80 days since Lockdown – a short report back.

…We may not yet be able to meet for services but we are using every opportunity 
to meet 1-1 and to do counselling and help in whatever way is most effective and safe.

We will within the next few months decide together as a denomination, aided by medical opinion, when we should start meeting together physically.

If you need to talk to someone on staff or if you need counselling please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We are using every means possible to encourage our Church families in their faith and give thanks to God for so much evidence of the body of Christ at work serving and caring for each other.

Growth Groups 

Growth groups have been especially important over this time and we have found that despite obvious limitations many people have made great effort to join in the various groups.
We have 10 groups running on a weekly basis with approximately 70 people involved in the groups.

Those who lead and assist in leading our growth groups are not only providing a critical service at this time but enabling a key place of pastoral care and support.

We are embarking on the process of training and equipping not only our existing growth group leaders but new ones as well. If you have teaching or gifts of caring and encouragement why not join our training? We will be advertising details soon. 

A number of people have serious limitations in terms of data or wifi and haven’t been able to regularly join groups. This is especially so for a number of students who are scattered around the country. Please reach out to people you know who may not be able to access church community. Phone, WhatsApp, even just write a mail!

Sunday Services 

Our Sunday services which premier on YouTube at 10 each Sunday are watched approximately 150-180 times in an average week. Many of the “hits” are more than one person watching so there are probably over 200 people watching or listening in any given week.

The Epic Kids have gone onto the big screen in a big way! It’s been great to see teachers so naturally take to recording their lessons. I’ve been watching and been really encouraged not only at the dedication to teach our children at HT but at the giftedness displayed.

If you haven’t yet had an opportunity, go to YouTube Holy Trinity Gardens and take a look, also look out for the teens program.

We thank the Lord for this technology. As imperfect as it is compared to meeting together it’s greatly used by God.

The putting together of the services requires a complete change to the way we are used to doing things. Sermons along with service leading need to be ready by Wednesday and usually recorded by then as well. We will most likely be starting to record from the church from July onwards.

CBD CAN Initiative

We were approached by the local CBD and Gardens CAN (Community Action Network) to use Holy Trinity as a depot to receive and distribute donations for a Group of foreign nationals from various parts of Southern Africa.

They had been forced to take shelter in the Van Riebeeck forest on the slopes of Table Mountain as with lockdown their source of income dried up overnight. We have the opportunity to build a relationship with a number of  these guys along with some of the local CAN people.

The result has been a major fundraising drive by the CANS to help raise funds to at least get some of the men into safer shelter. With the help of the Haven Night Shelter 20 of these men are now safely accommodated in cheap accommodation in the city. There are still about 8-10 who would love to get off the mountain but more fundraising is needed.

We are providing counselling for some of these men who have been traumatised through the experience and teaching of the love of our Heavenly Father to all who seek Him.

If you would like to help in serving these men please let me know. They are looking to generate income selling jewellery and art work they have made.

Alida

It has been sad to have a funeral service at this time.

Under normal circumstances the Church would have been packed as we remembered Alida’s life and testimony.

Nonetheless it was a great Gospel opportunity as Alida’s life spoke clearly of God’s Grace. We will miss Alida, but rejoice that she is with our Father.

Anita Cooke’s grandmother passed away the same week and we had a memorial service for her. Please keep the Cooke family in your prayers.

Church refurbishment

Shortly before lockdown we had the flooring and carpets replaced. We have also created some open space upfront to use for various courses and training around tables and provide the new setting for our Sunday@5 teaching and training.

It looks better than the photo!

Ladies Christian Home.

Please remember the ladies at LCH as they have been in lockdown for 3 months now. Bridget and I had the opportunity do communion (separated by a thick plastic sheet)

It was great to at least see each other and remember the death of our Lord Jesus and the hope that we have as we eat and drink together.

I hope as you have read this that you see that despite all the chaos and turmoil of our world that God is at work building His Church. That in the fear and stress and anxiety of an uncertain world many are for the first time coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

Remember…

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:56-58