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Holy Trinity Hillcrest

October 2011 News Letter

The Stewardship Edition Rector’s Reflections

Dear God’s people,

The year seems to be racing ahead at such a pace that we are breathlessly trying to keep up. It is

that time of the year again when we are called upon to renew our commitment to God through the Parish’s Stewardship

Campaign. As in previous years, we are expected consciously to renew our relationship with God and respond to the love

and grace of God in a new and refreshed way.

In keeping with the Diocesan programme the overall theme for this year’s Stewardship campaign is STEWARD NOT OWNER.

During the month we will consider the theme in relation to our environment, our health, our wealth and our talents. And on

the last Sunday in October we will be given the opportunity of renewing our commitment to God by placing our written

responses (Personal Details form) on the altar.

Some of us may be wondering why we should be giving attention to a subject like this. Stewardship is integral to our

vocation as Christians. It is probably the oldest battle fought within Christianity because it is a personal struggle that we

have in ‘letting go and to let God’ be in control. It is the continuous fight with ourselves in accepting that all we have and

all we are, are the gifts God entrusted to us for the building of God’s kingdom. We need constantly to remind ourselves that

everything we are and have is through God’s benevolent love.

As the Body of Christ we are obliged to influence our world with Christ-like values. We do not need to be reminded of the

desperate desire for a world where basic human regard is accorded to all. As Christians we seek the Christ-likeness or the in

-dwelling Christ in those with whom we share our world. For us to achieve this and build God’s kingdom with God’s values

we must become the stewards scripture calls us to be.

For many here at Holy Trinity there is the concern that we ‘are showing our age’. Many who actively participate in the life

and ministry of our Parish and who ‘keep the home fires burning’ (core givers) are our elderly members. So we often get

calls for younger people to join or take up the baton to continue the race. There are some who have suggested that we

must adapt to become more appealing to younger members. There is a real earnest desire to see these changes taking

place in our midst. Someone has even expressed the concern that the ‘church will die’. We need not fear that, because

the church belongs to God and we are the stewards. It remains an important responsibility that as the stewards we take

care of all that’s been entrusted to our care. That includes all the topics we will be considering this month.

Each registered member of the parish will be receiving a brown envelope containing the Stewardship Pack. In it you will

find a letter from the churchwardens, a draft budget for 2012, a personal details form and a Bible Study. The budget, you

will notice is not very different from previous years in that no new ministries are being budgeted for. The increases reflected

when compared to previous years are merely to meet the escalation in cost. This is in part the leadership’s struggle in trying

to budget for some growth but at the same time being considerate of the current financial situation. The idea is that pa-

rishioners are encouraged to support the basic functioning of the parish and volunteer to assist in the implementation of

the various ministries. Many are already setting such a wonderful example through their generous and sacrificial giving of

their time, talent and treasure. We need more hands and feet and voices particularly in those areas where there is a des-

perate lack.

So to help us discern our response to God for next year I am appealing that we take the time to listen to God. Elijah, the

holy man of God, travelled a long distance to a cave and heard the still small voice. We need to find our caves, the quiet

within our souls and around us. We can do this by reading the Bible, prayerfully seeking understanding and then to reflect

on the questions posed in the Bible Study. This contemplation will help us not to give a knee jerk response dependent on

our busy itinerary or our overburdened budget. Our response will be a God-directed reply to the challenges that God plac-

es before us and the family of Holy Trinity.

May we be assured of God’s presence as we consider our call and response to the God who died for us.

Gary+

†

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Confirmation 2011 On the 4th September Holy Trinity was proud to present 3 Adults and 5 young adults to Bishop Nkosinathi for Confirmation. Here is how some of the candidates were inspired by the teaching they received and moved by the service.

“Towards the end of 2010, I joined Holy Trinity, having always been a non pratising Anglican Christian. I had never taken Holy Communion and was enamoured when you offered a Confirmation course. The weekly discussions with open debate, coupled with daily Bible reading (I am nearly finished reading the entire Bible), has opened my mind to so many things, especially the spiritual closeness I feel towards God. I also realise the journey is a hard one, needing daily commitment and prayer. I look forward to furthering my understanding of both the Bible and Salvation. Once again, huge thanks to both you and the congregation for a fantastic Confirmation and especially having Bishop Nkosinathi presiding.” Kevin McGeer

“Confirmation has been such an amazing and inspiring time for me. It has moulded my thoughts about God for who he is and how I must serve him. I feel so much more educated about it, about the church and understand the word and how to spread it to others. I feel as though all the thoughts and questions in my head have been cleared up for me and I feel a lot more confident about God and the Christian faith.” Ashleigh freeman

The Lighthouse of Our Lives,

When the ocean becomes a tumult of frothy despair. When we are doused in the icy spray of hurt and uncertainty. When we drift alone, sunken and battered. Cast away callously, like tired fish nets. Thrown about roughly, then shipwrecked on the jagged rocks. We cling fast to Him. and He p u l l s us through

When all seems lost He instils a new unfailing hope, He keeps us striving.

When all seems lost He encourages and gives us strength, He reminds us of our purpose and potential.

When all seems lost on the long, caliginous voyage life presents, He is what we live for.

He is our anchor, Our house of light God. Bronwyn Freeman

Having been on the journey of confirmation I can say now that it has brought me closer to God. It has been a unique and unforgettable experience. Bronwyn Freeman

“It was the vital day of my life. I felt so happy that a new chapter

was opened in my life and that I believed it was the beginning of

good things in life. I was also glad that I am finally doing the

right thing. Everything that happened during the confirmation

taught me so much . Most of all I thank God for the Holy Spirit

that we received on confirmation because now I am assured that

Jesus is dwelling in me now and that Jesus is going to work

through me.” Mbali Kunene.

“I have always been a strong Christian and have believed in God, but since doing my confirmation course, my faith has deepened. I feel so safe knowing that God is there, looking out for us all the time and reminding me that even when I've had a bad day, He is always there.” Jodie Kroone:

“I am extremely grateful to everyone involved, to have had the opportunity to be confirmed. The course opened my eyes to our amazing, caring God. I feel that I have taken a huge step towards God and that I can keep taking steps closer to Him throughout my life.” Dale Kroone:

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Please check our website, www.holytrinity.co.za, for all the latest news and activities!

Stewardship in Action

We have taken the example of a few of our Parishes who very generously use their talents to assist communities outside of our parish. Althea Higham responded to an invitation by the Rev. Dirk Gevers from The Bible Society when he visited the Parish in May. As we all know the Bible Society celebrat-ed the 400th anniversary of the King James version of the Bible. To mark the occasion numerous events were organised including a flower show at Bible House. The photo on the left shows the arrangement made by Althea to commemorate the occasion. We thank God for her willingness to share her God-given talent and through it inspire others.

Ann Moore, Joyce Small and Pam Skinner

also accepted a request from Bishop Rubin

when he visited the Parish on Trinity

Sunday. During tea after the service the

Bishop’s attention was focused on the Mary

and Martha banner in the hall. The Bishop

asked Gary if the Parish would be willing to

make a banner for the Parish of Sithembile

that he would bless and name as St Mary and

St Martha.

This is the Parish in which 3 ladies had a

vision of building their own church and

decided to raise the funds and co-ordinate

the project in a relatively impoverished area.

The EWG on hearing of this project, decided

to donate R1000 of their funds to the Parish.

Bishop Rubin has indicated that this money

will go towards the purchase of an altar for

the Parish. We give thanks to God for our

opportunity to share the things that God has

blessed us with. Joyce Small and Ann Moore with their work of art!

(missing from the picture is Pam Skinner)

The Gift of Talents

The Gift of Treasure

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Parish Page!

Banking details: Account Name: Hillcrest Anglican Church Nedbank Hillcrest Branch 1338 26 Account No. 1338 034 057

PARISH CONTACT DETAILS: Cnr Elangeni & Nqutu Roads, Hillcrest

P O Box 148 Hillcrest 3650 Phone: 031-765 5941

Fax: 031-765 5077 Email: office@holytrinity.co.za / Website: www.holytrinity.co.za

Forthcoming Events!

Arthur & Diana Londal Brian & Glynis Webb

Matthew & Rosemarie Johnstone Duncan & Belinda Royston

Kevin & Wendy Leppan

October

Lindsay & Margaret Vorwerg Bill & Lolly Wilson

Peter & Jo Evennett

SEA CRUISE!

The EWG will be hosting a musical

and dance evening in the hall on

Friday 4th November at 19h00. The theme for the

evening is a Sea Cruise. Entertainment will be

provided by Centrefold. Tickets are R60 each.

They can be purchased from members of the EWG

or the Parish office. Please dress for the theme.

O n Sunday the 6th

November we will

resume the family

service at the 08h30

Eucharist. We are

inviting any young

musicians to come and

assist us with the music for the service and we are

asking all the members of the Parish to invite their

children and grand-children (if they are in the area) to

join us for worship on that day.

An Advent outdoor lunch!

To mark the beginning of

the new church cycle, the

Parish is organising an

Advent out-door lunch on

Sunday 27th November.

In keeping with the sea-

son of Stewardship we

are inviting members of

the Parish to join Gary in

sharing their talents by

cooking a potjie or two or

making a braai.

If you are up to the challenge please confirm with

Enid.

This is a fellowship event, so to cover costs of the

ingredients and to defray expenses, a charge of R40

will be levied for all who would like to join us for

the lunch.

R.I.P. We give thanks for the life of those recently deceased.

Rose Marx

Don Burchell

Let us give thanks to God for…. The birth of a beautiful grandson, Harrison, to Bob & Joyce Mickel and another little

granddaughter to Lindsay & Margaret Vorwerg, Lucy!