Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Lent
Christians observe Lent as a time of reflection, repentance, fasting, abstinence, and acts of mercy. Perhaps you'll see a friend this week with ashes conspicuously smeared in the middle of her forehead. Maybe your colleague has mentioned giving up chocolate or beer.
In a culture that encourages indulgence, ashes signify an outrageously counter-cultural act of humility. As a time when we acknowledge that not all is well with our souls, and lament the pain of so many people in our world, Lent appeals as the most sensible and realistic liturgical season of the year.
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the liturgical rite of dabbing ashes on the forehead of worshipers. The ashes remind us of our mortality. God spoke to Adam in Genesis 3:19, “for dust you are, and to dust you will return.” In the Bible ashes are also a symbol of mourning (2 Samuel 13:19, Jeremiah 6:26), a stark metaphor that even Jesus invokes (Matthew 11:21). Ashes also signify an inner attitude of repentance, humility, self-denial, and abstinence.
Lenten humility is not an end in itself, some act of morbid self-hatred or self-denial. Unlike the implications of the scientific outlook, Lent anticipates and culminates in the Easter celebration of resurrection life. Whatever else Christians believe, we believe that God in Christ will vanquish sin and death, and so we're the ultimate optimists who affirm life. But until then, Lent reminds us that Easter's celebration of life must pass through the narrow and bitter way of death. Jesus rose from the dead, but not before he died a real death; our hope is for the same. That's why at this time of year Christians find it entirely healthy and human to "remember death".
Daniel Clendenin
Christians observe Lent as a time of reflection, repentance, fasting, abstinence, and acts of mercy. Perhaps you'll see a friend this week with ashes conspicuously smeared in the middle of her forehead. Maybe your colleague has mentioned giving up chocolate or beer.
In a culture that encourages indulgence, ashes signify an outrageously counter-cultural act of humility. As a time when we acknowledge that not all is well with our souls, and lament the pain of so many people in our world, Lent appeals as the most sensible and realistic liturgical season of the year.
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the liturgical rite of dabbing ashes on the forehead of worshipers. The ashes remind us of our mortality. God spoke to Adam in Genesis 3:19, “for dust you are, and to dust you will return.” In the Bible ashes are also a symbol of mourning (2 Samuel 13:19, Jeremiah 6:26), a stark metaphor that even Jesus invokes (Matthew 11:21). Ashes also signify an inner attitude of repentance, humility, self-denial, and abstinence.
Lenten humility is not an end in itself, some act of morbid self-hatred or self-denial. Unlike the implications of the scientific outlook, Lent anticipates and culminates in the Easter celebration of resurrection life. Whatever else Christians believe, we believe that God in Christ will vanquish sin and death, and so we're the ultimate optimists who affirm life. But until then, Lent reminds us that Easter's celebration of life must pass through the narrow and bitter way of death. Jesus rose from the dead, but not before he died a real death; our hope is for the same. That's why at this time of year Christians find it entirely healthy and human to "remember death".
Daniel Clendenin
RECTOR'S REPORT TO ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING 22 FEBRUARY 2009
1. I've now been here for 3 years, which isn’t very long. As Cluster Leader and member of almost every other Committee & Board in the Diocese, I attend over 30 diocesan meetings each year. I act as Auditor for many of the parishes in the Free State, and continue to minister to the Precious Blood Sisters in Lesotho. I now also provide a ministry to the staff at the Hospital and Post Office. I’m very grateful that this parish understands that I have many other responsibilities and tolerates my many absences.
2. Numbers: We have had 7 baptisms and 1 funeral. The first time in my whole ministry that I have had more baptisms than funerals. The number of baptised parishioners has increased slightly to 132, including about 34 children, in 61 family units. Christmas attendance was 78, 30% up on 2007, and Easter 110, up 16%. Average Sunday communicants are 61 – an 11% increase. Sunday School numbers haven’t really changed. But, let’s always remember that Jesus commanded us to “feed my sheep” – not to “count my sheep”.
3. Services: The standard of worship in this parish is high – which is our number one priority as Christians. The weekly services at Eliza Liddell Home are very well attended – and growing. All who would like to attend a weekday Eucharist are reminded that they are welcome at Eliza Liddell on Thursday mornings at 9am. (Lasts about 35 minutes).
The pre-Christmass spit braai & associated festivities were excellent and all concerned are to be heartily congratulated. Thanks to the Lay Ministers who took Holy Week weekday services – we shall do the same this year. The Bishop’s visit for Confirmation of our own and Intabazwe’s candidates was a blessing. Edwina de Wet has been ordained a Deacon.
4. Groups: It’s a measure of the depth of our spirituality that so many people meet regularly for small group sessions of bible study, prayer and faith-sharing. I hope that more people will join the new Lent Bible Study Group on the Transfiguration on Wednesdays in the Rectory.
5. Finances: Giving by parishioners in Harrismith is not bad, but there is always room for improvement by those who are merely tipping God. Our pledge to the Diocese for this year is R148,500, (12.5% increase) which is the minimum asked for.
The fund-raising raffle raised over R26,000: Many thanks to Gavin Scholefield, to those who donated the prizes, and all concerned. The Guild bought a washing machine and an anonymous donor 2 industrial toasters for the hall.
The Wardens & Treasurer will provide a full financial report and budget.
6. Buildings: The repair of our stained glass windows is now under way. The church gutters have been replaced. The roof on the hall is again leaking after being fixed in 2006. There are still major and very expensive repairs to be done to the church fabric. The Rectory’s garden wall has been painted. We no longer have pigeons in the church porch and bats in the church.
7. Tshiame Church of the Resurrection: is our Chapelry. The congregation is now enjoying the spacious new extension. Flooring, ceiling & furniture remain to be achieved.
8. Intabazwe Church of the Transfiguration: is our nearest Anglican neighbour. Fr Isaac Rustoff and I work together to a certain extent. The Guild continues to support with mealie meal the poorest of the poor there. We should have more contact with our Anglican neighbours.
9. All Saints Vrede: Support has fallen off and the future of this church needs to be re-considered. Glodel Oertel & her school children use the building on Mondays & Fridays. Fr Tsele Moloi holds the occasional Sunday Bible Study.
10. Social Work: We have continued to support Hope House materially. The Women’s Guild has supported 42nd Hill as mentioned above. We have also supported Eliza Liddell Home for the oldest citizens in Harrismith.
11. Thanks: Churchwardens, Bernard, Bruce & Marjorie. Councillors. Servers. A group of excellent Lay Ministers. Treasurer Martie. Secretary Edwina. Several sidespeople. Guild & others for refreshments, breakfasts, teas. Guild for catering other special occasions, for fund-raising, flower arrangements. Merle & Joan (Scholefield) for gardening. Martie & the Choir for music, without which our worship would be much poorer. Sacristans. Sunday School teachers, Mandy, Karen & Michelle. Too many to mention by name for hospitality, encouragement and other acts of kindness.
1. I've now been here for 3 years, which isn’t very long. As Cluster Leader and member of almost every other Committee & Board in the Diocese, I attend over 30 diocesan meetings each year. I act as Auditor for many of the parishes in the Free State, and continue to minister to the Precious Blood Sisters in Lesotho. I now also provide a ministry to the staff at the Hospital and Post Office. I’m very grateful that this parish understands that I have many other responsibilities and tolerates my many absences.
2. Numbers: We have had 7 baptisms and 1 funeral. The first time in my whole ministry that I have had more baptisms than funerals. The number of baptised parishioners has increased slightly to 132, including about 34 children, in 61 family units. Christmas attendance was 78, 30% up on 2007, and Easter 110, up 16%. Average Sunday communicants are 61 – an 11% increase. Sunday School numbers haven’t really changed. But, let’s always remember that Jesus commanded us to “feed my sheep” – not to “count my sheep”.
3. Services: The standard of worship in this parish is high – which is our number one priority as Christians. The weekly services at Eliza Liddell Home are very well attended – and growing. All who would like to attend a weekday Eucharist are reminded that they are welcome at Eliza Liddell on Thursday mornings at 9am. (Lasts about 35 minutes).
The pre-Christmass spit braai & associated festivities were excellent and all concerned are to be heartily congratulated. Thanks to the Lay Ministers who took Holy Week weekday services – we shall do the same this year. The Bishop’s visit for Confirmation of our own and Intabazwe’s candidates was a blessing. Edwina de Wet has been ordained a Deacon.
4. Groups: It’s a measure of the depth of our spirituality that so many people meet regularly for small group sessions of bible study, prayer and faith-sharing. I hope that more people will join the new Lent Bible Study Group on the Transfiguration on Wednesdays in the Rectory.
5. Finances: Giving by parishioners in Harrismith is not bad, but there is always room for improvement by those who are merely tipping God. Our pledge to the Diocese for this year is R148,500, (12.5% increase) which is the minimum asked for.
The fund-raising raffle raised over R26,000: Many thanks to Gavin Scholefield, to those who donated the prizes, and all concerned. The Guild bought a washing machine and an anonymous donor 2 industrial toasters for the hall.
The Wardens & Treasurer will provide a full financial report and budget.
6. Buildings: The repair of our stained glass windows is now under way. The church gutters have been replaced. The roof on the hall is again leaking after being fixed in 2006. There are still major and very expensive repairs to be done to the church fabric. The Rectory’s garden wall has been painted. We no longer have pigeons in the church porch and bats in the church.
7. Tshiame Church of the Resurrection: is our Chapelry. The congregation is now enjoying the spacious new extension. Flooring, ceiling & furniture remain to be achieved.
8. Intabazwe Church of the Transfiguration: is our nearest Anglican neighbour. Fr Isaac Rustoff and I work together to a certain extent. The Guild continues to support with mealie meal the poorest of the poor there. We should have more contact with our Anglican neighbours.
9. All Saints Vrede: Support has fallen off and the future of this church needs to be re-considered. Glodel Oertel & her school children use the building on Mondays & Fridays. Fr Tsele Moloi holds the occasional Sunday Bible Study.
10. Social Work: We have continued to support Hope House materially. The Women’s Guild has supported 42nd Hill as mentioned above. We have also supported Eliza Liddell Home for the oldest citizens in Harrismith.
11. Thanks: Churchwardens, Bernard, Bruce & Marjorie. Councillors. Servers. A group of excellent Lay Ministers. Treasurer Martie. Secretary Edwina. Several sidespeople. Guild & others for refreshments, breakfasts, teas. Guild for catering other special occasions, for fund-raising, flower arrangements. Merle & Joan (Scholefield) for gardening. Martie & the Choir for music, without which our worship would be much poorer. Sacristans. Sunday School teachers, Mandy, Karen & Michelle. Too many to mention by name for hospitality, encouragement and other acts of kindness.
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