The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it!
Firstly, I wish to thank the Parish for the opportunity afforded to Micelle and I to have a weekend break. As you are aware this was to make up for our previous attempt, which was cut short, and was a celebration of our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Thank you all for your love and prayers.
We have upgraded the Security at the Church of the Good Shepherd, which has come at a bit of a cost, but fortunately there was very little stolen, although there was a lot of damage done. A very big thank you to Norman who ran up and down and all around to deal with that. There are more security upgrades in the making to ensure that our church is secure.
September is a busy month, and this week I have been involved with the preparations for the Installation of our new Bishop. I do hope that you will join in at St Mary’s or online from home.
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/2rlZnxAoi Youtube: https://youtu.be/FQcb-dq3Nig
On the 18th September we have the Diocesan #MyriverMysea2021 clean-up campaign which is part of the International Coastal Clean-up. We are hoping that 5 clean-ups will take place and we have increased our Diocesan group and built a strong team through this process. Getting a greater awareness and ensuring increased youth involvement has been a major achievement for us.
I continue to work on ensuring that the Inkwazi Isu has an impact on the South Coast. While we have had to broaden the Scope of the Project and build a much bigger project than I think we originally intended, I am pleased to say that it is making great progress. The involvement of the Diocesan Creation Care Network in the project will reap great rewards. The investment that we are currently looking at is over R100,000,000.00 and will involve job creation and development of a Circular economy turning waste into product. My task has been to make sure that the role players remain committed to our area, as there are many other places that this project could have been moved to. I will remain in an oversight role and facilitate the steering committee to ensure that environmental justice becomes a reality in our area as we address Plastic Pollution.
I pray that the daily Gospel Reflections and Season of Creation meditations are of benefit and that you will, in this season take the time to re-evaluate the way that you live and build a home – God’s way. The prayers and thought pieces are meant to challenge and stimulate you to think about our common home and the way we live in it. I am not sure if the Podcast format is suiting everyone and will look at giving you the option to choose between text and Podcast. Remember that you can get the text of most of my messages on the Website, under the ”Priest’s Perspective.”
I wish to express my thanks to the leadership team, Rev Peta, and Vanda for all the work that goes into our weekly services. From now until Advent we will alternate between the two Churches.
On Tuesday, I will take up a new portfolio at St Monica’s home and ask for your prayers for our Diocesan Children’s home. More details about that will follow.
I remind you that I am available for counselling and pastoral support – please phone or WhatsApp me. I keep you all daily in my prayers and would love to know about what is happening in your lives.
Please pray for those who are suffering from the stress of the Pandemic and the long-lasting impact that the virus can have on people’s well-being. Pastoral care of each other is important and it is up to all of us to reach out to our neighbours.
Lastly – I continue to give thank to God for your faithful giving. We are still in the process of finalising our 2022 Financial plan and budget, and it is your commitment to God’s church that enables us to confidently plan for the mission and ministry of the church for 2022. We have two possible mission outreaches for 2022 that will involve supporting another parish to ensure their sustainability. Broadening our outlook as a Parish will increase our witness for God and enable us to share our gifts with others.
Despite the pressures we are a growing church and working together is essential to securing our future as an organisation but is also a Gospel imperative.
Be assured of my love and prayers and I ask you to continue to pray for God’s hand in our ministry to the world in this place, it is because of you that the ministry of Christ is effective in this place.
Love and Peace
Fr Andrew
