New Apostolic Church Cape

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Ready, steady . . . cook

On Friday 23 May 2008 the choir members of the Welgelegen congregation gathered at the Welgelegen church grounds for a Potjiekos evening. This evening saw a Potjiekos cooking competition where six teams were arranged and the cooking started at 18:00. Three judges ended up with fuller tummies than they had anticipated. They joked that the competition was so intense that they had to test and retest the food, only to come to the conclusion that all the teams were winners. In the process though the choir had some blessed moments of fellowship.

 

 

 

An afternoon of fun at Kanonberg

Some 20 senior members from Welgelegen congregation went out for an afternoon of fun on Saturday 24 May 2008. This group visited the Kanonberg Sports Facilities where they had non-stop fun for three full hours. In between the sports activities the seniors were spotted chatting and laughing together. Priest Wilson and his wife had prepared a meal especially for this occasion and after the seniors have had lunch they headed for home - tired but joyful. Some of the seniors as representatives of the group gave words of appreciation to Shepherd Vester and his assistants for the wonderful experience they had had that afternoon.

 

 

 

A warm Mother’s Day experience

On Mother’s day 2008 all mothers of Kensington South congregation were asked to remain behind after the morning’s divine service. The purpose for this special gathering was to present each and every one of them with a small gift and a hug in celebrating the maternal role they have played.

 

 

 

Oh! What a blessing . . .

For the divine service of Sunday 15 June 2008, District Apostle N Barnes served the congregation of Welgelegen. Approximately 470 attended this service and the district apostle based the sermon on the text word taken out of Psalm 126:5. The Bishops P Killian and S Smith were called up to serve alongside the district apostle. Making this day even more memorable was the anniversary blessing which the district apostle bestowed on a couple that had been together for 65 years. Furthermore 2 shepherds and 1 district elder were ordained. That wasn’t all; the retired Elder Sidney Gould received a special birthday blessing from District Apostle Barnes on his 95th birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

A sealing and a retirement in Rugby

For the divine service of Sunday 1 June 2008, Apostle C van der Merwe served the congregation of Rugby. During this service 6 souls – 1 adult and 5 babies – received the gift of the Holy Spirit. During the course of the service the Apostle also retired Priest L le Chat.

 

 

 

Mother’s day in Vredehoek

Following the divine service of Sunday 8 May 2008 – also celebrated as Mother’s Day – the mothers in Vredehoek congregation were asked to remain behind and they were each presented with a small gift in appreciation of their efforts as mothers and mostly friends.

 

 

 

Adoption of two souls into the faith

On Sunday 18 May 2008 the congregation of De Grendel witnessed the adoption of two regular visitors into the faith. Anna Saaiman and Peter Schultz showed a keen interest in the faith and as a result started attending adoption classes. District Evangelist M Isaacs officially welcomed them into the congregation.

 

 

 

 

Ordinations in Tableview

Apostle C van der Merwe conducted the divine service in the congregation of Tableview on Sunday 8 June 2008. During this service the apostle ordained Brothers P van der Westhuizen and E de Wet into the Deacon ministry, while Deacon P Hinrichsen received the Priest ministry.

 

 

 

A music treat for the seniors

The Cape Town district hosted a music hour for the senior residents of the Noah House home for the aged in University Estate on Saturday 17 May 2008. The 24 seniors from Noah house were joined by the senior members from all over the district. The district ministries and rectors were also in attendance and together they all experienced a wonderful afternoon of musical entertainment. This afternoon was rounded off with fellowship over cake and tea enjoyed by all present.

 

 

 

Sister Grindrod joins the fold

On Sunday 18 May 2008, District Evangelist J Laubscher adopted Sister Christine Anne Grindrod into the New Apostolic faith in the Rugby congregation. Sister Grindrod has been visiting the church on a regular basis for the past five years and came to the decision that she would like to be a member. Also present to witness this adoption was her son, Simon Grindrod, Deputy President of the Independent Democrats and a Caucus Leader for the party in the City of Cape Town.

 

 

 

A birthday, gifts and more gifts for Summergreens

The congregation of Summergreens was served by Apostle C van der Merwe on the evening of Wednesday 23 April 2008. During this divine service they witnessed the sealing of 10 souls and the ordination of 4 priests and 2 deacons. Earlier on the apostle, accompanied by the rector of Summergreens, had visited the Clingen household where they wished Sister Elizabeth Clingen well on her 70th birthday. Due to ill health this sister could not make it to service thus the Apostle saw it fit to visit her at her home earlier in the day.

 

 

 

Wedding anniversary in Bothasig

On Sunday 4 May 2008 Priest F Lombard and his wife, Joan, received their silver wedding anniversary blessing. Joan Rhona Hudson married Frederick H Lombard on Thursday 28 April 1983. 25 years later this couple stood in front of the Bothasig congregation and received their anniversary blessing from District Elder T Smith.

 

 

 

 

 

Rector of Kensington North retires

On Sunday 4 May 2008, Apostle C van der Merwe conducted a divine service in the Kensington North congregation. During this divine service the apostle placed the rector of the congregation, Shepherd N Vollenhoven, into retirement. Shepherd Vollenhoven has been in the ministry for 36 years of which the last three he served as the rector of Kensington North. This congregation, however, did not loose a much loved servant of God without compensation. A new shepherd in the form of Community Evangelist B Manuel was ordained for the congregation. He will now take up the duty of rector as Shepherd Vollenhoven’s successor.

 

 

 

 

 

Adoptions and baptisms - Bothasig

On Sunday 20 April 2008, District Elder T Smith baptized 2 babies and adopted 2 souls in the Bothasig congregation. Baby Kaylee De Goede and young Joshua Laing were baptized while Joshua’s mother, Anthea Laing, and Jesslynn Goosen were adopted into the faith. The congregation of Bothasig stood as witnesses as these souls made their vows with an audible “Yes!”

 

 

 

Just add faith . . .

On Sunday 26 March 2008, the De Grendel congregation was served by District Apostle N Barnes. In this divine service he was accompanied by Apostle CRA Van Der Merwe and the Bishop C Classen. The district apostle based the sermon on the text word out of the book of Joshua 1:9 and throughout the sermon exhorted those present to continually and steadfastly practice faith. A joyfully prepared congregation experienced much blessing flowing from this encounter.

 

 

 

Day of the Child in Cape Town district

Starting off on Saturday 29 March to Sunday 30 March 2008 the young brothers and sisters of the Cape Town district enjoyed their Day of the Child weekend. On Saturday they visited the Kisternbosch gardens where this year’s Thanksgiving theme was further planted in the hearts of these youngsters. They toured the gardens where they were told what the various tree names are and how some can be of use to our well-being. They were then grouped and each group was given a task to complete, which they engaged in with great enthusiasm. Before leaving for home they all enjoyed a snack. On Sunday morning the Sunday school children gathered at the Woodstock congregation for a divine service conducted by Apostle C van der Merwe. Invited to this service were all the priestly ministers, Sunday school teachers and all the Sunday school children and their guests. After the divine service Apostle Van der Merwe planted a tree in the church grounds in line with this year’s Thanksgiving theme “Save a tree for me”. Afterwards all present met for fellowship at a local community hall where lunch was served.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Save a tree for me” project on the roll

The Sunday school children of Summergreens congregation accompanied by their teachers and their rector, Shepherd L Thomas, visited the Kent Durr retirement village where they planted a tree in the garden of this institution. This was in reaction to the 2008 Sunday school project and this year’s Thanksgiving theme: “Save a tree for me”. Three Sunday school children helped by the rector planted a yellow-wood tree in the garden of this retirement village, while the rest of the children and their teachers sang in the background. A framed mirror with the emblem of the church and the words “Save a tree for me” sandblasted onto it, was presented to the management of the Home who were also present when the tree was planted. This mirror now hangs proudly in the club house of this institution.

 

 

 

Plus 2 for Bothasig

On Sunday 16 March 2008 the congregation of Bothasig stood as witnesses while District Elder T Smit baptized two babies. Baby Ryno Higgs and Baby Jenna Wallace are now awaiting the act of Holy Sealing with the next apostle visit to the congregation.

 

 

 

Apostle Van Der Merwe’s first sealing…

On Sunday 13 January 2008, Apostle C.R Van der Merwe conducted a divine service for the Table View district in the Table View congregation. During this divine service the apostle performed his first sealing in this area. Nine souls were sealed of which 6 was from Table View Congregation and 3 was from Phoenix congregation.

 

Appreciation for this ‘trespasser’

On Wednesday 30 January 2008, the Bothasig congregation was very blessed to be served by the visiting Apostle HB Swartbooi of the Eastern Cape. This was as a result of a cross booking prompted by the fact that the apostle was to attend an apostles’ meeting in Cape Town the following day. In his company were Bishop C Classen and all the district leaders and rectors of the Welgelegen district, which further heightened the atmosphere of excitement in this congregation.

 

 

 

Cape Town district plans for 2008

On Saturday 26 January 2008, all the rectors and priests of the Cape Town district met up at the River Club for a workshop spearheaded by District Elder E Adams. This workshop had as the main objective to work out a plan for spreading the gospel in this district. The district elder gave a clear presentation on the guidelines which would assist the district in achieving their goals. A healthy debate arose as a result, contributing positive viewpoints that would sustain growth in this area. The ministers left the workshop with new zeal to fulfill their tasks positively. Another meeting has already been scheduled for August to measure the outcomes and effects of this workshop.

 

 

 

Blessed entry into 2008

On Tuesday 1 January 2008, District Apostle Noel Barnes conducted a New Year’s Day service for the Vredehoek, Salt River and the University Estate congregations. To some 250 members gathered at the Vredehoek church hall, the District Apostle read out a text word taken from Psalm 18:29. Apostle Van der Merwe and Bishops Witten and Lutuli were called upon to assist in the serving. This day also saw the 25th anniversary of retired Apostle CA Hendricks having been ordained in the apostle ministry; he was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the district apostle.

 

 

 

Vredehoek’s Christmas present

In the months prior to Christmas 2007, Vredehoek congregation decided to host a Christmas sing-a-long afternoon, the main aim of which would be to invite the children from the Nazareth House and donate some gifts in the form of Christmas presents to them. A huge Christmas tree was put up in the foyer and anyone who wished to contribute a present towards this donation was welcome to put it under the tree. As the days approached the presents were piling up and the walking space in the foyer decreased substantially. Finally, the afternoon of Sunday 9 December 2007 came and the children, as well as the community of Vredehoek, responded to the invitation to the True Spirit Sing-A-Long at the Vredehoek church hall. A great sense of anticipation could be felt as the church started to fill. The hour was opened with a prayer and the presentation started. The children’s choir rendered their carols by candle light and this brought much joy to those present. To end proceedings, all presents that were under the Christmas tree were given to Sister Margaret Craig of the Nazareth House. In an e-mail of thanks sent to the rector of Vredehoek congregation from the Nazareth House, Sister Margaret expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the invitation to the “truly inspirational and so meaningful” Christmas Sing-A- Long. Sister Margaret also thanked “everyone who contributed in any way towards the magnificent gifts which the House received from under the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huge crowd turns up for Advent choral

Sunday 2 December 2007 saw the culmination of the efforts made by the Cape Town district to ensure that Christmas 2007 would be a joyous occasion for all – including the underprivileged children. Already in the beginning of the year, members from this district met and planned an Advent choral that would bring cheer to the children from the Nazareth House AIDS haven and the Lourens House for refugee children. The Old Mutual Business School was decided upon as the venue and throughout the year members from this district invited the residents of the Pinelands area to and reminded them of the coming event. The day finally came and all the hard work in preparation saw a large crowd in attendance. As planned, the children from the Nazareth House and the Lourens House were invited. The audience enjoyed a top class performance of Christmas carols by a children’s and an adult choir. This was followed by the handing out of gifts by Father Christmas and Mary Christmas to the children from the homes. Apostle Van Der Merwe opened and concluded the afternoon in prayer.