Prayer

God of life-giving mission

Your Son Jesus Christ calls us to you and to your mission of peace and justice: May your Spirit move all leaders and people of this Diocese to fulfil your mission in our lifetime; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
Amen

The Bishop of Natal

The Right Revd Dr H.C.N. Ndwandwe

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

vision

Vision

To be Christ-centred and moved by the Holy Spirit to fulfil God's life giving mission in our time.

Mission

Seek to build a strong, spiritually growing leadership and Community, founded upon and committed to Christ's mission of justice and peace.

Transformation & Renewal

Seeking renewal and transformation as Anglicans, together with the wider church.

Welcome

Welcoming all, especially the lost and outcast.

Liturgy & Worship

Exploring our different expressions of joyful and glorious worship.

Evangelism

Leading people of all ages to a personal encounter with the crucified, risen and ascended Lord.

Vision & Mission

Objectives and Implementation Strategy
  • Action plan at Diocesan and archdeaconry level
  • Action plan for Parishes
  • Action plan for Guild leaders
  • The leadership needed for this mission and vision

Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you today as we begin the Season of Lent. Last year's palm crosses have been burned and destroyed by fire. Only ashes remain. "Leave the past in ashes", our liturgy tells us. But this is a hard thing for us to do. It is so much easier to cling to the past. We hold on to past hurts, we relive old memories, we dwell on unforgiven sins.

We cling to grudges. And we begin to feel hopeless. Because we are a Church steeped in tradition, we can easily fall into the trap of constantly looking backwards. But Ash Wednesday urges us again, "Return to the Lord with all your heart; leave the past in ashes and turn to God with tears and fasting, for he is slow to anger and ready to forgive."