A leper ... insights from David & Val Hutt

In the parable of the Leper, we read the story and often find it difficult to relate to, simply because

this person was suffering from a horrid skin disease, and we don’t. The reality is that although the person suffering from this disease; the result was that they were excluded from worship, they could not be part of normal society and they were rejected from being part of a family because of this.

We need to understand that we do not have to have leprosy to suffer in this same way, that many people

feel rejected from their families for many different reasons, others are isolated from worship for reasons that they believe to be relevant, yet there are others who seem never to be able to cope in society, no matter how they perform.

We all sometimes feel unclean. Each of us in someway or another will come to that point where we understand that we are not always the most popular on the block. Where we are hurt, rejected by others no matter what we have done, it is Jesus who is willing to reach out and lift us up. It is Jesus who answers us when we ask Him to heal us, He answers, ‘Yes I am willing’.

Matthew 8:2 A man with

leprosy came and knelt before

Him and said ‘Lord if you are

willing, you can make me

clean’

For you and I we need to have the courage to ask Him to heal us and set us free from those things that prevents us from being who He has called us to be. We need to recognise our needs in order for us to ask that these needs are met.

It is a sad day when we believe that we are not in need of Christ, for we all fall short of where we need to be, the grace of God is to actually realise this. Like so many parables, this parable has many different layers of meaning, so that you and I will know that this is also meant for us. been well utilized by the church, although there are few people that make use of the counseling and retreat facilities offered.

The number of churches using Linga Longa for church camps and teaching over weekends has increased, most of the ministry undertaken is by their own Pastor/Teacher.

We need to have input and prayer guidance, so that we seek the wisdom of Christ in this regard. How Val and I are praying that the path ahead in our ministry will become clearer so that we do what pleases God and not ourselves. The big question is where is the Lord leading the Christ Healing Fellowship?

What is the role of Linga Longa, in the healing ministry, and is there a need to have Linga Longa as a centre

of healing? How do we get ministers to actually come and spend time and rest at Linga Longa? We are here to serve the church, to pastor those in need, to help those in distress, to pray for those who are struggling and to be refuge for those who have lost their love for Christ.

Please pray for us.

David and Val Hutt

NOTE: Rev David Hutt will be leading a Healing Seminar at St Mark's this weekend.

Healing in contemporary society by Rev David Hutt

In society today there is an absence of understanding of what it is to be healed and how to live in a state of peace. A state of peace with self, with our neighbour, and within our community. 

Maybe this is because very few people know what a normal life is anymore. We are exposed to media, to news and our experience that establishes for us an environment that is broken and hurting, and because we have not seen or experienced anything different this has become our normality. 

The tragedy is that we can bring healing into these situations when we bring the Good News to ourselves, to others, and so to the community we find ourselves in. Christ died on the cross reconciling God to the world, so that salvation would come to all who believe in Him. This reconciling power has not stopped, yet it would appear to have done so, when we observe the world around us. What has stopped would appear to be the desire of the church to reach out into the world with the Good News.

I heard a statement the other day that the church is like a paraplegic,  it is no longer able to go where it needs to go, nor is it able to do what it needs to do. This for me was a scary image and it made me sit up and think. How then do we need to bring about the change in the way we act and respond as a church to the desperate situation in society today. There are many people who have not heard about Jesus Christ within the suburbs we l ive in, even our neighbours may have no idea. 

We need to bring the Good News of God’s reconciling and healing power into their lives.We do this by caring enough for them that we will pray for them and showing them kindness in the way we respect them, to share Christ with them, not in what we say but in what they see us doing. We also need to be

praying for our leaders, for the community we livein, and for them to know Christ.

                     

Rev. David Hutt

Christ Healing Herald

NOTE: Rev Hutt will be hosting a seminar at St Mark's on the 31st July and st of August 2010

Football and Faith - Mail & Guardian reports on St Mark's Soccer Day

The article below appeared in the Mail & Guardian on the 17th June, 2010 ... and yes it's about our World Cup Day. Thanks for the tip-off Norman. 

A woman wearing a Nigerian football jersey and a white and green bonnet sits behind a man dressed in Bafana Bafana jersey and next to a lady in a Cameroonian tracksuit. These are only a few of the colourful worshippers who gather in St Mark's Presbyterian Church in Yeoville on a Sunday morning.

The whispering stops when Reverend Solomon Surwumwe starts his sermon: "Yesterday, our youth from St Mark's played St Giles youth. It was the final of the Mini World Cup. We won 4-2, and it was not only beating them, we taught them a football lesson". Reverend Solomon's address is stopped by applause and the cheers of church-goers. "Let's magnify our little heroes in the name of our Lord," adds Solomon, beaming from the pulpit.

"This is just a foretaste of the football talent Bafana Bafana is going to show to the whole world during this 2010 World Cup,” a congregant proclaims. Speaking to the Mini World Cup winners, Solomon continues, "Guys, congratulations! It is Sunday school time now, just cross the street and go to the outbuilding. A teacher is waiting for you. You need to be strong to conquer the devil every time".

Kids dressed in the national colours of South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and some of the European football clubs, stand in a line like players on a pitch, and then walk out with piano-organ music and the soft voice of the choir in the background.

Cars parked along the fence of the red brick Church building flaunt flags of the six African representatives of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Passers by carry mini banners and flags to display their loyalty to football teams; it is impossible to ignore the excitement brewing for the soccer tournament.

Sunday school is set up like a soccer field. There are two removable goal posts set up in the square, three balls lie on the ground and chairs surround the pitch in a room decorated with pictures of Jesus Christ and his apostles. Norman Mangena, the head of St Mark's Sunday school explains why the church, that was once reluctant to accept football indoors, was 'wooing' football now.

"We are using the soccer platform to send our message to more people because the World Cup is going to be watched by millions of people. This is the opportunity for me to wear a South African National jersey with a message, 'Jesus loves you'. If it comes out on TV, it will reach millions of people," says Mangena.

Hombolani Charaa, an 18-year-old Sunday school teacher says, "Since Fifa announced the 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa, everyone is focused on football. You have football everywhere and children are more and more attracted by football. If we use ordinary words our message won't get across, but use a ball as a tool, then it works so far ... but too much football is not good!" she exclaims as she ducks to avoid a ball kicked by Thulani Bryce, one of the young players.

"I am the captain of St Mark's team, we won yesterday and I scored two goals," Thulani boasts. "Are you here to recruit young soccer players? You can write my name, I want to be a player, Michael Essien is my idol."

The love of football has permeated every organisation, institution and people group in South Africa and churches are no exception. Is it idol worship or a means of communicating the message of the church using the language that the people of South Africa are so familiar with? -- TwentyTen

Published in the Mail & Gaurdian Newspaper, Johannesburg.

The focus is on the Healing Ministry of Christ this weekend

Women who have been the spiritual heartbeat of St Mark's for many years renewed their friendships at Phyllis Diesel's 90th birthday party. Our thanks go to Janet Drysdale for the pictures. 

The Rev David Hutt will be conducting a "healing workshop" at St Marks on the weekend of the 31st July and 1st August. The format is as follows:

Saturday:
09h00  "Who is this God that heals?
10h30  Tea
11h00  The Gospel and Healing.
12h30  Lunch - Bring and share.
13h15  Acts of the Holy Spirit.
15h00  Time of Healing Ministry

Sunday
10h30 Time of Healing Ministry.

Please indicate you attendance via the church office.

NOTE: And good news is that Kay Patterson has walked for the first time after having a hip replacement operation. She says the pain is less severe today (Monday). Thoko Ndlovu, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday. Her son was scalded by boiling water on this special day. Joy Vardy has pneumonia and all are in need of our prayers.

The St Mark's Editorial Team.

Budget Implications for Inviting a Minister

Phyllis Desel .... she turned 90 in July and she is still a regular in the pews

The Vacancy Committee considered three applicants and made a recommendation that Solomon Surwuumwe be invited to be the next Minister of St Mark's.

The Session endorsed this recommendation and was very much aware that:

• Such a move had implications for the church budget.
• To meet the budget, whether or not an appointment is made, you as the congregation have a major role to play.

The Next Step:

The congregation has to express its mind on the proposed invitation at a duly constituted meeting.

To indicate that, all registered members in good standing, will be asked to sign a letter of invitation in which the invitee is informed about what to expect in the form of stipend, housing, transport and other congregational responsibilities.. set out in the church Manual.

The letter, together with the signatures, will be forwarded to Solomon for his prayerful consideration.

If he accepts the invitation, Presbytery will have to be satisfied that due process was followed, and that the total emoluments (stipend) is not below the minimum, set by the assembly.

A date for ordination and induction will be set by Presbytery. 

In the Meantime

We have to update our membership roll, again whether or not Solomon is invited, this is something that we have to do anyway.,

Make the congregation aware of the need for everyone to not only pray for the Witness of St Mark's in Yeoville, but to contribute financially. The absolute minimum to run the church is R35 000 a month. 

Remember God loves a cheerful giver.

St Mark's Planned Giving ... what you need to know

Solomon, Jotam and Roger ... about to get to work on St Mark's clean up day 

We believe that our Lord has planned great things for His congregation at St Mark's. In order to support this work we must all help to ensure that the congregation has the funds available to carry out the work.

To this end we ask you to prayerfully consider your giving towards the Lord's work in this place and commit yourself to an amount that you can contribute regularly.

"Each one should give as he has decided, not with regret, or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly."

2 Corinthians 9:7.

Now it is possible to get close to the projected budget of R500 000 in 2011, if all members of the congregation put their hands to the plough. Assume we have 110 active members and we give as follows:

• 5 Members each contribute R1 500 a month    R7 500
• 5 Members each contribute R1 000 a month    R5 000
• 10 Members each contribute R 750 a month    R7 500
• 10 Members each contribute R 500 a month    R5 000
• 20 Members each contribute R 250 a month    R5 000
• 30 Members each contribute R 100 a month    R3 000
• 30 Members each contribute R 50   a month    R1 500
• 110 Members                                                R35 000 

• Hire of the Hall and other gifts that may come   R5 000

                                                                                R40 000     


The St Mark's Editorial team

New Saturday women's fellowship is off to a good start

Solomon briefs the women of St Mark's about the planned Saturday fellowship

Dear friends,

Last Sunday we had our first meeting with the women, who would like to meet in fellowship on Saturday afternoons. The first meeting has been set for 14th August and I will remind the congregation tomorrow. The following have already confirmed their interest in our new initiative.  
Lidia Asamoah
Tshaka Nozipho
Chamke Paulien
Timah Miranda
Mbela Wampanga
Mathibe Messie
Kefiwe Matampi
Sharai Simango
Isabella
Perpetue Surwumwe
Yolisa Mayongo
Olive Sewornu

Blessings,
Solomon Surwumwe 

St Mark's financials ... R8 500 a month more is needed

Dear friends,

St Mark's is facing financial challenges amidst the Global Depression and the growth of a new and exciting ministry in Yeoville. The bottom line is that we need to increase our fund base drastically - by about R8 500 a month - if we are to call a Minister. Your ideas on how we can supplement planned giving, cake sales and other iniatives would be most welcome.

The situation is spelled out in tomorrow's Sunday diary which the editorial team has included in this article for your convenience.

"ST MARK’S INCOME and EXPENDITURE Jan-Mar 2010
                                               To 31 March 2009     To 31 March 2010
TOTAL INCOME                                90,392.86                  92,480.08
TOTAL EXPENDITURE                     79,503.50                  88,340.79
Profit as at 31 March:                          10,889.36                    4,139.29

Note:  Income for Jan-Mar 2010 is up by just over 2%, compared with 2009, but Expenditure for the same period is up by over 11% and so far increases for salaries and electricity have not been taken into account. Salary increases will only take effect in April, and as well as the above, St Mark’s currently receives R2 500 per month from the Ministry Committee towards Solomon’s stipend.

There have also been effectively no motor car expenses. A permanent minister will immediately increase expenditure by a minimum of R6 000pm when the Min Comm contribution falls away & Medical Aid, Pension, motor car costs begin, so we must aim at least for an increase in income of approx R8 500 per month."

Use the Comment button below to give you inputs.

Blessings,
The St Mark's Editorial Team.

Solomon replies to Heidi in Huntsville

Solomon, now a fully qualified minister chats to Women for the Lord last week.

Dear Friends in Huntsville,

I am glad that you e-mailed us to give you my input into what should be a great Sunday school meeting this weekend. St Mark's Presbyterian Church is in a transition period, where we are trying to see whether we are able to call a full time minister and build our congregation.

The activities that we would like to run in the near future are to grow the Church whether spiritually or numerically. This is why we focus on inviting people,encouraging relationship groups, having many functions (with mainly Men for the Master and Women of the Lord)  having different fellowships that we trust will attract new people to our pews. Our couples' fellowship will function both for evangelism and equipping the local community to cope with the challenges of modern life.We hope that Norman Mangena will return from Alabama with new ideas that will help us in the future.

We are having Elders' retreat, a congregation retreat and at the end of the year the Men for the Master will also have their retreat.

The end of this month will focus on healing seminar with David Hutt. This will take 2 days. It will be in the form of  a workshop. All neighboring communities are invited.

Please we ask you to pray with us for the success of all these future plans and programmes.
God bless you all

Emmanuel Solomon Surwumwe
St Marks, UPCSA,
P.O. Box 27945,
Yeoville, 2143
Cell +27823643139

Word from our friends in North Alabama

Dear Geoff,

On Sunday (25 July) we will get to share a little bit during the Sunday school hour about our partnership with St. Mark's and about any activities you are involved with now. We'd also like to know if anyone from St Mark's will get to join the group that will be coming to North Alabama in September.

We are glad to have your blogspot so we can know what is going on at your church. We're happy that you got to host the World Cup - my friend Heather said it was quite an event, having all the athletes and the world focus on your country. And we are also happy to celebrate Mandela Day with you all: you have given the world a great leader in Mr. Mandela and we all appreciate that!

In His love,
Heidi
First Presyterian Church, Huntsville

Dates set for Elder's Retreat

The Elder’s Spiritual Retreat has been confirmed for Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8 August at the Orchards Retreat Centre, Oaklands  Road, Orchards. We plan to start at 9.00am each morning and finish at about 5.00pm. Teas, coffees and lunches will be provided through the day

The programme is being discussed and will be forwarded to all Elders in order that you are able to prepare any input that you may wish to give.

The cost for the two days is R290.00 per person.  Please inform the church office, Liz or Solomon by Tuesday 29 July at the latest whether you will be attending the retreat

Prayers needed for our friends from St Mark's

Kay Patterson is on the mend. She underwent a hip replacement on Tuesday and after a spell in intensive care Kay is now in a normal ward. She may even be able to be discharged this weekend. Please uphold the family in your prayers.

News from Durban is that Frank O'Neill will be seeing the doctor tomorrow to find out the result of the brain scan he underwent today. Please uphold both Frank and Alison in your prayers.

The case for a new Women's Fellowship to take St Mark's forward

Perpetue, young David and Ketty spreading the love on Madiba's birthday 

Dear friends,

As members of St Mark's Presbyterian church, we need to be a church that is united in fellowship as we grow together in faith. It is essentialist to have all members of our congregation  involved in the life of St Mark's and the denomination as well.  This is why we need all women to be part of our new Women Fellowship, which is not to be confused with the WA.

Why the women fellowship?
For sharing openness amongst women
To create  a sense of belonging amongst women
To create fertile ground for unity amongst women
To sharpen one another spiritually and physically
To stir up women as pillars in the house of God

OUR VISION:
To build up a group of women who are united by the love of God

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
To zealously serve in all areas in the house of God
To activate the Ministry of helping pregnant women and their children.
To host church guests and evangelism
To intercede for the Church, our families, and nations.
To mentor younger women to become mentors themselves to others
To raise women as pillars in the church

OUR STRATEGIES:
Teaching the physical and spiritual Christian life to women
Through workshops (Exchange of ideas and skills)
Organised visitations (be your sisters keeper)
Prayer meetings (bearing one another’s burdens)
Love feast (Know yourself better)
Ministry of helps (Extending the right hand of fellowship)
Evangelism (be like the Samaritan woman)

God bless you

Emmanuel Solomon Surwumwe

NOTE: You can have your say on the topic, by clicking on the comment button below this article and following the prompts.

New Initiatives at St Mark's

Solomon briefs the ladies of St Mark's on Mandela Day ....  part of his 67 minutes for "Tata" 

These are hard times and when things get tough the tough get going. The Women's Association has carried the burden of the weekly cake sale for as long as your scribe can remember and that is a long time. The problem with growing the WA is that the meetings are once a month during the week and this excludes many our members, who hold down day time jobs.

The idea has therefore been floated to hold Saturday meetings for those women, looking for a Christian forum in which to support initiatives such as supplying eats for sale. Solomon announced his intention to meet with interested parties after the service and 10 women have signed up.

There may be a few changes like Men for the Master, working with the WA and the ladies, who are available on Saturdays, to sell hot dogs and other popular items to raise funds and supply Sunday treats for the congregation. Indeed some of the ladies, who met yesterday are also available on Tuesday mornings for the Monthly WA meeting, so we can expect to have more hands at the pumps. Marianne will advise those who are interested in attending via SMS.

The Men for the Master have given the new church sign to Maureen over the road for the sign writing. But we agreed that if this is too stressful for Maureen we would source a sign writer from Yeoville. Everything else has been completed.

The Men for the Master will also be consulting with their partners to see what clothes can be spared for the needy. Solomon is happy to do the distribution.

The morning service will be moved back from 10h30 to 10h00 as of September. Watch that space and reset your alarm clocks.

And finally Solomon is setting up a "Couples Fellowship" where issues impacting the family and relationships can be shared with supportive friends in a Christian environment.  Session will be involved in all these projects for guidance and support.

The St Mark's Editorial Team.

Let's do something for others St Mark's on Mandela Day

Let's make it happen for the Lord on Madiba's birthday ... that's the word from Moshe

With a name like Rolihlahla (trouble maker) one would have expected Mandela to have been part of the forgotten people of history. He did stir things, those that needed stirring, and did even more in the company of others – as he likes to say.

As South Africans we are greatly honoured that one of our own has attained international recognition with a holiday to mark his contribution Mandela Day. I am not aware of any other leader who has been honoured in this way.

If you were not able to do your 67 minutes on the actual day, find another time and encourage others to do the same. St Mark’s has ample opportunities for people to serve and improve the quality of life of others. That, as you know is what Mandela Day is all about.

Shalom
Moshe

It's crunch time for St Mark's in terms of growing our church, but the Lord is with us!

St Mark's upkeep and growth depends on us  ... the congregation needs to boost income by R8 500 a month.

Members of St Mark's it time that we amended our planned giving commitments to deal with the economic realities that we face. The need to dig deeper into pockets to serve the Lord was spelled out very nicely in the St Mark's Diary on Sunday.

ST MARK’S INCOME and EXPENDITURE Jan-Mar 2010
                                               To 31 March 2009     To 31 March 2010
TOTAL INCOME                                90,392.86                  92,480.08
TOTAL EXPENDITURE                      79,503.50                  88,340.79
Profit as at 31 March:              
        10,889.36                    4,139.29

The good news is that Income for January-March 2010 is up by just over 2%, compared with 2009, but Expenditure for the same period is up by over 11% and so far increases for salaries and electricity have not been taken into account.

Salary increases will only take effect in April and as well as the above, St Mark’s currently receives R2 500 per month from the Ministry Committee towards Solomon’s stipend.

There have also been effectively no motor car expenses. A permanent minister will immediately INCREASE expenditure by a minimum of R6 000pm when the Mininistry  Committee contribution falls away & Medical Aid, Pension, motor car costs begin. That means we must aim at least for an increase in income of approx R8 500 per month.

And there is the matter of general maintenance. There are areas of the Sunday school floor that a rotten. This is being looked into and the whole floor may not mean to be replaced, but again this will impact our. So please consider prayerfully what you can do to make St Mark's a blessing to our community.

The St Mark's Editorial team.

How the World Cup touched St Mark's

Solomon and the Men for the Master check things out the SABC Broadcast Centre in Sandton.

Some may not have realised it, but the 2010 FIFA World Cup sparked many activities in and around St Mark's in June. Your scribe is still up to his neck in production, so much of the fun has not been recorded on our Blog. Thank goodness for Marianne and the Men for the Master team, who dutifully captured a host of images, which we will share with you today.

Let's scroll back to the 6th June 2010 when the Men for the Master organised a clean-up day and five-a-side soccer tournament to drive the World Cup spirit. Many chores were completed, repairing the notice boards in the foyer and sign writing the address of the on the wall above Solomon's car park. This done, a braai and soccer tournament followed. The youngsters were out in force in their colourful kit, and supervised by coaches Mangena, Eyong and Tem, the action got underway on the school fields. We're not too sure who won, but perhaps that's a good thing.

That's the view from the stands in the studio. The Review 2010 show is rehearsing.

The Men for the Master who attended the Ghana vs USA game, popped into the SABC studios in Sandton before the game, to see how the production was put together. And would you believe it two of the team appeared on national TV on the Tjovitjo show? Samuel you have a career ahead of you in broadcasting.

Scroll down the right hand side of the Marksman Online to get slideshow of the Men for the Master's June doings. Use the comment button to have your say.

The St Mark's Editorial Team.