Thursday, February 19, 2015

Where do we seek our consolation?

Greetings, 

Here is the painting from Carl Spitzweg called Ash Wednesday that we used in our meditation on Ash Wednesday. 








Tuesday, February 17, 2015

David's Notes

Greetings, 

I have just returned from four well spent days in Johannesburg at the first module of the spiritual direction training offered by the Jesuit Institute of South Africa.  What impressed me deeply was the ecumenical nature of this work that brings people together from the Hervormde, Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Charismatic and other denominations.  Having a Catholic mass on Sunday evening where all were invited to participate was an experience and sign of God's reconciling work and presence. What was also of great value to the Methodists on the training was the presence of Trevor Hudson as one of the team who will be nurturing us for the next two years.  This is a ministry of accompanying others in their relationship with God that holds the potential of allowing us to be and become all God desires of us now in South Africa.  It is becoming so apparent that the church (you and I) need to be serious about our presence, as God's people, in a country that is showing signs of falling apart at the highest levels.   

We start our Lenten journey this Ash Wednesday at 6:00pm. 
The painting by Carl Spitzweg called "Ash Wednesday" will assist us to listen careful to the scriptures and our approach to Lent.  

Grace, 

Rev. David Barbour
033 3431708
barbour@absamail.co.za



Saturday, February 14, 2015

MCSA Response on SONA

The Methodist Church on SONA 2015

 

"The chaos witnessed at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2015 was hugely embarrassing domestically and internationally for the South African nation. It was a sad day for our nascent and hitherto exemplary African democracy," lamented Bishop Zipho Siwa, President of the SACC and Presiding Bishop of the MCSA speaking from India, where he is preaching at an international conference. "Such unfortunate and unparliamentary behavior does not augur well for the future of the rainbow nation and negatively affects both voter and investor confidence. It only serves to entrench the groundswell of negative sentiment towards our country and as such, risks gradually impacting our economy in ways which will hurt its growth."

"The increasing reliance on political muscle and a failure to listen to each other's grievances can only lead to heightened public dissatisfaction and a repeat of the continued political lashing out we are currently witnessing. To use a cliché, history has a tendency to repeat itself because no one listens.  The scenes witnessed at the SONA 2015, orchestrated by the EFF and the DA, aggressively dealt with by the ANC, raise serious concerns for us as a church. They are symptomatic of growing disgruntlement with the way the country is being governed. We urge all stakeholders to observe parliamentary procedures of debate which are underpinned by the Constitution of the Republic to avoid further turmoil which could culminate in civil unrest in the country.

We commend the serious attention given to the energy and water crises crippling the nation in President Zuma's address. We will watch and hold the government accountable for the implementation of the short and long term plans outlined by the President.

We would have liked to hear more informed strategies to deal with poverty, education and the health sector crises. Concrete strategies to facilitate the redistribution of land have yet to be carefully formulated, an urgent concern given the reported increase in farm invasions. The continuing violent service delivery protests, the resurgence of xenophobic attacks and the unbridled looting of foreign owned shops are symptomatic of the underlying corruption and socio-economic issues which, if not dealt with competently, have the potential to negatively impact the moral fibre as well as the economy of our country.


The churches pray that government and opposition parties will reach a consensus on the decorum of debate, astutely engage in conversations and dialogue that will heal our nation and advance the causes of Nelson Mandela's proud nation, grow our economy and improve the living standards of our people. Ordinary people demand that our office bearers discharge of their duties in a manner which will solve the concerns of the common man. This is the mandate upon which all stakeholders are elected to office, universally.

Released on behalf of Bishop Zipho Siwa

Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and President of the SACC

 

For more information contact

Bongie Moyo-Bango

Phone: 011 615 1616

Cell: 0781315137

Email: bongi@methchurch.org.z