St Mark's moves into the Internet age

Never judge a book by it's cover. St Mark's has grabbed the technologies available in the 21st Century to both celebrate the wold of the Lord, spread the latest news about the church and have some fun into the bargain.

If you are reading this then you already know we have an interactive Blog that allows us to Poll our constituents with PC's on various issue. We can put pictures up of bygone years and there's a fresh Bible verse there every day for you to consider.

What really grabbed my attention however is the number of our folk using Facebook, Twitter, all technologies that will bring in the youth with their smart cellphones.

I will attempt to render an electronic version of Liz's weekly diary on The Marksman Online, so those of us who miss a service can still tap into the information from home.

All feedback is welcome. An SMS to me can translate into a snippet of breaking news online such as Dawn Bowman's recovery in the Twitter section. An e-mail can be a lead article.

Let's get involved St Mark's.

Transformational Leadership - Conference Feedback

220 of the 350 or so ministers of the UPCSA concluded a three day conference at Rocky Valley on Friday.  Besides times of worship, meeting and catching up with colleagues, two things stood out for me.

First, the group Bible Studies centred around the theme of the conference which was Transformational Leadership – social justice in the light of Luke 4:17-19.  Small group study remains the most effective method of gaining fresh insights to God’s Word.  In Luke 4, Jesus declared that God’s Spirit had anointed him to preach the Good News; release the oppressed and give sight to the blind.

We agreed in our group that in following the example of our Lord, the purpose and function of the Church is to bear witness to the saving gospel of Jesus.  As we say in St Giles’ our vision is … for all of us to be active in spreading the love and gospel of Jesus.

A second highlight for me were the two pleniary sessions led by our Jamaican speaker, Roderick Hewitt.  He pointed out that transformed leaders are ones who do not move away from Reformed Spirituality.  This starts with new birth, being born anew. That leads to a commitment to live a holy life, totally dedicated to God, set apart for his holy use as we conduct ourselves honourably.

Some quotable quotes:

-          The Devil does not mind how we look externally, but is scared of leaders who take their faith seriously.

-          When we become disciples, we have to have an agenda for action.

-          A minister can’t teach stewardship unless he/she practices it.

-          Don’t wrote yourself off because of painful blunders

-          No congregation will pray unless its minister(s) pray.

-          It is better to be a hose pipe Christian attached to the source of water, rather than a bucket Christian.

Shalom,

Moshe.

Prospective members join us on Heritage Day

St Mark's will be inviting all prospective members to join Moshe and Solomon on this Heritage Day from 9 to 2 this Thursday to get to know us and share a meal on this important day.
Moshe says anyone is welcome even if you have not attended a service before. St Mark's is a growing presence in Yeoville. Please join us.

Uphold Kevin and his family in prayer

Hi friends

Just to let you know that Kevin arrived safely in SA, tired (only has had 3 hours sleep in the last two days) and sad. But happy to be with family. They start on the funeral arrangements tomorrow, hopefully after a good night sleep. He now has a SA sim card and his number from tomorrow will be 083 973 5343.

Thanks for all your letters and support...

Love

Nads

Our prayers are with Kevin & Nads

Today we bring the sad news of the passing of Kevin's brother Charl, but also celebrate the beautiful man he was who lived with such enthusiam and passion...our thoughts are with all who shared their lives with him...Nads

Continue to pray for change

Hi my friends! Greetings from the Ministers' Conference atRocky Valley. It is a refreshing time for the ministers. Different people are giving their testimony in the ministry; the challenges and successes.

I personally challenged that I must continue to depend on God. What ever we do God is runing His ministry. People participate in what God is doing. Whatever we think and do make sure  Christ leads. His resurrection is the centre of our Gospel. Therefore continue to pray for change in UPCSA.
With love,,

Solomon..

There's still time to add to the new Elders' list

Session has approved the names of eight members 

of the congregation to be considered for the

Eldership at a special meeting of the congregation

on the 4th October. Other nominations will be accepted

before 10 October, when Session next meets.

They are:

 Felix Agyei

 Elvis Fokala

 Delaunay Fotsing

 Veronika Macher

 Norman Mangena

 Giyani Matampi

 Maxwell Sewornu

 Roger Tem

Moshe & Solomon visit University of Johannesburg

Solomon and Moshe visited the university of Johannesburg this past week on the lookout for Presbyterians. Moshe put up notices on the boards around the campus and got a very positive responsse. The intention is to set up Bible studies involving the students.
Moshe pointed out in his Sermon this morning that the Christian faith is growing. The are all 50 million Chinese worshipping our Risen Lord. Within the next 15 years the figure for Africa could be a high as 650 million. And there is certainly a strong African "feel" emerging at St Mark's. These are exciting times.

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah

The St Mark's Men's Fellowship met this morning and our chairman Giyani is taking us in new and exciting directions.

But things got off to a slightly rocky start, when we discovered that we did not have a venue in which to meet. We solved that by hijacking the kitchen. We fetched a few extra chairs and the lads were set. Then Giyani dropped his bombshell. We had to sing William Williams's great hymn in isiXhosa. Few of us can speak Xhosa, but we of the Men's Fellowship have made it our  mission to share our faith and praise the Lord in every language spoken by the congregation

That said we only had one hymn book and so thankfully, from my point of view at least, we opted for the English version, which was sung with great gusto and passion by those present to the extent that those enjoying an early morning cup of tea in the hall next door notedand commented upon the enthusiasm with which "Oh thou great Jehovah" was delivered.

O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore.

Open thou the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream shall flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:

Strong deliverer,
Be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises
I will ever give to thee.

St Mark's has historically left celebrating the Lord in song to those in the pews and in the choir. All that is now changing. We sang three hymns this morning and later in the service the Youth Choir and the Women's Choir launched into song. It was really a moving day and one highly appreciated by your scribe.

This is only the fourth meeting of the Men's Fellowship and we are still finding our feet, so to speak. We will be looking to helping with the tea, doing door duty and getting involved in all activities of the church as needed.

Solomon chats about his Zambian adventure

Solomon recently travelled to Zambia to attend a conference. This is his feedback.

“The conference theme was Luke/Acts - A Journey. Probationers met in Johannesburg and then embarked on a journey which took them through Polokwane, Bulawayo, Livingstone, Lusaka, Harare and Masvingo and finally back to Johannesburg.

The question we asked as we went and witnessed to the work of God, “What is God doing in this situation?” We were encouraged to remember that it is God’s work in His Church that we are part of, and that ministry involves identifying what God is doing and then joining in partnership with Him.

There are many things that we learnt as we continued our journey. What was clear was:

 God is disciplining those whom He loves and has called to service.

 We were reminded that ministry often doesn’t go the way we have planned, but that God is with us. He can use chaos to move us from our comfort zones.

 At St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Zimbabwe) we witnessed how God is helping people from different histories and backgrounds to find and respect each other and bring the challenge of the Gospel to those torn by the situation in Zimbabwe, which has sometimes turned Christian brothers and sisters against each other.

In Zambia, students and their spouses are taught to be self supporting whilst they are training, because many Zambian ministers are not paid regularly. I was challenged by their commitment to spread the

Gospel no matter what their personal circumstances and also by the commitment of congregations to do what they could to support the ministry.

One minister shared how each month when he got paid, his Session came to pray with him and brought him a message of hope and encouragement

We learned the importance of adaptability and of listening to and consulting with the elders and fellow ministers. God uses His whole body and we need each other.

The reflection showed clearly the need for the prophetic role of the Church, even at a congregational level. God is raising up people, who can stand for justice and live lives of integrity. He is also saddened by the violence of Christian against Christian, and there is much need for the ministry of reconciliation.

God seems to be pruning His vineyard in Zimbabwe, and there was a call for us to take heed so that we do not become unfruitful and need the same pruning.

Death of former St Mark's Elder & Minister Dave Armour

For those of you who knew Dave when he was at St Mark’s before entering the ministry, it will be a shock to learn that he died on Monday afternoon.

Unfortunately I don’t have any details as to the reason, just got a message from John Bowman who had heard from his sister-in-law who lives in East London.

Then also got a message from Cyril Henley to say the funeral will likely be at the Methodist church in East London next Monday.

As I shall be away from Thursday morning, and on leave from tomorrow, my apologies, but I won’t be able to follow up on this to get more news.
Contact Cyril Henley at 082-856-8260. for further details.  Blessings to you all, and sympathy in Dave’s loss,


By Elizabeth White

Solomon's incredible journey to St Mark's

                        By Emmanuel Solomon Surwumwe

I was born in the Western Province of Rwanda, to an uncommitted Christian family, which went to church only once or twice a year. I attended Presbyterian Primary School at Bushaka and moved on to an Anglican High School at Gahini in the Eastern Province.

In 1993 some learners and I formed a “rebellious” charismatic group and it was at this time that I received Jesus as my Saviour .

In 1994 I left my Rwanda to literally “save my head” for the civil war was in full swing. . I traveled through Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, on my way to South Africa and in July of 1997 I found myself in KwaZulu Natal.

It was a miracle. I had no passport, but people still helped me along the way down south.

Money has been a problem. When I received “a call” to the ministry in 1999, I had no funds for attend Bible College

So I studied by correspondence for a year. Then I got a loan, which I am still paying off. But this enabled me to study theology to the level of Masters. But now there was a delay in placing me in a congregation I therefore did another Degree in another field completely … that of Library Sciences.

I worked for the University of KwaZulu Natal from 2006 to 2009 in the Library to enable me to pay back the money I owed and then came the chance to achieve my dream – a placement as a probationer at St Marks Uniting Presbyterian Church Yeoville under Moshe’s watchful eye.

On a personal level I grew up with my beloved wife Perpetue in Rwanda. My elder brother married into her family and I followed in his footsteps. Perpetue, my wife, is therefore now his sister-in-law.

When it was time to marry, I followed the example of Isaac who went to get a wife from his country and his own family (Genesis 24). . We married on the 20th December 2008. She is my helper in the ministry and in my life.

Elizabeth White remembers John Nixon

John was ordained on 2nd October 1977 – nearly 32 years ago – and much about the time that I joined St Mark’s.


Until just a couple of years ago, when John stopped driving, he was still attending Session meetings and actively taking part in the discussion, always with a wise and considered thought to add to the topic.

He has put in nearly 30 years of ‘active’ service, and just a couple in ‘retirement’, during which time his service continued, leading and guiding the Prayer Circle, while supporting the work of St Mark’s, as well as individuals’ needs within and without St Mark’s.

He phoned me earlier in the year just to tell me that he kept me in prayer: it was good to know that whatever I had on my plate to do for Session and the congregation, my very thoughts for our future would be underpinned by his prayers for the success of all we undertake in the service of our Lord here at St Mark’s.

I shall miss his smile and chuckle, his exemplary good manners, his good company, and his positive outlook:

It’s not more than a year ago that he said (not for the first time) that if he were to marry again, he would like me to sing at the wedding!

I thank the Lord for John’s life, for his love and friendship, service to St Mark’s and most of all that this is not a final leave-taking, but just a temporary parting, and that we shall all meet again one day

and celebrate together in the very presence of the Lord John loves and continues to serve in Heaven.

New Elders at St Mark's

Session has approved the names of eight members of the congregation to be considered for the Eldership at a special meeting of the congregation on the 4th October. Other nominations will be accepted before 10 October, when Session next meets..


They are:

 Felix Agyei

 Elvis Fokala

 Delaunay Fotsing

 Veronika Macher

 Norman Mangena

 Giyani Matampi

 Maxwell Sewornu

 Roger Tem

Tribute to John Nixon from far off Wales

By Kevin & Nadene Snyman (from Cardiff)


What a paradoxically sad occasion it will be when you hold John's funeral in his beloved St Mark's, because it seems to me that John's death underlines the changing of the seasons for St Mark's in a deeply profound way.

John represented everything that is good and true and beautiful about the congregation - ageing but energetic, traditional but willing to grow and change, loyal to the church and so very kind and welcoming to all who might be considered 'new to a pew.'

The leaves have for too long being turning to purer shades of orange and gold, and now yet another has

But the other side of this paradox is the fact that our tears will fall for only a few short years before it is our turn to be welcomed into the Kingdom where there will be such a joyous meeting of dear friends that the mere telling of it will take an eternity.

How pleased Jesus is to have his dear and faithful friend back home. In addition, there are new shoots of growth in St Mark's, new directions and new ministries - a great work to be done fro the Kingdom, and for this reason are you there, obedient to God's call. St Mark's has many years left to the glory of God in Jesus! What a joy it will be when Jesus speaks the same words to you that he speaks even now to John - well done, good and faithful servant!

We will be with you all in thought and prayer in the coming days.

St Mark’s launches Men’s Fellowship

Sunday the 28th August 2009 will a significant date in the history of St Mark’s In particular it will be remembered by the 10 men, who gathered for the second meeting of the St Mark’s “Men for the Master.” The mission statement was clear. This was a step towards taking ownership of our responsibilities in terms of our faith and in terms of making a difference to our brothers and sisters in Christ, who will carry the torch forward in Yeoville. .

Solomon was the driving force behind setting up this Fellowship, which will be held twice a month before the new 10h30 services timeslot starts. The next meeting is therefore on the 13th September 2008 in the church hall.

The meeting was opened in song, praising the Lord and then Giyani Matampi led the group in Bible study.

The reading was from Genesis chapter 2 verses 15 to Genesis 3, verse 19, the story of Adam and Eve, which opened the way for a lively discussion around a man’s role in daily life and in the church and the need to live the Word of God.

These are early days and as the membership grows – 14 attended the first meeting - the men will be able to take on a leading role in caring for both the physical (fixing things) and spiritual well being of this congregation, something the Women’s Association has done with aplomb for years.

We urge all the men of St Mark’s to join us. Bring your Bibles and get ready to sing, dance and work in the name of the Lord.

We will need everybody’s help in defining what needs to be done going forward. But one thing is certain. The men are committed to building a future for St Mark’s in Yeoville.

Tribute to Ruth Gutsche

Alison O'Neill


I got to know Ruth when we attended Bible Study at her cottage in Mountainview Retirement Village. At the time she still had her faithful companion Bonnie and she still drove her faithful VW Beetle.

It was very apparent from early on that Ruth was very steeped in her faith and she loved our Bible Study sessions under the leadership of Leon & Jenny Ghavalas as our leaders.

Ruth was very active in St. Marks from the time she moved to Johannesburg from the East Rand. Indeed she was Chairlady of the Womens’ Association for some time and during her tenure she set up a laundry service attached to the Yeoville branch of Meals on Wheels. Ruth was also an Elder of very long-standing and in her day she would actively visit all the Church Members under her care – something that has sadly fallen away in this modern era.

Ruth was very generous to her family and friends, at the same time as being very rigid in her ways. She dearly loved her family and every one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She remembered the names and birthday dates of each and every one of her large family and she loved to speak of her family.

I would collect Ruth from her Retirement Village on Communion Sundays and sitting in her wheelchair either before the Service or during tea there was always a steady stream of people wanting to chat to her – she was well loved by the members of St. Marks and she so loved her infrequent attendances at Church when it became difficult for her to be up and dressed in time for the Service.

Ruth missed her 98th birthday by just 16 days. In the last year of her life Ruth often commented that she was ready to go to her best friend, Jesus, and she prayed to the Lord to come and take her home. Her extended family continued with the luncheon arrangements that they had planned for the 19th July, which included family from near and far. There was a short memorial service led by Charles Sangster in the Garden of Remembrance attended by all the family, who then went off to enjoy their happy memories at Ruth’s lunch party.

I really miss you Ruth – rest in peace until we meet again.

Micky van Wyk

Trying to write a few words in memory of Ruth I am stumped – how do you condense memories of such a Lady in a few words when her personality was so overwhelming it would require a book to do full justice to her.

Ruth and I went back 35 – 40 years in the same Bible Study group, Womens’ Association evening branch and Goodwill Circle. Who could forget the annual Morning Market and Ruth’s ‘White Elephant’ stall. Ruth commandeered people to help and it was never a case of “will you”, but “you will”. She could be a Sergeant Major, but we all knew she had St. Marks’ best interests at heart and forgave her ‘bullying’.

As a friend, Ruth was kind and very generous, without making a fuss about it. If anybody attempted to thank her, Ruth would brush it off with “Don’t thank me, my Father told me to do it”.

I will never forget Ruth and will always be grateful to her. She and her beloved Bonnie had a special spot in my heart. I think of Ruth every day and miss our visits and phone calls.

Rest in peace Ruth – you have earned it.

A Tribute to John Nixon

                                                      By Geoff Jamieson


When I arrived at St. Mark's in 1980 I was 34 years old, had lots of enthusiasm, and no experience of running a church - I was terrified.

Then two senior Elders approached me and gave me a promise that they would support and guide me - one was Cyril Pearce, the other John Nixon.

Both never broke that promise. John was a wonderful man who loved his Lord Jesus Christ, and lived out that love in word and deed. He was a wonderful example to me, and all who knew him, of how one should live there lives - he was kind, generous, helpful, practical, and lived his life with a twinkle in his eye.

He was involved in the Church - leading from the front, whether it was on Session, or in Bible Study (which he ran for many years), transporting 'his' ladies to services or various functions.

I do not mourn John's death as he had a long and full life, and one that was lived constantly before his God. He is one that will hear those special words from God, "Come into your rest, good and faithful servant."

From the Pulpit

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ

At the end of his first letter, elder Peter writes to fellow elders urging them to be shepherds of God’s flock that is under their care.

He also calls on the young men to defer to those who are older. Notice he does not call on this second group to withhold their much needed enthusiasm and freshness, rather to learn from those who are more experienced. I’m hoping and praying that will characterise the relationship between Solomon and me.

At congregational level, we have had a good example of this in that for several months now, St Mark’s has seen the more mature leaders and elders taking the younger potential men and women under their wing.

It has been my joy and privilege to further expose this next generation of leaders, Felix Agyei Elvis Fokala, Delaunay Fotsing Veronika Macher
Norman Mangena, Giyani Matampi, Maxwell Sewornu and Roger Tem to what it takes to be an elder.

It is either that they are all slow on the uptake, or I have not done my work very well, as I haven’t scared them off!! They are open to nomination and election, conscious of the fact that when the Lord calls us, he also equips us.

My life has been made easier by the arrival of Solomon and Perpetue in June. He has taken services at St Mark’s and St Giles’ and by the time you read this, he will have done his first service at Tarentaal Retirement Home. Compared with me, he is a genius with computers and just a good friend to have.

Thank you to all of you Marksmen and women for arranging for his licensing. Pray that the remaining ten months will be mutually beneficial for St Marks and the Surwumwes.

Yours in Christ

Moshe Rajuili
Interim Moderator