We are waiting: Cosmo City and the Bible Challenge
Dear Saints,
On the 3rd of November 2019 our parish had a Special Vestry Meeting. Its main purpose was to give an update on the Archdeaconry Church Planting Project, which is focused on Cosmo City, including our contribution to the project as the parish of St Monnica’s Halfway Gardens. This project responds to Jesus’ command to us “To go and make disciples of all people, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, beginning in Jerusalem to Samaria and then going to the ends of the earth”.
Last week we started the Advent season, which reminds us that we are a people who live in the in between times. In between the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ taking human form “God with us” more than two thousand years ago. After his death and resurrection he returned to God our Creator and now we are waiting for his final return in the Second Coming. Our participation in the planting and building of a Church in Cosmo City is one of the ways we as a community are actively waiting on the Lord’s return. Part of our waiting is to broaden the Church’s footprint here in South Africa.
The decision made at the meeting was threefold:
1. Vestry affirmed the decision it made in February 2019, to support the project financially as a parish.
2. The Church will decide on how much to contribute pending a presentation by the church wardens on the church’s financial status.
3. Parishioners were encouraged to make donations to the project privately or through the Church.
At the November Parish Council meeting the following decision was taken pending
the Church’s response:
¨ We will start a Buy-a-Brick campaign.
¨ A brick will cost R 300.
¨ Each family of our parish will be asked to purchase a minimum of five bricks
¨ Single persons are encouraged to buy not less than two bricks
Parishioners are encouraged to make their brick donations not later than March 2020. Please clearly reference you donation CCB. On behalf of the Parish Council I thank you in advance for your cooperation.
The Bible Challenge 2020:
We are challenging St Monnica’s parishioners and their friends to take the challenge in 2020 to read the entire Bible in 1 year. Participants will be supported by daily comments, questions and a prayer from over 100 theologians and biblical scholars from the worldwide Anglican communion. And the clergy and lay ministers of the parish will support you throughout the year as well. The registration process started last week. Please register the welcome desk on Sunday or contact the office for a registration form. You are reminded that you may bring the Bible you will be using to Church to be blessed between now and the 22nd of December 2019.
Let us wait actively as we are being transformed in order for us to transform the world around us.
Yours in Christ as always,
Revd Jacque