A South African celebration

I had the lovely privilege of sharing with the people of False Bay Diocese in the Farewell Services at the end of August to celebrate and give thanks for the service and ministry of the Rt Revd Margaret Vertue on her retirement after ten years as their Diocesan Bishop. False Bay is a young diocese; Bishop Margaret was the second Diocesan Bishop to serve False Bay and the second female Anglican Bishop to be elected in the Southern African Province.

The Services were held across False Bay Diocese starting on Friday afternoon at Masiphumelele, a township and primarily Xhosa-speaking community, which tourists bypass on the way to Cape Point, in Mountain Bay Archdeaconry (an Archdeaconry in South Africa is comparable to a Deanery in our diocese). Here Bishop Margaret dug the ‘first sod’ for a project close to her heart, a new church building to be dedicated to St Matthew. It had taken a decade to secure the plot and funding and to get through all the complex planning permissions – and construction is now underway.

A memorable and inclusive Thanksgiving service

The formal Service of Thanksgiving was held on Saturday in the largest-capacity Church in False Bay, Die Kruiskerk (a Dutch Reformed Church), within the beautiful surroundings of Stellenbosch University. Supported by the Church Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade, Bishop Margaret marched into the service with evident enjoyment and absolutely in step.

Representatives from every Parish, Diocesan Organisation and every conceivable aspect of Diocesan life and ministry – including the Anglican Women’s Fellowship, the Mothers’ Union, Ecumenical Partners, Young People’s Ministry, Academia and Hope Africa presented gifts and expressed their deep love and appreciation for Bishop Margaret.

All the services were conducted in a beautifully crafted fusion of Xhosa, Afrikaans and English, and a magnificent texture of musical genres was interwoven. The Khayelitsha Cluster Choir sang the Te Deum and Mendelssohn’s ‘Grant us thy Peace‘, classical soloist Danielle Speckman sang the Kyrie Eleison, the Lavender Hill Marimba Band played a lively medley of worship songs, and the Congregation sang traditional hymns. Just four hours later, we spilt out of the church into the sunset.

Sunday services and receptions for a much-loved bishop

Bishop Margaret presided at the Eucharist on Sunday morning at All Saints, Somerset West, which had been dedicated as the Cathedral of False Bay Diocese at Pentecost 2022. The Dean, the Revd Canon Ron Phillips, hosted a Reception at All Saints’ Cathedral Hall in the afternoon, and we all had the opportunity to spend some more informal time with Bp Margaret; dress code intelligent, elegant or traditional attire, but not clerical! On Monday, the Feast Day of St Augustine of Hippo, we travelled to Bredasdorp’s Church of the Holy Spirit, very close to Cape Aguilas, the geographic tip and the southernmost point of Africa. Bishop Margaret recalled that she had undertaken her first Episcopal Funeral here of a young woman who had been kidnapped and tortured and left dying.

She said, “We have been through various seasons together, yet remained resilient and united despite being challenged in some significant areas. Covid was a particularly harsh season that tested our spiritual, physical and mental faculties. Then there were droughts, fires, floods, load-shedding, xenophobic attacks, human trafficking, escalating poverty, crime and violence. By God’s grace we also have many joys and highlights to celebrate. Wrapped in the love of God we continue to show compassion and encircle others in care.”

This final Farewell Eucharist service included the ordination of the Revd Craig Koopman, who was prevented by a devastating stroke from being Priested with his Deacon Cohort in August but is now sufficiently recovered. Bishop Margaret (on behalf of Archbishop Thabo) also licensed the Dean as the Vicar General, responsible for caring for and administering the matters of False Bay Diocese until the appointment of its third Bishop. It was a profoundly poignant and compelling experience to witness Bishop Margaret lay down her Bishop’s staff on the altar. Now, False Bay Diocese has started the process of electing Bishop Margaret’s successor.

The remainder of the week was spent in Mountain Bay Archdeaconry, especially connecting with the Revd Richard Dunsden, the Rector at St Augustine’s, and the York Diocese Link Officer within False Bay Diocese.

A privileged local connection

I was deeply touched to be invited to share in the Farewell services. I first met Bishop Margaret when I was an Ordinand had the opportunity through the Companion Link Relationship to spend some time in False Bay Diocese, particularly in Mountain Bay Archdeaconry. It was a transformational experience and a time of inspirational learning. I took every opportunity possible to spend time in False Bay and continue to learn, and Bishop Margaret always invited me to meet her very generously.

Over the last decade, Kirkdale Benefice has enjoyed a Companion Link Relationship with St Augustine’s Church, Lotus River, and Mountain Bay Archdeaconry. As a Benefice, over a decade, we have been enriched in sharing our worship and fellowship with clergy and lay minister visitors from Mountain Bay. In July 2022, Bishop Margaret stayed for two weeks before the Lambeth Conference in Kirkdale. He joined our worship and fellowship, helping us put up the Parish Tent at the Ryedale Show, attending a Pub Quiz funding raising for Ukraine, and sharing in our Living Christ’s Story.

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