The Eight O’Clock
News November 2013
8 am Service, Christ Church Richmond Road Kenilworth
Telephone 021-797-6332
Welcome to Rob and Sue Taylor (Brenda & Jeremy Jobling, Duncan McLea, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and Rob & Sue photographed after the Licensing Service. Photograph courtesy of Tonya Hester)
Ode to God I have never seen You, touched You, heard You, Tasted You, smelt You. You are invisible, yet enveloping all things, elusive yet inescapable, remote yet closer to me than I am to myself, unknowable yet the source of all my knowing, no-thing yet sustaining all things, for in You all creation lives and moves and has its being. You are all things: without You there is nothing. Creation is Your Eucharist, a sign and an effective sign of Your presence, yet You are not the sign. You are in it, but not of it, for You are always beyond, always greater. My mind cannot encompass You, but my heart longs for You. It is in the pain of my emptiness that I glimpse You. I long for You but cannot grasp You. That is why You are My Dearest: I long for You most, but You are also most costly. I know You are not harsh, but most gentle, that Your generosity is without limit, that there is nothing You will not forgive, that You exercise the same tender care for the evil person as You do for the good, that You let Your sun rise on the just and the unjust alike. It is because You are so attractive that You are also a source of pain, of terrifying November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
darkness, for to lose You is to lose everything, to be separated from everyone and everything I have ever loved and cherished. There is also a general pattern in the way You lead us both individually and corporately. You led Your chosen people out of the slavery of Egypt through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. Your chosen people and Your Christian Church have always recognised this pattern. The grumbles of each Israelite as they suffered the wilderness were unique to each, but the pattern of our journey to You remains the same for all of us. In all that we experience, Your loving hand is guiding us, drawing us away from the slavery of our conditioning and the slavery we have imposed on ourselves, into Your own life. I want to recognise this pattern more clearly in the events of my own life, so that You become the source, the anchor point of all my decisions, words and actions, not an occasional reference point to which I turn only when things go wrong. You love all that exists. You are at work in every human being, whatever their belief of professed lack of it. I believe that You are in all things, that I meet You in my own experience. - Gerard Hughes
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Respect for a Range of Reverends
Gordon Clow
Barbara and I have worshipped at Christ Church for 40 years and we have been blessed by the range of men whom Our Heavenly Father has 3 April 1921— loaned to us. Now that we are about to experience a change, I found great interest in 29 October realising the different ways in which they have 2013 earned our respect. David Prior conducted the wedding of Barbara’s God made his life sister Evelyn (now Alston) in 1973, and we were large with so impressed by this that we decided to move to Christ Church, where the theology seemed closer strength ! to that which had been ours all along. David’s preaching through the years earned our respect as we saw the growth of the church under God’s You are invited to use of his leadership. a Seniors’ Tea and John Frye earned similar respect in different Movie Afternoon! ways, one of which was just how he seemed able to accept wisecracks about being a Frye in a congregation having a Cook, a Fish, and occasional contact with a Mike Smallbones. David Cook and Duncan McLea had impressed us with their work in Scripture Union, and they earned our further respect by following God’s leadership in coming on to Christ Church after Wednesday, 4 December 2013 completing their contracts with S.U. In the Church Jeremy Jobling earns tremendous respect for the wonderful way in which he has occupied a at 2.00 p.m. difficult post which is now recognised by his R.S.V.P Please put your name down further appointment. I have a personal interest in the fact that his father-in-law was a small boy for on the list at the back of the church whom I once ‘baby-sat’ on a day when his mother by Sunday, 1 December 2013 was away. She was a distant cousin of mine— descended from the redoubtable Tyndale Clan— one of whom translated the Bible into our HAPPY SPECIAL language four hundred years ago. BIRTHDAYS Rob Taylor comes to us from my home town, To Durban, and we look forward to his teaching and leadership in Justine Hoare (21/11) years to come. Robert Maydon (21/11) His father-inEv Els (23/11) law was my House Prefect It is good to give thanks to the LORD, when I was a shy 13-year old And to sing praises to Your name, at a boarding O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning school far from home, and I And Your faithfulness every night, expect to obey For You, LORD, have made me glad his commands just as briskly! through Your work;
André Rieu at Schönbrunn, Vienna
I will triumph in the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:1-2, 4 November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
- Stan Fish
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The 8 am Ushers Anna Maydon Robert and I have worshipped at Christ Church since we moved to Cape Town in October 2001. I have never been as involved with a Church, and it's various activities, as I have been at CCK. One of the reasons that I have found myself more ‘wrapped up’ than ever before is the people. Since I volunteered for usher duty I have got to know lots and lots of our congregation. I thoroughly enjoy the welcoming first thing in the morning, come rain or shine. If I was looking for a reward, the smile on people’s faces as they are welcomed by name—or by just a welcome—would suffice. [For the rest of Anna’s story see August and September issues, ‘I, Spy’]
Gill Stubbings I was born in Graaff Reinet and grew up on an Eastern Cape farm, the eldest of five children. After a series of farm schools I went to boarding school in Grahamstown and then on to UCT where I met and married Henry. I worked for Woolworths until 1985 when our oldest son William was born. Simon followed three years later and now aged 25, is moving up to Johannesburg to join his brother. One of my great loves is road travel so Henry and I now look forward to many trips up north! I have a half-day job at St Luke's Hospice administering a fundraising project and when not at work, enjoy my garden, reading and doing needlepoint. I love to serve The Lord and really value the many opportunities to do so through belonging to CCK. [Gill also serves on the 8 am Service Team and is our representative on Pastorate]
Rosy Edwards I’m English, an ex-Nursing Sister trained at Barts, London. I work for an IT Company as a PA/Office Manager. I’ve been married to Tony for 45 years—we met and married in England and when our son Matthew was born, Tony decided he wanted to come back to South Africa. Matthew, like his father, has spent over 10 years in London and is due to come back to Cape Town for good (yay!) with his Afrikaans fianceé in the New Year. We have a daughter Polly who lives in Constantia—she has a lovely French boyfriend and we can hear wedding bells in the distance! I have great hopes of becoming a grandmother some day!! My hobbies? Interior design, reading, pottery and flower arranging for friends’ weddings.
Douglas Fleet I grew up and was educated in Natal.
I have been in various facets of marketing since 1972. Happily married to my best friend and soul-mate Margi for 38 years, with a daughter in the IT Industry and a son who is a chef. While Margi was away visiting the children at Easter 3½ years ago, I walked in to Christ Church ‘just for a minute or two’, and stayed for the whole 3-hour Good Friday service. On returning, Margi was taken aback when I told her that I had found this wonderful place called Christ Church and that I had accepted Jesus back into my life. We went together to the 8 am service that Sunday and have been happily attending ever since. Praise the Lord! November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
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The 8 am Ushers (continued) Margaret & Peter Barrett Sorry, no stories. We’ve recently returned from a holiday in the UK and are still catching up. Margaret (a medical doctor) is in Johannesburg and Eastern Cape giving training lectures on a new procedure for the Dept of Health this week which required much preparation. A relative of mine who is 93 years old broke her hip last Thursday and I have been taking care of her, liaising with the surgeon, physician, physiotherapist and the accounts department!
Dennis & Belinda Henwood We met in the early 70s at sea. Dennis (Merchant Navy) was Junior Training Officer on a passenger ship, the SA Vaal, and Belinda was on her way to Zimbabwe (then it was Rhodesia) to work as an agency nurse for two years. We were married in the UK and have two adult children, Jonathan married to Alana living in London and Penelope, a Social Worker at Wynberg Girls’ Junior School, and she is at present studying part-time for her Master’s degree at UCT. We have been members of Christ Church for about 30 years 'graduating' to the 8 am service when our children outgrew Children's Church. During this time we have been Ushers at both the 10 am and 8 am services amongst other things. We continue as Ushers once a month, Dennis operates the Media desk when needed and Belinda loves keeping in touch with all those mentioned in the prayers on the Bulletin each week. Dennis is also part of the 8 O’ Clock Service Team. Dennis, a Master Mariner and now working as a Marine Consultant, spends a lot of time away from home on various interesting projects. He enjoys a good game of golf when home and Belinda enjoys her tennis. We have been blessed in being able to travel together and particularly enjoy our trips into the bush where the stillness and amazing creation around us brings us the feeling of true closeness to God, our Great Creator. [Dennis sent the above article by email which mentioned the following: ‘Belinda is in the UK visiting her Mother and battened down for the big storm. I am on a ship passing Cape Agulhas where the storms seem to behaving themselves for a change, but we are rolling along in the big Cape Rollers.’ Isn’t technology wonderful? Editor]
Rod Palmer Having been born in Johannesburg, I was not consulted about emigrating to the then Rhodesia before I was a year old—but I do not regret anything about growing up in Bulawayo. Six years at an Anglican boarding school (Falcon College) did very little for my Christian walk, and neither did my time as an architectural student at UCT. However, as a result of my wife Sally’s friendship with Claire Jayes, we eventually found our way to Christ Church, where David Prior was Minister in Charge (and a hockey team-mate at VOB). Our two children (Kerry and Dereck) both went through Sunday School (as it was then still known) and Ambies, and both still live in Cape Town. For several years I was part of the Building Committee, but for even longer I have been an Usher, firstly at 10 am and more recently at 8 am, while Sal still sings in the choir. November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
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Psalm 138 Thank You! Everything in me says, ‘Thank You!’ Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing Your holy temple And say it again: ‘Thank You!’ Thank You for Your love, Thank You for Your faithfulness; Most holy is Your name, Most holy is Your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; You made my life large with strength. When they hear what You have to say, GOD, All earth’s kings will say, ‘Thank You.’ They’ll sing of what You’ve done: ‘How great the glory of GOD!’ And here’s why: GOD, high above, sees far below; No matter the distance, He knows everything about us.
South African English: We are Unique! How do you explain the word sommer to
someone who is not South African? It's not only a foreign word—it's a foreign concept. There really is no equivalent. Why are you laughing? Just sommer. Bakkie is another one; very useful around the house for all sizes and shapes of containers and dishes. Also used for what they call utes in OZ or pickup in England. It’s an indispensable word. We all know voetstoots of course. [Officially adopted into South African English.] There's no concise, one-word equivalent in English. As is just doesn't hack it. And it's such a humorous word, conjuring up images of pushing that brand new car home... Gogga is the most delightful word for insect I've ever heard. Children all over the world should use The Message it. Insect just doesn't stand a chance. It says something about the English that they have no word for jol. Probably the dictionary compilers regard it as slang, but it's widely used for ‘Going out on the town, kicking up your heels, enjoying yourself’. Curiously, the word Yule in Yuletide is related to jol and derived from Old English. So somewhere along the line, the English forgot how to jol. How do you explain the passion of lekker? Wow, last night was a lekker jol. I've yet to meet a South African over the age of two who doesn't use the word Muti. Translation is impossible—between muti and the pedantic medication, there's simply no contest. Dudu. Telling your infant to go to bed is just not the same as, ‘Go dudu now, my baby!’ And what about Eina—what do they say in Huge Thanks ! England when it hurts? - Origin unknown, David (mentioned on page 2) and Lesley Cook sent in by Mary Thompson, Kidds Beach retired in July from the three churches they had served in the past 11 years in the Cotswolds. Margaret and Peter Barratt attended one church and brought back The Church Magazine which featured David and Lesley’s farewell. [This is available should anyone like to read it.] An extract reads: ‘We have heard that phrase (huge thanks) many times from Canon David Cook as he expressed appreciation of those carrying out tasks in our two parishes. Now we echo the words back to David and Lesley… for their love and service in our churches, the community and individual lives.’ November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
African Pangolin [See page 1]
The Pangolin is one of Africa’s most unique looking creature—and also one of its most elusive.
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The Life of Faithfulness We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (ESV)
I want to speak to you on the conclusion of the subject ‘Perfecting our Faith’. The point of this whole address is summed up in Paul’s prayer for the saints at Thessalonika. His prayer is that they may be proved worthy of God’s call on their life, that His power may be in every one of their purposes and in every one of their actions—those actions that should be prompted by their faith, so that Jesus may be glorified in them and they in Him. We, the church, are the body of Christ, He is the head of the church. We can define ourselves in a word as the community of faith, or a community of faithful ones. The church is a corporate body characterised by a sense of unity and purpose that has been appointed for a special mission. That mission is to be witnesses of the love of God in Jesus the Messiah. It is very important therefore if we are going to be true to our calling as the community of faith or the community of the faithful, that we understand what faith is. The first occurrence of the word faith is not when it refers to Abraham, saying ‘he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness’, or when it says of the Israelites that they believed in Moses. This word believe is related to the word faith but it is not the same word. The first occurrence of the word faith was in Exodus 17 when Moses’ hands were steady until the going down of the sun. That word steady is the Hebrew word for faith— emunah. The essence, the foundation, the root meaning of faith is not so much belief in something in the sense of an intellectual acknowledgement of certain truths, or belief in a person or in God. No, that is not the essence of faith—that is part of the process of faith—the essence of faith is loyalty, fidelity, persistence—or in other words, steadiness, steadfastness. Thus, biblically speaking faith is faithfulness. That is so foundational. I encourage you when reading your Bible, and you come across the word faith (whether in the OT or NT) to think, ‘what would this mean if I substitute the word faithful for the word faith?’ Often you will be delighted by some new light that will be shed on November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
that scripture when you understand that basically, emunah is faithfulness. This faithfulness was not only characteristic of Abraham, but I mentioned that James says, ‘Abraham’s faith and his actions were working together, and therefore his faith was perfected (completed or finished) by what he did’. Therefore James says, ‘both belief and faith are important’. James is here trying to clarify some misunderstandings that have arisen from Paul’s teaching of faith. Not that Paul’s teaching was wrong, but that some were misunderstanding and thus misinterpreting some of his teaching, and James is saying ‘there is more to faith than just belief. Yes, belief is important, but faith must show itself by its actions—faith must truly be faithfulness, otherwise it is like a corpse with no breath, it is nothing, it is useless and meaningless’. Faithfulness is the chief characteristic of God— He is surrounded by His faithfulness, the heavens declare it, His faithfulness proceeds him. He says through Hosea to Israel, ‘I have betrothed you in faithfulness’. Faithfulness is God’s chief characteristic, so it should not surprise us that it was that same faithfulness that was evident in Jesus, God’s Son. It was that same faithfulness unto death that brings about the righteousness that you and I are saved by, are justified by. We are not saved by our faith, we are saved by His faithfulness. We are not saved by our belief, we are saved by God’s grace (Ephesians), and that grace should elicit your faithfulness. But what was that grace of God that saves us? It was the grace that manifested itself in Jesus’ faithfulness, in His obedience—even unto the cross where He became the Passover lamb for you and for me. It is His faithfulness that saves. In Revelation Jesus is called: ‘the faithful and true witness’. - Dwight A. Pryor (Dwight was a pioneer in helping Christians understand the Hebraic dimensions of the life and times of Jesus and the early church. He went to be with the Lord in 2011 at the age of 66, a productive life cut short by the debilitating effects of rheumatoid arthritis.
Holy Humour A minister waited in line to have his car filled with petrol just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. ‘Reverend,’ said the young man, ‘I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.’ The minister chuckled, ‘I know what you mean. It's the same in my business.’ - Origin unknown, sent in by Neil Hodges
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8 am Service Team [Other members: Dennis, Rod & Gill (p3 /4), Sally (October News] Ascencia Tebbutt I started coming to Christ Church about two years before Duncan McLea’s arrival. Through David Cook’s contrivance I soon became involved with Parish Profile (a monthly Parish publication) and I will always value that experience because I got to know the then five churches and some of their people. I am happy that Duncan is drawing us together again Having lived most of my life in Cape Town, it was natural that I found old school friends and other acquaintances on first coming to Christ Church. Nevertheless it took quite a while for me to settle in there. I cannot remember how long I have been a member of the 8 am service team but, again, I have found that the more involved I was, the greater the benefit and sense of belonging I experienced. I guess I am at heart a team person and I have enjoyed this team.
Richard Haigh I joined Christ Church towards the end of 2007 when I returned to Cape Town after studying and working in Dallas Texas for 6 years. I became a part-time member of the staff in February 2008 as Organist and Choirmaster. In this capacity I have had the joy of developing the seasonal ministry of the St. John's Chorus and the Christ Church orchestra. I’m a full time music teacher at Westerford High where I am both Conductor of the Orchestra and the schools Choirmaster. I also teach Piano, Organ, Voice and subject music to Matric. Last year I graduated with an Honours degree in Education [a gruelling two years studying part time]. At the moment I’m gradually renovating my house in Bray Road where opposite neighbours include Patrick and Jean Swann and Geoff and Merle Price. This last year I was elected as Chairman of the Royal School of Church Music Cape Town branch and have worked hard to develop the committee and work of the RSCM again. We are looking forward to an excellent year in 2014 and will host the December/January summer school at the end of 2014 in Cape Town. I was also appointed Director of the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town with whom the St. John's Parish collaborated in two performances of Songs and Hymns of Praise on 27 October (see back page).
Alison Bourne [Staff member responsible for 8 am service] I became a Christian as a teenager of 15, and have been at CCK since 1979. I was visited by a Christ Churcher in my residence and invited for lunch—have been here with a three-year gap ever since! Most of all, I love being with my friends and cannot believe how God has blessed me SO much in this area! My parents are in their mid-80s and live in Knysna. I have a brother in Jersey, UK and another in Somerset West I love gardens and the beach and all kinds of art, especially ceramics, reading and devotions and walking and being outside—and exploring out of the way places in our country and our city and our amazing countryside. I feel so grateful to have a job which has let me experience great depth in relationships and see God in action so marvellously.
Ev Els I was raised in a happy, large Methodist family in Port Elizabeth and became a Christian at 15. My education consisted of General Nursing (PE) and Midwifery in the District Six Hospital; three years at the Bible Institute in Kalk Bay which included a Diploma in Theology from London University. I discovered a love for theology (words about God) as I sought to know and understand this unknowable God who had called me into relationship. Whenever possible, I attended Christ Church to hear David Prior preach. Apart from Nursing and BI, studies were in English, Psychology and Education (UNISA and UCT). I now work as a bookkeeper two mornings a week, edit the Eight O’ Clock News, garden when possible, take Bible Studies at Trianon and am increasingly involved in Spiritual Direction. In the last 20 years I feel as if I have un-learnt everything I’ve ever known about God only to have Him give it all back to me, full of life and refreshment. Isn’t He wonderful? I’ve been on the Service Team since 2002? I love the 8 am service and if I haven’t met you yet, please introduce yourself—I’d love to put your news in the News as well! November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
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Praise and Worship The other morning I was sitting outside enjoying a cup of coffee and looking at all the brilliant colours there were in a large flower-bed, and some words from Psalm 8 came to mind: ‘O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!... When I consider your heavens, The work of your fingers…’ I want to add, ‘not only your heavens but all the beauty of nature, the flowering plants and trees in new leaf’. I think of spring as the beginning of creation’s choir praising and worshipping God. This reaches a crescendo mid-summer, slowing down and gentling in autumn and quietening as winter sets in. How blessed we are in His provision of so much beauty around us—my heart goes out to all whose surroundings are small patches of bare earth and squalor. Where do they find beauty to rest their eyes and revive their souls? Speaking of choirs, praise and worship—the concert I went to yesterday in the City Hall was quite amazing! For me it wasn’t a ‘concert’ but a truly wonderful occasion of praise and worship to God. The music and singing gave me goosebumps! For those of you who are not in Cape Town, or did not attend, the concert was an afternoon / evening of Songs and Hymns of Praise presented by the Philharmonia Choir and St John’s Chorus and Orchestra and arranged and conducted by Richard Haigh (our organist and choirmaster), with Scripture readings from the book of Revelation by Duncan. It was an occasion that will stay with me for a long time. November 2013 Eight O’Clock News
How easy it is for us to praise God. We simply need to open our mouths and sing… He doesn’t mind if we can’t keep in tune - it’s the deep love coming from our hearts that He loves. So—sing in your bath, as you work around the house, or anywhere else! We have a lovely young Christian woman who chars for us and she sings quietly as she works. We have indeed lost so much when we don’t do the same. What has happened to us? May you be blessed as you continue in your ministry to our awesome God who delights in you and would love to hug you, and in His own way He does, often! - Wendy Gunn [Choir and orchestra in photograph at final rehearsal in the City Hall]
Thoughts for the Road * Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. - Berthold Auerbach * Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him - Hudson Taylor Extract from Molyneux’s Musical Musings
Editorial Team Tel. e-mail** Ev Els
021 696 0336 emichael@iafrica.com
Cheryl Anderson
021 715 4233 canderson@beckman.com