Bellville Methodist Church

Musical Celebration

2010-08-07T18:22:00.002+02:00

Holiday Club

2010-07-09T11:50:00.001+02:00

2010 - 60th Anniversary Celebrations

2010-07-02T12:12:00.007+02:00

2010 is a momentous year in South African history, with fans from around the world descending as 32 teams play 64 soccer matches in 10 local venues. For members of the Methodist church in Bellville, 2010 also commemorates 60 years as a church community. Rev Arthur Colledge, minister at Parow and Pinelands Methodist churches, proposed creating a church for the Bellville community in late 1949. The first Methodist service was held in the former Bellville Library hall on 5 February 1950with 62 people attending. After a church hall was initially built, Bellville Methodist officially opened on 20 December 1952 to the pealing bells of the nearby Dutch Reformed Church. Twenty years later, the Methodist church building was constructed opposite the hall. In celebration of Bellville Methodist's 60th anniversary, activities thoroughout 2010 will take place. A social car rally took place in April. The spiritual element was a mission run early in June by Rev. Andrew Sieborger and team, with the theme "Grace.... is is still amazing?" We will be hosting a church concert on 30 October, where the congregation have been asked to contribute their performing talents, however limited! The highlight of our celebrations will be Bellville Methodist's historical dinner on Saturday 28 August. The guest speaker, Rev Prof Peter Storey, was a probation minister at Bellville Methodist in 1960. With former ministers and youth pastors as invited guests, tickets will be on sale to any members and interested parties with links to the church. We encourage the sharing of old photos and cameos that evening. Due to space constraints, the dinner will be held at the Dutch Reformed church hall in 8th Avenue, Bellville. Those interested in attending should contact the Bellville Methodist church office on 021 948 6677/8 or email bellmeth@xsinet.co.za. A remembrance service will be held on Sunday 29 August.

Mission field

2009-02-18T14:00:00.013+02:00

We are very excited that two folk, who have been associated with us for a number of years, have heard and responded to a call from God into the mission field.

Melikhaya Mqulwana is a Local Preacher in our church and has served in various capacities. He has responded to a call from The Order of Christian Service (OCS) to go and pastor a church in a very poor rural community in Limpopo. He lives off a very basic stipend (living allowance) and continues to visit, pray for the sick, preach, and care for all in need in that community.

He has commited himself to serving there for this year as he has heard a call to the ordained ministry within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and will be candidating soon.

If you wish to communicate with Melikhaya you may contact him on:mqulwanaministries@yahoo.com

Estelle Pretorius served God and this church for a number of years, particularly in our youth and young adults ministries. Estelle taught Teen Church, was involved in the Youth Group and Young Adults Bible Study and was very actively involved in our 40 Days of Purpose Campaign.

Estelle is a teacher by occupation, and has recently studied further in the field of remedial teaching. She has felt a call to put this training and her gifts together by serving God aboard the Mercy Ships. The ships travel to places of great need and have volunteer doctors and medical staff onboard who provide ongoing care for various communities.

For more information on the Mercy Ships Ministry go to www.mercyships.org

Estelle's email: estelle.pretorius@mercyships.org

Read the blog for updates on their mission experiences!

Family Visits

2008-11-26T10:15:00.005+02:00

A number of years ago we established our mission statement at Bellville Methodist Church. If you recall it is:

Bellville Methodist Church is a church family called to reach, equip and serve.

The first part of our mission statement expresses our belief that an important part of our life is living as a community of believers – the Family of God. We believe that all people, of any age, should have a sense of belonging to this family and that everyone in this “family” is of value and importance. At a recent meeting the leadership was challenged in this regard. Are we the caring family that we state? How can we be family together? We then embarked on a course of action that will help us to live more fully as a family at Bellville Methodist Church. The leaders have committed themselves to visiting every member on our records. This will happen over the next while running into next year. You will thus receive a telephone call to arrange a visit. The purpose for the visit is two-fold. Firstly, it is to check whether all our details regarding you are correct, for example, telephone numbers, email addresses and other contact information. Secondly, and more importantly, it will be to see how you are doing and ask if there is any way in which we can care for you and your family. Please receive the visitors into your home so that we can ensure that no one person in this wonderful family is not visited and cared for. Nothing is required of you, except to allow us to visit you! If you wish to be a visitor, please contact the secretaries in the church office (Vanessa or Myrna), preferably by email at bellmeth@xsinet.co.za, or speak to one of the Society Stewards or Ministers. May we keep on discovering the joy of being God’s Family at Bellville Methodist Church. André Buttner and David Newton

Heritage Day Celebrations

2008-10-16T09:43:00.004+02:00

CELEBRATING OUR COMMON HERITAGE AT BELLVILLE-BOSTON METHODIST CHURCH

HERITAGE DAY 2008 by Rev David Newton

When I first received the invitation from certain members of our congregation to a Heritage Day celebration/fundraiser I have to confess my immediate reaction was not one of great anticipation or excitement. In fact it came at a time when I was quite tired from a very busy program and I would have preferred to just take it easy with my family and “braai” some meat at home, and so fulfill, at least, what my culture would regard as the purpose of Heritage Day. However, I was on the program as the minister, so I reluctantly accepted and tried to arrange it so that I could be there to do my part and leave as soon as possible.

However upon arrival I discovered that I was the last item on the program, and I could hardly leave then and come back later as some people had already begun to arrive. So like it or not I was there for the whole event – AN EVENT THAT I BELIEVE IMPACTED MY LIFE SIGNIFICANTLY!

The Master of Ceremonies, an exciting young man with an obvious passion for God and the way that He has been at work in our cultures throughout the ages, focused on the theme of the celebration for this year i.e. “Celebrating our common African heritage through dance.” With the help of humour and story, he helped us to see that the various cultures in our land have used dance as an expressive response in all the different experiences of their lives. He told us how they used dance to celebrate all the special moments, i.e. birthdays and weddings and special days, and then with the help of the dance group (See photos) he led us in the dance. He told us how they danced in their moments of sadness and loss, and led us in the dance; and how they danced in their moments of anger and objection to injustice and oppression, and led us in the dance; and how they danced in moments of confusion and doubt and fear, to find reassurance, and they led us in the dance. Amazing stuff!!

And then there was the poetry, all expressive of God’s presence with his people in true African tradition with a very real element of being gripped by the Spirit speaking the truths of God and His presence in our current situation under the anointing of the Spirit.

I was sitting next to one of these, a young man, who told me a little about himself and his life. What I found to be most remarkable was how this quiet young man, who really would not have stood out in crowd, when he began to recite his poetry, was overtaken with passion and charged with the words of the poem by the Spirit, and was totally caught up into the realm of the Spirit, and the words just kept coming out.

I asked him afterwards for the words of the poem and his response was that he did not have them available as a script, but that he would get them to me. Then I realized that while he had a few lines prepared, the whole poem burst forth in a form of ecstatic utterance. He has let me have the words and they are included in the gallery. Amazing stuff!!!!

He has also written a book entitled, “The day I died” sharing his testimony, which I purchased, and have read, and do heartily recommend.

There was a motivational speaker, who preached, and I was reminded that preaching lies at the heart of what being African is all about, and there was much laughter and joy at the funny moments (though some were tragic as well) which make up our history.

The closing included an affirmation that our African Heritage involves the great truth that we are who we are as individuals because of others, and an expression of gratitude to God and those who had arranged the event because we had all begun a journey of discovery together that day. We discovered the beginnings of a common African Heritage that we are all privileged to share in our country. This day had helped us to see and experience more clearly what this looked like.

Of course the food, including some dishes that some of the cultures represented definitely avoided, and others delighted in, was a real highlight, and I personally came away from the celebration feeling that it was good to be an African.

I was sorry when it ended. This was a real conversion for me!!!

Annual Society Elections

2008-10-10T10:02:00.008+02:00

It is that time of year again when we elect our new leadership body. In accordance with the Laws and Discipline of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa we will elect the leaders for 2009. The Society Stewards will be elected for a period of three (3) years. On Sunday 19 October we will vote at all the services. If you are unable to be there please arrange to complete your voting form in the office by Monday 20 October at the latest. Please give your prayerful consideration to this important process. There will always be discussion about the characteristics of leadership but, critical in the life of the church, is that of being a servant. The following folk have been nominated. These are the names to be voted on at the 8, 9.30 am services as well as the 6.30 pm service. The 11 am service will elect a further 4 Society Stewards. SOCIETY STEWARDS (vote for no more than 6) Chris Jayes David Ronquest Dawie van Tonder Esme McLean Joan Bosman Marlene Damster Mike Maxwell Peter Guy William Montagu Commissions: Fellowship - Wendy Blignaut Finance and Administration - Des Damster Beth Greaves Mission and Evangelism - George Kopper Pastoral Care - Elsa Montagu Property and Maintenance - Pat Barrington Social Concerns - Cheryl Greaves Sean Tarr Spirituality and Prayer - Delene Tarr Worship - Achmed Giesler Youth and Childrens' Church - Vernon Potgieter

District Synod

2008-05-20T02:50:00.003+02:00

The Bellville Circuit is hosting the District Synod of the Cape of Good Hope District of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa from Thursday 22 May to Saturday 24 May.

Please come along to the Synod service on Thursday night at 7.30 pm.

Also pray for the Synod as well as for the election of a Presiding Bishop for our church.

Any further information is available from Myrna or Vanessa in the church office.

A service of celebration for the life of Robin Schell

2008-04-29T15:25:00.009+02:00

It is with great sadness that we record the death of Robin Schell. Robin has served God and God's people in a number of ways and we celebrate his gift of servanthood.

A memorial service of celebration for Robin's life and witness was held at the Bellville Methodist Church at 3.00 pm on Wednesday 30 April 2008.

You may view a tribute to Robin that was played at his memorial service by clicking here.

"I am the resurrection and the Life, says the Lord; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall not die eternally". John 11 vs 25.

Weddings !

2008-04-17T16:09:00.011+02:00

Over the past while a number of our folk have been married. Here are some photos to remind you of these wonderful members of our church community!

On the left you can see Adam and Laura Barker (nee Diedericks). They both grew up in this community and served in various leadership roles here and in other churches. Adam continues to serve his call as a Youth Pastor and Laura will make sure he does it properly ! Laura was very involved with our youth and led the teenagers in our Children's Church. She was also voted in as a Society Steward and served in this capacity for two years.

May God bless and guide you both as you continue to serve God's call in your lives together.

And then there were more . . . .

Not done yet . . . .

And then there was Claire. She wanted someone she could look up too (well if he can do puns so can I) and found Riley!

Claire and her family have long been members of our church and Claire was a member of the Sunday School and Youth, eventually serving for a number of years as a Sunday School Teacher.

She served in this capacity until work commitments took her to other areas and she could no longer fulfill this task.

May you continue to live in God's love and joy.

Jason and Eileen were married with Jason so in love that he even wore a skirt! Oh, sorry, the Scots call it a kilt. They were both involved in our community with the youth ministry - Jason being employed as our Youth Pastor for a number of years. He also inspired many of our young folk musically and has left a rich tradition of worshipping young people here at Bellville Methodist. Jason has a wonderful worship leading gift which he shared with us.

Talking of Youth Pastors getting married ! Chantelle (our Youth Pastor) and Clint Burrows (our part-time Children's Pastor) were married recently. They continue to serve here and we wish them all that they desire for themselves as they serve God and God's people.

May you all be blessed with God's love for you and each other.

A baby for a past Youth Pastor

2008-04-17T12:39:00.005+02:00

Congratulations to Murray and Gina Wilkinson, who are now living in England, on the birth of their baby daughter, Emma Leigh Wilkinson, born on 16 April 2008 at 21h25. According to an exhausted father, mom and baby are doing fine.

District Women's Auxiliary President

2008-03-29T15:24:00.007+02:00

On Saturday 15 March 2008 Ms Joy Beunderman was inducted as the District President of the Cape of Good Hope Women's Auxiliary. In a special service at Milnerton Methodist Church the Bishop, Rev Andrew Hefkie, charged her with the task of leading the W.A.s of this district and then inducted her.

In the picture above you can see Joy together with her new District Committee which also includes Mrs Yvonne Thelander, another long-standing member of our congregation.

Please uphold Joy and Yvonne in your prayers as they serve in this capacity for the next two years.

Robing of Local Preacher Vuyani Hako

2007-11-08T13:22:00.001+02:00

On Sunday 4 November we celebrated as Mr Vuayni Hako was robed as a Full Plan Local Preacher in the Bellville Circuit. The service of celebration was enjoye by a number of people including members of the District Local Preachers'Association as well as members of Vuyani's family.

Ibingumhla wovuyo nochulumanco kuba lesekethe yethu isaqingqa kaloku kwicala lomanyano nobunye.

Sawukhumbula kaloku okukuba uVuyani Hako ngumshumayeli wokuqala kwi LPA apha kuthi eseketheni. Kulenkonzo sibenenyhweba yokunxiba nendodada engu Msimango Faku yangapha emaMpondweni kunye nophehlelelo lwabantwana abathathu.

Luyakhuka luyanyelela olusana lwase Boston, masenje njalo mawethu ukuza enkonzweni. Imvumo ebilapho isenziwa ngamadodana, isidima ebesenziwe ngabashumayeli besithili asinakusilibala namazwi abawenzileyo bekhokelwa ngunondyebo umnumzana Bram Mhlomi asankenteza ezindlebeni zethu ngabanye ngabanye nangoku.

Sixhom' izandla sisenza umbulelo kubefundisi bekhokelwa yintsumpa into ka Buttner, namazwi awiswe ngumfundisi uNewton njengosihlalo kanyangantathu wabashumayeli , yona inkonzo yabe ikhokelwe ngu Mantini, ilizwi salityiswa ngu mfundisi umNomqolo. Kubalulekile ukuba sincome xa into intle ukuze sikwazi ukuhla amahlomgwane ngexesha elifanelekileyo, ibentle into esiyibone ngecawa yanga kungahlala kunjalo mawethu.

Nangamso mawethu, ukwanda kwaliwa ngumthakathi!!!!

Photo albums

2007-11-07T09:26:00.000+02:00

On the sidebar you can find a number of links to photo albums that have been taken at various events at our church. If you have photos of church activites please contact Myrna or Vanessa in the church office and arrange to get the photos to us.

Breakfast

2007-11-01T23:33:00.000+02:00

Well we had a very successful breakfast on Staurday 27 October with 70 people in attendance. After a lovely breakfast we listened intently to Dr Frans Hugo speak about memory problems and illnesses. He shared with us about the memory test and we were all quite anxious to ensure that our score was sufficient! If you so desire you can do the test (click here) yourself.

Frans then answered some of the questions that we had and his best answer (according to the David and Andre) was to the question, "how do we retain our memory". His professional opinion was: "Attend church every Sunday".

So you can see what a fun time was had and Frans could have spent all day answering the questions at the end of the talk.

In the photo on the left you can see Frans speaking with two of our very special long-standing members, Tony and Dagmar Cilliers.

Eventually the day came to an end after some of our young folk had served us so wonderfully during breakfast. Our thanks go to all those who set it up and arranged the breakfast.

More such events will be planned in the future and so make sure you get in early next year.

Finally, if you need assistance with memory related conditions and illness, or know someone who does, have a look at the Panorama Memory Clinic site where Dr Frans Hugo practises as a Psychiatrist with an interest in the field of neuropsychiatry.

NEW APPOINTMENTS

2007-10-23T11:28:00.002+02:00

We are very excited to announce the appointment of a new Youth Pastor as well as a new appointment, a part-time Children's Pastor, as from 1 January 2008.

In the traditions of PJ Kempen, Murray Wilkinson and Jason Blight we now have another Youth Pastor who will bring her own particular gifts and plans for the youth ministry in our church.

Chantelle Pienaar comes to us as she finishes her Bachelors degree in Ministry at Cornerstone. She has been working alongside Jason for the last while and is already firmly in charge of the ministry among our youth. We look forward to a wonderful journey in ministry with Chantelle working among our young folk here.

Clint Burrows is also well known to the youth of our church and has also been active in leadership here during this past year. Clint and Chantelle recently announced their engagement and will be married in 2008. We wish them well.

Clint comes to us in a part-time capacity as a Children's Pastor with the responsibility of ministry among primary school aged children including the ministry of the Children's Church.

Please pray for them in their ministry among us as they fulfill the call God has placed upon their lives.

Confirmation 2007

2007-10-21T19:27:00.000+02:00

On Sunday 21 October we welcomed into membership (confirmed) eleven young people at our 9.30 am service.

The church was full and the confirmands, in all their elegant clothes, and their families and friends worshipped and celebrated together this very special occasion. The service was shared in many ways and Tracy van der Spuy and Faye Kabali-Kagwa shared testimonies. Kyle Correia read the scriptures for the day.

From left to right they are: Kyle Doering, Jayde Haupt, Kylib Bosch, Aimee' Geyser, Tracy van der Spuy, Candice Lesch, Faye Kabali-Kagwa, Natalie Watson, Kyle Correia, Shelley Kay and Zoliswa Nombembe.

We trust that they will continue to discover the grace of God as they follow their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Bible for Believers Sunday

2007-10-19T08:27:00.000+02:00

Recently we hosted a "Bible for Believers" Sunday where contributions were made for the provision of bibles to Mocambiquan Christ-followers in their mother tongue. We were informed that there were not sufficient bibles and so supported this endeavour.

The bibles cost about R 100 each.

On Bible Sunday we received R 6 670.00 for bibles to be purchased. A further amount of R 1000 per month was peldged on their debit order system.

Thank you for your generous support of this mission work.

Report of the 2007 MCSA Conference

2007-10-17T09:47:00.001+02:00

The report of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa's Conference, entitled Message to the Methodist People - "Come Holy Spirit, Heal and Transform Your Church" can be read by going here.

Conference 2007

2007-10-17T08:33:00.000+02:00

In September the Cape District hosted the Conference of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. If you wish to read the reports of the Conference you can look at them by going to http://www.mcsa-conference.org.za/reports.htm

You can read the Presiding Bishop's address here. You will need Adobe Reader to access these documents and should you not have one you can download it here.

Please note that the Presiding Bishop's address has two almost blank pages so keep scrolling down to read it.

For more details go to the link on the sidebar to Articles, notes and readings.

Robing of Local Preacher

2007-10-09T12:38:00.000+02:00

On Sunday 4 November 2007 we will be recognising and affirming the call to preach of Mr Vuyani Hako.

Vuyani felt a call to the ministry of preaching a few years back and was accepted on trial as a Local Preacher in our circuit. During these years he has continued to play a vital role in the circuit with a specific involvement with our 11 am congregation. During the years of being on trial Vuyani preached a number of trial sermons and passed all his examinations through the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC). He was thus accepted as a Fully Accredited Local Preacher in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and will be recognised at the service on Sunday 4 November at 11 am.

You are invited to attend this service of recognition. Even though it will mostly be in isiXhosa you will find it a special occassion. Join us for this time of worship and recognition.

Vuyani is a Steward in leadership with our 11 am congregation and continues to play a vital role in the growth and development of our church life. He is also a Circuit Steward. Please uphold him and Pumla in your prayers.

Breakfast with Dr Frans Hugo : Memory

2007-10-03T09:27:00.000+02:00

We will be hosting an informative and interesting talk by a member of our congregation, Dr Frans Hugo, a neuropsychiatrist, at a breakfast on Saturday 27 October 2007 at 8.30 am. A Continental breakfast will be served, at the cost of R 20 per person, and this will be followed by Dr Frans Hugo's imput.

Dr Hugo runs the Memory Clinic at Panorama Hospital and has extensive experience in the fields of brain trauma and memory loss.

Should you or any person you know be suffering from memory loss and related situations, or should you want to know more about maintaining memory capacity, then make sure you attend this very special opportunity.

Email our church if you wish to attend and please pay your monies in by Friday 19 October, at the latest, to facilitate catering and numbers. If you need further information contact Myrna or Vanessa on 021-946 2277.

CAMP, CAMP, CAMP

2007-09-28T09:48:00.000+02:00

A few photographs of the stunning campsite at Rocklands where

we will be holding our camp over the weekend 16 to 18 November. Look at the amazing view, the accomodation, the pool and all the wonderful facilities that, together with an exciting programme, go towards making this a memorable event not to be missed!

Pick up a camp form on Sundays at church or contact Sue or our church office and we will ensure that you get the forms.

Prayer for examinations

2007-09-19T18:00:00.001+02:00

Recently Mr Cameron Dugmore, the Minister of Education in the Western Cape sent a letter out encouraging all faith communities to pray for education over the weekend of 28 to 30 September. In the letter he cites a moment when prayers were held at the beginning of this year at a church in the Southern Suburbs and how meaningful this had been.

We have decided to therefore make Sunday, 30 September, an opportunity to focus our prayers on education in our country.

We will be spending time in all our worship services praying for all involved in education.

Naturally a specific focus will be on those writing their final examinations in Grade 12 but we will also include all learners in our prayers.

You are invited to do the following:

Invite all involved in education, learners and teachers, as well as their families, to attend our worship services the Sunday. Encourage them all to come for prayer. They do not need to be members of our church; this is an opportunity to pray for our community.
Spend time over the weekend in your own times of prayer praying for all aspects of education.

Seniors Tea

2007-09-17T09:53:00.000+02:00

On Friday 14 September 2007 our Pastoral Commission hosted their annual Seniors Tea in our hall. It is a very special event where we honour our members who are seventy years old and older. At this years event our oldest member was Minnie Hanslo who is a young ninety four years of age! In October this year she will be 95 !

Many others, over the age of 80, also continue to play an active part in our congregation. Reuben Smit, at 88, was also acknowledged as he continues to lead our Wednesday morning Bible Study group and be active in Venture, a Friday mornings fellowship for seniors.

We had a wonderful tea, as you can see in the photographs, and were then entertained with sing-along music.

A marvellous time was had by all and thanks must go to Robin Schell, our Pastoral Care Commission Co-ordinator and his team as well as the ladies who looked after each table.

Comments

2007-09-16T11:13:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

Discovered that the site did not allow people to leave comments. I have changed the settings and now you can have your say! Please make comments and offer suggestions on the blog.

Old friends

2007-09-14T23:30:00.000+02:00

Recently we have had visits to our church by some very special "old friends" - although none of them is really old!

It was good to see them at different events and worship services. It reminds us that we are one big family, wherever we are in the world. The scriptures speak of the church in a number of different ways, each indicating somehow that we are part of a family and that we are sisters and brothers together on a journey.

Well it was great to see some of our sisters and brothers that we have not seen for a while.

It started with the visit back home to sunny South Africa by Murray and Gina Wilkinson. Murray was our Youth Pastor a little while ago before he decided to venture into the colder part of the world, namely England. He and Gina were married during his time of ministry here and Gina began her teaching career while they were still among us. They joined us for worship one evening during their visit. Here you see them sitting in church after our worship service.

It was great seeing them again.

Then, a little later we had our spring dance and who should we see swinging the night away? None other than Kevin and Pat Alexander. They now live in Melkbosstrand, not too far from good old Bellville. During their time with us pat used to lead the Precepts Bible Studies in the church. Thanks for joining us at the dance.

In the photo you can see them smiling for the camera with Sue Storbeck, the dance organiser.

And finally, at Jason's farewell, we made contact again with Adam Barker, a past member of our church who now serves as the Youth Pastor at St Marks, Edgemead. We do see Adam around every now and again. Apparently it has something to do with a certain Society Steward at Bellville Methodist Church! We are really excited that he and Laura will be married later this year and wish them a deep sense of God's love as they make their covenant together before God and their family and friends.

Adam is on the far left of the photo looking to see if Jason will arrive!

Family Camp

2007-09-14T12:41:00.000+02:00

We are holding a Family Camp from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 November at Rocklands campsite in Simonstown. This is to be a family and youth camp and so we will have activities and fun planned for everyone, irrespective of age.

Make sure you book the dates now in your diary so that NOTHING comes in the way of you and me and us and everyone having a wonderful weekend !

There are most amazing views of False Bay from the campsite and we will perhaps even be able to do some whale spotting from camp.

Book the dates now and start saving as there is a small cost involved. Check the church bulletin on Sundays or Facebook or phone the office if you need any further information.

Also feel free to contact Sue Storbeck, the organiser, if you have some suggestions or if you wish to volunteer in any way.

Family service

2007-09-11T23:03:00.000+02:00

Well we had our Family Service on Sunday and then went and said goodbye to Jason. It was a great time of worship and wonderful to be together across all ages.

It began as we entered the sanctuary. We were met at the door by some of the members of our Children's Church who handed out notices and also gave each person a small gift. In the photo you see some of our young people who were the "Door Stewards" - a Methodist term for welcomers, for the day happily making all feel most welcome.

At 9.30 am the service began as we were led in worship by the young folk. They are all regularly involved with worship on Friday nights, at Youth, on Sunday mornings, at Children's Church, and on Sunday nights, at the evening worship service. In this photo you see some of those who participate in these services.

Finally, we moved over to the hall and said our goodbyes to Jason. He and Eileen joined us and we were able to wish them well in their future and will hopefully still see them in the future as they worship with us.

Here you see the happy couple as Jason makes his speech!

The lamp was a gift that related to a sermon where Jason once used a lamp as an illustration, but the lamp did not burn - hence the gift - a working lamp!

Spring Dance

2007-09-10T14:17:00.001+02:00

As this has been a longggggggggg Cape winter some of our folk did not realise that Spring had Sprung! And so, despite the smallish attendance, a good time was had by all.

Thanks go to Sue and her team for organising the event as well as to Mike, Hanlie and the other members of the band for great music!

Now for the Summer Ball . . . .

Making sleeping bags for street people.

2007-09-10T13:57:00.000+02:00

Recently we collected over 120 blankets that were given to people in need of warmth. We also made sleeping bags of newspaper and plastic to try and keep the blankets dry, left messages of love on the bags and we even tested them.

New Life Centre Brunch

2007-09-07T23:14:00.000+02:00

A few of the folks involved with the New Life Centre ministry were hosted to a brunch on Saturday 8 September. Some photos of the event and the centre.

See the spread . . .

and the new beds . . . . and the new lounge suite! All donated by those supporting the ministry to pregnant women in crisis.

SPRING DANCE

2007-09-07T10:31:00.000+02:00

Saturday 8 September 2007 will see us all enjoying fellowship on the dance floor and grooving the night away! Come along to this fun-filled event to be held at Vredelust Primary School from 8.00 pm. Tickets are only R 30 and are available from Sue Storbeck, Sandy Benskin, Helen van Tonder and Cavell Landman. Contact them via the church office.

Bring along your own refreshments.

See you there ! ! !

JASON'S FAREWELL

2007-09-07T08:30:00.000+02:00

Come along to our farewell for Jason, our out-going Youth Pastor, on Sunday 9 September 2007 at 10.45 am in the church hall. Time will be given to thank him for his wonderful ministry among the young people in our church. He and Eileen will be getting married soon and so we will commit them to God in the next part of their journey.

Be there! Bring eats or come and eat other people's food!