Anglican Communion News Service

The following account of celebrations to mark the 60th birthday of the Rt Revd Itumeleng Moseki, Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman in the Province of Southern Africa, gives a good idea of the diversity, flexibility and local relevance of Anglican liturgical practice!

The Parish of All Saints, Montshiwa, rolled out the red carpet for the Bishop's birthday bash. On Saturday, 20 May 2000, the celebrations kicked off with a posh event held at the old Embassy in Mafikeng. Guests who turned up for "a Night with the Bishop" were well and truly entertained.

On Sunday, 21 May, the day of the birthday, some 800 plus people crammed the All Saint's Church for the Sung Eucharist. The church was decorated from top to bottom - with balloons, flowers and shrubs of every description in every corner.

Much effort had gone into preparing the building for this splendid occasion. the new ceiling, fans and carpets transformed the edifice. It is indeed a place which enhances "warm" worship.

The service was a glorious celebration for which the stage was beautifully set by the animated welcome of Rre Jake Hlaletwa. Did anyone notice that it lasted four hours? It ended after nearly all of those present had come forward for an individual blessing from the Bishop.

It was so good enjoying the enthusiastic singing and the rhythmic clapping of the hands on occasion. The cherry on the top was the "Sevenfold Amen" at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer. The diversity and richness of Anglican Worship is a priceless treasure.

A touching moment came before the Peace when Archdeacon David Makhanana and his fellow priests prayed a blessing over the Bishop. The congregation was invited to extend their arms towards the Bishop while the priests prayed over him in a "holy huddle". The prayer was immediately followed by very enthusiastic and generous splashing of the Bishop with holy water by the Rector. He then censed the Bishop. The drenched (nearly) Bishop then proceeded to invite the congregation to share the Peace.

Gifts were presented to the Bishop at the end of the service. The representatives of the various organisations came forward to wish the Bishop a very happy birthday. The highlight of this ceremony was the presentation by the Sunday School - a cake with 60 candles! We wondered if the icing would be molten before the Bishop could blow them all out. The youngsters were thrilled that he could do so in one go. Ah! The lungs are still good for that deep breath despite the cloud of incense that hung in the sanctuary.

The success of the celebrations was due mainly to the hard work of the Fathers' Union. There aren't any other parishes in the Diocese that can boast such a illustrious organisation. Maybe other congregations should take up the challenge.

An event like this cannot end without the proverbial feeding of the 5,000 and again no-one was disappointed as the feasting continued after the service. It was good to be part of such a wonderful event. The people of All Saints, Montshiwa - from the smallest to the greatest - have done us all proud.

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