Latest news with #UnitingReformedChurch
The Herald
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Nelson Mandela Bay GIG GUIDE
MARKET Calling all collectors, treasure hunters and those looking for unique items — visit the Re-Seconds Market at the Walmer Town Hall on Saturday July 19, from 9am to 2pm. For the past eight years, the vendors have showcased all your favourites such as thrift clothing, toys, Tupperware, jewellery, pet treats, hair accessories, home décor and vintage items, as well as plenty of food and great coffee. This is a lovely outing for the whole family. Public entrance is free. Inquiries: 083-588-5823 or theresecondsmarket@ GOSPEL St Peter's Congregational Church in Charlo will host a special service featuring the Uniting Reformed Church Choir, Kylemore, on July 6, at 9am. All are welcome. TRIVIA FUNDRAISER There will be a music trivia night fundraiser in aid of Weybridge Academy Centre at Eddie Macs@VP in South End on Friday, at 6pm. Entry is R100 per person for tables of six to eight people. There will be a cash bar and limited menu available on the night. SOMETHING OLD Visit The Antique Collective at the Walmer Park Shopping Centre (via Entrance 2 Edgars Court) from 10am to 2pm on Sunday. There will be plenty of treasures from the past waiting to find a home in the present. Inquiries: 082-873-7663 LET'S HOOK UP Calling all yarn lovers, hook wielders and needle ninjas — it's time for the monthly 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day knit and crochet hookup. Whether you're a seasoned stitcher or still figuring out how to hold your hook, come join a circle of cosy creativity, caffeine and conversation. Bring your latest WIP (Work in Progress), swap tips, show off your makes, and maybe even learn a new stitch or two. The 67 Blankets KnitWits are churning out scarves for their annual #SecretScarvesShhh which will be held on Mandela Day on July 18, so bring along any completed scarves to be handed out on the day. Recommended sizes: c hildren (15cm X 120cm); women (20cm X 150cm); and men (20cm X 180cm). The meet-up will be on Saturday July 12, from 9am to noon, at Death by Coffee Roasters in Mount Pleasant. For more information, visit the Facebook group for Nelson Mandela Bay KnitWits, Good Wool Blankets (Port Elizabeth) HATS & HEELS Embrace the afternoon in style at the Hats & Heels high tea at The Beach Hotel from 2.30pm on Saturday August 2. Indulge in a delightful assortment of pastries, savoury finger sandwiches, and freshly brewed teas — all while enjoying breathtaking coastal views. Whether you're catching up with loved ones or savouring a peaceful moment, this is the perfect treat. Limited seating is available, so bookings are essential. The cost is R185 per person. To be featured in the weekly events guide, email your event details to diary@
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
How religion shapes a free and democratic South Africa
Nico Koopman South Africa is a secular state in a very special way. We make room for secular, intellectual, cultural and religious views in our public sphere. We welcome expressions of these different voices in public as long as they contribute to building a free and democratic country where alife of dignity, healing, justice, freedom and equality for all is actualised. As we celebrate Freedom Day on 27 April, let us also remind one another that religious worldviews, faith convictions and practices of a rich diversity of religions can play a distinctive - and even indispensable - role in building a society grounded in dignity and rights for all. The vast majority of South Africans adhere to a diversity of religions. Religion Religions exercise a threefold presence in society, namely a prophetic presence, a priestly or pastoral presence and an ethical presence. Prophetic presence is exercised in at least five ways. It entails that religions can help us remember the vision of a new society where dignity for all, healing for all, justice for all, freedom and equality for all reign supreme. The prophetic presence of religions also entails that courageous, informed and fair criticismis offered where there are various forms of betrayal of this vision. Criticism means distinguishing between progress towards materialising this vision and exposing our failure to do so. But criticism also entails self-criticism. Religions have an ambivalent track-record with regard to embodying human dignity and human rights. They have played both a constructive and a destructive role, as we can see in past and present religious legitimations for racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, ableism, ageism and ecocide (the destruction of the environment by humans). Madiba When the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa was established on 14 April 1994, the late Nelson Mandela attended the worship service at the synod. The vice-chairperson of the synod, Reverend Sam Buti of Alexandra in Johannesburg, welcomed Madiba. He expressed appreciation for his father's cherished journey with Madiba in the liberation struggle. He indicated that the new church would support the process of building a free and democratic society. He, however, also pointed out that just as churches opposed the apartheid government, they would criticise and oppose the incoming government if they betray the vision of democracy. The leadership of synod furthermore decided that Madiba could not address synod, since he was present, not as president of South Africa, but as leader of one of the political parties that were participating in the elections to be held on 27 April. Because we were so excited that Madiba was present, it was not easy to take this decision. With this stance, the synod indicated that churches should impact on political life, but that they should not advantage specific political parties. Two weeks before the birth of democracy, the new church offered clear guidelines for the prophetic presence of churches in a democracy.
