Proposed multiplication of Diocese
of Grahamstown
March 2007: Resolution passed by Grahamstown Diocesan Synod
May 2007: Bishops approve formation of new Diocese
September 2007: Diocesan
Synod
Synod of Bishops April 2008: New Bishop of Grahamstown to take the matter further
Special Diocesan Council, June 2008: time-frame drafted
The boundaries agreed at Synod, September 2007
March 2007: Resolution passed by Grahamstown Diocesan Synod
The Diocesan Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Grahamstown,
meeting in
The new diocese would consist of the northern region of the
present Diocese of Grahamstown, including Sada, Cathcart, Queenstown, Lanti,
Bholothwa, Tarkastad, Lady Frere, Aliwal North, Burgersdorp, Sterkspruit,
Barkly East and their surrounding districts, and the southern part of the
present Free State Diocese including towns such as Philippolis, Springfontein,
May 2007: Bishops approve formation of new Diocese
The Synod of Bishops of the ACSA, meeting in
May, unanimously
agreed to the principle of the multiplication (division) of the Diocese of
Grahamstown into North and South.
They also
agreed:
·
That
the north can be joined permanently to the portion of Free State, pending Free
State’s decision at their Synod in August. This move is not dependent
on whether the Free State Synod approves or disapproves. (A “no” vote
by
·
That
this area be a Diocese and not a Missionary Area, given its resources,
potential and the resources that
·
That
we should review the name Emmanuel. The Bishops asked the diocese to go back to
the drawing board and look at the other names that were proposed, for example
Gariep, Ukhahlamba etc, which refer to the geographical area.
·
That
the following be our reference team on behalf of the Synod of Bishops: Bishops
Martin Breytenbach (St Mark’s), Bethlehem Nopece (
Diocesan Synod agrees on name Ukhahlamba for new diocese, 8 September 2007
On Saturday 8 September the
Anglican Diocese of Grahamstown took the next steps in the process
of "multiplying" into two dioceses, each with its own bishop and
administrative centre, with the aim of bringing ministry closer to the people. Diocesan
Synod, meeting at St Alban's Church East London, passed the necessary
resolutions to pave the way for the creation of the new
diocese of "Ukhahlamba". The process went ahead despite the
fact that the Free State
Diocesan Synod, which met in August, rejected the resolution which would have
seen certain parishes from the southern part of that diocese added to the
Diocese of Ukhahlamba.
Named after the mountain range in the region (part of the Drakensburg), and situated in the northern half of the present Diocese of Grahamstown, the new diocese will include congregations in the districts around Aliwal North, Burgersdorp, Sterkspruit, Barkly East, Dordrecht, Sada, Queenstown, Cathcart, Lady Frere, Lanti, Bholothwa and Tarkastad. The Synod was undertaken in a spirit of prayerfulness, with time given to lively worship together, and Bible study in groups. Delegates from the area which will form the Ukhahlamba Diocese were upbeat, looking forward to the change, which they hope will be completed within a year.
A final report will be tabled at the Synod of
Bishops on 21 – 22 September 2007.
The move to form a new Diocese arises from a
joint initiative of the dioceses of Grahamstown and
Synod of Bishops, April 2008: New
Bishop of Grahamstown to take the matter further
From the minutes:
"Synod received the report of the committee set up after the decision of the previous session and noted the committee’s concerns.
"Synod reaffirmed its decision that the Diocese of Ukhahlamba be formed from the Diocese of Grahamstown and agreed that the timing, funding and other details be entrusted to the incoming Bishop of Grahamstown, who
should bring recommendations on these matters to the Synod of Bishops."
Special Diocesan Council, June 2008: time-frame drafted
On 18 June 2008 a special meeting of Diocesan Council drafted a time-frame. Wednesday 24 September is to be a Family Day for the entire diocese, combined with the diocesan launch of Growing the Church, and the liturgical celebration of the formation of the two new dioceses of Ukhahlamba and Grahamstown. Diocesan Council elected a task team to plan this event.
Two more imbizos will be held towards the end of October 2008: one in the North and (for the first time) one in the South.
Click here to see the draft time frame
Return to
Diocese of Grahamstown front page