What’s HAPPE happening 1111 1 11 NING January 2018 · PDF fileToday we start anew, and...

Volume 9, Issue 1 1111 1 11

January 2018

What’s HAPPENING

@ happening

As we grow older in life, years somehow

seem to shorten and New Year’s Day

approaches with an ever increasing tempo.

The more mature we get, the more we

realise that time is only relative; how we live

means more than how long we live.

Happily also we do not live by years, but by

days. In His wisdom God does not show us

all that lies ahead. So we enter a new year to

live it day by day. What is past is past. Today

we start anew, and what we do today will

make our life for tomorrow.

Chin up, shoulders straight, eyes agleam, let

us salute the New Year, and each day let us

follow more faithfully, more courageously,

more daringly the lead of our great Captain

who bids us follow Him.

~ William Thomson Hanzsche

2 | P a g e W H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G

Carols by Candlelight

The birth of Our Saviour brings

us together.....................................

What a splendid turnout for Carols by

Candlelight in the church grounds on

Tuesday December 19.

Scores of families picnicked on the lawns as

the wind held off for once. Pretty coloured

lights were strung across the quadrangle.

The church shop was open and brightly lit.

Boerewors rolls and mince pies were soon

sold out amid a merry hubbub.

The Christ Church faithful were joined by

family members from upcountry and

overseas. Many families had three

generations present.

Some wore Father Christmas hats or

“reindeer antlers”. Small children ran around

excitedly or clambered on the jungle gym.

Father Terry said an opening prayer. Then

Bishop Christopher and young Jack Hayes

unfolded the Christmas story for us between

traditional carols. The singing, accompanied

by Jeremy, was led by Vocal Unity and also

featured World of Worship (from

Durbanville and Kuils River).


At dusk the glow of candles added to the

atmosphere... and “glory shone around”.

Congratulations to those who put in the

hard work of organising and making it such

a success as we all celebrated the true

meaning of Christmas together. – David Hill

Rory heads three generations of Fifes.

The Lujabes with an interloper (Mike Barrett).

Youngsters shared in the excitement.

Mark Ross-Innes poses as Rudolph.

What about the workers? Here are some (from

left): Jesse Lund, Sheila Thompson, Lib Nelson

and Dot Pink.

Picture: John Haresnape


Christ Church Constantia’s finest: clergy, laity and choir were out in force for the “Christ

the King” service on Sunday November 26. Guest speaker, the Rev James Patrick, is standing next to assistant priest, the Rev Mkhuseli Lujabe.

Taking communion during the service.

‘Feast of Title’....................

James Patrick, who is minister at

Gardens Presbyterian Church and a

presenter for Fine Music Radio, gave

a lively sermon, in a Scottish lilt, on

the Glorious Throne of Christ. The

service was followed by the “Feast of

Title” breakfast, including a special

cake, and fellowship in the parish hall.


From the wardens We approach 2018 with new plans,

ambitions and hopes.

With the festive season now behind

us, no doubt one of our objectives for

the New Year will be to lose a few of

those extra kilos....

It was hectic, especially for our clergy,

and compounded by having to “baby-

sit” Hout Bay. A big thank-you to all

for your dedication over this blessed

time in the Christian calendar.

It is a time for giving and Christ

Church is no exception. We had a

very successful Carols by Candlelight

evening. A capacity crowd of about

400 were blessed with good weather,

and able to enjoy the picnic and carols

led by director of music Jeremy

Quickfall, accompanied by Vocal

Unity and World of Worship. Our

thanks also to Bishop Christopher

and Jack Hayes for the narration.

The net proceeds of R5 000 were

handed over to The Carpenters

Workshop. This year we decided to

open the church shop before the

commencement of the carols and the

R2 370 in takings will go towards our

Community Outreach project.

The past year also brought its sad

moments and here we refer

particularly to the Lester family,

following the passing of Colleen. The

support by our Christ Church family

was unbelievable and a true sense of

Christian compassion prevailed.

Colleen was a loving wife, mother and

grandmother and will always be

remembered for her cheery outlook

on life in spite of her pain. She is now

at peace with the Lord.

Cheers! From left: Wilson, Zek, Globe

and Annastacia at Ocean Basket.

Our staff - Annastacia, Globe, Zek

and Wilson - were treated to

Christmas lunch at Ocean Basket in

appreciation for what they do behind

the scenes, which often goes

unnoticed. They had a good time.

Our annual Vestry meeting on March

13 is not that far off. It is the

opportunity to elect new wardens and

parish council members. If you would

like to contribute to this important

part of our ministry, you could put

your name forward for election or

perhaps nominate someone you feel

can add value to the operation of

Christ Church.

We wish you all a blessed 2018. May it

be filled with good health and

happiness. - Mike and Grant


The Christmas hamper production line in full swing in the parish hall.

Outreach brings some Christmas cheer.......................

The parish hall was abuzz on Monday

December 4 for the packing of the annual

Christmas food hampers for the needy.

Volunteers turned up in their numbers to

help. The Outreach team drew on their years

of experience to get an efficient production

line going and, after intense activity, 185

bags were filled with rice, soup, baked beans,

samp, biscuits and sweets in no time.

The hampers cost R16 720. Rob would like

to thank all those who donated to this

worthy cause, making it possible to bring

some seasonal cheer for those who often go

without. He also credits fellow members of

the Outreach team – Roger Steward and Jill

Buchanan – for collecting most of the funds

and the goods for the hampers.

Beneficiaries were Westlake United Church,

Happy Valley, St Simon’s Hout Bay, Sunrise

Centre, Vrygrond Libraries, other libraries

and staff. Boxes of dry food were delivered

to Hout Bay and libraries. Deliveries were

made by Rob, Dennis Bentley-Green and

McNorman van der Vent.

Michele

Ross-Innes,

left, and Ella

Carter, add

some rice to

the hamper

mix.


Treasurer’s Review……….

Tebogo Naledi

It is my privilege to

write our first

Treasurer’s Review in

What’s Happening.

The idea is to

improve

communication between parish council and

parishioners around the state of finances in

the church. Each quarter we will give

insights on our financial standing and

spending priorities.

Having taken over as parish treasurer in

September, I would like to thank my

predecessor, Saskia Emary, for her splendid

work over the past five years.

Our parish depends on the generosity of its

parishioners and other donors. 85% to 90%

of Christ Church Constantia’s income comes

from this. The balance is from fees for

hiring the church hall and services such as

weddings and funerals.

In 2016 our income was R2.6 million. For

the first 11 months of 2017 it was R2.5

million. We are therefore likely to see a slight

increase over 2016 for the full 2017 year.

Thanks to all who have so generously given

to the church. It is a personal matter

between oneself and God, but it is also

important to acknowledge the important

work done in His name that it enables.

How are the funds applied? The most

significant items are:

Pastoral and worship – expenses related to

our priests, visiting clergy, services and

related items;

Staff, administration and property

maintenance – we have a full-time staff for

office administration, youth ministry and

bookkeeping, maintaining church property,

maintaining the garden and providing

security;

Diocesan assessments –the Diocese of Cape

Town depends on parishes for income to

fulfil its responsibilities. Christ Church is

blessed to be in a position to meet its annual

diocesan assessment obligations and more.

This is important as not all parishes in our

diocese, especially those from the poorer

communities, can do so.

Community Outreach is Christ Church

Constantia’s primary social responsibility

programme. The Outreach team supports

many worthy and needy causes, including

financial support to 10 charities. They also

distribute food, hampers, blankets and other

discretionary support to those most in need.

Given the immensely good work that is

done, we try to apply all income to the

abovementioned, having ensured prudent

reserves. In 2016, parish expenses were R2.6

million in line with the income. For the 11

months to November 2017, expenses were

R2.3 million and so a small surplus is likely.

At the March Vestry meeting, the 2017

financial statements and the budget for this

year will be presented.

In the next Treasurer’s Review, I shall

discuss the highlights of these.


Personality of the Month

He’s a stayer... lay minister and former

treasurer David Giles has served Christ Church

Constantia for half a century.

Five decades down memory

lane with David Giles.................

“I have survived five rectors,” said our

Personality of the Month with an impish

grin.

The interview took place with David Giles

sitting behind the counter of the church

shop where he was on Sunday morning duty.

David has been attending Christ Church

Constantia for 50 years so it was fascinating

to find out from him what our church was

like in the 1960s and how much it has

changed.

Born in Sidcup, Kent, David came to South

Africa in 1963, joining Syfrets as an

accountant. He brought with him, on the

Athlone Castle, his bright red Austin Healey

sports car.

He came to Christ Church Constantia in

1967. He remembers from that time Tony

and Sheila Bailey, who for many years co-

ordinated the visiting of the sick (before

Pam Sanger took over).

“George Crighton was a most welcoming

sidesman, later to be churchwarden, and his

wife Prim played the small organ by the

main entrance.

“In those days it was very different,” says

David. “The 8 o’clock service was attended

by 10 to 12 people – the service being said

by the few whites who attended, and it lasted

about 40 minutes.”

The main service, at 9am, was attended by

the Coloured community, mostly farm

labourers who had already been moved out.

“There would be about 100-120 people –

only a few white faces – and it had singing

and all the bells and whistles.

“The service was in English but I noticed

that everybody spoke Afrikaans afterwards.”

The rector was Father Weir who favoured

the ornamental trappings of high church.

“So much so that some visitors thought it

was Catholic,” says David. There were gold

curtains behind the altar, an ornate shrine to

the Virgin Mary (and holy water available in

the portico).

Father Weir used to bring ornate artefacts

back from his overseas trips.

Behind the rectory was a croquet lawn

frequented by Father Weir and lay minister

Deane Anderson, among others. Mr

Anderson, an art lecturer at UCT, donated

the statue of St Francis which stands in the

quadrangle at Christ Church in memory of


his wife Violet. He left his estate for the

benefit of church charities.

The Coloured community in the Constantia

Valley was severely disrupted not just by

Group Areas but by the selling-off and sub-

division of farms which were no longer

viable. Jobs were lost and people moved

away.

Gaylands Farm and Nirvana were sold and

David bought a plot in Uitsig Road in 1966

and had a house built. He still lives there.

In those days it was easier to walk to church.

A track led through the farmland to the

church; it originally passed between the

church and what is now the parish hall

through to Pinehurst Road.

“One of the characters in the parish was the

bearded assistant priest, Don Stevens, who

led us to the Paarl Mountain Club hut in Du

Toit’s Kloof for a retreat.

“In those days it used to rain. After a few

days of heavy downpours it stopped and we

hiked across to the hut. The paths were

streams and the streams torrents, but we

made it, to dry out and enjoy a very peaceful

few days meditating in the silence of the

mountains.”

David met his future

wife Heidi (pictured)

in 1965, through the

Peninsula Ramblers

who hiked on

Sundays. His girlfriend

at the time told him he

would like Heidi, who

was a nurse. He certainly did; they were

married soon after at St Martini, the

Lutheran Church in Long Street.

Heidi’s father was a German diplomat in

Pretoria. When war with Germany broke out

the family moved swiftly to Lourenco

Marques to avoid internment and Heidi was

born there.

Over 40 years ago David became a lay

minister when John Hodson was rector. He

deputised for sub-deacon Gordon Gray at

8am. He was one of only three lay ministers

at the time, doing duty mainly at the early

service.

“They were called sub-deacons. At 8am they

wore cassock and surplice; at 9am Deane

was robed.”

David credits the Rev Hodson, who had

served as Dean of Grahamstown and rector

of St Saviour’s, Claremont, with “dragging

the church into modern times.

“Christ Church has evolved from what was a

small Coloured church, almost a mission

church, to become broadly middle-class,

middle-of-the-road Anglican.”

David was treasurer for 13 years. “In those

days the priest ran the parish. John’s wife

was parish secretary. On Sunday afternoons

I’d go to the rectory and John and I would

sign whatever cheques were needed.

“On Sunday evenings I took the collections

home, counted them and Heidi paid the

proceeds in on Monday morning.”

(David comments: “Today we have a team

of four counters to deal with collections and

dedicated giving. However, as most


parishioners pay direct to the bank, the

amount to be counted has been reduced

considerably.”)

The church building’s L shape was

transformed into a straight cruciform.

Money was borrowed from the parishioners

to build the south transept (complete with

butterfly stained glass window) which had

held a tiny vestry. The parishioners were

repaid within two years.

In Father Weir’s time Colonel Blake and

George Davids were the wardens. The small

church hall was extended using money

bequeathed by Bernard Davis, who David

says, was “a modest guy who wouldn’t have

wanted his name on a plaque at the entrance

to the hall”. He was a sidesman on duty with

Bert Rohr.

Today the congregation is mainly composed

of grey heads. Where are the missing

generations? “I believe it’s the pressure of

work,” says David. “Young couples lead

busy lives; the wives work; children have

sport...”

David and Heidi have three daughters – one

in England, one in Wynberg and another in

Kenilworth – and four grandchildren.

Heidi did tea duty for years and is still a

steward (David prefers the term “sidesman”;

he says stewards serve drinks on boats).

David is still active as a lay minster as well as

on the shop duty roster.

What’s Happening recognises the

contribution made by an ever-cheerful

personality (editor’s note: David changed

this to “miserable old s*d) who hasn’t sat on

the sidelines. David Giles has rolled up his

sleeves and served his church faithfully for

many years.

‘God weeps’

over Trump’s

decision

Archbishop

Emeritus Desmond

Tutu’s reaction to

President Donald

Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as

the capital of Israel was widely reported in

the media. He declared:

“Those who claim divine rights for

themselves to physical property on earth are

false prophets.

“God does not discriminate between

Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus,

Buddhists, Taos, atheists – or any other

people.

“When God’s children make mistakes God

does not directly intervene because God has

pre-programmed us with the precious gifts

to love, to reason and to discern right from

wrong.

“It is our responsibility to use these gifts.

God is weeping over President Donald

Trump’s inflammatory and discriminatory

recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of

Israel.

“It is our responsibility to tell Mr Trump

that he is wrong.”


You’ve heard of a gaggle of geese, a herd of elephants... but what is the collective noun for a gathering

of church stewards? Bearing in mind their duties, perhaps a “vigilance” would be apposite. Here they

are in the Saturday morning sunshine, our vigilance of stewards (most of them): from left, Jill

Buchanan, Yolinda Walters, Mike Barrett, Virginia Appollis, Axel Wallander, John and Sue Haresnape,

Kelly and Gail Winckworth, Chris Enslin, Marilyn Walton, Jean Avis, Ruth Seipp, Quintin Faure, Ruby

Klazen, Heidi Giles, Gary Buchanan, Dot Pink, George Fonzari, Mary Daniels and David Hill.

Vigilance the key for our stewards..................................................

If you thought that all our church stewards

have to do is hand out hymnals and prayer

books and the pew leaflet, you would be

quite mistaken.

For a start, Lorna White, former organiser

of stewards over many years, composed a

couple of pages setting out in great detail

what is expected of them.

Now Jill Buchanan has taken over and she is

just as keen to maintain high standards. She

called a meeting of stewards at the church

on Saturday November 25 for a briefing on

how to cope with the high number of

worshippers expected to pack the building

over the Advent period.

Meanwhile warden Mike Barrett – a

“frustrated architect” – had drawn a diagram

complete with coloured boxes, arrows,

letters of the alphabet and figures.

These were to indicate where, how and in

what order worshippers should move to and

from the communion rail. The idea was to

streamline the flow of communicants at the

big services. Mike’s chart was draped on the


No, it’s not General Kitchener’s battle plan to

surround De Wet’s Boers, it’s Mike Barrett’s

communion flow chart.

communion rail for the stewards to see as he

spoke.

Marvel Billett was also there to give input

from the lay ministers’ point of view. The lay

ministers had a grandstand view of

proceedings and could see when things went

wrong, she said.

After the meeting, Jill kindly sent out this

summary:

“Thanks to all who managed to attend our

meeting this morning. For those of you that

were unable to attend here are a few points

that were discussed.

“We do not always have enough hymn and

prayer books to go round. Please ask

couples to share.

“Please ensure that the security gates (and

doors depending on the weather) are not

shut too soon at the beginning of the

service. This should be done only after the

first hymn has been sung.

“Latecomers hopefully will enter the church

after this using the main door. The stewards

have been asked to help the latecomer to an

open seat.

“At normal services, two stewards should sit

at the main door and two close to the side

door. This will mean that you can remain in

eye contact with the lay ministers and clergy.

“On hot, wind-free days please open the

door onto the Garden of Remembrance.

“The numbers (total number of

worshippers) should go up at the 9.15 after

the second hymn (remembering to include

the junior church) and at the 7.30 after the

gospel has been read. The accuracy of the

count is very important.

“At the 9.15, the elements are taken up

together with the offering. The order of this

is wafers on the left as you walk up and wine

on the right.

“After the blessing, the collection and the

food baskets should be taken into the vestry

by one steward from each door so that no

door is left unattended for too long.

“Please take care not to post the clicker into

the safe and handles must be removed from

the bags before posting.

“When you re-enter the church, please wait

until the prayers are over before returning to

your posts.

“Mike discussed the flow to and from the

communion rail paying special attention to

big services. At all services, as soon as the


words ‘draw near’ are said, we are asked to

get the communicants out of their seats as

quickly as possible.

“At the 9.15, the priest starts with the choir

in the middle of the rail. It is difficult always

to keep the flow going as some folk are

slower than others but do fill up in front of

the minister always, even when there are

gaps behind him.

“Fourteen folk fit generally on either side of

the communion rail. If we place ourselves

strategically at this time, one can keep eye

contact with the clergy and lay ministers,

ensuring that all runs smoothly.

“It was mentioned that we must avoid

splitting couples up at the rail. It is also a

good idea to avoid sending too many folk to

the far left (near the organ) as they land up

under the lectern and flower arrangement

which is not ideal.

“We have a few new members joining our

team. Welcome and please do not feel

daunted by the task. Working in twos, there

is always help at hand.

“Marvel thanked one and all at our meeting

for the role we play. I too would like to say

thank you for being so willing.

“The Christmas services are not easy due to

the large numbers but as long as we stay

alert, we will cope.

“Kind regards, Jill”

And then there’s the need for a welcoming

smile, the business of ringing the bell and

what to do about a crying baby or a

worshipper having a coughing fit....

Clearly a good steward needs to be an all-

rounder, a team player with a sense of timing

and qualities of empathy, patience – and

vigilance.

If you would like to become a steward

contact Jill on 021 794 3637 or email

[email protected],za

Our verger, James Grootboom, has been having

back and shoulder pains for a while but What’s

Happening found him doing some heavy work

around the church grounds. He was mixing dry

sand and cement to fill in between the bricks on

the path between the church and the hall.

Perhaps James is helping us to keep on the

straight and narrow...

“Umntu ngumntu ngabantu”

– You are because of others

mailto:[email protected],za


Christmas tea and

fellowship...................................

The seniors’ teas on Wednesday mornings

are a long Christ Church tradition and

participants really look forward to the social

gatherings held monthly at various homes.

On December 6 the group met for a

Christmas buffet lunch at the home of Sheila

Glyn-Owen at Imhoff’s Gift. The ministry

team were well represented with the Ven

Terry Lester, the Rev Mkhuseli Lujabe and

the Rev Donald Stewart all attending.

“It was a lovely party,” says parish council

member Riekie Barrett who organises the

teas and who took these pictures.

Father Terry chats with Jennifer Stewart and

Marion Vismer.

Sharing thoughts are, from left, Faith Peddie,

Anne Connelly, Julia Sessions and John Burdes.

Val Steward and the Rev Donald Stewart in jolly

seasonal mood.

Enjoying dessert are, from left, Helen Jaftha,

Virginia Appollis and Helen Brown.

Sheila Glyn-Owen, chatting to Helen Brown

and the Rev Mkhuseli Lujabe. Margaret Reed

and members of Sheila’s family are at the table

in the background.


Picture: Constantiaberg Bulletin

District governor Lynette Stassen, right, pins

Rotary’s highest service award, the Paul Harris

Fellow, on Sister Jean Avis.

Top award for our caring Jean...

Christ Church steward Jean Avis has

received the Rotary Club’s highest service

award. The honour was reported in the

Constantiaberg Bulletin of November 23.

The article in the Bulletin read:

“A woman who cares for the terminally ill,

takes the elderly on trips to the theatre and

runs regular clinics for sex workers has been

given Rotary’s highest honour.

“District governor Lynette Stassen pinned

the Paul Harris Fellow on Jean Avis at a

Constantia Rotary Club meeting at

Stonehurst Lifestyle Centre, in Westlake, on

Tuesday November 14....

“The highlight of the evening was the

presentation to Ms Avis, who after working

at St Luke’s Hospice as a nursing sister,

mainly on night-shift, for 33 years, is well

known in the community for her

professional caring for the terminally ill and

support to their families.”

Jean and her husband moved to Tokai from

Vredehoek in 1984. She first came to Christ

Church after the rector, Ian Eve, visited the

family at their home. After that, Jean’s

husband took their young ones to the family

service. Jean became a 7.30 regular, coming

to church at the end of her night-shift.

For a number of years at St Luke’s her

closest colleague on night shift was Sue Fife,

wife of our choir stalwart, Rory. Sue, who

was a stickler for keeping up high standards

and taught Jean a lot, passed away some

years ago but Rory and Jean often chat

about the old days.

Jean has been a steward for a number of

years. She also regularly gives lifts to elderly

people who have difficulty getting to church.

Jean’s husband died four years ago. She now

lives in an apartment in Kenilworth. Her

children are Lisa, who lives in Constantia,

and Andrew (Diep River). She also has a

granddaughter.

Jean has a busy life. She has a private

nursing practice, taking her skills into

people’s homes, giving them medication,

counselling and, just as important, listening

to their stories.

She is active on wellness days for Rotary,

going into the impoverished areas of

Vrygrond, Seawinds and Capricorn to

inoculate children and give medical

attention, comfort and encouragement to


the elderly. “I persuade the children to take

their worm tablets by offering them an

apple,” she says. She has found sponsors for

this work.

Jean is certainly a stayer, working in a

difficult and draining environment over

many years. As a professional carer she has

reached out to help the sick and the needy,

making a difference in the lives of many of

our most vulnerable. A shining example to

us all...

Congratulations Jean on an exceptional

award, fully deserved!

What’s Happening postbox

Kirstenbosch Kingdom..............

In memory of my dear friend Colleen Lester - by Andrea Hart (October 30 2017)

I gasp in the green and

grasp at its beauty.

Our garrulous chatter has subsided into

overawed silence.

The bumblebee persistently pollinating the

pink blossoms

reminds me of a mother duck nurturing her

babies.

My thoughts, previously jumbled, fall

perfectly into place.

Once again, Kirstenbosch...

You awaken in me Love, Joy and perfect

Peace.

(I wrote this poem while with a friend,

meditating and thinking of Colleen. I also

thought of Colleen as I watched the busy

bumblebee).

Help a child smile...........

From Sheila Thompson:

Girl Guides, Cape West, are aiming for the

Guinness Book of Records by collecting

120 000 plastic bottle tops by March 31.

Afterwards all the bottle tops will go to

Operation Smile to fund one cleft lip and/or

palate operation – help us help the

environment, and help a child smile again.

All bottle tops to the parish office marked

for Sheila Thompson.

Shop reopens on January 14

From Rosemary Summers:

The church shop will reopen for business on

Sunday January 14.

Unwanted gifts and so on will be most

welcome.

There is plenty of stock so please pop in;

you never know what you might find.


First concert of the year

The Gentlemen’s Ensemble, who will perform

at Christ Church on Febuary 11.

Classically trained voices with a

wide repertoire...........................

Christ Church Constantia concerts resume

on February 11 – the second Sunday of the

month – so as not to clash with “Opera in a

Convent Garden” at Springfield.

It will be presented by the Gentlemen’s

Ensemble, from Gugulethu.

The Ensemble is the brainchild of nationally

acclaimed choir conductor and arranger

Monde Mdingi, and Phelo Nodlayiya, an

internationally recognised opera singer.

They formed the group just over a year ago

with the aim of having fun with each other

through music, while at the same showing

the public that there is life in music.

Armed with 12 good classically trained

voices, they have sung music ranging from

opera, musical theatre, African folklore and

Gospel with a twist.

A highlight has been their performance as

pre-entertainers at a Rotary Carols by

Candlelight concert in the Kirstenbosch

Botanical Gardens in December 2016, which

first brought them to the attention of a large

audience.

Tickets are R100. Book through Anne Burrough on 082 218 0100 or write to [email protected]. The concert begins at 3pm. Payment can be made at the door (cash or snapscan); no later than 2.45pm please.

‘Christmas has been hijacked’...

Irish Catholic priest Father Desmond

O’Donnell, who ministers in Co Fermanagh,

has called for the Church to accept that it

has “lost Christmas” and to abandon the

word altogether. He urged Christians, no

matter the denomination, to accept that the

term “Christmas” had been shorn of any

sacred meaning.

“We’ve lost Christmas, just like we lost

Easter, and should abandon the word

completely," he argued. “We need to let it

go, it’s already been hijacked and we just

need to recognise and accept that.”

Fr O'Donnell insisted he was not a Scrooge,

and did not wish to deny non-believers their

festive celebrations.

“I am not seeking to take anything away

from anyone, I am simply asking that space

be preserved for believers for whom

Christmas has nothing to do with Santa and

reindeer,” he added.

mailto:[email protected]


Pictures: John Haresnape

Hawksmoor winery host Simon gets a thank-

you hug from Paddy... not sure whether it was

before or after a couple of glasses of red.

Paddy has us working on our

palates.......................................

Christ Church Constantia doesn’t just

inspire worship, promote spiritual well-being

and encourage fellowship but also offers an

opportunity to tickle the taste buds.

For years Paddy McPherson has led a group

for U3A (University of the Third Age) and

for a long time now she has organised

monthly Christ Church Constantia wine

appreciation outings, followed by lunch.

Paddy has a warm rapport with many wine-

makers and a wide knowledge of the

wineries and their history.

If you don’t know your fermentation from

your filtration, your oak chips from your

oxidation, you don’t need Platters, just ask

Paddy. As for maturation, let’s just say that

the average Christ Church monthly tippler

tends to be in their 70s or 80s. What you

might call a late harvest...

Church funds benefit from the monthly

visits.

The December outing was to Hawksmoor

wine estate. “It was a great day in spite of

being 42 degrees,” says Paddy with typical

enthusiasm.

For now Paddy is keeping a cork on her

activities; her next tasting will be in March.

– David Hill

Three cheers... (from left) Marion Vismer,

Rosemary Thomson and Judith Smuts.

Lorraine and Paul Palmer.... sometimes serious

concentration and consultation are required.


‘Dust’ turns into thousands of

rands for Outreach.....................

The wonderful

news reached

What’s Happening

in an email message

from Norma Read

at the beginning of

December:

“We recently

found another

treasure in the book

box at the Christ Church shop.

“It has realised US$368 (just over R5 000) in

the most recent Antiquarian Auction.

The details can be seen at

https://antiquarianauctions.com/lots/a-

handful-of-dust-presentation-copy-signed-

by-the-author

“I have no idea who donated it.

“Regards, Norma.”

The book is a presentation copy of “A

Handful of Dust” signed by the author,

Evelyn Waugh. It was published by

Chapman and Hall of London in 1934.

It attracted 13 bids on Antiquarian

Auctions.com, an online rare book auction

site.

So it’s another R5 000 for the church’s

Outreach projects. Yeh!

Our special thanks to Digby Sales, an expert

in recognising valuable items and who then

arranges for them to go on auction. He

works in the book section with Norma on

Tuesdays.

Meanwhile it’s hats off to Norma and her

colleagues who work hard pricing and

keeping the book section of the shop

looking fresh. Parishioners are encouraged

to pop in and browse; you never know what

treasures await you...

The crib scene during the celebration of

Christmas at Christ Church Constantia.

Not the two Ronnies but the two Davids – Giles

and Hill – were on duty in the church shop on a

Sunday morning when lively music, including

“Jingle Bells”, was heard coming from the

Youth Room. What’s Happening went to

investigate and found youth leader Bianca

Mariani on the recorder and members of the

junior church enthusiastically crashing cymbals

and beating drums.

https://antiquarianauctions.com/lots/a-handful-of-dust-presentation-copy-signed-by-the-author




DIARY

Sunday 7 January

Epiphany: donations of stationery most

welcome

Sunday 14 January

Shop reopens

Tuesday 6 February

Clothes sorting

Tuesday 13 February

Shrove Tuesday pancakes

Wednesday 14 February

Ash Wednesday services at 10am and 7pm

Sunday 18 February

Harvest Thanksgiving services

Tuesday 13 March

Annual Vestry meeting

Contact David Hill, editor of What’s Happening, on [email protected] or

phone him on 021-794 5387 or 060 783 1665

What hides in the bakery at Christmas?

A mince spy!

Christ Church Constantia Telephone 021 794 50 51 [email protected]

www.christchurchconstantia.co.za

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.christchurchconstantia.co.za/

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