South African mining industry, the massive challenges facing our education and health services, rising corruption in all sectors of the community, and the internal crises affecting the life of the people of God in our dioceses (most notably those in the Cathedral of Pretoria and the Diocese of Umzimvubu). We were struck by the fact that we are struggling with not only economic, but also social, collapse. Much of this crisis, we believe, reflects a desperate need both for principled leadership in church and society, and for Christians to live out their faith in community in ways that set the common good of all above the selfish desires of greed and personal self interest.

The readings in our worship have also spoken to us powerfully about anointed leadership. In a reading from the Book of Esther, Mordecai speaks to Queen Esther warning her that her destiny as a Jew is inextricably bound up with that of her people and suggesting that she has “come to royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). For such a time as this, we need Christian leadership that will stand in solidarity with all of God’s people. For such a time as this, we need prophetic voices that will speak God’s word with boldness and set before us the radical vision of God for a world transformed by God’s grace. For a time like this, we need faithful people willing to be conformed to the purposes of God rather than to the ways of the world (Romans 12:1-2).

This has much to say to us about developing and nurturing Christian leaders within the church, for leadership not only within our churches, but also for our world. We have begun discussion on ways in which we could more intentionally promote the spiritual formation of God’s people for this purpose. We are discussing the formation and training of new bishops, and ways in which we could better guide and mentor those experiencing difficulties within their dioceses.

However, we also recognised that the socialisation, training and formation of people for leadership begins in the earliest years of life. In this regard we recognise the need for the church once again to play a prominent role in education, especially amongst the very young. We strongly affirmed the Archbishop’s Initiative in Education and its proposed objectives:
• To strengthen what the Anglican Church of Southern Africa is already doing in the field of education
• To encourage parishes in the ongoing upliftment of all their communities through partnership with local public schools
• To create more excellent church schools for all.

We also affirmed the Lent Course, “People of the Way”, that was produced by the Diocese of Johannesburg and encouraged plans to expand it into a three year discipleship programme for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. In addition, we continued to discuss, in depth, the need for excellence in the theological formation of our clergy and future clergy. We gave thanks for progress made at the College of the Transfiguration in Grahamstown and committed ourselves to support the College as it continues and develops its ministry.

The Synod of Bishops gave thanks for the “Anglicans ACT” Vision and Mission Statement of ACSA and for the way in which they are catching the imagination of our people. In particular we endorsed the forthcoming “Anglicans Ablaze” Conference in Johannesburg and the Bible studies that were produced in preparation for it. We also encouraged Dioceses and Parishes to find ways to participate in the Celebration of “Anglicans ACT” on 25th November this year.

Central to the life of ACSA is a rhythm of daily and weekly prayer and worship. It feeds our common life, theology, ministry and mission. Through this rhythm we and our people engage daily with God and one another through the Scriptures. We therefore welcomed the introduction of the Revised Common Lectionary to guide our Sunday Bible readings and worship as from Advent 2012. This brings us into line with most of the church worldwide. We gave thanks for the wonderful resource, “Word and Worship”, which has been produced by an Ecumenical team based at Ekklesia in Stellenbosch. Arising from this discussion we have asked the Liturgical Committee to investigate the possible revision of the Anglican Prayer Book 1989 or the production of a new Prayer Book.

We welcomed Bishop Graham Cray, Missioner to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, among us. He addressed us on the missionary nature of the church and its implications in our changed and changing cultures. One strategy is to encourage a “mixed economy” of traditional and “fresh expressions” congregations in our dioceses and parishes. In all of this we recognised, once again, that making Christian disciples is the key. We also took note, with great interest, of the “New Monastic Movement” that is emerging worldwide.

The Synod of Bishops gave thanks for the faithful and effective ministries of our bishops who are retiring or have recently retired: Paddy Glover (Free State), Merwyn Castle (False Bay) and Brian Germond (Johannesburg). We prayed for those who have recently been elected to serve as Bishops: Ellinah Wamukoya (Swaziland), Dintoe Stephen Letloenyane (Free State), and Stephen Moreo (Johannesburg), and also for the Diocese of False Bay, preparing for their Elective Assembly in the coming week. We welcomed the appointment of Bishop Rubin Phillip (Natal) as Dean of the Province.

The Synod of Bishops rejoiced with all of ACSA at the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood. We gave thanks for the many ways in which the widening ministry of women continues to enrich the life of our church.

The Synod of Bishops gives thanks to God for the loving, wise and godly leadership of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. In all these things we thank our God of holiness and love for continuing to inspire and guide us as we strive to oversee the life, mission and ministry of the church in such a time as this.

“Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

It is a constant meditation of my heart to contemplate the role of the church in Christianity.

This extract from Archbishop shows one side of what we are called to!!

This morning I was Challenged by 1 Peter 2:9 - (go read it)…. Yes we need to reflect more on what God sees his Church as - and what we are called to be and do...

An Extract from the Archbishops Ad Laos (to the people)

Dear People of God

‘Cry aloud to the Lord!’ writes Jeremiah in his Lamentations, ‘Let tears stream down like a torrent day and night … Arise, cry in the night, at the beginning of the watches. Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!’ (Lam 2:18,19).

South Africa has been rocked by the tragedy at Marikana mine – the death of 34 miners at the hands of the police, after a further 10 deaths, including of police, in the preceding week. But this is only part of a greater tragedy: the tragedy that the situation could be allowed to deteriorate so far; the tragedy of appalling working and living conditions; the tragedy of such a breakdown in relations between employers and unions and employees and government; and the tragedy that across our country similarly dreadful situations are festering. They are like smouldering logs that, if left unattended, are ready to ignite. What should be the church’s response to this?

First, we should know how to lament – how to cry out to God, in our pain, our frustration, our anger, our distress, our deep, deep hurt. We should not hold back in speaking the truth of what we see, what we feel, what we fear. We bring before the throne of grace all that is broken, all that is awry, all that ought to be better but is not. And in opening our hearts to God, we call on God to step in, to act, to respond to the great need in which we find ourselves. ‘Weep with those who weep’ wrote St Paul to the Romans (Rom 12:15), and so we must. Now is a time to weep. We mourn for all who have died; and we mourn for all else that grieves us. We bring it all before God with a purpose – we come to ask him to take it all, and redeem it, to change it, and to change us, and give us a fresh start, so we may make a good and godly difference.

And so we are not left helpless in our weeping, and we must not despair. St Paul also writes ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good’ (Rom 12:21). Though I have been twice to Marikana since those terrible shootings, and found conditions that shocked me, nonetheless I am optimistic, for ours is a God who shines light in every darkness. Though I felt the very ground crying out to my soul that ‘All is not well’, and though it felt that the whole area is on a knife edge, still I am hopeful. For this can be to us not a prophecy of doom, but a wake-up call.

Pasted from <http://archbishop.anglicanchurchsa.org/2012/09/to-laos-to-people-of-god-september-2012.html> 

Amanzimtoti

Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ - to the Saints of the Church of the Good Shepherd Amanzimtoti.

I write to thank you for your wonderful hospitality. I was blessed to meet you all at the midweek Eucharist and the fellowship evening, and I am so  looking forward to getting to know you all better when we move down in January.

I wish to extend a special thank you to Mtr Margie, from my family and I. Margie has opened her heart and her home to us and really helped us to get a sense of place in preparation for our move. We praise God for His wonderful gift to the parish in her, and for all that she is doing. May God bless you abundantly, Margie,  and shower His goodness upon you.   

Be assured that you will all be in my prayers and that you have won my heart, and I thank God for the opportunity given me to serve you in this place.

With Love

Fr Andrew.

Fr Andrew and his wife Michelle and Children Jamie, Matthew and Noah are moving from the Parish of Evander with Secunda in the Diocese of the Highveld to the Parishes St Mary's Kingsburgh and The Good Shepherd Amanzimtoti in the Diocese of Natal, in January 2013.

He can be followed on Twitter at ManningFr: or on facebook at www.facebook/andrewmanning or on his blog at  www.andrew-runningwithhorses@blogspot.com

Kingsburgh

Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was so wonderful to meet you all at our fellowship dinner on the 6th of September.

My Family and I were really blessed by the evening and we look forward to our return in January and our stay here in Kingsburgh.

A special thank you to Mtr Margie. Her hospitality to us has been wonderful and her love for you all is very evident. Please keep her in your prayers as she undergoes this period of major change in her life. God be praised for her faithfulness to her calling and all that she has done over the years here on the South Coast.

Be assured that you will all be in my prayers and that you have won my heart, and I thank God for the opportunity given me to serve you in this place.

With Love

Fr Andrew.

Fr Andrew and his wife Michelle and Children Jamie, Matthew and Noah are moving from the Parish of Evander with Secunda in the Diocese of the Highveld to the Parishes St Mary's Kingsburgh and The Good Shepherd Amanzimtoti in the Diocese of Natal, in January 2013.

He can be followed on Twitter at ManningFr: or on facebook at www.facebook/andrewmanning or on his blog at  www.andrew-runningwithhorses@blogspot.com

From the Rectors Desk - 10 May 2012

From the Rectors Desk:

To the beloved in Christ. Grace and truth to you from our Lord and Saviour

Jesus Christ.

It has been a very tough few weeks for me as I deal with a number of challenges within my ministry and personal life. After two years of intensive work with HABSR, I now at am a stage where I can hand over a plan for implementation. I would like to thank the Parish for  the support, patience and prayers that have kept me going. I hope this means that I will have more time to focus on a number of areas in the Parish.

Foremost among these is addressing our financial  situation, which needs revamping to make our parish viable in these difficult times. I also intend to start a new members course which I will encourage people to attend to orientate themselves with the way  that the parish operates and the ministries of the Parish.

I remind you that next weekend (18th-20th) is our confirmation camp and Justin, Helen, Rachel and I will be taking the class to “De Voetpadkloof” for a time of intensive preparation for their confirmation on the 1st of July. Please keep us all in your prayers.

On Wednesday and Thursday I hope to attend a seminar on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. My Prayer is that this will assist me to grow in self leadership skills and function better as a Priest.

May God pour out his abundant blessings on you all as w prepare for the celebration of Pentecost. May our expectations of God doing new things on our lives inspire us to wait on Him and seek Him in greater measure, in every aspect of our lives.   

ACSA communications

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2012/4/30/ACNS5096
See this Article on Communications in the Anglican Church

A day worth reflecting on

A day worth reflecting on

Sometimes life goes by so fast that we don’t learn the lessons of the day. We move from one think to the next with hardly a breath and definitely no thought, of what is really happening in our lives. At the Eucharist this morning as we remembered the Life of St Athanasius, I was reminded of our need to stand up for what we believe in and to fight for it. Often we don’t have the energy, or see the need, but God called us to this ministry – of standing up for the truth, of recognising the battles – chosen for us to proclaim the faith and preach the Gospel.

As I visited a prospective Social Responsibility partner, where everything needed exists and yet they are struggling to make it work; I was reminded that life is like that. You may have all the ingredients in the kitchen, but you won’t get biscuits just because the ingredients are present. Even a recipe doesn’t guarantee success, as Jamie discovered, or as I discovered when I got home and saw her attempt at chocolate biscuits. Her consistency was wrong... Isn’t that always the case?  We put the right ingredients together but fail to mix it right.  Our human relationships get in the way, the way we dilute the present with the past and or the future, the way we expect things to be different, just because we want them to be, the way we misinterpret the signs and get frustrated by our own efforts.

This evening I attended a Growth and Development Strategy consultative forum for Ekurhuleni. An attempt to include the “Stakeholders” in the planning from 2012 to 2055. Some good work has been done, but we really need to rethink a few things.

 One of the drivers was “what do you want Ekurhuleni to look like 10. 15 and 20 years from now.”  An interesting question; it made me wonder, what makes a place somewhere you want to live. What drivers move you to live here or there?  Personally I am very affected by the issue of education.  I want to live somewhere, where I know that my children have access to quality education.  Is there such a place in SA? I want to live somewhere where to get where I am going is not a matter of chance nor is it a matter of taking my life into my hands every time I leave the house. So a good public transport system would effect my choice of where to live. So who in SA can boast that?

I want a place where I can live in freedom : where my kids can ride their bikes in the street, and play in the park. I want to have access to a good hospital, when needed. I haven’t mentioned the simple basics of water and electricity and refuse removal, but since my garbage is still sitting on the pavement, maybe I should.

I don’t think that this is asking too much? I don’t think that this is a dream, it is what we should expect. But my question is how are we going to make Ekurhuleni or anywhere else in SA fit this description?

It was pointed out that land for expansion is fast running out, so our typical response of moving somewhere else is not looking like a long term solution. A person in Thembisa can’t just move to Bedford view to better their lives, (can Bedford boast that it has all things necessary for the simple life anyway)?

We need to be making home what we want it to be. And how do I suggest we do this?

Well firstly let’s make up our minds that we have to make the world the place we want it to be, and not expect someone else to do it for us. Let’s make our homes places of discipline and sound learning. Let’s  make our homes places where viewpoints can be developed and discussed. Let’s make our homes places of safety. Let’s make our homes healthy places, sound diets of stomach and mind.

Let’s make our homes places where  God is loved, where our neighbour is loved and respected, how about we even go as far as finding out their name – wouldn’t that cause a stir.

If we want to address the problems of the world we have to start at home. Then we will know what we want and we will be able to articulate it and work towards it.

We have a responsibility. I think we should rise to it.

I will be compiling a submission to the Ekurhuleni Municipality for its GDS 2055 – If you have any comment – please feel free to send it to agmanning1@gmail.com.