A Wee Highland Calf
The Eight O’Clock
News March 2018
Beyond the Clouds Last Friday I settled down into my window seat on the ’plane looking forward to getting home. I had been nervous that we would fly out in stormy weather and I’m not good with that. However, the clouds cleared and the pilot comfortingly said that the weather en route would be fine. On reaching cruising altitude, the sight above the enormous fluffy clouds was amazing—azure blue sky with sunlight bouncing off the whiteness below. It feels so otherworldly there, closer to heaven. I was amused to read something that Barbara Walters once said, ‘Before we had airplanes and astronauts, we really thought there was an actual place beyond the clouds, somewhere over the rainbow, there was an actual place and we could go above the clouds and find it there’. I’m sorry that she appears disappointed because I know there is an actual place, not seen from the plane window… we have to go a little further. There are two stars in the sky that I look at on nights when I need to be close to my mom or my sister—I know they are there in that place, that place with God called Heaven. ‘The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn’t it be?’ said Mark Twain, ‘it is the same that angels breathe’. So, on my journey, with my head in the clouds literally and figuratively, I thought of how the clouds can depict life’s journey until as it is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, ‘We who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord’. When my flight neared Cape Town, all of a sudden the plane was enveloped in very dense grey cloud and we appeared to go into a holding pattern. A bit like life, all going smoothly and then enveloped in a cloud that we didn’t see coming. Out of the window I could see nothing, the plane was held in limbo for at least 10 minutes and then we began the descent. The cloud persisted, the ground was completely invisible. I was extremely nervous. I had to trust the skill of the pilot and the effective workings of the cockpit instruments. We were getting closer and closer to the ground and still no visibility. I prayed very hard! Like life again, March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
8 am Service, Christ Church, Kenilworth 021-797-6332
trusting God when we can’t see where we are going, when the dark clouds persist and there are no earthly signposts showing us which way to go. Trusting God no matter what, is like not needing to be in the cockpit to land the plane; even more so God is in control at all times. He is everywhere, above and below the clouds, in the midst of them and in the storms too. ‘Even when the sky is filled with clouds, the sun still shines above’ (Janet Donaghy). I think it should be ‘The Son still shines above’.
The falling rain dissolves into mist and the thunder begins to die, as the sporadic lightning fades an arch of colour pours from the sky. Rainbows appear after mighty storms when things look their worst. Just when the sky is darkest gray, out of Heaven does a rainbow burst. God first sent the rainbow to Noah as a sign that His word is true. The rainbow's eternal message still speaks to me and you. The rainbow is a sign of God's promise that He will guide us through any storm, That He will ease all our troubles, No matter what their form. When you feel battered by life's storms and you are filled with doubt and dismay, just remember God's rainbow is coming, For its blessing you have only to pray. (Author Unknown) - Cheryl Anderson
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Liz Bolligello Rogers When I think of my mother, the image that I see is
that of a force of nature. My mother had the energy of three people and the drive to carry people along on the tide of her energy. If I had to describe her in a nutshell, the three words that come to mind are passionate, generous and strong. Passionate: No one who has ever met my mother would dispute describing her as passionate. She always gave 150% to whatever she was doing or was involved in. She committed fully to what she was doing and never held back. Whether involved in evangelism, youth development, or her work, she threw herself into it wholeheartedly. During the past three years she became very concerned for the youth and wanted to equip them with skills to help themselves as well as become contributing members of their communities—she even created a non-profit organisation to further that aim. She loved the Lord and wanted other people to know Him and evangelism was one of her greatest passions. She was so committed to sharing the Good News and pursued this tirelessly over the years, from going door-to-door with the Evangelism Explosion teams, to Alpha while she was here at CCK, to home visits in gang-ridden Hanover Park, to sharing with people while she was in hospital with cancer. Generous: She was generous to a fault. In the same way she gave of her energy so too was her attitude towards giving. My mother gave selflessly, to the limits of her resources and showed us how to always be willing and ready to give of our time, energy and resources. She gave wherever she saw a need and was no respecter of persons—the stranger she had just met would get the same generosity as a family member. Strong:
March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
My mother was strong enough to believe in herself and dreams and follow her own path. She was strong enough to follow her faith and go into full-time ministry while having two children at school and trusting God to take care of her needs. The Lord honoured that and both my sister Alana and I completed postgraduate education through supernatural provision. She was strong enough to believe in love, and to hope for new beginnings despite having experienced enormous heartache and disappointment over the years, and married Henry three years ago. And she was strong enough to not see her diagnosis through a lens of despair but one of hope. When she discovered that she had cancer and that it had likely spread to her other organs, she told me not to worry, that the Lord would save her. He would either heal her and save her from her cancer, or He would take her home and save her through cancer and she welcomed either outcome. She truly lived out Philippians 1:25 that says ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’, and so while we are sad for ourselves to lose her, I can only be happy for her because she is now with the One who loves her the most. - Nikki Smith
Fynn
TLC has New Leader
Cooper, 30 months old, grandson to Sally & Rod Palmer gets an early start in his financial education like dad, Mike Cooper. Mom is Kerry Palmer Cooper
Jane Renaud has taken over from Sally Bresler in leading the TLC team. [More about Jane in April issue.]
Jean Knaggs—Minding the Gap Jean Knaggs and I have never really had a conversation until this
interview for the 8 O’ Clock News. Seeing her in church, I have always noticed her pleasant and cheery demeanour and there is no doubt she will be missed when she emigrates to Queensland, Australia. As the saying goes, Jean is going to ‘Mind the Gap’ in more ways than one. The leafy, hilly suburb, west of Brisbane’s CBD is called The Gap and she is going to live there with her daughter and family. Having been widowed in 1993 and raising her son and daughter as a single mom, she understands the blessing that grandparents are in such a situation. Jean’s daughter, therefore, encouraged her to relocate to Australia in order to be present in a grandmotherly role to little Tom. So, Jean will be minding the generation gap too and delighting in her grandchild. Tom’s other grandparents live in Uruguay so he is looking forward to having a gran close by. In fact, Jean will be joining the family when they visit her son-in-law’s parents in Uruguay in October to celebrate Tom’s third birthday. Jean has been worshipping at CCK for more than 25 years and became a Christian at an SU Camp. Paddy O’Leary was instrumental in this. Jean started a Youth Group at CCK that was a forerunner of Oasis—as a young mother, she saw the need for a group for the Std 2-5s. She has served as a Lay Minister and in the Prayer Ministry, which she says has been a great blessing to her. Signing for the deaf is another special ministry that Jean has been involved in and she is a skilled lip-reader. Jean hopes to become involved in something to do with languages when she settles down in The Gap: perhaps teaching English as a second language or Afrikaans to the children of ex-South Africans.
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She may even learn Spanish on a Saturday morning. She is confident that God has something in mind for her— something with her name on it. (Watch this space, I have asked Jean for an update.) Jean has stepped out in faith and is waiting for God’s plan to unfold—not so easy she says for someone who likes to do things immediately. The Lord is teaching her patience in the waiting. Jean will particularly miss her close friends and is sad to leave them. She shared with me how important the Supper Club has been to her and that CCK should particularly take care of single people. Jean, we wish you well and Godspeed—may your family delight in you and may God use you mightily in ‘Minding the Gap’. - Cheryl Anderson
HAPPY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY To
Nigel Christie (31/3) In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:1-3
Worship Worship is the submission of all our nature to God.
Jacqui Mellor received a basket of flowers from Rob Taylor on turning 90 on 6 February ! March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness, the nourishment of mind with His truth, the purifying of imagination by His beauty, the opening of the heart to love, the surrender of will to His purpose—and all this is gathered up in adoration to the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centredness which is the original sin and the source of all actual sin. Archbishop William Temple - Sent in by John D’Arcy Evans
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Turning 80 ! 2
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Judy (29/10/17) & Chris (10/12/17) both celebrated their 80th birthdays with their children and grandchildren 5
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March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
1] Son Rodney & daughter Bronwyn with Judy & Chris 2] Rodney, wife Susie, Francesca and Ewan (UK) 3] Dulcie, Justin (Village), Bronwyn and Sonja Copeland (New Zealand) 4] C & J with Dulcie, Sonja, Francesca and Ewan 5] Showing their athleticism 6] C & J with extended family, ie Holgates and Copelands celebrating the Jenkins—and God’s goodness—and just plain having fun!!! Well done, Judy & Chris !
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Anne McMillan 3/4/1930 – 22/2/2018 I would describe Anne as a woman of faith and compassion. Her walk with the Lord started when she was a child of 8, and as long as I have known her, her great desire has been to grow closer to Him and to know Him better. Her favourite book of daily readings was Closer to God, and, even though she was so ill and so frail, at the beginning of this year she asked me to get her a copy for her daily reading. Christ Church has been Anne’s spiritual home for over 30 years. Although she never felt called to any leadership role, during this time she attended a number of different small groups through which she grew in knowledge and love of God. It was out of her love of God and her desire to please Him that compassion flowed to all whom she met. She was always ready to give,
and give, and then give some more. I met Anne when I first came to Pinewood Village in August 2009, and, as I was keen to attend CCK, a friend introduced me to her. We then shared lifts, also with June Maartens, every Sunday, and our happy friendship has continued through nearly nine years. At the front left of the church, we formed part of a small group who got to know one another and are always pleased to meet on a Sunday morning. Since Anne became too frail to attend services any more, she has been greatly missed, and we’ll all feel the void that her passing has left. Before Anne died, we prayed: “We pray for Anne— that You would hold her in the palm of Your hand, Lord. Surround her with Your love. Draw Anne ever closer to Your heart, so that when Your perfect time comes she may make that final journey home to You, without fear and without pain”. I believe that God has answered that prayer and now, though we will miss her, we rejoice to know that her suffering is past. Rest in peace, Anne. - Elizabeth van Lingen
This is Anne’s coffin. The family have painted it. Flowers (on top) and all their handprints go with Anne. They said friends of Anne’s son Andrew who died in the UK, made his coffin as a tribute and they were just so blessed by this and wanted to do something similar. [I’m sure Anne would have loved it.] - Sent in by Alison Bourne
History Bloopers *Writing at the same time as Shakespeare was Miguel Cervantes.
He wrote Donkey Hote. The next great author was John Milton. Milton wrote Paradise Lost. Since then no one ever found it. *Ancient Egypt was old. It was inhabited by gypsies and mummies who all wrote in hydraulics. They lived in the Sarah Dessert. The climate of the Sarah is such that all the inhabitants have to live elsewhere. *Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandos. He died before he ever reached Canada but the commandos made it. *Socrates was a famous old Greek teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. He later died from an overdose of wedlock which is apparently poisonous. After his death, his career suffered a dramatic decline. *Julius Caesar extinguished himself on the battlefields of Gaul. The Ides of March murdered him because they thought he was going to be made king. Dying, he gasped out, ‘Same to you, Brutus.’ - Source unknown. Sent in by Glenda Carmichael (10 am service)
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- Source unknown. Sent in by Ros Aronson
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1Rose Clack 7/8/1935—18/2/2018
It is an honour to pay tribute to my Mum
today. Today IS a celebration—of the life of an extraordinary person. As a mother and grandmother she ticked all the boxes and more! (She loved that phrase ‘ticked all the boxes.) Standing here today feels different to when I did the same for Dad a mere three years ago. When Dad left us Mum was still with us. Now that mum has gone too it feels different—the sense of loss feels so much deeper. But today IS a celebration. Elizabeth Mum led a rich and full life not always necessarily rich in ’things’ but rich in people and relationships. Rosemary was born on 7 August 1935 to Cecil and Ida Pfister. She was the eldest of three children and we are so blessed to have Aunty Joan, Aunty Gill and Uncle Lionel with us here today. She loved you very much and her nieces and nephews. Family was so important to her. She attended Rustenberg Girls’ School and on completing her schooling went to work at the SA Permanent Building Society where she worked until her retirement in 1995 with only one break in service—that of the 11 years that we lived in Hotazel. She made many lasting friendships during those years. She met Ken at a square dance at the Gordon’s Institute and they started dating sometime in 1953 and eventually married here at Christ Church on 20 October 1956. She sang in the choir here for many years and has loved worshipping here. This has been her spiritual home. Elizabeth and I were born during the next six years and many lasting friendships were forged among the Wednesday Wives group at church. A few of these special friends are here today. In January 1964 Rose packed up her little family and our ‘Kalahari Adventure’ began. Tough in the beginning—Mom cried for at least six months but the personal growth, the completely relaxed and uncomplicated childhood for Elizabeth and I soon made it home for us all. Mum taught Sunday school for the few English children on the mine and maintained ties with Christ Church through friendships and our worship here while in Cape Town on holiday each year. Rose took over the management of the boarding house for single people working on the mine and also managed the Guest House. This is where she honed her catering skills, often being required to be very innovative with non-fresh ingredients when the directors visited. Mum played regular tennis at the recreation club and entertained a lot. Their home was always open to anyone in need of a chat over a cup of tea. Her listening ear, integrity, sound advice and prayers were greatly valued and she made many lasting friendships. Rose lived with Coronary Heart Disease for many years. She had a quadruple bypass in 1986 and has always been grateful for all the bonus years that God afforded her. It is incredible to think that those grafts lasted 32 years though there had been deterioration over the past three. Developing Diabetes in her latter years really complicated her March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
health situation but she had doctors who loved her dearly and took such great care of her. She just loved her Dr Joe and Dr Charlie. We thank you both and latterly Dr Piers Stead from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done for her over so many years. Dr Tyrell has been her cardiologist for over 30 years I think. I personally so appreciated the daily communication form Dr Stead and Dr Tyrell over the past two weeks while Mum was in hospital. Thank you so much! How privileged we have been to have her with us for so many years despite her medical history. So grateful to God. There was so much to love about Rose. Besides being a good mother and Jane grandmother to us she was also a caring surrogate mum for so many others. She once said that she thought she was good at mothering. She accepted and embraced others just for who they were with no expectations. She had an ability to make people feel at ease in her company and enjoyed a joke and a good giggle. She was a good listener—and if there was a need—she would pray. Her kind and generous nature was appreciated by so many. However, Rose was no pushover either—she could stand her ground when she felt she needed to and would honestly say if she was not in agreement with something but always without malice. We knew that when her ‘German look’ appeared we had overstepped the mark. After the initial period of adjustment after Dad died she found her feet, took the car out of the garage and found a new freedom in connecting with others on her own. Not to mention her ability behind the steering wheel—no pushover there either I must tell you! I can just imagine the panicked look on Ken’s face up there. She was really missing Dad especially the past year more and more. She was looking forward to being reunited with him. I will always remember her nurturing embrace, tight hugs, reassuring words and beautiful voice. Her sense of humour and quirky remarks remained intact even while in ICU: ‘straight home now’, she’d say to Mike as he was leaving after visiting hours. I would like to thank Elizabeth for so selflessly moving in to live with Mom after Dad passed away. ‘Biff, you kept a good eye on her and she so enjoyed and appreciated your company and companionship. She often said to me that she appreciated her ‘Digs Mate’.’ A big thank you too to Mike, Andrew, Ali and Dave. I have so appreciated your help and support during the time that Granny Rose was in hospital and these past few difficult days. My thanks to Jade as well who always just takes over so graciously when life for me spins out of control. Also to my dear friend Carol for helping today. Rose was an extraordinary woman who led a simple but extraordinary life because her life was rooted in Jesus Christ. Christ Church has always been her spiritual home and how fitting to be bidding her farewell here today. ‘Mum I will miss you so: your willingness to drop what you were doing and pray for whatever burden I was carrying; your sound advice and our prayer times together; your unconditional love for Mike, me and the children; the naughty twinkle in your eye when sharing a funny story; your welcoming smile and your voice at the other end of the ’phone. We are so grateful to God for having you as our mother. Thank you for all the wonderful memories we have to treasure. - Jane Bourne
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Tribute to Mum There is a Zulu greeting, ’Sawubona’, which loosely means,
‘I see you’. When you were with Mum she saw you, she valued the whole of you and related to you from that place. Alison Bourne told me, ‘love is a verb’ and that was Mum. She did love so well. She was a mother and granny to many. Her meals, her ability to listen deeply and sensitively, praying for people with commitment, catering on Quiet Women’s weekends at Volmoed, preparing food packs for prison Alpha with lavender stalks attached showing love and care. When my clients were upset, through the crack in the door a beautifully laid tea tray with fine porcelain bone china and cookies would appear, making someone feel loved and seen. Some words from friends on Mum’s love in their lives. * You have been like a mum to so many including me. Thank you for sharing yourself with me and believing and encouraging me. * Granny Flower with sun hat and ever cell phone at her ear. She sowed seeds of love wherever she went and was always onto it if you asked her to pray for you. * Will miss the brilliant sport related FB updates, sumptuous scones and big smile. She is now dancing with her favourites, Jesus and Ken. I am so grateful that Dad encouraged Mum and gave her permission and freedom to generously love all people no matter who they were. She was living her God-given DNA. She loved it and we were all touched and blessed by that. Mum’s ability to embrace life to its fullest extent was a gift to our family, friends and people of all walks of life. From driving at 79 years of age, art classes, she had her own self taught unique style, life drawing classes, trying out new recipes, singing Secondhand Rose on the stage at Hotazel. Going to Israel with John Atkinson—she never got off her camel for quite a
March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
Rose, Joan Evans & Christine Milligan
few months afterwards. A highlight was a memorable return journey to the Kgalagadi National Park last year with the Hares and friends from Christ Church. She was truly a Kalahari Rose. A further exciting highlight was a flip in a two-man ’plane around the Peninsula with Richard her pilot as a birthday treat last year. She savoured these moments and memories long after the event and was so grateful for every opportunity—orchestrated by God’s love and generosity. It was such a wonderful priviledge to ‘do life’ with her, as she called it, these past three years. She taught me to garden, tried to teach me to cook her dishes, visited with friends from the Perm days. Last year we had a memorable visit to old flower seller friends in Adderley street. What an afternoon that was. We prayed together. We read Jesus Today together. She was so committed to praying faithfully for our country and people and as I joined her, my commitment and faith grew in this practice with her. She gave me the German look on numerous occasions when I overstepped the line. It’s very hereditary in the Pfister family! Right until she passed away she lived life to the full. She cooked a divine roast chicken the Sunday before she passed away for special friends, she went to Torah and made a birthday cake for a neighbour on Tuesday. On Thursday her work was done. While in hospital she never lost her faith, courage, dignity or sense of humour. In ICU she told me she kept on seeing Jesus everywhere but could not see Dad—did I think he was at home? I told her most definitely who would be looking after me. We had such a good laugh. So—Sawubona Mum—I see you—at peace, worshipping God with Dad in a new heavenly community. You are truly home. You have touched down. A life well lived. Rest in peace.
- Elizabeth Clack
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Alison’s Tribute My Granny Rose was beautiful,
loving, caring, compassionate, embracing, kind, and always smiling. She loved music, art, sports, the outdoors, animals and people. My earliest memories of my Gran were her bedtime stories and bedtime songs. She had a beautiful rich voice. You always knew gran had arrived when you heard the gentle chords of the piano filling the air and I always had this image of the ocean for some reason. She was so talented. Another thing that stood out was her love for my Grandfather Ken as she loved to retell the stories he told her or the jokes he would tell others. She had a great sense of fun. As children our mischievous secrets were safe with her. When I reflect on my relationship with my Gran in my teen and young adult years, I remember her positivity. I don’t have any memories of her being in a bad mood or unhappy or cynical or angry. She always had a positive spirit and had a way of turning your bad day into a good one. She was always there for every major tennis tournament in which Federer was playing so even if we didn’t plan on watching, we did. She even took the time to become a Manchester United football fan, maybe just to keep the peace! She loved nature and animals and shared her passion for all things great and small, as was evident in her love of Kirstenbosch Gardens, Betty’s Bay, Volmoed, Stellenbosch and Tulbagh. This was also evident in her paintings and her special friendship with our dogs, Storm, Max and Beau. She told me that in choosing a suitable husband, it’s the little things that count and there is no substitute for kindness. I count myself incredibly lucky to have witnessed a part of such a beautiful life. I will miss you Gran.
Three Sisters Joan Greenwood, Gill Slauck and Rose
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Andrew—Granny Rose! I thought I’d share with everyone some of the characteristics I will always remember: Gran, you were so loving, caring and genuinely interested in everyone and how they were doing. Such a great listener! Always positive and optimistic. A few things that I will miss: The random SMSs to see how I was doing. The random visits Biffy and you made to my office. Thank you for all the cookies and cakes. Our chats. Your chocolate squares. The Big hugs. Thank you for all the prayers, the love you showed me. I LOVE YOU GRAN! WE WILL ALL MISS YOU!
David’s Tribute I have been blessed to have grown up with such an amazing
Gran. I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge from over the years. She was compassionate, loyal, supportive, kind and patient …just such a very lovely person. Everyone loved her, my friends even called her ‘Granny Rose’, because she would welcome them with a smile and demand a hug—she WAS loved by many. Gran, I love you to the moon and back. I will never forget all the times we spent together—walking to the video store to pick out a movie, the stories you would tell me before bed, the songs you would sing to me, the long conversations, the times we watched football together—even though it may have been a little traumatic at times, when the wrong team was winning. I loved it when you pulled out the red card at Grandpa. And of course I will miss your famous orange cake. You loved our dogs and they loved you—Storm, Max, Rocky and Beau want me to tell you that they will miss all the love and affection you gave them constantly. And of course it was Gran— who out of everyone at the dinner table—would be feeding them under the table! Life is surely going to be very different without you and that makes me terribly sad. I will miss you and all the unconditional love you gave me. You were my biggest fan and supported me in everything I did. I can’t describe what you meant to me. You truly had a golden heart! I love you Gran and I will never forget you!
1Rose Clack 7/8/1935—18/2/2018
It is such an honour for me that Rose asked that I do a tribute at
her funeral service and I’d just love to say a few words. I had a very few words, and then memories came rushing in so there are quite a few words! When we joined Christ Church as a family in the late 60s, Ken, Rose, Jane and Elizabeth were living in Hotazhel in the ou Kalahari but, what a blessing for the Woods, the Clacks moved back to Cape Town in the early 70s and came back to Christ Church where, in fact, she and Ken had been married! I first met them at tea in Callow House after the evening service. And we clicked. Jane and Biffy fell into the same age category as our two boys—in fact, Elizabeth and Vernon went out together for a while. I think they were still at school then. We had great dinner parties together—often with others and sometimes just the four of us and I got to know and love Rose very much. This person, who really didn’t have the best of health, was so positive, so in love with our Lord Jesus Christ, adored her husband and her daughters, her grandchildren, all her in-laws. She had this huge heart which absorbed not only her brother and sisters and their families, and all Ken’s extended family but also members of her church family and others even further afield. And we, as the Wood family, were blessed to be drawn into that circle of love too. And Rose loved my family, especially my boys. Rose prayed for all of us—I wonder how many married couples in Christ Church and beyond owe their coming together to Rose’s prayers. She prayed into people’s deepest needs and continued doing that all her life. I remember her 80th birthday party and was amazed at the people from many and various connections who were there. And they were all prayed for. Old friends and work colleagues were never forgotten. She kept up with people in an amazing way. So, I could say that first and foremost, Rose was a people person but in fact, before people, came God—God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and her relationship with the Trinity was very alive, constantly fed by her commitment to prayer and Bible reading all of which equipped her to love all of us in the way she did. What a wonderful cook she was. I think these skills developed while she ran a boarding house and a Guest House in Hotazel but she had a great natural talent. We have all been blessed, I am sure by Rose’s cooking. After they retired, for many years, with Ken’s help, she would cater for various church events— Funeral Teas, Retreats, Quiet Days, Parish staff functions—the list is endless. But cooking was just one talent—her needlework was superb and her art work just lovely—I have some beautiful hand-painted birthday cards Rose did for me over the years. She was a woman of many gifts and talents which were shared generously with all of us. When our daughter, Kerrin, was married, Rose made the most gorgeous wedding bouquets and buttonholes for the wedding party and the most delightful circles of flowers for our young granddaughters who were flower girls. That was in 1993—seems like a lifetime ago. We had many happy and fun times together—suppers around our pool on summer evenings, strolling around the newly established Waterfront and refusing to buy a slice of cake as it cost R17.50! Well, that was a fortune to us in those days! Singing Karaoke at a Fish Hoek restaurant—to be honest, Dareth & Rose did the singing while Ken and I ate. Yes, apart from all her other gifts, Rose had a wonderful voice and sang in the choir for many years. March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
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And those great parties of celebration—the big ones which were held in Michael and Jane’s home with Elizabeth and Jane involved in the organization. And then the smaller ones in their own home when Rose would produce beautifully laid out platters of savoury titbits—a feast for the eyes! And her famous orange cake. She was an artist in a multitude of ways. I also look back on more serious times and remember how firmly she told Dareth, complete with her fierce ‘German Look’, to ‘get a GP’ when he was feeling unwell and didn’t have a doctor. I was so grateful to her for knowing just when to be firm and definite. Rose missed her Ken enormously: ‘not in a morbid way, you know, Denise’, she would say, ‘but I just miss him’. And she was so ready to be taken by God from this world into the next that, even though I know that the loss of her friendship is going to be difficult for me and for all of us—it is already difficult for me—I thank God for taking her to Himself and carrying her into eternity. Bless you, Rose. Travel well.
- Denise Wood
Beth Mackrill It was in the 1980s when I first met Rose as we belonged to
a group sometime after her cardiac surgery. Many occasions enabled us to get to know one another and I enjoyed the privilege of helping at funeral teas, well organised by Ken and Rose and where her catering skills were very evident and enjoyed by many. Being on holiday together was great fun—remembering our times at Plettenberg Bay, Kgalagadi and Namibia. Rosie was blessed with many God-given gifts which she used to the full, giving as much pleasure to her family and many friends. She was really a Martha and Mary all-in-one—a wonderful listener and doer. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Angelika Flegg Not long after Ken had died I was walking in Sea Point and met
up with Elizabeth and a friend. They told me that Rose was sitting in the car near the lighthouse, so I walked there and we had a great time of sharing—both of us widows now. I think we were both blessed by the conversation and each other’s understanding—and support.
Alison Bourne Rose was one of my dearest friends.
Some years ago I read an article which suggested that the one question the Lord will ask us when we see Him face-to-face, will be: ‘Did you learn to love?’ Recently I read the charming and evocative tribute to their mother, Sarah, written by Jonathan and Naomi Jansen. For various reasons, it really made a deep impression on me, the story of this amazing person and her life. Naomi says: ‘For my mother, the word ‘love’ was a verb. It was something you did.’ Rose of course ‘did love’. But far more than that, she showed me how to love, what love looks like and what love feels like: In her loving words, in her gifts of ‘just a little something for your supper’, her endless telephone calls, what she did for others, her generosity, her connection with so many people, her just being there, her sense of humour, and just love of life, her listening, and of course in her prayers.
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She just loved the Lord and she knew how to love Him and how to receive His love. She talked to Him, she was quiet with Him, she cooked with Him, she did things with Him, He was always the unseen guest at her kitchen table. She knew life was a gift from Him, one she accepted in all its fullness. So Rose taught me how to love—a precious gift. My prayer is that I will receive this gift as she did, and be able to answer the Lord when He asks me that question.
Yve & David Leslie
Over the years at CCK Rose’s caring love and warmth made a great impression on us. We are going to miss her so much. And she and Ken were an amazing couple! I remember her always contacting me before and during the various Depression Courses we ran to tell me that she was praying for me and thinking about me. That was a great support! And she was lots of fun—always sharing a laugh and a story. And she baked the best scones! The light and love of Jesus shone out of Rose. She is once again with her beloved Ken in heaven.
Ascencia Tebbutt I knew Rose for many years, although our lives took us to
different places and along divergent paths for a long time. But, like others, I always knew her as warm, loving, compassionate and understanding. I never experienced ‘the stare’ that some spoke of, but I was certainly aware of a twinkle in her eyes. Both Rose and Ken had a keen sense of fun and, though I was never present on such an occasion, Rose told me that when she thought Ken was overstepping the mark, she showed him a yellow card. Rugby lovers will know that this means ten minutes in the ‘sin bin’. When she considered his misdemeanour more serious the red card came out—no more part in the game and clearly time to go home. I never heard Ken express an opinion on these measures. I remember that when we used to meet for prayer before the service, Ken was always thankful that we could be ‘up and about’, such a simple but profound attitude. It seems now that when dear Rose knew she could no longer be ‘up and about’, our gracious God gave her rest. I will surely and sorely miss her.
humour, practical in-the-moment prayer. Her never failing advice to this desperate friend was: ‘If He feels far away and you simply cannot pray, Luce, then just quietly say His name: ‘Jesus’: over and over.’ Let me tell you, it really works! I’ll miss you Rose: we'll all miss you terribly. And for Elizabeth and me, the BBC Strictly Come Dancing will never be the same again. But I simply cannot think of Rose without remembering her with her beloved Ken: the ultimate devoted, passionate, fun-loving pair. One of the best adverts for marriage I've ever encountered. So, in the midst of this huge pain of loss, the image of their joyful reunion at least brings me immense comfort.
Jeanie & Joe Hareb Rose loved stormy weather.
When the northwesterly winds were blowing she yearned for Sea Point promenade to watch the waves rolling in. Ken felt emotional over his favourite old time romantic music and songs which held many memories for them both. Their marriage and relationship was really special, a tangible deep bond. I recall once when Rose was under pressure, Ken drew her aside, laid his hands gently on her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes until she felt calmer. They absorbed strength from each other through enormous love and great faith. Rose's beautiful turquoise eyes were striking and her gaze very direct and perceptive. She liked wearing the earrings which matched her eyes and gave her an extra sparkle. Rose was famous for her funeral teas, seeing this as a particular ministry. It must have comforted hundreds of families through bereavement, all the hard work involved being their generous gift of love, time, and care in the church community. Who could forget her chocolate cake squares and sublime sandwiches? Another memory is of Rose and Ken serving breakfast with soft music playing in the kitchens at Volmoed. And remembering Rose saying she was not a morning person, which must have required extra commitment. Her sense of humour was delicious. Once she recommended a movie to us which passed the test of not having bad language, "A delightful film, I think I only heard one four-letter... Rose had an artistic view on life and saw beauty everywhere. It was reflected in her smile, her artwork, humility, gentleness and the clarity of devotion to Ken and the family. So much love. They have been an unforgettable part of our lives, and we thank God for them.
Lucy Linley Through Elizabeth and later, Jane and her family: Michael and
the gorgeous grandchildren, I was incredibly privileged to be welcomed into the extended Clack family. I met Rose roughly 25 years ago. She rapidly became an icon in my life: a precious friend, big sister in Christ, mother love, spiritual mentor, prayer warrior, partner in crime—always game at short notice for a decadent adventure. And you name the sport: Rose always had the latest score. She was the most passionately supportive fan. How on earth Cilic managed to lose to Federer in Australia in January with Rose rooting for him, we’ll never understand. And together with Ken, her amazing hospitality. So many wonderful chats, times of laughter, sharing, praying in their home: around the kitchen table, in the lounge and with the birds in their lovely garden at the back. Rose made the best roast chicken, orange cake and freshly baked scones. Rose brought so much warmth, laughter, joy, wonderful naughty March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
A Letter from Rose Written to Pam and Berkeley Maytham after a trip to Israel in 2006 with John Atkinson. Rose was inspired to sketch the palms at Kalia after a talk by David Pileggi.
Remembering Vernon Wood 20/4/1960 17/2/2018
Today I am speaking about Vernon
on behalf of the Wood family— Dareth and Denise, our parents, my older brother Gary and my sister Kerrin. It is really a kaleidoscope of each of our memories and experiences of Vernon. I do not think life is fair. I do not think the loss of Vernon is fair. In fact, it is unbearable. But Vernon wouldn’t want us to remain in the unbearable-ness. He would want us to find the good, the positive, the truth. The truth is that there is so much to celebrate about Vernon and the time that we have had with him. Our family gatherings are loud, full of laughter, teasing of one another and times of listening and sharing with one another. This all holds us together in an amazing bond. The picture I have of Vernon at family gatherings is of his head thrown back and laughing from deep within, as we enjoyed and revelled in being together, sharing our stories, knowing our connectedness with one another and celebrating life and family. There were also quieter times—when I was still in high school and Vernon was at UCT, when it was just the two of us at home with Mom and Dad. Gary had left home and Kerrin was at Stellenbosch. Life carried on much the same, there was just more space in the home. I remember the rainy days—back when it really rained in winter—when Vernon would drive me to school in our little green Datsun. We would drive the whole way to Wynberg, sitting in the traffic, seldom saying a word to each other. Mornings were not our greatest times of the day. I remember a classmate asking me if that was my boyfriend driving me to school. No, just my big brother being kind and helpful. He wasn’t so helpful when he was teaching me to drive and I couldn’t cross at a stop street because I kept stalling on the smallest incline possible. He simply got out of the car, walked home and left me there to drive home!! Kerrin remembers when her younger son Andrew had just been born. Vernon was passing the hospital and decided to pop in and visit. He arrived and said that his sister, Kerrin Wood was there and he would like to see her. The nurse said, ‘no, there is no one here by that name.’ The problem was not that Kerrin wasn’t there, it was that Vernon could not remember her married name. It was a little while before he got to see her. One day Kerrin, still in Junior school was playing goomey with her friend Heidi. You need three people for goomey. Two to hold the elastic and one who does ‘tricks’ with the elastic. Their third person was a chair, until Vernon came and asked if he too could play. Kerrin still recalls that feeling of being uplifted by having her older brother offering to play with them. As young boys, Gary and Vernon spent a lot of time together. They played together, went to scouts together, rode to school together and then together, spent a lot of time with their dad. Dad remembers with great joy the many days spent down at the scout base in Sandvlei—building boats, sailing, organising scout regattas and supporting them in their participation and involvement with scouts. Dad also loved those times watching the boys play rugby at March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
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school and spent many Saturday mornings on the sidelines. Then later, Saturday afternoons, proudly watching Vernon when he played for UCT. He missed out on the rugby Vernon played for North Western Province because that was in Vernon's army days when he was based in Middelburg and Dad was in Cape Town. Vernon has always vehemently denied that he is like his father. The truth is that he was very like his father. One similarity was their conservative approach to finances. They were not big spenders! Vernon, however, did have a better understanding of what it costs to live in this century, so when he wanted to tell Dad about something he had bought and how much it cost, he would preface his comment with, ’now Dad, when I tell you what this cost I don’t want you to say phew, that’s expensive’, and Dad didn’t!! Mom remembers Vernon as a child who communicated easily and shared his thoughts and feelings with her. He would happily tell her about his day at school and the things that may have gone wrong. He was open about his feelings and his experiences. As he grew older their main time of sharing was on Sunday evenings, in the kitchen together, after church. When he was about to be married Mom commented about how much she would miss these times and Vernon, at 25 and showing wisdom even then said while giving her a big hug: ‘Mom, they are over. Next week I’ll have a wife and all my cares and worries will be shared with her.’ Mom remembers how sad she felt for herself but how proud she felt of him. He didn’t, however, after his marriage mind telling Mom some home truths! For instance: She well remembers the time they were together at a concert at Kirstenbosch. After some announcement, Mom turned to Vernon and said, ‘well I didn’t hear a word of that so I can’t applaud,’ to which Vernon responded, ‘Don’t worry Mom, the whole thing doesn’t depend on you.’ There are many stories that could be told which are woven into the fabric of our relationships with one another. Good or bad, they are safe within our connectedness and love for each other. Vernon, long after our goodbyes have been said… The joy you brought into our lives will continue to be with us Your laughter will continue to ring in our ears and hearts Your wisdom continues to guide and teach us Your joy for life encourages us to be adventurous and live life to the full Your willingness to forgive and bear no grudges teaches us compassion and forgiveness Your integrity and honesty shows us how to be brave and true to ourselves and our beliefs Your generous spirit and concern for others reminds us to look beyond ourselves Your warmth and kindness as a teacher, reminds us to be gentle and kind with the children in our lives Your willingness to share of yourself, your feelings, your thoughts and your vulnerabilities, reminds us of the importance of relationships Your love for God and your unwavering faith in him, particularly through times of pain and distress, gives us hope in our own times of darkness And finally, Your love, your love for life, for Betty-Ann, for Belinda, Heather and Nicholas, for Mom and Dad, for Gary, Kerrin and me, your love for those we love, your love and concern for your friends and colleagues, will linger for always in our hearts and in our memory of you. God speed Vernon. We love you. - Tracey Wood O’Leary
*Act Thirteen – Inside Jesus is the original chain breaker. Freedom’s high on His agenda. So, that changes how we look at those stuck in physical captivity. How can you help those in a local prison? These are people who are often given up on. Can you extend hope to them—those furthest from most people’s kindness list? [It is the Lord] who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. (Psalm 146:7 NLT) ‘You don’t have to be behind bars to be in prison’ has become my tag line when I get invited to share my testimony. I’ve just been on mission to South Africa where I shared my testimony and the gospel in the notorious Pollsmoor Prison, a place so dark that Ross Kemp in his ‘Gangs’ documentary said, ‘It’s the only place that still gives me nightmares.’ It is such a humbling experience to step inside a cell crammed to the rafters with gang members, all of them in for murder, and yet hear them weeping at the end of the meeting during prayers. It was while I was behind bars—serving five years for extortion—that Jesus reached into the depravity of my life and set me free. My Mum had become a Christian around 15 years earlier and I thought she had gone mad with her new so-called faith. She prayed for me for all those years and at times it seemed like her prayers weren’t answered; in fact it seemed that the more she prayed, the worse I became. When I went to prison, she prayed for God to send people who would lead me to Him. The first person was a Nigerian prisoner who convinced me to go to a Bible study. I only agreed because I heard they had good coffee and biscuits. The second was a pastor from a local town who visited every Thursday for years bringing the good news of the gospel to prisoners. He shared the gospel with me; I repented and surrendered my life to Christ. I felt free behind bars. When I moved to an open prison, God didn’t stop answering my Mum’s prayers: there was the lady who ran Prison Alpha, a Salvation Army Major, and others who encouraged me in my new faith. All those people helped to transform my life. Since being released from prison in 2007, by His grace I’ve travelled to over 25 countries sharing the gospel with some of the toughest prisoners on the planet, as well as with schools, colleges, churches and communities, and all of this by faith. Whatever your situation you can still respond to His call and be the person that someone is waiting to hear from. You can pray, volunteer or partner with others waiting to be sent into those dark places bringing the light of life. - John Lawson of Escape Ministries
* From 40Acts from Stewardship March 2018 Eight O’Clock News
Remembering Billy Graham
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1918—2018 ‘My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which I believe comes from knowing Christ.’
- Billy Graham
A few years ago, Billy Graham proclaimed with resolve, ‘When I die, tell others that I’ve gone to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ—that’s where I am.’ The greatest promise ever given to the human race came from the lips of our Redeemer when Jesus said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.’ (John 14:1–3) Billy Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people through his crusades and simulcasts around the world. He passed away today, February 21, 2018 at his home in Montreat, North Carolina. He was 99. Although we are grieving, we know Heaven rejoices. Here is one of our favorite devotions by Dr. Graham. We hope it will uplift and comfort you today.
God is Love Who can describe or measure the love of God? Our Bible is a revelation of the fact that God is love. When we preach justice, it is justice tempered with love. When we preach righteousness, it is righteousness founded on love. When we preach atonement for sin, it is atonement necessitated because of love, provided by love, finished by love. When we preach the resurrection of Christ, we are preaching the miracle of love. When we preach the abiding presence of Christ, we are preaching the power of love. When we preach the return of Christ, we are preaching the fulfillment of love. No matter what sin we have committed, no matter how black, dirty, shameful, or terrible it may be, God loves us. We may be at the very gate of hell itself, but God loves us with an everlasting love. The proof? Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, went to the Cross for us. ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16). - Sent in by Barbara Fish Editorial Team Tel/e-mail Ev Els
021 696 0336 emichael@iafrica.com
Cheryl Anderson
083 272 1530 canderson@beckman.com