Latest News

From midnight on Thursday 26 March South Africa has entered in a state of Lock-Down

This means that the Cathedral is closed, and worshippers must remain at home. Please know that wherever you are, the Lord is at hand! To help you in your devotions, virtual services will be made available. For further details see our Worship page. See also the latest Special Ad Clerum from Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali dated 24 March.

New Parish Councillors admitted as Church Officers

Members of the Cathedral congregation met for worship on Sunday 22 March, acutely sensitive to the need to respect the Bishops’ guidelines in a time of pandemic. Only the bread was taken at Communion, no touching at the Peace, and so on. But the atmosphere of prayer was so real. Indeed the Lord was with us! At the 9:30 service the newly elected Parish Councillors were admitted as Church Officers. We pray that the Holy Spirit will bless them mightily in what is likely to be a most extraordinary year.

DYG renew their vows

Members of the Archdeaconry DYG (Diocesan Youth Guild) gathered at the 9:30 service in the Cathedral on 22 March, to renew their vows with Archdeaconry DYG Chaplain Revd Gwen Mvula. New member Chumile Mvula took her vows for the first time. We give thanks for the commitment of these young people from the Cathedral, St Philip’s and St Augustine’s Churches, and pray for them all. For more photos, see our Gallery.

 

Special Ad Clerum from Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali concerning the coronavirus

On Wednesday 18 March 2020 the Bishop in Chapter met prayerfully to seek God’s guidance. They issued a statement including Guidelines for clergy and parishioners. See also the Bishop’s Media Statement.

Three Archbishops – Desmond Tutu, Njongonkulu Ndungane and Thabo Makgoba issue unprecedented statement on coronavirus

The three living Archbishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa have issued an unprecedented joint statement appealing to people to beat the coronavirus by working together. The text of the Statement.

Archbishop issues further special guidelines on coronavirus, 17 March

• Archbishop Thabo Makgoba  issued further special guidelines for ministry in the light of the coronavirus pandemic, on 17 March 2020. These update his previous guidelines.
• His video of 14 March can be watched here.
• The text of what President Cyril Ramaphosa said about COVID-19 in his address to the nation on Sunday 15 March can be downloaded as a PDF here.

Annual Vestry Meeting 15 March

Our Annual Vestry Meeting took place on Sunday 15 March in St George’s Hall. The following were elected Churchwardens: Ronaldo Burger and Lungile Penxa, with Theodore Duxbury as Alternate Churchwarden. Also elected to the Parish Council were Katie Appollis, Rodney Bridger, Nomakwezi Gabavana and Tandiwe Gabavana. We congratulate all those elected and pray for them in their ministry and leadership. The Agenda, Minutes and Reports can be read here. For a copy of the Financial Reports, please contact the Parish Office at 046 622 2445 and ask for a copy to be emailed to you. (The file is unfortunately too large to be uploaded on the website).

Anglicans Ablaze 2020 Early Bird deadline extended

The Anglicans Ablaze 2020 Conference Early Bird deadline has been extended by one month. The new deadline is Thursday 30 April 2020. Read more…

Cathedral Student Ministry Camp

Our Cathedral Students had a wonderful weekend at Faire wood Outdoor Education Centre (29 Feb-1 March). We are a Family of Faith, enjoying Fellowship, Friendship, Fun and Food! What a privilege to get to know fellow students from all over SA, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Uganda! We learnt to sing songs of praise in one another’s languages. We broke bread together (Holy Communion outside), reflected on Psalm 139, prayed for one another… We hiked, swam, danced around the fire, played biblical charades, laughed and ate! A huge thank you to Cathedral parishioners for your generous financial donations, cooking meals, providing snacks, coming to transport us and for your love and support. Thank you from Revd Claire, Theo Duxbury on behalf of us all. For more pictures, see our Gallery.

   

 

New Chorister admitted to Cathedral Choir

On the first Sunday in Lent, 1 March, Dean Andrew Hunter admitted Probationer Junaid Douglas as a full member of the Cathedral Choir. We give thanks for him, and pray for his ministry in the Cathedral music.

Pancake Pandemonium!

Pancake Pandemonium reigned in St George’s Hall on Shrove Tuesday, 25 February. The hot weather did not deter Sally Terry and her hardy band of pancake makers. One estimate was that around 1000 pancakes were made! The word went out far and wide, and throngs gathered to enjoy their supper on the premises or buy pancakes to take home. After deducting expenses, all profits went to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. Congratulations to the team! For more pictures, see our Gallery.

Sermon series on ‘The Big Questions of Life’

As students returned, and new students came up to the University for the first time,  Dean Andrew Hunter presented a series of addresses on the ‘Big Questions of Life’ at the 7:30 and 9:30 Eucharist services in the Cathedral. On 9 February his subject was ‘Does God exist?‘ The second address, on the Sunday nearest to Valentine’s Day, was on ‘Where do I find love?’ The final address, on 23 February, addressed the issue ‘Where do I find hope?‘

Education Sunday 2 February

On Sunday 2 February learners from nine Makhanda schools gathered in their uniforms in the Cathedral to pray for God’s blessing on the new school year. Dean Andrew Hunter preached a challenging sermon which addressed issues of bullying and violence in schools, and those present, learners, teachers, parents and guardians, promised to do their best in the year ahead.

Schools represented were: Nyaluza High School, Nombulelo High School, Victoria Girls’ High School, Graeme College, Victoria Primary School, Good Shepherd School, PJ Olivier,
DSG and Kingswood College. St Andrew’s College was invited, but was unable to attend.

Kutlwano Kepadisa, Assistant to the Cathedral Director of Music, trained a special Back to School Choir consisting of learners from a variety of schools. To hear them singing ‘Bawo Thixo Somandla’, conducted by our Head Chorister Nzulu Nzwana, download a YouTube video here. For more pictures, see our Gallery.

 

Cathedral choristers wanted!

The Cathedral choir is recruiting. If you are interested in joining and becoming part of a team of talented musicians, we would be pleased to hear from you. Initial enquiries may be made to the Director of Music Cameron Luke (062 987 0397, call or SMS) or the Choir Intern Kutlwano Kepadisa (Kepa — 078 869 0880).

Bell Ringing and Access to the Cathedral Tower

Want to go up the cathedral bell tower? Would you really like to be a bell ringer?

We welcome visitors to the bell tower but would ask that you always contact a bell ringer to lead you or your guests into the ringing chamber – for your safety. Furthermore, only a bell ringer is able to demonstrate ringing to you and your experience is not complete without seeing this! We try not to leave the bells in the (dangerous) position of being ‘rung up’ after we leave the Tower but sometimes this is necessary -especially with the heavier bells which weigh more than 500 kg and take time to get into a position for ringing. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

Anglican Consultative Council passes Environment resolution

The Anglican Consultative Council, meeting in Hong Kong in May, passed an important resolution on the environment. The resolution recognised that there is a global climate emergency and requested that churches develop action plans and resources for sustainable living. Read more…