Visit To Our Link Diocese of Niassa

From Bishop Rubin in his latest iZindaba…

On the 26^th April, Bishop Rubin, and Fr. Ronnie Alexander (the Natal/Niassa Link Officer) will visit our Link Diocese of Niassa.  Bishop Rubin had been appointed by the Synod of Bishops to visit the diocese with the aim of  ascertaining whether it is viable to divide it into 3 new dioceses.    They will be hosted by the Bishop of Niassa, The Right Revd Mark Van Koevering.   The Diocese of Niassa is one of the two Anglican dioceses of Mozambique.  This diocese is the more northern of the two; the other being Lebombo.  The diocese is three times the size of the UK, has more than 200 congregations, and over 40,000 worshippers.   The difficulties of this vast diocese are impeded by communication, poverty, and poor infrastructure.

Over the next two issues of iZindaba we will be communicating the progress of this visit in a diary form so that you know where Bishop Rubin is and ask that you pray for the specific regions and organisations in the itinerary, and the communities they will be visiting.  The chief purpose of this visit is to explore, with the Diocesan Lay and Clergy leaders, the best way of creation three Dioceses, and the financial viability and sustainability of this Synod resolution in practical terms.

Incoming Rector of All Saints Stanger

Jennifer and Peter Russell were married in 1978 and a few years later moved up to Durban from Cape Town.  Peter had previously studied at University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, majoring, ironically, in Theology and Psychology, with the idea of becoming a psychologist.  “Ironically,…” as at that stage in his life, Christianity and church held little appeal for him.  

Once settled in the outskirts of Durban, Peter engrossed himself in his work in personnel management and industrial relations, while Jennifer took herself off to the Durban campus of UKZN to study Environmental Science, finishing off as an ecologist.  It was near the end of this phase of their lives that Peter started attending St Agnes and Jennifer followed suit. 

Their son, William, then arrived on the scene and phase two started: parenting.  But, raising a child is not all that much different to raising a puppy, and William grew up jostling with dogs, horses, cats, poultry, snakes , mice… 

Over the years Peter’s involvement in St. Agnes grew until he was asked to take on the position of Associate Rector at St Agnes to share some of the load with Revd Nigel Juckes.   

Now, many years later, young William is living & working in Johannesburg, Peter has been ordained and Jennifer has returned to university to do a Masters’ degree.  Both Peter and Jennifer look to phase three in their lives with great enthusiasm!

Revd Peter Russell will be installed by Bishop Rubin  of Natal this Sunday, 22 April 2012 at 3pm.  He becomes the rector of All Saints, Stanger and St Albans, Darnall.  All are welcome to attend the service.

A Blessed Holy Week

May all our churches of the region have a blessed Holy Week as we journey together to the cross, and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  May our faith be renewed as we proclaim: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!

Here is a useful site for simple prayers for each day of Holy Week: Online Ministries. The prayer for Monday is below.

Holy Week: Monday

God of love,
My prayer is simple:
Your son, Jesus, suffered and died for me.
I know only
that I cannot have real strength
unless I rely on you.
I cannot feel protected
from my many weaknesses
until I turn to you
for forgiveness and your unalterable love.
Help me to share this
strength, protection and love with others.