Diocese of Iowa Companions: Reflections from Swaziland, 17 September 2016

This evening as I sat in the lobby of the Thokoza Center enjoying a stronger wifi connection than usual, the various messages from Diocesan staff in Iowa came zipping through, including one that said “By now probably Synod has begun”. It was sent on Wednesday, and yes Synod was beginning. Yet by now Synod has completed its business, as of yesterday, and of course it is Saturday!

I have in fact just returned from Bishop Mabuza’s 70^th birthday celebration Eucharist at St Michael’s High School auditorium where I preached as Bishop Ellinah presided. And where else would you find a lounge chair being processed down the aisle to praise music and dancing, as the Eucharist proper ended and the gift sharing to the Mabuzas began? I have video, which will have to wait for a stronger broadband!

Synod is held every three years and sets the tone and direction for the Diocese for that triennium, similar to our own General Convention. The budget is set by Diocesan Council which like our Board of Directors’ relationship to Diocesan Convention, oversees Diocesan affairs in between Synods. There is much significance attached to resolutions as direct vehicles for the implementation of the mission over the next three years.

A look at the resolutions therefore tells you a great deal about the growing nature of the Church, especially when you examine the “motions without notice”. Early prepared motions covered aspects of clergy leave. For example, maternity leave was added to the Canons on Clergy leave, as was a motion to build in study leave – 60 days every three years. The traditional concept of a clergy day off on Mondays was formalized into the canons even noting that while pastoral availability is always 24/7, Jesus rested one day out of seven. Several other prepared resolutions concerned internal applications for ministry organizations to become diocesan agencies or guilds, and issues of supporting youth organizations at Provincial level that delegates to the upcoming Provincial Synod were expected to promote. (At this Synod Provincial delegates were being elected, and one requirement was “that they not be persons who will freeze on the big stage! But will engage the debate boldly”)

Two parochial districts (missions) were upgraded to parish level. A third was upgraded provisionally with the understanding that within three years they would build a house for the Rector. Two resolutions impacted us directly. First, it was also resolved that each parish identify one vestry member who could act as the social development officer at the congregational level to network with the Diocesan Social Development Office. We work in Swaziland chiefly though the Social Development Office. So this is important to us if we move ahead with the allowing of parish to parish links across the tri- Companionship as the three bishops agreed in Dundee during the summer. It would provide us with local contacts through which the links could develop. Second, it was moved that in response to the drought water tanks be bought for every Anglican school in Swaziland. This resolution actually included “our companions” as part of the acting constituents.

The Youth provided the excitement of the day with a resolution urging greater involvement especially by clergy in supporting (and including occasional attendance at youth events at various levels) the efforts of the youth. Unfortunately, the tone of the resolution seemed somewhat aggressive, and was sent to the Synod Committee for “refinement”. In Committee the resolution was removed by the Youth but I think their point had been made.

Among the motions without notice, a planning Committee for the Centennial celebration of St Michael’s High School was decided upon; a project to start a private Boys’ school at Usuthu mission was re-affirmed, and the free will offering on the Day of Pentecost was assigned for the assisting clergy around the congregations. Private schools are created “for profit” and intended to attract students from beyond Swaziland. This one would focus on mathematics and science and be seen as one of the “capacity building” projects of the Diocese in its efforts towards income generating projects and self sustainability.

A series of alterations to “measures and regulations” (our Constitution and Canons) were addressed and deferred to a “Technical Committee” (to be named later) and to be dealt with at the next Diocesan Council. Proceedings ended with a series of motions of thanks including a very moving one to Bishop Ellinah for her “love and care for the clergy of the Diocese” through passing measures during the year that improved salaries and created a medical scheme for clergy. A similar motion of thanks “for their love and care” was moved for the Diocese of Iowa and Brechin along with a reaffirming of their support for our companionship. Other votes of thanks included the Seminary in Grahamstown for emergency support for a Swazi ordinand, various outside agencies (mostly insurance companies) and the Thokoza Center that had partly sponsored the Synod, and to the congregations of Manzini and the Cathedral for assisting the Diocese with extra financial support for a specific and urgent unforseen expense. Even the auditors whom they were changing because “it’s never good to stay with the same ones too long” were thanked for their years of service.

Obviously, we are not privy to the back channels of the Diocese and its working, and yet we can see, I think, through these motions, the sense of being in common mission. People in practice may not be as supportive as it seems, but at least it is not without the effort of the Diocesan system in setting forth expectations of mutual ministry, with the stronger invited to support the weaker, and all invited to work together to address the needy across the nation. All of this is seen as their godly obligation.

The proceedings were wrapped around the early morning Eucharist at 7am. Stacey gave a wonderful sermon on Friday morning, moving the bishop to tears. It was September 16^th – the saint of the day was Ninian, missionary to Scotland and in particular the Picts (in the region of the Diocese of Brechin), and this was the day when in the monthly cycle of prayer, we all pray for “Calvary Church, Sioux City; Stacey Gerhart, priest”. Does God enjoy our companionship? I would say so especially when this kind of alignment occurs.

In the peace and love of Christ,