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Xai-Xai, Retirement and Peace Talks

[Source - Bishop Dinis Sengulane - February 2014]

Bishop Dinis

Bishop Dinis in Lebombo, Mozambique, has sent us greetings and news of the dedication festival in Xai-Xai; also the arrangements to celebrate his retirement; and his involvement in talks for peace in Mozambique.

Dear Friends

Greetings from Lebombo

Dedication of the Church of the Saviour of the World — Xai-Xai

Xai-Xai church
Xai-Xai church

About 2000 people crowded Xai-Xai newly built Church to take part in a solemn and joyful service of the Dedication of the Church building on 16 February 2014. His Grace the Most Reverend Thabo C. Makgoba Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa presided at this colourful and quite loud event, at the request and invitation of the Diocesan Bishop, made some months ago.

The Church was built to hold comfortably 1500 people and often it has proved to be too small for those who go there to worship. Local contribution for the building is considerable and difficult to evaluate as voluntary involvement (to bring water, sand, stones, skills, food, advice) and partners such as ALMA, St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, MANNA and others did provide immense help.

The liturgy was lively, the Archbishop’s sermon inspiring the orderly way in which all participated service, hours and hours of preparation, food for everyone present was provided in a generous manner with quality and quantity beyond normal imagination, all these and other realities made the day memorable and to feel what a privilege to have been part of the participants.

The rector, the Ven. Jossias Sengulane and the Church Warden, Brigida Bango are to be congratulated as they led such an impeccable team who very ably made the ceremony such a glorious occasion and making the Anglican Family such a joy raising and faith raising God’s channel to many. Old people, adults, young people and children participated fully in the liturgy and the banquet that followed with an attitude of ownership of the whole event.

My eyes are open and also my ear to the prayers offered in this place, for now I have chosen and consecrated this place….

2 Chron. 7, 15

(There is a picture gallery of Xai-Xai church elsewhere on this website.)

The Bishop’s Retirement

Members representing the feeling of so many inside and outside of the Diocese are organizing a solemn Eucharist to be held at Maxaquene indoor Stadium on 30 March to which not only Anglican Congregations are invited but also the ecumenical family, secular authorities, NGOs and others with whom the Diocese has worked. Anyone able to be with us, we repeat, is cordially invited and your presence, we know, will be a channel of God’s blessings on us.

Peace Dialogue

I have been sitting with other four mediators/observers at the negotiation table and positive steps have been taken. Though no ceasefire has been declared there has been no shooting in recent times. People have returned to Zove which had been abandoned by teachers and nurses as the population had fled.

Keep praying and thanking God for the positive steps and for wisdom of all participants.

+Dinis Lebombo