CCK 8'O Clock news November 2014

November 2014 Eight O’Clock News

work and rest, solitude and communion, silence and word.’ Sometimes in order to experience the very solitude and silence that we long for, we just think that we need more time but more time will just fill up in the same way as the time that we already have! The world still lays hold of us if our solitude is not completed by silence. In her book ‘Invitation to Solitude and Silence’, Ruth Haley Barton reminds us that ‘solitude and silence are not something we have to think to DO, they are whom we have to BECOME.’ Her thoughts so resonate with me as I make futile attempts to ‘protect space for these times’ to ‘satisfy the deep empty spaces of my soul.’ “Like you,” she says; “I wrestle with the influences of the secular culture and even religious subcultures that in overt or subtle ways devalue non- productive times for BEING rather than DOING.” Amidst our daily challenges of having to perform, to be competent, balanced and so much more; we are encouraged to experience God’s invitations to withdraw despite these challenges. God is the One who is always present even when our awareness is dulled by distraction. He is the One who waits just outside the noise and busyness of our lives. Therefore, the invitation to enter more deeply into the intimacy of relationship with God, is an invitation to a journey. I imagine it as similar to entering the waters of the silent bay: enveloped in warmth, buoyed by the salty water, one gains different perspectives as one is held in solitude and silence. Richard Rohr said: A good journey begins with knowing where we are and being willing to go somewhere else.

- Cheryl Anderson

Bay of Silence

“What a fabulous evening I spent in Sestri Levante! The inn

was close to the sea and was lapped by mighty waves; the clouds in the sky were ablaze and the most vivid colours alternated over the mountains.” Not my words but those of my almost namesake, Hans Christian Andersen which he wrote in 1833 when passing through on his way to Rome and Naples. However, my sentiments are exactly the same so many years later. This charming Ligurian town is focused on two bays, the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) and the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fables), named for Andersen as the locals were so proud of his approval. I arrived there late afternoon after a 24-hour journey and many months without a holiday, weary and drained and wanting to escape my busy routine for a couple of weeks. It was here that I was to begin my walking holiday on the Italian Riviera and end it in Portofino and the Cinque Terre. The beach was just outside the hotel and after warming up in the sun, I submerged myself in the tranquil waters of the Bay of Silence. As I floated on my back, I allowed the sensation of being uplifted by the salty water to take over and this was indeed exhilarating. Treading water, I looked around and delighted in the sweep of terra cotta and ochre trompe l’oeil buildings hugging the bay. Two perspectives as the water held me in its embrace—the turbulent sea outside the bay and the safety of the sandy beach. It was here that the Nobel Laureate, Marconi, conducted his famous experiments in 1934, revealing the marvel of the wireless. Years later, I refuse the offer of a Wi-Fi password for my room, wanting to remain incognito, out of email and internet contact. How fitting to begin my holiday journey in Sestri Levante, in the Bay of Silence—as my inward journey is becoming directed towards a deeper intimacy with God via the neglected disciplines of silence and solitude. In the words of Greg Ogden, my longing is ‘to commune with God in the muchness of life.’ I am beginning to understand what Tilden Edwards expresses so well—‘the vital spiritual importance of an intentional rhythm of

NNNNeeeewwwwssss The Eight O’Clock

November 2014 8 am Service, Christ Church, Richmond Road, Kenilworth 021-797-6332

Read this in COLOUR AT www.cck.org.za


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A few Sundays ago we sang “Dear Lord and Father of

Mankind” and I was struck by the words of the fourth verse: Drop Thy still dews of quietness,

till all our strivings cease; take from our souls the strain and stress,

and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of Thy peace.

One of the first points which Mags made was that there is often a gap between our espoused theology and our actual or practical theology. In other words, what we believe and what we do are often poles apart. There are many reasons for this and the verse above puts it succinctly. Without focusing on God and allowing Him to order our lives, how can we attain the ‘beauty of

His peace’? Mags was a gift to us and I want to share how God spoke to me in the second quiet time we had. We were asked to meditate on a scripture (Isaiah 45:3): I will give you treasures hidden in darkness and riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am Yahweh, the God of Israel who calls you by your name. This scripture just jumped out at me and I asked God to show me what hidden treasures He had given me during my life and the words just came pouring out as I struggled to keep up with Him! As He gave me the words, He also took me through experiences in my life when I really was not in a position to see His treasures, let alone receive them—tough times. Briefly, they are as follows: * JOY in the midst of pain * RICHES in the midst of want * HEALING in the midst of Dis-ease * PEACE in the midst of trauma Jesus reminded me once again to seek His face in all things, to try and listen for His voice, to recognize it when it comes— giving thanks for the Holy Spirit, who enables us to obey.

- Margie Hare

I had already read Mags Blackie’s book,

Rooted in Love, and so I was delighted to hear her speak. Her book is not simply a book to read, but offers material with which to engage and reflect on our own experience. This I had begun to do, but I had not paid much attention to the cover. Mags directed out attention to this and I found the image very powerful. Through it God reminded me that He is the constant Gardener and I am secure in His

embrace. Regardless of my condition, I am still held gently and tenderly by Him. Having faced a tough year of changes and challenges it was enormously comforting to be reminded that the detritus of the past year is in fact useful and essential to growth, for there have been times when my felt experience has been ‘compost’ and that this is all I have been able to offer up to Him. I came away from the morning with a renewed sense of God’s peace and His love. - Sue Gibbings

Quiet Morning—Rooted in Love

I found Mags Blackie's gentle, and yet, challenging invitation to

us to spend quiet time in our Lord's presence, listening to what He had to say to each one of us and searching our own hearts, really helpful. I appreciated her honesty in sharing her own experiences and I was in some ways surprised by what came to me. It was a wonderful morning! - Cheryl van Niekerk

I arrived at the Quiet

Morning feeling tense, tired and drained—the product of a hectic business trip to Johannesburg on the previous day. I left feeling relaxed, energized and excited about God's wish for me. I felt Him hold me, love me (despite all my sinfulness) and speak to me. What a privilege to attend, THANK YOU! - Jerry van Niekerk

I am often amazed at the outcome of

sitting quietly on one's own. It looks as if one is simply doing nothing but I know that under the surface I am communing with God! One should go into a quiet time with some purpose—to lay a concern at the foot of the Cross, ponder the meaning of an article just read, to struggle with a lack in one's being, or to spend time with God praising him. And it is most useful to write down feelings and thoughts one has had while meditating. At the quiet morning, it was my personal relationship with God that came to the fore. A picture came to me of a heavily laden branch of a cherry tree under which I was lying, mouth wide open waiting to receive the fruit. Nothing came and I realised that unless I did something about it, I would not get any! That was a picture of God, always there, always waiting, patiently, for me to come to Him; that my relationship with God is so important that it is up to me to ensure that I move to Him—He is always there. The quiet morning was of great benefit to me, even though it looked as if I was doing nothing!! - Judy Sewell

I came away from the Rooted in

Love Quiet Morning led by Mags Blackie with much to mull over with God. While reflecting on God’s unconditional love for me, I found myself wondering just how conditional my love for God is. Ouch!! It is good to know that God wants to work through that question (and many others) with me, a sinner, so

that our relationship is rooted more and more firmly in real, honest love. - Paddy O’Leary


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Colin, Benjamin

and Jocelyn with

Granny Chris

My Trip to North America I recently spent two months in Los Angeles getting to know my triplet

grandchildren, Benjamin, Colin and Jocelyn (LtoR in photograph) who are now eight months old. Their parents, Derek (my third son) and Elizabeth, have all their time cut out caring for them and it was a joy and privilege to be involved. But it was a great learning experience being in a very different culture though mostly "English" was spoken! I was aware of the affluent society I was experiencing while listening to the CCK sermon series on the book of Amos. Another new experience was learning how to care for multiple babies who had been born six weeks prematurely. I read books on the RIE methods advocated by Magda Gerber and used muscles that had not been used for a long time! Because their parents were so occupied, I had lot of time on my own and as I was given a new IPad, I could spend a great deal of time praying for people mentioned on the prayer chain and emails. I also skyped and telephoned friends all over the globe. As I knew my children and I would all need a break, I planned an 8-day trip to Vancouver to visit old friends from our days at the UCT Student YMCA in 1963. That was a great delight—renewing contact, being spoiled rotten and seeing such a beautiful part of the world. Another enjoyable break was spending two nights with Jane Broster's brother and sister-in-law, John and Joanna Watney, who live in Los Altos south of San Francisco. We walked on the Golden Gate bridge and drove south to wonderful Redwood Forests. It was lovely to attend different churches in L.A. and elsewhere and although Derek is not a church-goer, he made a big effort to drive

me to whichever service, I wished to attend. At times, it was quite lonely living in someone else's space for two months; but I walked in the neighbourhood, read and prayed and I was very conscious of the Lord being with me especially on seven flights on my own and two long waits at Heathrow. I thank the Lord for the blessing of these adorable little babies and that I could connect with them; for my health and protection throughout my trip—but especially for the deepening trust and more intimate walk with Jesus that I experienced. (I missed you all!) - Christine Milligan

Found on a coffee mug!

Life would be perfect if …

Some girls had mute buttons

Some guys had edit buttons

Bad times had a fast forward button

And good times had a pause button. - Origin unknown, sent in by Sheila Clow

Seniors’ Tea and Movie Afternoon!

The Last of the Blonde Bombshells

Starring Judi Dench

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

In the Church

At 2 pm.

R.S.V.P Please put

your name down

on the list at the

back of the church by

Sunday, 23 November

Staff Retreat The St John’s Parish staff team enjoyed a wonderful four days

on retreat at Volmoed. We were blessed to have Frederick Marais teaching and facilitating us through a listening process he and his team have developed for discerning God’s voice together. Frederick’s teaching was a word in season for the Christ Church staff team as we undergo lots of change. I’m sure we will regularly be dipping into his workbook, Meeting with God’s voice, over the coming months. The retreat is always a valued time for rest, refreshment, connecting with God and building relationships across the parish team. With our free afternoons we enjoyed whale watching in Hermanus, wine tasting and walks around Volmoed’s beautiful grounds. A few of us made it up to the cross atop the hill and were rewarded with amazing views of the sea, the Hemel and Aarde valley and the Fisherhaven lagoon. We returned to work rested, connected, encouraged and challenged. - Erin Jegels

The Parish Staff retreat was held in the beautiful Hemel and

Aarde Valley at Volmoed, which is always a delight to visit. I really enjoyed connecting with other staff members in the parish. We see each other at Parish staff morning monthly but there is seldom enough time to get to know people in a meaningful way. Along with the thought-provoking input from Frederick Marais, I loved being able to chat over a meal, or go for a hike and get to know people better. Since the retreat we have had the pleasure of having a few of these folk to dinner. I look forward to more opportunities to build relationships and spend time together.

- Taryn Galloway


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Schreiner Clan Gathering—July 2014

Gottlob and Rebecca Schreiner came to South Africa in 1837

as missionaries for the London Missionary Society to work amongst rural indigenous populations. Gottlob had been born in Germany in 1814. They had 12 children, five of whom died young and two of whom became well known in South African and UK public life. Olive Schreiner became an author (Story of an African Farm and others) as well as a political and gender activist and William Philip Schreiner, trained in law at Cambridge, UK, became an advocate, leader of the Cape Bar and Prime Minister of the Cape during the Boer War. Through my late mother, I have known from childhood that I was descended from the oldest child (and not at all famous daughter) of Gottlob and Rebecca namely Catherine Whitby Schreiner who married a John Findlay in about 1860 and lived most of her quiet life in Fraserburg in the Northern Cape. When Eric Bateman came to UCT as a medical student in the mid-1960s and met my sister Debby through UCT Christian groups, my mother recognised that he too was family and also descended from Catherine who herself had 11 children, most of whom survived to adulthood and had many descendants. Then a few years ago, largely through our daughter Lauren’s plays here at CCK, we became acquainted with Grace and Ruth Brain and their parents Rob and Colleen and became aware that here was another Schreiner connection via a different line of the founder family. Having turned 60 a while back and becoming more aware of my own mortality, aspects like ancestors and family trees seemed to figure more prominently on the agenda. I have long wondered about this partially known Schreiner heritage but had never really explored it thoroughly. At my 60th birthday function at Rondebosch Golf Club in January 2013 (sorry if you missed that—great party!), I made a public undertaking/threat to organize a Schreiner family reunion in July 2014 near to the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Gottlob Schreiner. The process began in February 2013 with emails to then unknown probable Schreiner connections found on Wikipedia. With the help of my sister Debby Gaitskell in London (known to some at CCK from her early life in Cape Town) and Barbara Schreiner, a newly discovered relative, and many others, we developed a family tree over the following 15 months or so and planned a family gathering for Cradock in July 2014. By about April 2014 we had populated a family tree with eight generations and over 600 people. Of the 12 children of Rebecca and Gottlob Schreiner only three

have living descendants, Catherine Whitby Findlay, Alice Elizabeth Hemmings and WP Schreiner who married Fanny Reitz, sister of Frank Reitz (at one time President of the Orange Free State and later Secretary of State to Paul Kruger before and during the Boer War) and aunt of Deneys Reitz, author of Commando, a fascinating book about the Boer War and a man who like his uncle, WP Schreiner, became SA Ambassador to the UK. From the 3-6 July 2014, 53 of us, including 11 from overseas, spent 2½ days in Cradock in the Eastern Cape learning about

the Schreiner family and descendants, and in most cases, meeting one another for the first time. We gathered most of the time, starting on Friday morning, 4 July, in Schreiner House which is a satellite museum of the National English Literary Museum of which the main branch is hosted in Grahamstown. Schreiner House is the restored version of a simple home in which four of the children lived between 1868-1870 when their parents could not provide a home for the two youngest—Olive and WP, about 13 and 11 in 1868. Brian Wilmot, curator of the Museum, informed us further about the museum and Cradock which was coincidentally also celebrating its 200th anniversary. Brian was very helpful in assisting us to organize this gathering and also took us on a fascinating walking tour of the lower Cradock area around the Museum. We went past and in some cases into the Anglican and Methodist Churches, past the famous Dutch Reformed Church modelled on St Martin’s in the Field in London and past the Victoria Manor Hotel and historic Market Street with the restored houses including the ‘Schreiner Tea Room’. During the teas and lunches many conversations began and in many ways these informal family communications formed the heart and soul of the 2½-day gathering. A general family tree was

displayed with the names of the attendees highlighted and this drew some interest. During Friday afternoon we continued to introduce ourselves and our branches of the family to each other via power point presentations, family photograph albums etc. Our big event for Friday evening was a dinner at an outdoor venue. This traditional meal, marketed as ‘Karookraal’ at a farm nearby that offers a LAPA type braai and other traditional Karoo/farm food, lived up to all reports and expectations and provided a wonderful evening of more eating, drinking and many conversations. Some families began singing later in the evening and all in all a great time was had. We were prepared for the cold but in fact it was a remarkably balmy Karoo

Judy &

William

Bates

Colleen &

Rob Brain


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winter’s evening. Early on Saturday 5 July a group of 17 left Cradock to go to the farm where Olive Schreiner’s grave is to be found on top of a mountain, Buffelskop. (She bought a portion of land from the original farmer.) ‘Words cannot describe the view from up there and I can understand that Olive would want to be buried up there’. This was the report from one of those on this trip. Judy and I had been to the sarcophagus a few years ago and we made space for those who had never been there. Jeremy Fogg, recently retired from NELM (National English Literary Museum) and Paul Walters (retired professor of English from Rhodes), both with a longstanding interest in the Schreiners, especially Olive understandably, came from Grahamstown for part of the day and presented well illustrated talks on the four children of Gottlob and Rebecca Schreiner who lived in the house 1868-1870 (Theo, Henrietta, Olive and WP) as well as the story of the Sarcophagus up on the mountain. Jeremy and Paul knew that many in the family audience were descendants of Catherine and Alice Schreiner and included brief accounts of them as well. During the afternoon further family presentations were made by family members including my sister Debby Gaitskell and Eric Bateman. Eric was congratulated in particular by the gathered family as only two nights before on Thursday, 3 July he had been selected for an award for a lifetime contribution to science in Johannesburg. A high point of our family gathering was a leisurely extended dinner at the Victoria Manor Hotel on Saturday evening which started at 7 pm and included three courses in a wonderfully prepared room with traditional settings, cutlery etc. A ‘literary/cultural programme’ was interspersed before, between and after the various courses, with poems read by family members including our niece Erin Bates and daughter Lauren who also read part of Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner and gave some background and commentary. (This is an unusual book with a Christ figure entering Southern African history.) On Sunday morning, 6 July at 9 am we had negotiated with the local Methodist minister, Anton Olivier, that those who wished could join their usual morning church service which would then have a ‘Schreiner element’ as part of the service. My sister Debby gave a short family history focusing on the missionary endeavours of Gottlob Schreiner and Eric Bateman offered prayers of thanksgiving. This seems to have been the Methodist church where Theo and Henrietta Schreiner (committed Christians and later staunch temperance workers) went to church and seem to have tried to ensure Olive and Will attended! Olive became very

unhappy with/disillusioned by conventional Christianity and withdrew herself from Christian connections including insisting on no religious elements at her eventual funeral and burial in 1920. About 17 of the party attended this church service at the Methodist church and were warmly welcomed. After church we met finally at the Museum for tea for our final ‘session’ with a focus on the future. Rob Brain told us more about his area of the family tree and offered to organize a Schreiner clan Facebook page for photos and other forms of communication which he has done. Some of the younger ones, including our own children shared a bit about themselves and their future plans as well as about the experience of being at this family gathering. There was a final family lunch at the hotel around 12.30 to 14.00 after which we begin to disperse to the four corners of the world. It has been really interesting and worthwhile to find out more about the many different family members who have played a variety of roles, especially in SA but also the UK and elsewhere. Despite, or sometimes maybe even partially because of the ‘missionary heritage’, there have been many

who have found Christianity unnecessary or even seriously objectionable (as Olive seems to have) but there has also been a strand down the generations of committed Christians seeking to live out their beliefs. As in most families there has been a broad spectrum of people with differing values and beliefs. There have been many lawyers including WP Schreiner’s son Oliver who was an Appeal Court judge and Chancellor of Wits University at one time. There has been a Head of the SA Air force in 70s or 80s and ANC politicians in more recent years. For me, this has seemed to be a way to serve our broader family, to put people into touch with one another and with their family heritage, a link to the ancestors. I am not sure what will happen next but I remain committed to further

developing and deepening these links. - William Bates

Mary &

Eric

Bateman

The Tomato Garden An old gentleman lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant

his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like the old days. Love, Papa. A few days later he received a letter from his son: Dear Papa, Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried. Love, Vinnie. At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire garden without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son: Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love you, Vinnie.

- Origin unknown. Sent in by Belle Divaris


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HAPPY SPECIAL

BIRTHDAYS To

Peter Taylor (2/11)

Bevan Dryden (6/11)

But He knows the way that I take;

When He has tested me,

I shall come forth as gold.

My foot has held fast to His steps;

I have kept His way and not turned aside. - Job 23:10-11

Jim Michael’s Thanksgiving

Jim’s day started off very quiety but it gathered momentum

mid-morning as news came from Norwich that his great-granddaughter was planning to enter this world, two weeks earlier than expected. Bella Ivy Barclay (sister to Noah James, 5) was born at noon and photographs soon came through to Liz. Liz (Jim’s daughter) printed two photographs, gave them to Jim and he held them up (photograph above) so that Liz could photograph his delight and send it back to the UK. At 5 pm, an ad hoc choir of about 15 singers (some of whom had sung with Jim in his days in the choir decades earlier) gathered to sing, to bring the church to Jim as a surprise. He did not know who was singing (like good Anglicans, we processed from the front door) until we all filed into his bedroom. His delight was obvious and he happily mouthed the words as we sang Rock of Ages and I will dwell in His secret place. It was Ann Moore’s lovely idea and Jean Westwood kindly sourced the music and conducted us. Following our singing, Sam Moore prayed. Several of the group stayed to speak to Jim and the rest of us had refreshments, courtesy of Liz. Liz videod Jim while we were processing and his face, as the music got closer and louder, was wonderful to behold. He gave a quick look of surprise at Liz and then turned to see us as we entered his bedroom. At one stage he lifted his arms as if he wanted to conduct us (he often conducts music while listening to radio or cd). Liz sent the video clip to her brother Alastair in Norfolk who quickly sent it on to their sister, Janet, also in Norfolk and it spread to both Alastair and Janet’s children, including Erin, Jim’s favourite grandchild, still in hospital having just given birth to Bella. They all, to a person, wrote back about how wonderful it was to see Jim so joyful and so obviously enjoying the singing – and they all cried, including the men! When Jim’s night nurse arrived, he was so full of Bella’s birth and the choir visit that he had to tell her every detail, ending by picking up the A4 page and saying, ‘I don’t remember my great-granddaughter’s name but I’m going to kiss her good night’ - and he kissed the photograph and settled down to sleep. Liz has since written Bella’s name on the page. - Ev Els

Thanksgiving

Tree

Holding our

individual notes

of thanks

to God (Sent in by

Taryn Galloway)

If it fits, I sits


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A Ramble about a Ramble... The recent Kenilworth racecourse walk was something else!

The family was going to pick me up here but by 10.55 had not arrived, so I said we’d meet there. I told the group to go without us, and in due course Annemarie arrived with the children but without Pierre. Sam was intent on walking with his baby steps, stopping all the time to pick up gravel, while Laura grizzled continuously about being hungry, that the reeds on the path were scratching her legs, and that her crocs were getting full of gravel every few steps. We got to the quarantine centre, barely 100 m from the start where Sam found a friendly Scottie dog who he spent ages talking to through the fence. A-M carried Sam for a bit but Laura didn’t stop complaining. Out of the blue an Angel

arrived in the form of Sebelo, who has done an internship at KRCA, and is studying further. He was late for the walk! We recognised one another and he did us the favour of giving us a personal tour while identifying virtually every plant we saw, never mind the explanations of the pollinators, etc. Amazing for me and Annemarie but the grizzles continued. Would you believe, Sebelo found us TWO clicking stream frogs and let me

hold one. Eventually Sam let Sebelo carry him on his shoulders, while I discovered that if I raced with Laura she started to have fun and to laugh! So there was an old nag at the racecourse, a galloping granny who arrived home with very sore toes—should have worn my tackies. I was glad to see the now big bushes that I helped plant as tiny seedlings along the fence at the quarantine area years ago on a most freezing day with a howling north-west wind assaulting us. There were all sorts of memories of night outings to count chameleons, etc, and only when I got home did I remember going to the south-east corner outside the race track itself one spring to see a stunning display of purply, mauve bulbs in flower. Well, I didn’t intend to go into such detail—this is probably why my children are always saying to me, ‘not the long version please Mom, cut it short.’ - Diana Hoffa

God’s Restoration 2011 was a very eventful and stressful year for me, so at the

end of October I went, with my little dog, to Hermanus for a few days to unwind. While there I was attacked by two men in the garden of the house where I was staying. I fought them off as best I could, crying to God for help and remembering that He has promised never to leave or forsake us. Having been half strangled, hit on the head with a big rock and left for dead, I recovered consciousness some time later. Gratefully I realised they were gone, but they had taken all my valuables with them. I managed to get help and got to the hospital. While my badly lacerated head was being stitched,a policeman came in and said the men had been caught in my car and all my things recovered from the back seat. Amazingly, I had remembered my car number and the police had acted quickly. The next thing was a brain scan and then theatre to repair my left hand where a bone had been crushed and exposed. This puzzled me at first till I remembered that I had opened my eyes just in time to see the rock coming down. I must have turned my head and put my hand up. I believe this is what saved my life. During the next few days words from the 23rd Psalm kept running through my mind: though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me’. What a blessing! On my first evening in hospital the night sister picked a beautiful rose from her garden on her way to work thinking ‘there will be someone tonight who may need this’. She gave it to me, much to my delight! So many people blessed me with their kindness in helping and encouraging me during my five days in hospital and in the following months. Reflecting on all this, I could only praise God for ultimately being in control, for drawing me closer and turning this into a powerfully positive experience. As time went on, I began to think about the younger of the two men—just 20 years old and in so much trouble, in prison for attempted murder, car theft etc. I wondered what sort of home he came from and what had led to such unprovoked violence. Moving to CCK this year I met Janet Mills whom I knew had been involved in prison visiting. I asked her if there was a way I could find out where Daniel was and if he was getting any kind of help. Through Janet’s contacts, I was put in touch with a prison missionary, Gershwin Nehemiah. We met for coffee and he told me he had found Daniel and had visited him. He had told Gershwin he was very sorry for what had happened and was willing to tell me so. This was more than I had anticipated! I was encouraged to pray about it and seek God’s guidance. Several weeks later with a fair amount of prayer support, I went with Gershwin to Drakenstein prison. We met with Daniel in a crowded, noisy visiting room. Daniel told me how sorry he was. [He was on tik or he couldn’t have done it.] But he knew that he was still responsible for his actions. I found out that he must have been seriously neglected as a child, and had got into bad company, which he now knew was a terrible mistake.

I was able to say honestly that I had forgiven him as God had forgiven me. I saw a flash of hope in his eyes. The visit ended as it had begun, with prayer . Gershwin will continue to visit Daniel and follow up when he is eventually released. He also has a number of people praying for him now. Wouldn’t be wonderful if Daniel opened his heart to the Lord and had his life transformed? Praise the Lord—with God it is possible. - Jenny McMaster


Editorial Team

Tel. e-mail**

Ev Els 021 696 0336

[email protected]

Cheryl Anderson 083 272 1530

[email protected]

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Intercessory Prayer Intercessory prayer is the purifying bath into which the

individual and the fellowship must enter every day. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is

within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer. Intercession (IP) is a way of loving others. IP is selfless…, even self-giving prayer. In the ongoing work of the kingdom of God nothing is more important… People today desperately need the help that we can give them. Marriages are being shattered. Children are being destroyed. Individuals are living lives of quiet desperation, without purpose or future. And we can make a difference… if we will learn to pray on their behalf. IP is priestly ministry, and one of the most challenging teachings in the NT is the universal priesthood of all Christians. As priests, appointed and anointed by God, we have the honour of going before the Most High on behalf of others. This is not optional; it is a sacred obligation—and a precious privilege…

We are not left alone in this interceding work… Our little prayers

are backed up and reinforced by the eternal Intercessor. Paul

assures us that it is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was

raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes

for us (Romans 8:34). As if to intensify the truth of this, Hebrews

(7:25) declares Jesus an eternal priest after the order of

Melchizedek who always lives to make intercession.

In the Upper Room discourse (John 13-17), Jesus made it quite

clear that His going to the Father would catapult the disciples

into a new dimension of prayer… The new dimension is this:

Jesus was entering His eternal work as Intercessor before the

throne of God, and as a result, we are enabled to pray for others

with an entirely new authority. (Extract, Richard Foster: Prayer)

(PS: You may be the only person who prays for them.)

Daily Prayer to the Trinity Heavenly Father,

I pray that this day I may live in Your presence

and please You more and more.

Lord Jesus,

I pray that this day I may take up my cross and

follow You.

Holy Spirit,

I pray that this day You will fill me with Yourself,

and cause Your fruit to ripen in my life—love, joy,

peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.

- John Stott - Sent in by Alison Bourne

An Irish Miracle

Murphy drops some buttered toast on the kitchen floor and it

lands butter-side-up. He looks down in astonishment, for he knows that it's a law of nature of the universe that buttered toast always falls butter-down. So he rushes round to the presbytery to fetch Father Flanagan. He tells the priest that a miracle has occurred in his kitchen. But he won't say what it is, so he asks Fr. Flanagan to come and see it with his own eyes and leads him into the kitchen and asks him what he sees on the floor. Well, says the priest, it's pretty obvious. Someone has dropped some buttered toast on the floor and then, for some reason, they flipped it over so that the butter was on top. ‘No, Father, I dropped it and it landed like that!’ exclaimed Murphy. Oh no, says Fr. Flanagan, dropped toast never falls with the butter side up. It's a miracle. Wait... it's not for me to say it's a miracle. I'll have to report this matter to the Bishop and he'll have to deal with it. He'll send some people round; to interview you, take photos, etc. A thorough investigation is conducted, not only by the archdiocese but also by scientists sent over from the Curia in Rome. No expense is spared. There is great excitement in the town as everyone knows that a miracle will bring in much need tourism revenue. Then, after eight long weeks and with great fanfare, the Bishop announces the final ruling: It is certain that some kind of extraordinary event took place in Murphy's kitchen, quite outside the natural laws of the universe. Yet the Holy See must be very cautious before ruling a miracle. All other explanations must be ruled out. But unfortunately, in this case, it has been declared No Miracle because they think that Murphy may have accidentally buttered the toast on the wrong side!

- Origin unknown. Sent in by John D’Arcy Evans

Look

who

dropped

in at the

CC

Centre—

John

Atkinson

who looks

dangerous

with a

chainsaw

in hand !

- Quick thinking

by Janice Prendergast

resulted in the photograph

CCK 8'O Clock news November 2014

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Transcript of CCK 8'O Clock news November 2014