After the winter recess the church committee met again at the beginning of August to focus on the challenges facing our congregation.
The Bellville congregation of the Cross continues to be vacant – and the Sunday services are conducted mainly by retired pastors and preach-ers. We are most grateful for their dedicated and faithful inputs. A special word of thanks goes to our Bishop, Gilbert Filter, who has devoted himself especially to the English services. By the same token, we would also like to thank Pastor Meylahn from Stellenbosch who takes care of our congregation during this period of vacancy. Several church services during July were held by Vicar Martin Büttner, who was ordained on August the 13th in the New Germany congregation, KZN. The Bellville congregation has greatly enjoyed and appreciated these few weeks with him and wish him God’s blessing for his new task.
UELCSA (United Evangelical Church in Southern Africa) has recently decided to place Vicar Matome Sadiki at the Bellville church of the Cross – pending the outcome of his second theological exam in May, 2018. Vicar Sadiki who is still in Germany could start his duties at Bellville on the first of July, 2018 under the care and guidance (Pastor Collaborator) of the Cape Church. The church committee is very excited and thankful for this new development and recognizes the hand of our Lord at work here. Furthermore, there is the prospect that Pastor Reinhard Keding could assist with congregational work (including church services) during March-April next year.
The English services continue to be well attended, also by more children. Thus, we urgently require more children’s church helpers. If you feel called for this task, please contact the church committee.
After a working period of 6½ years, our secretary Karin Fröhlich will retire at the end of August. We are most grateful for her dedication and friendly attitude by which she ran our office over many years. On behalf of the congregation we wish her a well-deserved retirement and happy times together with her family. May God bless her in the new phase of her life.
The synod of the Cape Church will take place from the 1st to the 3rd of September, 2017 in Stellenbosch. The topic guiding the synod is: “The Reformation – then and now.” Our congregation will be represent-ed by Messrs. Ahlert and Brunke. A comprehensive account of the outcome of the conference will be presented to congregation in due course.
Please keep the synod, our children’s church and especially Vicar Sadiki in your daily prayers and hearts.
E-G B
