From Church Leaders
[Source: Bishop Dinis Sengulane and Fr Agostinho, November 2011]
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29 and 30 October were the dates chosen to celebrate the Diocesan Family week end at the Cathedral of St. Augustin at Maciene. More than just a week end it was the culmination of a series of event.
26 – 28 Clergy and spouses heard 36 of their number sharing news about how is the “Father’s business” faring in their pastoral areas. They shared challenges of growth and poverty and committing themselves to continuing working in the assurance that their tasks are given by God “to each according the capacity given by Him Mt. 25, 15 and therefore it will prosper.
The blessing of the computer room, a gift by Twyford School in London to Maciene School was an occasion of immense joy the school and the community.
Anglican prayer life, practical actions by Anglican congregation, climate change seen from an Anglican eye and how Anglicans use the Bible were themes presented by lay people in preparation for the big celebration.
More than 4000 people were present including Bishop Jim Curry from Connecticut USA who made the point of being part of the celebration and was the preacher for the occasion.
What a blessing to have such an inspiring sermon bringing to deeper understanding of our Father’s business!
We were made aware of cases of demon possession, heavy drinking and drug taking by some young people (but also recognizing that many young people are dynamic and responsible Church member and trying to influence those who are in the wrong track), domestic violence connected with superstition. We are called to commit ourselves to prayer and fasting, claiming God’s power to stand firm against the tyranny of evil, using “the whole armour of God” Eph.6, 10 – 18 and Psalm 91. Thus we are committed to use the first Friday in each month for this cause, starting 4th November. It has worked before and we believe it will work this time too.
The meeting with Clergy and spouses had a specially conceived content of prayerfulness and service, consisting of the washing of the feet and intercessory prayer for each Clergy or couple.
The recent decision by the Synod of Bishops to have two area Bishops to improve Episcopal oversight in Lebombo was received with a sense of great responsibility and calling for creative initiatives to provide firm foundation for this historic development. Diocesan Standing Committee will consider concrete relevant steps and the calendar of events in the course of 2012
31 October was a joyful hope filled day for the community of Magumeto as they saw the laying of the foundation stone of the creche where children will meet to be taught and water from rain will be gathered for the tank which is there already. We were able to start the building after receiving the additional amount of L3000 which will lead us a considerable way towards providing a healthy environment, physically and spiritually.
167 children are registered assisted by 3 teachers and the local Priest, Fr. Armando Miguel is the builder, assisted by local volunteers, some will be fetching water in containers that they carry 20/25 litres each time walking about 45 minutes, others gathering sand, others providing meals and others assisting in the actual building.
Gathering water from rain from the roof of the class room is a temporary and limited solution because on the one hand 5000 litres is the size of the tank and it all depends of having rains. The definitive solution would be solar panels like at Chihunzuine as the whole community suffers of water shortage.
But for the time being let us hurry up getting water for 167 who spend most of the day at their Magumeto pre-school from the classroom roof.
+ Dinis