The call of Abram (Genesis 12:1-9) - our Old Testament reading for today - is a call to leave behind the familiar, to follow God into an unknown future. To respond to that call is to step out on a journey of faith and discovery. Abram went through a process of change and transformation, symbolized and enacted by his circumcision and covenant with God, and the new name of Abraham. As he journeyed, he discovered the faithfulness of God. To leave the familiar and the known, and set off across the land, across the seas, is seldom easy; but it is a journey that many have taken. And many over the centuries have set out on a journey of faith as a result of a call from God.
This is my 4th Annual Vestry report, here at the Cathedral; Claire, Rachel, Nicola and I have been here in Grahamstown for just over three years. A drop in the ocean for some; but a not insignificant length of time for those of us whose lives have involved a fair amount of moving. To become part of a new community brings opportunities for friendships; it opens doors for new discoveries, new learning opportunities (even if not outcomes-based!) and - hopefully - growth. Growth there has been: our two girls, who arrived here to start Grades 7 and 5, are now both in high school, and are now considerably taller than they were; we continue to enjoy and value the relationships that have developed in the context of the Cathedral and the wider Grahamstown community. Claire, our girls, and I greatly appreciate the networks, the love and the support we receive from so many. Thank you!
Thank you to both the formal and informal networks: our Cathedral lay leadership and pastoral teams; clergy colleagues - Reverend Noluthando Gixana (we wish her well in her new ministry as priest-in-charge at St Paul's, Zeleni), Reverend Mzinzisi Dyantyi (we welcomed him onto the Cathedral staff at the end of last year), Reverend Andy Kruger (from KZN, based at COTT and serving his curacy here with us); Reverend Siphokazi Njokweni (self-supporting deacon, teacher at Nombulelo; involved with pastoral care in the life of the Cathedral); the Revd Claire Nye Hunter (aka Mrs Dean); our wonderful office staff; the groups and organisations that provide a place to belong for so many people; all who do so much behind the scenes, and make everything else possible. It has been good to see growth in our youth and student ministry, as well as with our Cathedral Choir, particularly with the junior Choristers. Our investment in the lives of these young people is such a vital part of what we are called to do, as the church, and I thank all who are part of this diverse ministry. Thank you to those who care for the fabric and finances of the Cathedral and our various buildings. If these things were not being well done, we would not be able to continue with the rest.
Our diversity in worship styles, language and culture is both a gift and a challenge. We try to accommodate this with having a fairly wide variety of services on any one Sunday - SAPB Eucharist, AAPB Eucharist, Choral Evensong (twice a month), Student services (during Rhodes term-time). We intend to have a Family Eucharist later this month, in an effort to cater for families with young children, and young people in general. Our Sunday services, particularly the 9.30 a.m. service, are a fascinating cross-section of our country, with a wide age range. One size does not fit all, in terms of worship styles, sermon length and content, and music. I find the frame-work of the liturgy helpful - at least we have some common ground there.
I hesitate to make any grand statements in this report. I think that we are doing our best to hold the Cathedral community together, and to give to all a real sense of belonging, that this is a good place to be (to quote the late Dean Ted King). It is a good place to be; but we all need to find a small group or circle of people with whom we connect, whether this be our organisation (youth, AWF, MU, servers, etc); our home or cell group; our informal friendship circles and networks. We are a series of circles within the wider circle of the church family. At the end of the day the answer for unity and belonging is fairly simple - it is the answer of the early Church - let us love one another, as Christ has loved us.
Let us continue in our journey of faith together.
Andrew Hunter
Dean of Grahamstown