Vicar General Pastoral Note to the Diocese Election of Bishop
Matric Booklet 2023
AN UPDATE TO THE DIOCESE OF FALSE BAY FOLLOWING THE SEVERE FLOODS OF SUNDAY 24 & MONDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2023
Debt crisis in the Diocese of False Bay
In her farewell sermon on Saturday, 26 August 2023, Bishop Margaret, addressed the Debt crisis the Diocese finds themselves in. An appeal was made to all families to make a donation towards debt relief in False Bay. Quote from the sermon – “No one can be blamed for this and no one could have foreseen Covid and its devastating effects on our church economy, followed by loadshedding, taxi strikes, fires and floods”.
Please click here if you wish to make a donation towards this appeal.
Special edition of the False Bay Anchor
This special edition of the False Bay Anchor is dedicated to Bishop Margaret who retires from the Diocese at the end of August 2023.
Season of Creation 2023
Let peace and justice flow down like a river
DIOCESAN CLERGY SCHOOL 2023
Bishop Margaret gathered all licensed Clergy of our Diocese for the first Post-Covid Clergy School at Houw Hoek from Monday, 28 May to Thursday, 1 June.
The theme of the gathering was “Reimagining the Church in a World Shattered by Covid-19”. Topics of discussion included Reimagining the Church and Finance, Gender and Climate Justice, Human Sexuality and Liturgical Practices. Each day began with a Eucharist service and was followed by contextual bible study, using resources from Lambeth 2022.
On the Wednesday evening, there was a surprise dinner in honour of Bishop Margaret’s ministry. It was the Bishop’s final Clergy School as Diocesan Bishop, as she will be laying down her staff at the end of August 2023
Gender sensitization conversation / workshop
As part of the Diocese’s ongoing partnership with HOPE Africa and Episcopal Relief and Development, a Gender sensitization conversation / workshop was held on Saturday, 29 April at St. Augustine’s, Lotus River facilitated by Dr Miranda Pillay.
It was attended by representatives from the Archdeaconries as well as the Mothers Union and the Anglican Women’s Fellowship. Participants was part of very fruitful discussion on GBV that is affected all of us in our communities.
DYPMC – Young Vocations Day
On Saturday, 29 April 2023, more than 50 young people from across the Diocese gathered for a day of exploration at the Diocesan Young People’s Ministry Council False Bay (DYPMC) Young Vocations Day held at All Saints, Belhar.
Bishop Margaret shared her own journey of discernment as a young woman in the church and encouraged the attendees to explore their own vocation.
Attendees were divided into smaller groups to attend the parallel sessions where they engaged with fulltime and self-supporting clergy, hospital and school chaplains, as well as lay brothers from the Order of the Holy Cross. A member of the Third Order Society of St Francis (TSSF) was also present in the Religious Life sessions. The DYPMC envisages regularly host such events in the future to promote Vocations, and to encourage relationship building amongst the young leaders in the Diocese
Diocese of York Link Visit
On Sunday evening, 30th April 2023, the four Dioceses (Cape Town, False Bay, Saldanha Bay and York) celebrated Evensong at St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town. The Right Revd Dr John Thomson, the Bishop of Selby, preached.
Chrism Mass 2023
Images from the annual Chrism Mass and Bishop Margaret’s sermon.
CMS – Procession of witness
Bishop Margaret joined the Church Men’s Society (CMS) Procession of Witness (POW) in the Parish of Bredasdorp on Sunday 26 March. It was the first POW to be held since the COVID-19 Lockdown in 2020.
International Women’s Day – 8 March 2023
Click on this link https://hopeafrica.org.za/news/ for a 5 minute recording by Bishop Margaret
COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS – March 2023
The Synod has released a wide-ranging communiqué following their meeting in Gauteng from 27th February–3rd March 2023. The communiqué included a statement on Human Dignity and Marriage, issued as an addendum to the communiqué.
Communiqué: https://anglicanchurchsa.org/communique-from-the-synod…/
Addendum: https://anglicanchurchsa.org/statement-on-human-dignity…/
ORDINANDS OF THE DIOCESE – 2023
The annual service of Admission of new Ordinands and Rededication of existing Ordinands was held at Good Shepherd Grassy Park on Saturday, 11th February led by Bishop Margaret Vertue. Bishop Margaret and the Revd Canon Joseph Humbles are pictured with Sheldon Kraak, Nomfundo Qoboka, Nondumiso Mlambo, Nontsikelelo Fani and Heinrich Jantjies.
Liturgical Resources
Sunday School Sunday Resource
Stewardship Series 2023
Prayers for the peace of the world
God our Father, you are the source of all truth and peace:
Look with mercy on your children
Purify our hearts from all hatred falsehood and prejudice
And so guide us by your loving wisdom
That peace and righteousness may be established among all people; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from An Anglican Prayer Book, 1989, page 86)
A Prayer for Africa
God bless Africa
Guard her children
Guide her leaders
And give her peace
For Jesus Christ’s sake.
Amen.
(from An Anglican Prayer Book, 1989, page 91)
Information & cancellations
Latest News
The latest edition of the False Bay Anchor is available