The Eight O’Clock
News Read this in COLOUR at www.cck.org.za
August 2015
8 am Service, Christ Church, Kenilworth
Travel Lightly Having travelled a fair amount for both business and pleasure, one thing that I still detest is packing. I often feel quite panicked that it will be all done in time and that I won’t forget anything important. Of course, longer trips overseas often result in multiple scenarios. Not only is business wear needed but perhaps hiking or cycling clothes and other holiday paraphenalia as well. About two years ago, I made a plan to make it all so much easier! I computerized a list with little tick-boxes and now everything is accounted for from toothbrush to cellphone charger. So… I don’t have to think about what to take and what to leave behind. I feel so less stressed and my luggage is lighter too. Life is a bit like that isn’t it? We need to be prepared for the journey and we can only enjoy every moment if our excess baggage is discarded and we make the right choices of what to hold on to and what to let go. The following is an excerpt from an article by Gerard van Rensburg of New Era Leadership where he talks about travelling lightly: “I believe that the choice of holding on or letting go is linked to the ideal of travelling lightly in this world. To live in faith, is to travel lightly. To rephrase, travel with as little weight as possible (letting go), but make sure that what you take with you (holding on to) are the essential things that will both sustain you and guide you on your way. * We don’t travel lightly if we hold on to our opinions and are unwilling to listen and learn, with open mind (mentally), open heart (emotionally) and open will (spiritually). * We don’t travel lightly if we tie our souls to material things that rust and go to waste—holding on to possessions. * We don’t travel lightly if we always feel we need to defend or promote ourselves—holding on to our pride. August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
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* We don’t travel lightly if we become addicted to anything—holding on to our fears and anxieties. * We don’t travel lightly if other people’s opinions or perceptions derail us—holding on to our dependencies. * We don’t travel lightly if we hold on to old dreams or latch on to new ones and miss the moment to feel gratitude or just be present. * We don’t travel lightly if we don’t want to forgive others and ourselves—holding on to false pride. But we also cannot travel lightly if we lose faith and let go of our true identity in God and in His love— as much as we are imperfect in keeping it. To live in faith is to live both with the courage to let go of what oppresses us, however attractive it may be at times, and the humility to surrender to God’s love. That is when life can become light, new, fresh, exciting and rewarding” So let us check our bags again and make sure that we take with us only what is essential. - Cheryl Anderson
Congratulations and Celebrations ! 7 August 2015 is a special day: Rose Clack turns 80 And Jan & John D’Arcy Evans celebrate 50 years of marriage.
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Plettenberg Bay Mission Trip Seven of our young adults have returned from a short term mission / exposure trip to Plettenberg Bay. The CCK community will be aware of the fact that we visit Plett each December as part of our Red Frogs Ministry. The churches are always very good to us, providing us with very needed support —especially the parish of Formosa. We wanted to give something back to the church and say ‘thank you’ for their support. The Rev Pam Berning is one of the self-supporting retired priests, and she particularly has a heart for the St Michael’s Anglican church in the Craggs. It is one of the chapelries of St Peter’s, and is in a very underprivileged area. We offered ourselves to her to do whatever she wanted us to do in the community. As a result we spent a week at the Craggs building relationships with her and the church in various ways. We had the privilege of doing the following:
* Running a holiday club for around 40 children in the mornings * Giving extra maths lessons to a few pupils * Teaching ballroom dancing * Having strategic Red Frogs meetings with churches, hotels, and business people * Running a youth rally * Taking the Sunday morning worship service * Running an Alpha Holy Spirit day for fifty 12-70 year-olds! Amongst the highlights for us, was the opportunity to spend a good portion of time during the week with several of the teenagers from the church. They not only helped us run the holiday club, but we did our best to try and equip them to run their own holiday club sometime soon. We will be keeping in touch with them, and sending some resources soon. We thank Christ Church for the prayer and support during the trip!
How to stay warm in winter
August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
- Origin unknown, sent in by Belle Divaris
- Jared Ruttenberg
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Mom’s Weekend Three months ago, my beloved sister, Yvonne Duffett, died.
Even before she became ill, it had been her wish not to have a funeral or any kind of public memorial. However, as a family, we had to celebrate her life in some way. We had to acknowledge her deep love for us all and her special gift of caring. So… a month ago, we made our way to her 1 daughter’s farm in Graaff Reinet for ‘Mom’s Weekend’. We laughed and cried together, shared wonderful meals, shot off special rockets in the sky to Gran and shared memories in words, song, music and silence. She was so obviously present in her absence but I am comforted because I know for sure that she is with our Lord and Saviour.
I share these few photos with you as a tribute to a much loved sister, mother of four and grandmother of eleven—we will hold her in our hearts forever. I also thank God for all who prayed for us at this time, that the weekend would be special… and it was!
- Cheryl Anderson
1) Yvonne’s daughters: Glynnis & Samantha 2) Older son, Rodger & wife Alisa & pooches 3) Younger son, Angus (Gus) and son, Nicholas (youngest grandchild). [Gus is married to Claire Scheppening] 4) Cheryl with nephews Bevan & Philip and niece, Amy. 5) Rachel (Sheila Scheppening’s grand -daughter) & Jack 6) Grandchildren 3 with ‘I love you, Gran’ stones.
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August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
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Lesotho Mission The six of us (LtoR above: Caroline Timoney, Zoliswa Gidi,
Aidan Horn, Katharina Brock, Palesa Rammego and Anri de Klerk) travelled to Maseru in Lesotho from 4-11 July. There we met up with Ntate Joseph Mpakanyne (second from left in photograph) and his co-worker Thabiso for a short term mission. We spent four days visiting and encouraging some of the churches and projects that they are involved in. We worshipped, shared testimonies, preached the word, prayed, handed out booklets
containing the Gospel of John in Sesotho and played games with the people we met. In this way we encouraged the children of Thabiso’s new church plant in his home village, Mme Rebecca’s rural clinic, small church and the surrounding villages, children at a Youth for Christ centre, and a group of new converts who are starting a church in their very rural and isolated village. We felt very blessed to be able to encourage Ntate Joseph, Thabiso and the other leaders in their work, and as much as we encouraged them, they encouraged us with their faith and the great work they are doing in spreading God’s kingdom. All of us had very different experiences but we all made connections with people we met, and agreed that we fell in love with this beautiful country and the warm, friendly people of Lesotho. We are thankful to our heavenly Father and everyone else who contributed towards making this trip a success. We look forward to welcoming Ntate Joseph and Thabiso at Christ Church soon.
Thank you, Flower Guild For all the love, care and service you give to our community. - Sent in by Taryn Galloway
Call me Doctor/Sister/Professor ? August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
Sheila Clow PhD ! UCT, June 2015
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Our Southern Namibia Encounter In 1976 I toured (then) South West Africa
extensively for three weeks with two friends and thought that I had seen it all—until July 2015 saw me privileged to go on a tour to Namibia with the HARES and the HOUNDS! What a revelation it was to discover that there was a southern area of which I was totally unaware—with dunes, deserts, range upon range of mountains, the Orange River, the Fish River Canyon and endless open spaces, wild horses and game. It was a most enjoyable trip, safely travelled (despite the destruction of our back window and consequent sandstorm within the bus !) and with expert input by our driver and guide, the incomparable Willie Hare. Namibia is a small country when seen on a map of Africa—but it has so much to offer and see. - Beth MacKrill
After many holiday-barren years the trip to
Namibia beckoned as a chance to leave all the recent stresses behind and create new experiences in their place. The trip fulfilled my expectations and more. The wonderful scenery and wide open spaces were beyond what I could have imagined. Fellowship with old friends and new was a feast to my soul. To be able to laugh wholeheartedly again (sometimes at really silly things!) was a wonderful release. - Liz Michael
Back: Mike Keggie, Margie Hare. Di Hoffa, Rob Taylor Middle: Lorna van Besouw, Sheila Scheppening, Ev Els, Lynne Keggie, Beth MacKrill Front: Sue Taylor, Liz Michael, Willie Hare [Photograph taken at Ai-Ais by David Bates (son of Judy & William)] August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
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Vast, ancient, dramatic and compelling—awesomely glorious
sunsets; night skies where you feel you can just reach up and touch the spangle of stars; enormous red dunes; huge canyons and invigorating hot springs. All this is our experience of Namibia, a land we have long desired to visit. It was a privilege to travel there as part of a tour planned and guided by Willie and Margie Hare in their inimitable style. So, our holiday was about people as much as the amazing scenery, an experience of community as the twelve of us in the mini-bus had fun and good conversation and came to know one another so much better. We are so grateful to everyone who made it a special holiday and look forward to the reunion as well as to a return to that captivating land in the not-too-distant future. - Rob and Sue Taylor
Our 10-day tour of Southern Namibia with Cape Diversity Tours
and hosts Willie and Margie Hare far exceeded our expectations. Never having been to Namibia before we were amazed by how mountainous Southern Namibia is. One highlight among many that stands out is the Namibrand Private Reserve. We had no idea that a desert could be so beautiful. The incredible colours of green, yellow, blue, purple and red have to be seen to be believed. We were overcome by the beauty of God’s amazing creation. Our favourite stop was the two nights at the Weltevrede Guest Farm where we were able to watch the Gemsbok and Springbok drinking at the waterhole, enjoy the amazing sunsets and beautiful night sky and share in a simple communion service around the fire. Travelling 12 up in a 14-seater bus was remarkably comfortable and it enabled us to benefit from Willie’s knowledge of the history and geography of Namibia. It was great fun relaxing in the warm springs at Ai-Ais and marvelling together at the Fish River Canyon. - Mike & Lynne Keggie
Running repairs to the bus when the back window blew out and we were slowly turned into sand dunes inside August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
Sunday in Namibia was a special day for me. We arrived at the
Weltevrede Guest Farm in the early afternoon and were shown to our accommodation. It looked out over a small waterhole where gemsbok and springbok came often to drink. Later in the afternoon we had a lovely walk on the farm and climbed up a rocky hill where, in silence, we watched the sun setting over the mountains. It was so peaceful and the colours were amazing. After a delicious supper we sat around a lovely warm fire in the boma, and Rob led us in an informal communion service. It was a beautiful evening, the stars shone brightly above us, and I was so aware of God’s awesomeness and His love for each one of us. As we retired to our rooms we again watched the animals in the light at the drinkinghole—I went to bed happy and content! Thank you to Willie, Margie and the group for a wonderful holiday! - Sheila Schappening
It was a privilege to be included in the recent ‘Hare-raising’ trip to
beautiful Namibia. Personally, I am usually drawn to green fields, blue mountains and cool weather in preference to arid desolation, so when travelling in South Africa, I have always been a Garden Route, rather than a West Coast girl. But I have been curious about Namibia and took little persuasion to sign up for the trip, especially as it was to be in mid-winter. I was not disappointed. I so enjoyed the fact that the environment was so different from anything I had seen previously, and that each new day brought such variety within itself. The different types of rock formation, vegetation (or lack thereof!) and coloured dunes all held a unique and awe-inspiring beauty, all ably backed up as we travelled by vast amounts of interesting (mostly!) information from Willie up front and back-seat interjections from Margie out back! A further highlight of my trip was the interaction with my fellow travellers. It was a wonderful opportunity to share 10 days of life in a very concentrated environment with 11 very special people. There was much singing, laughter and teasing, but also much deep sharing and caring. I was particularly blessed by the loving support of the group as I had news on the 4th day of the trip that my daughter Michelle had been involved in a serious car accident. I felt loved and supported in a very special way as I struggled with sporadic electronic connection and my anxiety around the situation back home. This was a fresh experience for me of how God uses all things, no matter how hard, for good, for those who love Him.
- Lorna van Besouw
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Snippets from the Trip
As you leave...
As you enter...
Rob did a lot of thinking while in Namibia...
When Rob reached the end to all his thinking, he exclaimed, ‘I’ve got to get a car like the one in Lamberts Bay !’ (below) [Photograph & idea—Di Hoffa]
Still thinking...
Einstein & Charlie Chaplin Einstein said to Charlie, "What I admire most about your art is its universality. You do not say a word, and yet ... the world understands you." “It's true,” replied Charlie Chaplin, "But your fame is even greater: The world admires you when nobody understands you." Sent in by Jan & John D’Arcy Evans
They Said... * Martin Luther once held up the Bible and said “This is the Gospel”. Then in his other hand he held up a hymn book and said “This is how I remember it”. * When someone suggested to Fanny Crosby it was a pity God had denied her sight, she replied, “If I’d been able to make one request when I was born, it would have been for blindness—because the very first face I would see would be that of God when I get to heaven.” * “Music will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
- Origin GOCOMICS by Glenn, sent in by Rose Clack
Barn Dance to Welcome Annie Kirke and Mark Russell
The Church of Christ Ephesians 3: 14 – 21 Paul says four key things of the church: * We are chosen: Chapter 1:4 & 11: The Message puts it simply and beautifully: “Long before He laid down the earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ”. * We are joined together: cf Chapter 2:14 & 19 14 “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” 19 “you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God, people and also members of His household… in Him the whole building is joined together” * We are filled with the Spirit and are Christ’s body on the earth: vs 22 “You are being built together to become a dwelling in which Christ lives by His Spirit. * We are active participants in God’s plan: Ephesians 1:11-12 (The Message): ‘It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone’ 2:10 “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join Him in the work He does.” August 2015 Eight O’Clock News
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NIV: 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. [Extract from Colleen Sturrock’s sermon on 26/07/15] [Complete sermon on website: www.cck.org.za] Editorial Team Tel.
Ev Els
021 696 0336 emichael@iafrica.com
Cheryl Anderson
083 272 1530 canderson@beckman.com