St Peters Church

Shrove Tuesday

2011-03-04T03:28:00.000-08:00

Tuesday the 8th March is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, and a chance to empty your cupboards of all those tempting indulgences before the time of abstinence and contemplation begins. Pancakes contain fat, butter and eggs which were traditionally forbidden during Lent and St Peter's is going to indulge in a feast of them on this evening, so bring your syrup, chocolate sauce, cream to make them the best pancakes in town! Hot dogs, boerewors rolls and soft drinks will also be on sale if pancakes don't fill all the gaps, everybody is welcome from 6 o'clock.

On Ash Wednesday, there will be two services at 09h30 and 18h30, please bring your palm crosses from last Palm Sunday to make ashes.

Scenes from Arts & Crafts Day

2010-11-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

Our Arts & Crafts Day on Saturday was full of sunshine (with just a touch of thunder and rain for excitement) and plenty of smiles and laughter, eating and drinking, music and dancing, selling and buying - everything in fact to make it a memorable and successful event. We're looking forward to hearing the final total of takings for the day, and hope it gave our coffers a big shot in the arm!
The tea garden and essential boerewors braai around which much conversation and debate seemed to be taking place.

Artist Marvellous and his sales assistant

Charmel in a pretty pickle

Someone is happy to see Christmas on the way...

So much to see, which way to go..?

Alice, often to be found outside Fresh Earth in Emmarentia, with embroidered T-shirts, knitting, beadwork and her mom's beautifully made mielie dolls

Kgethi and her girls with delicious biscuits

The tea garden had a steady stream of visitors

Shopping, shopping, shopping

with a few quiet moments... come on the crowds!

Jacqui and Lorna's Diva's Boutique and book stall did a roaring trade

Caught in the act! Carol soothing her dry throat after doing a very professional announcing job on the microphone

The kids had a chance to fish for prizes, donated by Trudie's nice boss at Lumoss Mouldings

Jacaranda flowers decorated the creative craft tables

Cecelia and her family's beautiful jewelry stall There's that DJ again!

And the conversations continued....

I hope to have more photos to post over the next day or two!

Arts & Crafts Day

2010-10-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

The Arts & Crafts Day is almost upon us once again and lots of St Peter's people are hard at work with preparations. Please, could EVERYBODY who sees this, clear out cupboards, get rid of clutter and bring us your old books, wearable clothes, white elephant items, anything that can be sold. Baked and bottled products, prizes for children, big or small.... any help or donations gratefully received - phone Trudie above, or me Cathy at 082 399 5540 and please spread the word for

Saturday the 6th of November

and come and join us, we need your support!!!

Youth Service

2010-09-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

September being youth month in the Anglican Church, St Peter's held a Career Sunday on the 12th, a Movie Night on the 17th, and a Youth Service yesterday on the 19th. It was a lively morning indeed, with energy and enthusiasm from the students and teenagers, and a stirring and engaging sermon from Nkosinathi Radebe - a gifted speaker who recognises where some young people's interests are centred, and with humour warned against the culture of nightclub weekends, 'Puza Thursday' and of coming to church expecting "not a reverend, but a DJ"!

Our rector though, almost made it as a DJ, encouraging the song, dance and drums before order was restored for the communion to begin. I think we all left the service feeling a little younger after that!

My apologies for not updating this blog regularly lately, I have been away and very busy with other projects, as everybody is - it was and is intended to be a community space so anyone who has news, photos or interest reports to contribute here, please let me know (Cathy). Thanks!

St Peter's Golf Day

2010-08-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

Another very successful parish Golf Day was held at the Randfontein Golf Course on the 1st of August, a great day to be out in the winter sun. Cardiff, our diligent organiser of the event for so many years, was tested to the limits of his reserves by last minute hiccups - or near calamities, including no electricity or water - but managed to make it all happen in spite of these, give everyone who came a wonderful opportunity to relax and socialise, and inject much needed funds into the parish coffers. From all of us Cardiff, a heartfelt THANK YOU!!!

Hosanna!

2010-07-28T05:18:00.000-07:00

A message from Dave and Michael of Divine Touch media, to let you know that the service that was recorded for the 'Hosanna!' programme at St Peter's on the 11th of July will be broadcast this Sunday 1st August on SABC 2 at 6.30am.

This also being the Annual Parish Golf Day, the service will start at 8.30am instead of 9.00 - an early start all round! May it be a special and blessed community occasion, and bring in bountiful and much needed funds.

It does not matter...

2010-07-03T00:38:00.000-07:00

You may have been one of many (including Radio 702's Jenny Crwys-Williams who was flooded with about 40 of them!) who received this lovely upbeat video via email in the last week or so. After the disappointment of Bafana Bafana bowing out - with honour - of the World Cup this was a timely reminder of all the many positives that we as a nation can embrace. We have since discovered that it was created by one of our very own parish members, Anthony Prangley and his associate Rebecca Sehloho! A wonderful contribution to South Africa just when we needed a boost...

Well done Anthony!

Lambeth Palace

2010-06-11T01:46:00.000-07:00

A photo and a note from Vinnie:

Dear All
As we get to the end of our programme here in the UK. On Tuesday 9th June we had a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, at Lambeth Palace. After our meeting an official photograph was taken, and I'm sharing the moment with you.

Update from Vinnie

2010-06-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Edinburgh conference ended on Sunday the 6th, most of the outcomes can be read here at the Edinburgh 2010 website. Vicentia is now in London for the Young Anglican Leaders formation.
The delegates in Edinburgh shared accomodation with the South African Womens' Rugby Team - who on Saturday played a test match with the Scotland Womens' rugby team - SA won 28-8. As the team came into the dining hall where the delegates were having supper, the South Africans burst into applause, cheering and clapping - as Vinnie says, "all we were short of was a vuvuzela!" I'm sure the team was thrilled with the extra support!

Speaking of vuvuzelas, don't forget that next Sunday is Soccer Sunday at church - wear your favourite team's colours, bring flags and - um - would Margie like vuvuzelas as an accompaniment to the organ? A R10 donation is also requested, to go towards funds for the youth group.

Vicentia in Edinburgh, continued...

2010-06-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Vinnie was invited with the other delegates to the Scottish Parliament and they were requested to wear traditional dress for the occasion. How stunning is our Archdeacon and Rector in her outfit?! Vicentia with Prof. Mercy Oduyuye of Nigeria and the Rev. Irene Ayallo of Kenya.

To read more about the aims of the conference, and what some of the delegates, including Vinnie's, thoughts and hopes are, here's a link to an article at Episcopal Life Online.

Vicentia and Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke of UNISA

...with a member of the South African Women's Rugby Team!...

...and just in case you thought she'd forgotten what's going on back at home... with some other South Africans in the media and academia, in Football Friday regalia!

Vicentia in Edinburgh

2010-06-03T02:34:00.000-07:00

If you're wondering where exactly our rector's gone... it's to the World Missionary Conference, Edinburgh 2010 being held 100 years after the last one in 1910, read all about it over here. Above are the delegates from the Anglican Communion with top clergy from the Diocese of Edinburgh, at the home of Bishop Brian Smith and his wife Tessa.

Here she is with the other Anglican communion delegates - you can read about them all here on the Anglican Communion website. What a huge honour for Vinnie (and for us, by association!) to be representing South Africa, and the continent with the other 3 delegates from Zambia and Kenya. It is a multi-denominational event, not confined to Anglicans, seeking direction for the Christian mission in the 21st century.

Bishop Brian Smith - on his knees! - Bishop Mark of Toronto in Canada and Mrs Williams, wife of the Archbishop of Canterbury, seen here with some of the delegates.

P.S. - just arrived, a letter from Vinnie to St Peter's....

Dear Saints

I have the privilege to attend the World Mission Conference. The theme of the conference is Witnessing to Christ Today. The last time this kind of Conference was held a century ago. I am here representing the Anglican Communion with 8 other fellow Anglicans.

Before attending the conference I was hosted by the Diocese of St Andrews. I spent 4 days in a parish of St. Saviour, in a village called Bridge of Allan. I preached there on Trinity Sunday and had an opportunity to visit few projects that diocese is involved in and for those golfers out there on your behalf I spent time at the Links Golf Course, shot a birdie at the 18th hole and stood at the famous bridge.

After the conference the Anglican communion delegates with depart for London, among other things we will do there is to meet officially with Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.

The Venerable Vicentia Refiloe Kgabe
St Peter Anglican Church, Auckland Park.
Fax: 086 672 6800
Office: +27 11 726 1416

Golf Day 2010 - 1st August

2010-05-21T02:19:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I like this Song!

2010-05-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

A Concert of choral favourites will be conducted by Sue Cock

Cheese & Wine will be served after the concert

Date: Saturday the 8th May 2010

Time: 4.30 pm

Venue: St Peter's Anglican Church

Tickets: R40.00 per person will be available at the door.

First come first served!

Invite your family and friends and support St Peter's!

New servers

2010-04-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

On Sunday 12 young volunteers (disciples?) were sworn in as servers, welcome additions to Vicentia's team of helpers needed to make each service run smoothly and calmly.

These are late to appear on the blog, but here are the children who were admitted into their first communion back in June last year...Megan Kaylan Engelbrecht, Lidian Plaatjies, Poloho Lee-James Mohlomi, Bophelo Lee-Thomas Mohlomi, Kabo Setogang, Kaone Kegakilwe, Megan Hartzenberg, Karabo Tserema, Ronewa Lalumbe and Shudu Mahode were happy to receive the candles that symbolised this important new stage of their life in the church.

So happy that some did a little dance down the aisle!

And rounded off with a celebratory piece of cake in the warm winter sunshine.

Good Friday

2010-04-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

The service began with the Stations of the Cross (see the previous post), the congregation moving from station to station round the church garden as each stage of the journey was read out.

At the 13th Station, where Jesus' body is given to his mother, the big cross was carried from the garden into the church, where the final station, the Body in the tomb, was placed behind the altar. (this image insists on only appearing sideways)

The Stations of the Cross

2010-04-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

1. Jesus is condemned

2. He lifts the cross

3. He falls for the first time

4. He meets his mother

5. Simon helps to carry the cross

6. Veronica wipes his forehead

7. He falls the second time

8. He admonishes the weeping women

9. Jesus falls for the third time

10. He is stripped of his garments11. ...and nailed to the Cross 12. Jesus dies12. His body is returned to his mother

14. Jesus' body is laid in the tomb (Blogger insists on turning this picture sideways)

Palm Sunday

2010-03-29T01:01:00.000-07:00

On this first morning of Holy Week we gathered in the garden to celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem - a Christian tradition that dates back to the 4th century. After the procession into the church, and some encouragement from Vicentia, our rector, into more and louder enthusiastic singing and celebration, the re-enactment by the Sunday school children of the Easter story was a reminder that the crowd's acceptance of Christ the King only five days later turned into cries for His execution. We were asked some thought-provoking questions by Vinnie during her sermon - much to dwell on during the coming days leading up to Easter.

Coming up soon...

2010-03-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

And don't forget, fun, food, and ancient tradition at the

Join in please (it's fun and easy)!

2010-02-25T00:42:00.000-08:00

My apologies (if anyone's out there) for the long wait for a second post on this brand new blog! It emphasises the need for far more than just one contributor, and as we are all busy, the more the merrier. I hope to have representatives from every facet of St Peter's to help keep us all up to date with what's happening - Council members, lay ministers, youth group, music and whoever feels they have something to contribute. Obviously, access to a computer is necessary, but it is a simple process to add comments, all you need is a free Google account - go to http://www.google.com/ to register one - click on the blue 'comments' tag at the bottom of the post, and have your say. To write your own posts, add photos etc, I need to invite you as a member, you get an email from Blogger, sign in, go to 'New Post' and off you go. If anyone is interested, please either add a comment to this post or speak to me, Cathy, at church.

Goodbye to dear Rodney....

A late, but heartfelt tribute to our dear Rodney Espley-Jones, who many of us fondly remember from his long years of enthusiastic membership of St Peter's. He passed away on Friday 12th February, willing and ready to go 'home' after suffering injuries in a tragic accident, but leaving his beloved wife Joan, who remains in our thoughts and prayers as she continues without his strong, familiar presence by her side. Rodney and Joan retired to St Michael's village, and continued their worship there as travel became more difficult, but I for one will never hear the hymn 'To God be the Glory' without thinking of Rodney in the front right row, head thrown back and arms raised high, leading another rousing chorus of 'Praise the Lord' as it ended - we can be sure that's what he will be doing now and into eternity - a great example to all!

Indaba Day

2010-02-14T03:16:00.001-08:00

Indaba Day at St Peter's yesterday saw lots of discussion, enthusiasm and some new ideas about how we are to go forward. One of which was to start a blog where we can easily share photos, news and information. So this is the first, tentative post. Hopefully it will grow into a lively communal space which our church community will visit often, and feel free to comment and contribute.

After listening to an inspiring talk by the Rev. Charles May of St George's Cathedral, we separated into different interest and service groups for discussion. Happily fresh new faces volunteered their services toward some key portfolios that keep our church functioning - but there is always room for many more!

After business... lunch! Bountifully and deliciously prepared by Carol and Cardiff and their team As well as providing the musical accompaniment for the day, Margie turned her talents to food...Munch munch munch - time for talking was suspended for a while
...and then the essential washing up duties - thanks to the cheerful youth group for clearing up!