As we continue to build community, let us look to our Diocesan Vision statement and the Marks of Mission. “We, the Anglican Diocese of Natal, are called in Christ to love the world by giving of ourselves fully to serve God’s mission of salvation; peace, justice and reconciliation.” This mission statement calls us to be fully “incarnational” accepting the challenge of our time and living “in Christ “through it. We need to be taking responsibility to show leadership, courage, and faithfulness. To many people are losing hope, and we need to ensure that we give an account of the hope that we have within us (1 Peter 3:15)
FIRST MARK: MATURITY IN FAITH (“DEEP WATER”) “…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13) Committed to encourage and foster a growing life in the Spirit of all in the church. There is no doubt that we are in deep water and that superficial faith is not going to sustain us.
Casting Crowns one of my favourite Christian bands has a song: “fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense, deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle.” The song is about how we can so easily develop a superficial faith because, we don’t really need God. We have a lifestyle that provides all our needs and God is nice to have. Well, all those delusions worldwide have been destroyed. Only one thing can get us through this life and that is surrendering to God, being fully dependant on Him, returning to Him, seeking Him living in Christ.
Be of Good courage fight the God fight of faith. John Eldridge reminds us that we are “born in a world at war” (Waking the Dead) but as scripture reminds us (Ephesians 6:12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.( https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-12.htm)
This is not a physical battle against a virus, it is a spiritual battle and we need to fight it spiritually. Through prayer, through seeking mercy and justice for all, through growing in maturity. May God bless you!
Our Media Team has been hard at work and we are in the process of amalgamating our digital platform. While the two Parishes will still be administered as two separate parishes the ministry will be consolidated in to one cohesive ministry plan and this will be referred to as St Francis Toti.
The first thing that this does is shifts our concept of church from the building to the community, from the administration to the ministry. The Community of St Francis is the church in the community and the community in the church that knows Jesus and makes Him known. Our main evangelistic thrust is to follow the example of St James the lessor and the woman at the well – “come and see” John 1:46 and John 4:29.
The more you share the greater access the ministry has to people. Physical ministry will grow but while we are “physical distancing” spiritual unity must grow, and digital connections help us to do that.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stfrancistoti/ (@stfrancistoti)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StFrancisToti (@StFrancisToti)
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StFrancisToti
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2334411520153662
WhatsApp 0319162777 or 0823704702
Telephone and SMS 0823704702 (Please leave a message if the Rector does not answer)
WhatsApp – the St Mary’s Notifications and the Good Shepherd Notices will be replaced with St Francis Toti – here the daily publications will be made. These will also be emailed to people, as not everyone can read on their phones. Please forgive the duplication, but it is better than missing out.
St Francis Chapel will be for those who sign up for the ZOOM services
St Francis Eucharist will be for those who sign up for the WHATSAPP Eucharist
I pray that these adjustments to address our emerging reality will improve our ministry to you.
Please remember that the giving remains as is in the two parishes and we encourage you to join our DG system and give through Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT).
Church of the Good Shepherd – Parish of Amanzimtoti
FNB – Galleria: 22 01 27
Account: 552 457 83549
Parish of St Marys, Kingsburgh-
FNB– Galleria: 22 01 27,
Account: 625 400 953 89
Should you be a new member please use either account and your name as a reference, request a membership sign up form on any of the platforms.
Be assured of my Prayers
Rector
On the Commemoration of St John.
