At last I think I've cracked it - at least to put them on the blog pages.


Matlwang Church as it was

The new roof - notice too the breeze block walls have been coated with cement
and you can just see the top of the cross on the wall behind the altar.

The blessing of the altar (I think) - +Steve's personal gift to the Church.
The Deacon on the left (Parkha) is one of those to be ordained in February,
and is one of the four who met me at the airport on my very first visit here in 2004

It's wet but warm - Thanks be to God!

I have been here two whole weeks now and I have settled in very well, but I need to take myself in hand and remember that I am on sabbatical and am not supposed to be working every day of the week! I have been helping (!) Fr William revamp his weekly Pew sheet. The first version was printed today and will be in use for the first time this Sunday. It all takes a bit longer when I have to type African names – but now the first one is done it shouldn’t take so long to do in future. They are supposed to be finding someone that I can show how to do it, but as yet there are no takers.

For the last couple of years the Diocese has been trying to produce a website. The first attempt failed, and now a professional company are on the case. But promises have been broken, and patience is running out. However, things are on the move again and I have been drafted in to help +Steve and Ruth, because “these things are (my) bread and butter”. Well ….. I undoubtedly have more experience of websites than they do, but I am no expert. I can however write English much more easily than either of them.

Last Sunday I felt much more at ease at Jouberton, and really felt that I was presiding. It is odd not to be able to sing any of the hymns though. Even if I know the tune, I am concentrating so much on what is happening that the words forsake me. I spent the morning there yesterday talking to three of the leading Council members. Some of the pains of the past became evident and also some of the pains of the present. All I can do is a holding job, and pray for them all.

Tonight I have been out with Father William to visit Dr Luke, a parishioner, and his family. They remembered fondly the visit of the Westwoods when they were out here. The reason for our visit was to pray with the family on the eve of their daughter’s departure to Jo’burg to begin her medical training, and to bless her. She had prepared a lovely meal for us, sadly not Indian, as she was unsure whether we would like that.

The big thing of this week is that I have now got the parish car and can drive myself around. In this Diocese, if the priest is rich enough he buys his own car. If he isn’t and the parish can afford it, then they buy one, as is the case in Jouberton. If neither can afford it, then it’s Shanks’s Pony, the local taxi (minibus) or hitching. Philip Pooe, no relation to William, who works with the youth of the Diocese, travels everywhere by hitching lifts.

This Saturday there is a meeting for those to be ordained and their rectors, and, as there is a Deacon (Elias) at Jouberton, that means me. The Ordination is fast coming upon us and I must set some time aside to get everything ready. I was able to spend the morning with +Steve on Tuesday talking through parish matters. There is to be a Confirmation as part of his weekend in the parish at the beginning of March and things are rather different here and I needed to be sure I understood what I have to do.  We also talked about the Ordination Retreat. I have done quite a lot of preparation already but there is still a lot to do. There will be two new Deacons and 11 Deacons being priested.

So please pray for the people of Jouberton, that God’s healing, strengthening and peace-giving Spirit might descend on them, and that malicious tongues might be silenced. Pray too for those to be ordained. Give thanks for the rain last night and this morning, and again tonight – the land is desperate for it and without it the crops will not produce food for the winter.

Home Communions Round 1

I realised after I’d posted the last blog that I hadn’t said who I am and what I am doing. I am (again) Nita Edwards from Clayton, this time on a 10 week Sabbatical (Extended Study Leave) here in Matlosane. I have been here several times before but I wanted to spend a longer time to here to get a more in depth view of the Diocese. 

Wednesday morning was a very interesting one. I went with Daniel the church warden and driver for the day, and Lay Ministers Ra (Mr) Moruti and Ma (Mrs) Nkulu to 2 of the 15 Blocks in Jouberton to do Home Communions. As much as possible of the service needed to be in Setswana so I had prepared a single sheet version of the service in Setswana for myself and practised the Collect. At each home – nine in all – Daniel introduced me, I started the prayers said by everyone, the Minister translated anything I had to say in English ie the introduction to the confession and the prayers, Daniel read the gospel verses and I managed everything else! We had quite a system going by the end. The people varied in age and state of health. One quite healthy lady will be 95 in July – what changes she must have seen in her life! Another old lady was so frail that she even had to be helped to consume the wafer. Two of the visits were to couples: and in other houses all the family who happened to be at home joined in the service, but didn’t take communion.

The homes varied greatly: some were very nicely furnished and kept: one was made from corrugated iron and very, very hot! Some had inside toilet facilities, others had an outside hut. But in each there was a very warm (!) welcome, and people seemed genuinely delighted that I had come and that they could receive the sacrament. So far, only priests are licensed to take the sacrament out, but I think that is about to change. What I saw of the Lay Minsters who came yesterday, they would be more than capable. It would ease the load of the priest, and mean that they could spend longer at each house because they would not have to do done all at once. I have another set to do next week, and maybe even more. I think it was this parish where it took a previous priest three days every month to complete the round.

I enjoyed it, but there is a frustration when you can’t talk to those you are visiting, and it all has to be done rather speedily to fit everyone in. Maybe if I could drive myself it would be better – but having found my way into the township, I may never find my way out again!!

Today, Thursday, I went into the Diocesan Office to give something to Ruth, +Steve’s PA, and the new Dean came in, with the purpose of asking Ruth how he could get hold of me to welcome me to the Diocese. That’s three people now that I have met unintentionally, but with great joy. It all adds to the sense of purpose that I felt yesterday as I pondered John 15:16 ‘You did not choose me , but I chose you and appointed you that you should go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.’

I did take photos, but I am struggling with Windows 8. Nuff said, I think. I'll keep trying!

Arrived - in many ways!

It’s Monday and at last I have got access to the web for my computer. The journey out went very well and I arrived safely in Klerksdorp where I am being hosted by Fr William Pooe at St Peter’s Church House. He had only been here for a week when I arrived and was busy trying to get hot water into the house, I was quite happy to have a cold (cool!) shower, but he thought I was mad! His wife Maggie still works in their old parish and comes home at weekends. Hope, her daughter, is here in Klerksdorp and is very cheerful and helpful. The warden from Jouberton was at the parish house when I arrived – the other one has just resigned. So the parish is in a state of chaos at the moment, especially as she did various secretarial duties too. In the evening we had a 'Welcome' braai at the warden’s house.

Friday I went out to Jouberton to look around. I thought it had a population of around 90,000 – the warden thinks it might be nearer 400,000. So not a very big job then! The area is divided into 25 extensions, arranged in 15 Blocks covering a huge area. For each block there is someone whose responsibility it is to report to the priest the name of anyone who needs communion at home or a visit of any sort. Mention was made of the riots there in the 70’s, something I would like to hear more about. With such a vast area and poor public transport, a second church is planned, right opposite the police station. The land has already been purchased and the money for completion is in the bank. Various planning permissions are now being sought.

Sunday I did the 8.00 service there. As we came out I noted that the 8.00 service at St James' would also be finishing at that moment – only we had started two hours before they did!! I began the service by correcting some of the misconceptions about the length of my stay. Some thought I was  going to be here for a year!

It feels very different doing services on this visit, knowing that this is not ‘hit and run’, nor a long term appointment. Some things are the same: I was censed to within an inch of my life; servers want to do up buttons on my cassock alb; the singing was fantastic; my tongue got tied around some of the Setswana words. But I found it difficult to ‘preside’ when things were happening in a language that I don’t understand. For instance, I was suddenly aware in the notices that shoes were being handed out to some of the children. Every year Brenda, +Steve’s wife, oversees the collection of funds and the buying and distribution of shoes to needy children in the Sunday Schools. Had I known in time what was going on, we could have had a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing. It’s all a question of communication. There is so much that needs doing in the parish, but I need to be realistic about what I can accomplish, and not leave chaos behind me. Everyone seemed to be happy to have a priest and on the first Sunday at least, to be forgiving about the mistakes and differences.

Saturday morning I went into town – a 2 minute walk away - and met someone I knew, Philip who works with young people. Saturday afternoon Steve and Pulane with whom I stayed in 2012 came to the house to welcome me. Today – Monday – I went again, and standing in a queue behind me was Mpho, who stayed with me in Clayton in 2004! It all helps it feel a little less strange.

So we have begun well, and I am happy. Wednesday I am going out to Jouberton again to sort through the parish office and see what I can sort on their computer. I am also hoping that we can get a list of home communicants soon so that I can start on that. I fancy it will be rather long, but I look forward to meeting people in their homes.

+Steve returns at the end of the week, and then I am hoping that I shall be able to have a timetable for my stay here. In the meantime, thank you for your prayers. I hope to write on the blog at least once a week – pictures will follow when I’ve taken some and worked out how to post them!

11th – 29th November 2013

The main reason for this visit was to attend the Dedication of the church at Matlwang, for which St James’ congregation at Clayton had provided money – see April 2012 post. 'I' am Nita Edwards, vicar of St James', Clayton.

Whilst in Johannesburg I was able to visit Sharpeville. We saw the Memorial and the graveyard where those who had been shot by the police were buried. I met Archdeacon David, who is also the priest at Sharpeville and he was telling me about the work they do there now for the elderly and infirm. Then he went on to tell us the memories of some members of his congregation who can remember the massacre there in 1960. One escaped because he was hungry and went for food. Another went for a drink and when he returned someone was lying dead in the very spot where he had been standing previously. On a later occasion, there was a meeting in the church and Fr David asked a man to pray for everyone. He said, “Father I am highly honoured to be asked. I shall go and stand on the spot on which my sister was killed”. There was not a dry eye in the house that day, and I have to admit that I welled up too! 

I was collected from Jo'burg by Archdeacon Sidney and his grandson. When we arrived he gave me a tour of Promosa, including a visit to the church. It is in a mixed race area and so somewhat better off than a black area. Inside the church he proudly showed me various item, the altar cross and candlesticks among them, which members of the congregation took with them when they were moved from their homes to the townships in apartheid times. Another moment to well up.

The Dedication took place on 24^th November – and what an emotional time. The thunderstorms began not long after lunch, but the rain was not enough to make the dirt track a mud track, but it was enough to dampen all the dirt so that we didn’t have to drive through dust clouds. When I remember what was there, and what is there now, it is overwhelming. OK, by UK standards its not fantastic, but to them it is! And we had plenty of evidence that it is waterproof! Before we started, the Bishop announced that the church was to be dedicated to ‘Christ the King’ in honour of the feast on which it was consecrated. Lots of holy water and incense were expended both outside and inside the church. The singing was top volume - and then some! The noise coming from the beating of the leather pads could hardly have been exceeded by drums.

At Communion time, I was handed the ciborium, and I was glad that it was only afterwards that the Archdeacon said, “Do you realise you have just given them their first Communion in their new church?” I’d been choked enough as it was. Before the Dismissal, there were official ‘Thank you’s and greetings. The service ended with the Te Deum, the Bishop and the Archdeacon reading it by the light of a candle – a necessity, not just for effect!

Service over the people had managed to provide food for everyone, cooked in the traditional pots and a real celebration was had by all. A fantastic sunset brought the day to a wonderful end, but by the time the clearing up was done, some were left to walk home in the pitch dark. 

It was a wonderful occasion. There was a “Thank you”, uttered by someone whose only language is Setswana. “A dream come true”: my hands were kissed:  there were hugs and handshakes: beaming smiles and tears.  Deo Gratias – thanks be to God!

2013 - Growing Leaders and Going Deeper in Partnership

The overseas part of the Bishop of Lichfield's 2013 Lent Appeal focused on 'Growing Leadership'

Thanks to the generous giving of individuals and Churches in the Lichfield Diocese a two young leaders from our Partner Diocese of Matlosane were able to join with a team of people from Lichfield Diocese in visiting the community based charity 'Hands at Work in Africa' during July and August 2013.


 Hands at Work support local communities who care for orphaned and vulnerable children in 7 countries in Africa.  A network of care volunteers carry out this vital work through home based care visits to children in need  - often who have been orphaned as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  They focus on food security, health and education. This essential work is carried out by ordinary people with a big heart for those in need and is a practical  response of the church to care for those who are vulnerable and in need.

Left to Right - Kagiso, Rose, Mmabatho and Tsholo
( a lady who hosted the Lichfield team members in Matlosane)

The 2013 visit was organised by the Link 4 Life Project - a local church based charity which was started in Great Wyrley in Lichfield Diocese in 2010.  Link 4 Life seeks to support Hands at Work and other Christian partners in Africa and does this by accompanying young people and adults on visits to South Africa to witness and join in with the work of their partners.  Those who take part in these visits are challenged and encouraged to speak up for those in need and raise funds to support the work of the charities who have hosted them.

Church and Community Team as they left Great Wyrley on 28 July

The visit in July2013 was a two stage affair - and advance team of 4 people from Lichfield Diocese (Philip Swan, Rose Westwood, Maria Kay and Millie Swan) were wonderfully welcomed by their hosts in Matlosane, with whom they stayed for 4 days.  After this two young leaders from Matlosane (Kagiso and Mmabatho) travelled with themto Johannesburg where they met the rest of the Link 4 Life team and then moved on to Mpumalanga in the north east of South Africa where Hands at Work is based.

Rose, Kagiso, Revd Sam Diphokwane, Philip, Millie & Maria

To find out more about what  the combined team of Matlosane and Lichfield got up to  (they called themselves 'The Collective' ) please click on the links below which will take you to the various posts which they wrote at the time.











http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/latest-news-from-matlosane-five-and.html

http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/church-and-community-team-from-heathrow.html

http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/two-teams-one-goal-successful-joining.html

http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/day-one-30th-july-2013.html

 http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/day-two-31st-july-2013.html

http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/day-3-1st-august-2013.html

http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/day-4-2nd-august-2013.html

 http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/a-toilet-is-on-way.html

 http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/partnership-and-friendship.html

 http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/partnership-and-friendship-cont.html

http://link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/performance-poet-millie-gets-inspired.html

There are more plans for 'Growing Leadership' shared visits and activities in 2014 and we hope to keep the blog up to date with all that happens.

Rose & Richard Westwood