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!