Farewell to Methodist Bishop Malinga of Central City Methodist MissionHundreds of Methodists gathered at the Central City Methodist Mission to bid farewell in November to their only female bishop, Purity Malinga.Bishop Malinga has led the Natal Coastal District for 8 years and has made great strides during her term of office. Amongst the many challenges she has faced are those faced by women called to serve in the church, the plight of those affected and infected by HIV and AIDS and the unity within the church across all social divides. She stepped into the lime light recently when she led a prayer protest on Vetche's Beach in Durban, protesting against the government's decision to allow Chinese manufactured arms to be transported through the port and across land, destined for Zimbabwe. She has also been visible in her campaign to encourage church ministers to know their HIV status, herself undergoing a public testing in May this year. An astute biblical scholar, who her degree from Harvard University, Bishop Malinga currently serves as the Deputy President of the SACC and during her term of office has played an important role in various provincial bodies, including the KZN Church Leaders Group (now disbanded) and as Chairperson of the KZN Council of Churches. She has served as a council member of Diakonia Council of Churches, twice being invited to preach at the annual Diakonia Good Friday Service which attracts many thousands of believers and in 2001 she focussed her message on violence against women. The Revd Mike Vorster, who takes over the reigns from Bishop Malinga, was inducted as bishop on Sunday 9 November 2008 in Umlazi, Durban.
Other Stories in this edition:
Growing the Church
Provincial and Diocesan Launch Conferences. An exciting new initiative was formally launched provincially in Johannesburg, and in each Diocese in September. Churches call for political maturity
The Diakonia Council of Churches and its member churches have expressed deep concern over the increasing levels of intolerance displayed by supporters of various political parties and by the leadership of some political organisations. The Zimbabwe Political Deal
Extracts from a commentary on progress presented by Bishop Rubin, Co Chairperson Solidarity Peace Trust, at the Centre for Civil Society, University of KwaZulu-Natal in October 2009 Vestry Meetings
Bishop Rubin has urged parishes to begin preparing immediately for their next Annual Vestry Meeting which according to the Canons of the Diocese must be held not later in the year than the 15th March. They have been asked to take note of Canon 27 (of Vestries) and Act 23 of the Acts of the Diocese of Natal, and the functions of Parish Councils etc which are laid out in Canons 28, 29 and 30 and Act 24. 1 Big Favour - 34 Very Happy Ladies
East Coast Radio is celebrating the Christmas Season by granting 12 Big Favours. The radio station has always taken their social responsibility seriously and this year Emma Barter Home, situated in Pietermaritzburg, was one of their very lucky recipients. Diocesan Environment Committee
Looking back over the year: As 2008 draws to a close I mention some of the activities that the Diocesan Environment Committee has been engaged in. |
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