This evening as I sat in the lobby of the Thokoza Center
enjoying a stronger wifi connection than usual, the various messages from
Diocesan staff in Iowa came zipping through, including one that said “By now probably
Synod has begun”. It was sent on Wednesday, and yes Synod was beginning. Yet by
now Synod has completed its business, as of yesterday, and of course it is
Saturday!
I have in fact just returned from Bishop Mabuza’s 70th
birthday celebration Eucharist at St Michael’s High School auditorium where I
preached as Bishop Ellinah presided. And where else would you find a lounge
chair being processed down the aisle to praise music and dancing, as the
Eucharist proper ended and the gift sharing to the Mabuzas began? I have video,
which will have to wait for a stronger broadband!
Synod is held every three years and sets the tone and
direction for the Diocese for that triennium, similar to our own General
Convention. The budget is set by Diocesan Council which like our Board of
Directors’ relationship to Diocesan Convention, oversees Diocesan affairs in
between Synods. There is much significance attached to resolutions as direct
vehicles for the implementation of the mission over the next three years.
A look at the resolutions therefore tells you a great deal
about the growing nature of the Church, especially when you examine the
“motions without notice”. Early prepared motions covered aspects of clergy
leave. For example, maternity leave was added to the Canons on Clergy leave, as
was a motion to build in study leave – 60 days every three years. The
traditional concept of a clergy day off on Mondays was formalized into the
canons even noting that while pastoral availability is always 24/7, Jesus
rested one day out of seven. Several
other prepared resolutions concerned internal applications for ministry
organizations to become diocesan agencies or guilds, and issues of supporting
youth organizations at Provincial level that delegates to the upcoming
Provincial Synod were expected to promote. (At this Synod Provincial delegates
were being elected, and one requirement was “that they not be persons who will
freeze on the big stage! But will engage the debate boldly”)
Two parochial districts (missions) were upgraded to parish
level. A third was upgraded provisionally with the understanding that within
three years they would build a house for the Rector. Two resolutions impacted
us directly. First, it was also resolved that each parish identify one vestry
member who could act as the social development officer at the congregational
level to network with the Diocesan Social Development Office. We work in
Swaziland chiefly though the Social Development Office. So this is important to
us if we move ahead with the allowing of parish to parish links across the tri-
Companionship as the three bishops agreed in Dundee during the summer. It would
provide us with local contacts through which the links could develop. Second,
it was moved that in response to the drought water tanks be bought for every
Anglican school in Swaziland. This resolution actually included “our
companions” as part of the acting constituents.
The Youth provided the excitement of the day with a
resolution urging greater involvement especially by clergy in supporting (and
including occasional attendance at youth events at various levels) the efforts
of the youth. Unfortunately, the tone of the resolution seemed somewhat
aggressive, and was sent to the Synod Committee for “refinement”. In Committee
the resolution was removed by the Youth but I think their point had been made.
Among the motions without notice, a planning Committee for
the Centennial celebration of St Michael’s High School was decided upon; a
project to start a private Boys’ school at Usuthu mission was re-affirmed, and
the free will offering on the Day of Pentecost was assigned for the assisting
clergy around the congregations. Private schools are created “for profit” and
intended to attract students from beyond Swaziland. This one would focus on mathematics
and science and be seen as one of the “capacity building” projects of the
Diocese in its efforts towards income generating projects and self
sustainability.
A series of alterations to “measures and regulations” (our
Constitution and Canons) were addressed and deferred to a “Technical Committee”
(to be named later) and to be dealt with at the next Diocesan Council.
Proceedings ended with a series of motions of thanks including a very moving
one to Bishop Ellinah for her “love and care for the clergy of the Diocese”
through passing measures during the year that improved salaries and created a
medical scheme for clergy. A similar motion of thanks “for their love and care”
was moved for the Diocese of Iowa and Brechin along with a reaffirming of their
support for our companionship. Other
votes of thanks included the Seminary in Grahamstown for emergency support for
a Swazi ordinand, various outside agencies (mostly insurance companies) and the
Thokoza Center that had partly sponsored the Synod, and to the congregations of
Manzini and the Cathedral for assisting the Diocese with extra financial
support for a specific and urgent unforseen expense. Even the auditors whom
they were changing because “it’s never good to stay with the same ones too
long” were thanked for their years of service.
Obviously, we are not privy to the back channels of the
Diocese and its working, and yet we can see, I think, through these motions,
the sense of being in common mission. People in practice may not be as
supportive as it seems, but at least it is not without the effort of the Diocesan
system in setting forth expectations of mutual ministry, with the stronger
invited to support the weaker, and all invited to work together to address the
needy across the nation. All of this is seen as their godly obligation.
The proceedings were wrapped around the early morning
Eucharist at 7am. Stacey gave a wonderful sermon on Friday morning, moving the
bishop to tears. It was September 16th – the saint of the day was
Ninian, missionary to Scotland and in particular the Picts (in the region of
the Diocese of Brechin), and this was the day when in the monthly cycle of
prayer, we all pray for “Calvary Church, Sioux City; Stacey Gerhart, priest”. Does God enjoy our companionship? I would say
so especially when this kind of alignment occurs.
In the peace and love of Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
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| The Rt. Rev Meshack Mabuza, Rev. Stacey Gerhart, Rev. Charles Kunene |
