At present I am back in Kimberly having just attended a farewell Eucharist in the Cathedral for the Dean who is visiting the UK for his sabbatical. For the first few days here there was a visit to the Archdeaconery of Kuruman where during the Saturday morning I was present at the Archdeaconery Meeting of Clergy and Laity where Bishop Ossie gave a brief outline of his stay at the Lambeth Conference during which I was invited to make comments!!!
In the afternoon the first of three Confirmations took place this being on the Saturday afternoon at St Peter with 42 Candidates. On the following day, Sunday, two services of Confirmation: the first at St Michael's and All Angels with 40 Candidates and the second at St Wilfred's with 80 Candidates. At each of these services I was given space to extend Greetings from All Saints in the following manner "Joy and Peace from Fr Jonathan and the Congregation of All Saints St Andrews, Scotland."
I then travelled down to Cape Town with Ossie and Yasmine his wife and his mother Omi, staying overnight, and then the following day travelled to Cerres with Ossie's sister Ginnie, who is a Curate within the parish of Cerres and who has responsibility of St John's Worsely.
Today, Saturday, have been to Potchefstroom for a wedding - not mine!!! Three bishops present!!! Now back in Kimberly, just in time to be present at a farewell service at the Cathedral for the Dean who is spending a large part of his Sabbatical in the UK . Tomorrow I am in the Archdeaconary of Taung for two more Confirmations at Holy Cross Church, Pudinoe and St Mary's, Matalong.
It has been a Joy to meet up with folk who I have not seen since 1993. I have been very conscious of your love and prayers during these early days here and for this I am most grateful. Please rest assured of love and prayers from this part of South Africa and wheresoever our travels takes us.
Greetings to all,
Charles
And here, from a second email, Charles brings us further up to date with his doings:
Last Thursday evening I was invited to preach within the Eucharist, sharing for about fifteen to twenty minutes on intercessory prayer. Yesterday - Sunday - I was at St Peter's Church here in Kimberly where I was invited to participate - and extend warm greetings from All Saints. The Churchwarden responded in sending you all their gratitude, love and prayers - and also the assurance of their prayers.
Next weekend 26/28 Sept - the Diocesan Parish Weekend will take place at Pudimoe a parish within the Archdeaconry of Taung - should be quite an event!!!! The following week from 29th Sept - 4th Oct the Clergy School takes place at the Moffat Mission which is within the Kuruman Archdeaconry - I understand that this School is run by the Oxford Diocese - and also funded by them - I am looking forward to this event.
Thank you all so much for your love and prayers - which have been almost tangible. It has - and is both a joy and privilege to be alongside Ossie both as bishop and friend - to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of both his and Yasmine's home for the most part of this stay.
Please do extend my gratitude, love and prayers to everyone at All Saints.
The sea is a long, long way away!!!!
Love and Prayers,
Charles
(Editor's note: Bishop Ossie added a PS to this last email.
Charles is trying very hard to behave himself and we are enjoying having him around. We are also keeping him very busy and he has adopted our Chow -still a puppy - and they are getting on very well. She will probably pine when he returns to the UK.)