News of the Southern African Region
List of Articles
- • Perspectives - a review - April 2018
- • Confirmations around the Region - April 2018
- • New Sending for Rev. Peter Holman - April 2018
- • Guest Priest in Johannesburg and Cape Town - December 2017
- • The Sacrament of Ordination to a Priest - September 2017
- • North meets South - Youth from Vienna undertake a project in the Eastern Cape - July 2017
- • REGIONAL COUNCIL and Priest Synod in Windhoek June 2016
- • Letter from the Lenker informing of changes planned for 2016
- • Remembering Dr. Helene de Villiers
- • Review of THE GRAIL STONE IN AFRICA by Helene de Villiers
- • Letter from the Lenker preparing the congregations for changes in the form of the sacraments
- • Wellspring Uncapped - Welcome Light from the Future - 50th Anniversary Conference
- • Regional Synod in Windhoek - October 2014
- • Regional Synod in Cape Town - March 2014
- • Regional Council Meeting - August 2013
- • Student Conference, Hogsback - April 2013
- • Hermanus October 2012 by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
- • Priest's Synod in Johannesburg in May 2012
- • Confirmees 2012
Perspectives - a review of the March-May 2018 edition
by John-Peter Gernaat
The latest edition (March - May 2018) of The Christian Community Perspectives is available. In it Rev. Peter Holman reminds us of the history of this publication, in its various guises, that has been published for the international English-speaking world almost as long as the Act of Consecration has been celebrated in English. Peter is passing on the baton of collating and printing the Southern African edition to Sharon Cox. Peter also bids farewell to the Southern African Region with a biographical article on his 21 years of work here, starting at Alpha in the Western Cape and finishing in Alverstone, near Hillcrest KZN. He recounts several interesting events and episodes from his life here in South Africa.
The recent Priest Synod in Cape Town is also described by Peter Holman and the discussions that the Synod held around water is pre-empted by a summary of an article of the presentation Rev. Richard Goodall gave. In it he tells us how the Khoi San people revered water and because it is the source of life also revered all living things. Our scientific view of water as H2O closes our eyes to much of the reality that is water. Richard describes some of the recent research that has been conducted to awaken our perspective on water and how we affect our bodies that are 70% and more water by our actions, thoughts and intentions. So also our actions, thoughts and intentions spill out of our body, in our water, into the water of the world and impacts even the weather we experience. The imbalance we see in the climate is a “direct reflection of the imbalance that exists in the human soul today”.
This edition of Perspectives bears the title: “What is truth?” – the important question posed by Pontius Pilate. We are reminded by Rev. Mathijs van Alstein, priest in the community in Zeist, Netherlands, that Dr Rudolf Steiner said: “The truth is not a fixed system of concepts that can manifest itself in one way only, but a living ocean in which the spirit of man lives, that can bring forth waves of the most different kind at its surface.” Mathijs continues to explore truth as something that is known to our spiritual nature, that part of us that is hidden from the world in our life on earth. We know truth before birth but, as described by the Ancient Greeks, as we cross the River Lethe into birth we forget everything we knew before birth. The way to rediscover the truth is to cross back over the Lethe into full knowledge (before we cross the River Styx at the end of life back into the knowledge of the spiritual worlds). He presents a very compelling article that takes us with Jonah into the belly of the whale and reveals the mystery of the altar and the repetition of coming to the altar.
Rev. Tom Ravetz reminds us how difficult it is to find the truth in this century of “fake news”. Believing that there is one objective truth leads to an elitism that can result in war and even ignorance. Seeking the truth leads to a “multiplicity of portals that lead to an ever greater fullness of understanding”.
Rev. Luke Barr, priest in the community in Aberdeen, Scotland, tells us that truth is related to our freedom, as told to Adam and Eve, that we shall be “like God, knowing Good and Evil”. As such finding truth is a personal task. But truth is not a personal opinion. Truth will become clear as we work to become transparent. In this we have the aid of the “Spirit of Truth”, another name of the Holy Spirit.
Jane Chase, counsellor in Stroud, England, shares how counselling can help us reconnect with parts of ourself that we push aside as a result of trauma or circumstance. The more integrated we are the more creatively we can live our lives. Finding what is true for us helps us accept what other people find as being true for them.
Rev. Douglas Thackray, priest emeritus, shares how the words of Jesus to his disciples in the days before Easter, that he would not be leaving them destitute but was sending them the “Comforter”, can be experienced for us in our life’s tribulations through the Sacramental Consultation and the Act of Consecration of Man.
Rev. J Michael Brewer, priest in the community In Detroit, reminds us that on the evening before Jesus is brought before Pilot he says: “I am the way and the truth and life”. So we may see truth as something for which we can strive, rather than something we can claim to possess.
In this edition of Perspectives we find out about the Founding of The Christian Community in Romania and among the letters and reviews read a review of the book by Karl König, “Plays for the Festivals of the Year”. Consider subscribing to Perspectives to avoid missing out on the valuable articles or look to buy a copy at the church. Back issues can also be downloaded for a small donation at (The link is also on our links page).
The latest edition (March - May 2018) of The Christian Community Perspectives is available. In it Rev. Peter Holman reminds us of the history of this publication, in its various guises, that has been published for the international English-speaking world almost as long as the Act of Consecration has been celebrated in English. Peter is passing on the baton of collating and printing the Southern African edition to Sharon Cox. Peter also bids farewell to the Southern African Region with a biographical article on his 21 years of work here, starting at Alpha in the Western Cape and finishing in Alverstone, near Hillcrest KZN. He recounts several interesting events and episodes from his life here in South Africa.
The recent Priest Synod in Cape Town is also described by Peter Holman and the discussions that the Synod held around water is pre-empted by a summary of an article of the presentation Rev. Richard Goodall gave. In it he tells us how the Khoi San people revered water and because it is the source of life also revered all living things. Our scientific view of water as H2O closes our eyes to much of the reality that is water. Richard describes some of the recent research that has been conducted to awaken our perspective on water and how we affect our bodies that are 70% and more water by our actions, thoughts and intentions. So also our actions, thoughts and intentions spill out of our body, in our water, into the water of the world and impacts even the weather we experience. The imbalance we see in the climate is a “direct reflection of the imbalance that exists in the human soul today”.
This edition of Perspectives bears the title: “What is truth?” – the important question posed by Pontius Pilate. We are reminded by Rev. Mathijs van Alstein, priest in the community in Zeist, Netherlands, that Dr Rudolf Steiner said: “The truth is not a fixed system of concepts that can manifest itself in one way only, but a living ocean in which the spirit of man lives, that can bring forth waves of the most different kind at its surface.” Mathijs continues to explore truth as something that is known to our spiritual nature, that part of us that is hidden from the world in our life on earth. We know truth before birth but, as described by the Ancient Greeks, as we cross the River Lethe into birth we forget everything we knew before birth. The way to rediscover the truth is to cross back over the Lethe into full knowledge (before we cross the River Styx at the end of life back into the knowledge of the spiritual worlds). He presents a very compelling article that takes us with Jonah into the belly of the whale and reveals the mystery of the altar and the repetition of coming to the altar.
Rev. Tom Ravetz reminds us how difficult it is to find the truth in this century of “fake news”. Believing that there is one objective truth leads to an elitism that can result in war and even ignorance. Seeking the truth leads to a “multiplicity of portals that lead to an ever greater fullness of understanding”.
Rev. Luke Barr, priest in the community in Aberdeen, Scotland, tells us that truth is related to our freedom, as told to Adam and Eve, that we shall be “like God, knowing Good and Evil”. As such finding truth is a personal task. But truth is not a personal opinion. Truth will become clear as we work to become transparent. In this we have the aid of the “Spirit of Truth”, another name of the Holy Spirit.
Jane Chase, counsellor in Stroud, England, shares how counselling can help us reconnect with parts of ourself that we push aside as a result of trauma or circumstance. The more integrated we are the more creatively we can live our lives. Finding what is true for us helps us accept what other people find as being true for them.
Rev. Douglas Thackray, priest emeritus, shares how the words of Jesus to his disciples in the days before Easter, that he would not be leaving them destitute but was sending them the “Comforter”, can be experienced for us in our life’s tribulations through the Sacramental Consultation and the Act of Consecration of Man.
Rev. J Michael Brewer, priest in the community In Detroit, reminds us that on the evening before Jesus is brought before Pilot he says: “I am the way and the truth and life”. So we may see truth as something for which we can strive, rather than something we can claim to possess.
In this edition of Perspectives we find out about the Founding of The Christian Community in Romania and among the letters and reviews read a review of the book by Karl König, “Plays for the Festivals of the Year”. Consider subscribing to Perspectives to avoid missing out on the valuable articles or look to buy a copy at the church. Back issues can also be downloaded for a small donation at (The link is also on our links page).
Confirmations around the Region
The Sacrament of Confirmation
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
The biographical ages of a human being have an inner connection to the Christian festivals. The Festivals themselves are the expression of specific events and deeds in the life of Jesus Christ. These can be actualised among us even today. The archetype of our humanity took on form and individuality in Jesus Christ and can therefore give us a guiding image for our individual biography.
The Child in the crib at Christmas, beginning its life as every human being between angel and animal, ‘over-shone’ by a heavenly glow, speaks to every birth. The child then embarks on its way to 'be, grow and become’ under the guidance of dear people in its life, who are mediators of the higher moral values, to follow like a shining star. As the child comes into its fourteenth year, the experience of leaving childhood behind, of a kind of loss of paradise, can find a resonance within Passion-tide. Now the own actual journey on earth begins with questions, searching, doubt, loneliness, sadness, deep longing for independence and knowledge, for acceptance and understanding and with the goal to experience and grasp oneself as the unique ‘I’.
“Confirmare” is a Latin word and means: to secure, to strengthen, to acknowledge, to make firm; to encourage spiritually, to secure firmly in faithfulness.
The Sacrament for the transition from childhood to youth indicates already by its name ‘Confirmation’, that its focus is to strengthen, make firm, acknowledge, enliven and renew something which is already in the child and wants to be nourished to live and grow, so that the child finds the power to become what it has set itself as a life goal from before birth.
It is of utmost importance for the youth to experience the positive support and encouragement of the Community at this moment. It is with and through the Community present that the Christ-Blessing is able to be gifted to the confirmands. Your presence at this very special sacrament is highly appreciated.
The biographical ages of a human being have an inner connection to the Christian festivals. The Festivals themselves are the expression of specific events and deeds in the life of Jesus Christ. These can be actualised among us even today. The archetype of our humanity took on form and individuality in Jesus Christ and can therefore give us a guiding image for our individual biography.
The Child in the crib at Christmas, beginning its life as every human being between angel and animal, ‘over-shone’ by a heavenly glow, speaks to every birth. The child then embarks on its way to 'be, grow and become’ under the guidance of dear people in its life, who are mediators of the higher moral values, to follow like a shining star. As the child comes into its fourteenth year, the experience of leaving childhood behind, of a kind of loss of paradise, can find a resonance within Passion-tide. Now the own actual journey on earth begins with questions, searching, doubt, loneliness, sadness, deep longing for independence and knowledge, for acceptance and understanding and with the goal to experience and grasp oneself as the unique ‘I’.
“Confirmare” is a Latin word and means: to secure, to strengthen, to acknowledge, to make firm; to encourage spiritually, to secure firmly in faithfulness.
The Sacrament for the transition from childhood to youth indicates already by its name ‘Confirmation’, that its focus is to strengthen, make firm, acknowledge, enliven and renew something which is already in the child and wants to be nourished to live and grow, so that the child finds the power to become what it has set itself as a life goal from before birth.
It is of utmost importance for the youth to experience the positive support and encouragement of the Community at this moment. It is with and through the Community present that the Christ-Blessing is able to be gifted to the confirmands. Your presence at this very special sacrament is highly appreciated.
Johannesburg - 2nd April 2018
The confirmands and Rev, Reingard Knausenberger (Lenker): from lt to rt Tayla Cox, Virginia-Rose Raulo, Aleksandra Spencer, Tamsin Schrimpton, Kiera Amerseder, Nicola Glaffig
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Hillcrest, KZN - 5th April 2018
From lt to rt: Rev. Peter Holman, Olivia (Lilli) Christensen, Gary Dunsdon and Rev. Reingard Knausenberger (Lenker)
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Cape Town - 15th April 2018
From lt to rt: Rev. Richard Goodall, the confirmands: Gabriel Karp, Lotus Venter, Sebastian Johnson, Maya Hermanus, Sofia Blöchliger, Lotta Grimmelikhuizen, Olivia Fuller, Hannah Laubscher, Anais Zander and Bjorn Grimmelikhuizen, and Rev. Reingard Knausenberger (Lenker)
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New Sending for Rev. Peter Holman
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Guest Priest in Johannesburg and Cape Town
On 3rd November 2017 Rev. Paul Corman will arrive in Johannesburg to give support during the month of November and beginning December. Once the summer Children’s Camps begin, when schools close, Paul will go to Cape Town to support Richard Goodall while Michaël Merle will be in Johannesburg together with Reingard. His short autobiography gives an impression of his background and the community he has been working in for many years.
Paul (Pablo) Corman was born 1946 in Dallas, Texas, but left at the earliest opportunity to study at Antioch College, a work-study university. He had co-op jobs in an orphanage, a record store in Washington, DC, a time in the Colombian jungle as a tour guide and a secretary for the US consular agent in Leticia. He did a year at Hebrew University in Jerusalem which coincided with the 6 Day War in 1968. He then studied at NYU School of the Arts for a master’s degree in Dance Theatre and worked in various modern dance companies and on Broadway, off, off-off, even off-off-off Broadway for 12 years as an actor and dancer before going to the Seminary in Stuttgart, 1982. After ordination 1986 he was a priest in the Pforzheim congregation and since 1989, in The Christian Community in Lima, Peru. He has helped found or encourage other Communities in Cali, Colombia and Santiago de Chile, in Spain and the Philippines. He has also enjoyed substituting in English speaking communities in the US, Australia, New Zealand and England. Now for the first time he will fulfill a long-time wish to visit South Africa and learn from the Communities there, getting to know its members and friends, new customs and traditions. He lives with his husband, Alfredo Baez and their 4 dogs and 5 cats, but since Fredy has a veterinary business in Lima the house is often host to other four-footed friends in need of a temporary home. For Epiphany Fredy will join Paul (Pablo) and both look forward to seeing as much of South Africa as they can in the last 10 days of his stay. Since last April, Paul (Pablo) is “retired” from official duties in Lima, but when there, helps out, of course, in the Lima community.
Paul (Pablo) Corman was born 1946 in Dallas, Texas, but left at the earliest opportunity to study at Antioch College, a work-study university. He had co-op jobs in an orphanage, a record store in Washington, DC, a time in the Colombian jungle as a tour guide and a secretary for the US consular agent in Leticia. He did a year at Hebrew University in Jerusalem which coincided with the 6 Day War in 1968. He then studied at NYU School of the Arts for a master’s degree in Dance Theatre and worked in various modern dance companies and on Broadway, off, off-off, even off-off-off Broadway for 12 years as an actor and dancer before going to the Seminary in Stuttgart, 1982. After ordination 1986 he was a priest in the Pforzheim congregation and since 1989, in The Christian Community in Lima, Peru. He has helped found or encourage other Communities in Cali, Colombia and Santiago de Chile, in Spain and the Philippines. He has also enjoyed substituting in English speaking communities in the US, Australia, New Zealand and England. Now for the first time he will fulfill a long-time wish to visit South Africa and learn from the Communities there, getting to know its members and friends, new customs and traditions. He lives with his husband, Alfredo Baez and their 4 dogs and 5 cats, but since Fredy has a veterinary business in Lima the house is often host to other four-footed friends in need of a temporary home. For Epiphany Fredy will join Paul (Pablo) and both look forward to seeing as much of South Africa as they can in the last 10 days of his stay. Since last April, Paul (Pablo) is “retired” from official duties in Lima, but when there, helps out, of course, in the Lima community.
The Sacrament of Ordination to a Priest
The weekend of 22nd September to 25th September saw the first Ordination in South Africa happening in Johannesburg.
(Picture: Nietta Sombart)
"Christ is the Morning Star, who,
when the night of this world is past,
gives to his saints the promise
of the light of life,
and opens everlasting day."
(Meditation on Apocalypse 2:28 by Venerable Bede)
The theme for the weekend was
Angel, Priest and Congregation at the Altar of the Christ
when the night of this world is past,
gives to his saints the promise
of the light of life,
and opens everlasting day."
(Meditation on Apocalypse 2:28 by Venerable Bede)
The theme for the weekend was
Angel, Priest and Congregation at the Altar of the Christ
The Sacrament of Ordination to a Priest
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger (written in preparation of the event)
On Sunday, 24th September, our community will be hosting this first celebration of the Priest Ordination in South Africa. The weekend from the evening of Friday, 22nd September to midday on Monday, 25th September will be a very festive one, where we will be seeing guests coming from the whole Southern African Region and Europe. It will be a rare opportunity to experience this sacrament, which is intricately interwoven with the Act of Consecration of Man. Reverend Vicke von Behr, our Erzoberlenker, will come to celebrate this sacrament.
Every ordination is in itself a kind of birth, both in the life of the one who is ordained and in that of the whole Community. The Christian Community's building stones are the hearts of those men and women who have found faith in the Deed on Golgotha as it works into life on earth and in Christ as a cosmic reality. Each time that another one makes the weighty decision to give his life to work as priest, Christian Community comes on to earth a little further. This is true in a general sense, but in a particular sense, too, it is a festival of hope and promise as it touches the heart of our human purpose.
To come to stand at the altar as an ordinand, a journey of intense preparation goes before. The story of Michaël Merle’s life is that of a preparation begun long before he himself could be aware of it already as a boy. He did not know why as a young man he had to go to a theological seminary and then after some years, finding his seeking not fulfilled, turn to other work. In the last twelve years the seed which was planted then, began to germinate with the encounter of the Act of Consecration of Man. May it grow like the grain of mustard seed into a goodly tree. This ordination leads us to Michaelmas and puts the symbol of hope over the whole work of our Christian Community and can strengthen our conscious resolve to serve Christ, individually and together.
On Sunday, 24th September, our community will be hosting this first celebration of the Priest Ordination in South Africa. The weekend from the evening of Friday, 22nd September to midday on Monday, 25th September will be a very festive one, where we will be seeing guests coming from the whole Southern African Region and Europe. It will be a rare opportunity to experience this sacrament, which is intricately interwoven with the Act of Consecration of Man. Reverend Vicke von Behr, our Erzoberlenker, will come to celebrate this sacrament.
Every ordination is in itself a kind of birth, both in the life of the one who is ordained and in that of the whole Community. The Christian Community's building stones are the hearts of those men and women who have found faith in the Deed on Golgotha as it works into life on earth and in Christ as a cosmic reality. Each time that another one makes the weighty decision to give his life to work as priest, Christian Community comes on to earth a little further. This is true in a general sense, but in a particular sense, too, it is a festival of hope and promise as it touches the heart of our human purpose.
To come to stand at the altar as an ordinand, a journey of intense preparation goes before. The story of Michaël Merle’s life is that of a preparation begun long before he himself could be aware of it already as a boy. He did not know why as a young man he had to go to a theological seminary and then after some years, finding his seeking not fulfilled, turn to other work. In the last twelve years the seed which was planted then, began to germinate with the encounter of the Act of Consecration of Man. May it grow like the grain of mustard seed into a goodly tree. This ordination leads us to Michaelmas and puts the symbol of hope over the whole work of our Christian Community and can strengthen our conscious resolve to serve Christ, individually and together.
Photos of the weekend
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Note: these photos are in high resolution, so do not open using mobile data on a mobile device.
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North meets South
by Louisa Feiter
There is hammering and scraping, the sound of a spade hitting the dry ground, the soft swish of paint against the wall, the muffle of voices and laughter every now and then. This is not just another day at Noluthando Day Care Centre, but a week that stands out for all of us – for the Christian Community youth group, for Richard, the caretaker, for the teachers, Nozuko and Phumza, and for Samara Foundation.
Samara, who has been working with Noluthando for some time already, had invited the visiting youth group from Vienna to stay at the kindergarten for a week to renovate the old farmhouse and get to know the surrounding community. This included the local Chief – Chieftainess Tyali – who welcomed us when we all arrived at Noluthando.
Samara, who has been working with Noluthando for some time already, had invited the visiting youth group from Vienna to stay at the kindergarten for a week to renovate the old farmhouse and get to know the surrounding community. This included the local Chief – Chieftainess Tyali – who welcomed us when we all arrived at Noluthando.
It was a busy and exciting week with the youth group tackling anything from digging trenches for the toilet plumbing, knocking out window spaces, replacing window panes, scraping down walls and fixing cracks to the repainting of rooms and repairing and redecorating of swings and a playground space. Those with deft hands also crocheted woollen balls for the kindergarten children to play with and before long curious bystanders were learning to crochet too.
There was also a community day with the children and families of the kindergarten where Nozuko and Phumza, with help from other local women, undertook to cook a traditional meal for everyone – quite a feat which had them up at 7am in the morning, getting the dough ready for the roosterkoeke and soaking the samp for the traditional samp and beans mixture.
There was also a community day with the children and families of the kindergarten where Nozuko and Phumza, with help from other local women, undertook to cook a traditional meal for everyone – quite a feat which had them up at 7am in the morning, getting the dough ready for the roosterkoeke and soaking the samp for the traditional samp and beans mixture.
It became quite the festive occasion with a local dancing troupe providing entertainment and an impromptu exchange of singing as the Austrian youth group and a choir Phumza and Nozuko were part of, shared traditional songs.
In between there were games with the newly crocheted balls and much playing on the fixed and newly painted swings. And once again the crocheting became a big hit as the community grandmothers all wanted to learn how to make the crocheted balls.
The Haus of Musik in Vienna had also donated and sent some harmonicas and Jew’s harps with the youth group for the children which were handed over on the community day. Before long a cacophony of sound could be heard as everyone wanted to try out the instruments.
In between there were games with the newly crocheted balls and much playing on the fixed and newly painted swings. And once again the crocheting became a big hit as the community grandmothers all wanted to learn how to make the crocheted balls.
The Haus of Musik in Vienna had also donated and sent some harmonicas and Jew’s harps with the youth group for the children which were handed over on the community day. Before long a cacophony of sound could be heard as everyone wanted to try out the instruments.
Noluthando is one of six kindergartens that is supported in the Eastern Cape through funding from the Umckaloabo Foundation in Germany, whose focus is to enable children and youth in Southern Africa. Samara Foundation is one of their partners in South Africa and is working with the kindergartens to create safe and nurturing spaces for the children to thrive and grow.
Part of this work includes bringing new energy and points of connection to the kindergartens and surrounding community – something that certainly happened during this meeting of North and South. The youth group and their hard work at Noluthando not only made a mark on the kindergarten building but left behind many special memories and impressions in the hearts of us all at Samara, at Noluthando and in the community – and we hope they felt the same.
Part of this work includes bringing new energy and points of connection to the kindergartens and surrounding community – something that certainly happened during this meeting of North and South. The youth group and their hard work at Noluthando not only made a mark on the kindergarten building but left behind many special memories and impressions in the hearts of us all at Samara, at Noluthando and in the community – and we hope they felt the same.
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For more information on Samara Foundation and its work in the Eastern Cape, contact Louisa Feiter on louisa.feiter@gmail.com.
REGIONAL COUNCIL and Priest Synod in Windhoek
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
The Regional Council met in Windhoek this year, using the long weekend of the 16th June to justify the long trip and gain more time to work through our agenda. There was also time for a stroll around the Green Market on Saturday morning on the church premises, have a look at the centre of town and spend the afternoon on the farm Krumhuk. After a session of work we headed out into the bush for a walk in the golden setting sun among the springbok, ending with a simple supper around the campfire. We held the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Regional Council PBO. The treasurers of all our centres had enough time to listen to each other’s approach to the finances and find a way to coordinate the reporting, which will make it easier to compare figures. This was the first year that the Region has consolidated all the regional finances in new bank accounts and no congregation any longer holds any regional monies in their accounts. Leigh Sax, from the Cape, has held the threads together for the past 16 years from the first meetings when it was called ‘Finance Focus’ to now, where we are a legal body able to manage regional affairs well beyond finances. He has handed the baton of chairperson over to Glenda Tuckell from KZN.
Each evening and on Sunday morning, community members of Windhoek joined us to work on the theme: “Building Sustainable Community”. Inspired by the way the different sacraments describe and require community, we first worked from the background of the baptism, then “Building Social Community” inspired by the confirmation, the consultation and Act of Consecration, and finally “Sharing Life in Community” was inspired by the sacrament of marriage. We closed these lively evenings on Sunday morning after the service in the plenum with “Building Christian Community”.
One of the main purposes of the Council is to lend an ear to what is happening in the different communities: what are the concerns, the joys, the projects. It is good to have other ears and eyes and minds present to witness and think. The Council members are representatives of the community that sends them and each community should appoint a person to be such a representative for them.
Two topics from the many discussions can be shared: firstly the disappointment that Rev. Marcel Frank will not be coming to South Africa. The visa process has been underway for more than 9 months and after three attempts his papers have still not been accepted at the South African embassy. We will have to work at another route to get priests into the country, possibly by first getting a blanket waiver approved by Home Affairs for The Christian Community church. His coming would have freed up Reingard to support Cape Town and Windhoek a little more. A new discussion needs to occur to nonetheless facilitate this. An idea is to investigate whether Kine Voigts can go to Cape Town for 3 months and we find a priest who can step into the Windhoek community for that period.
Next year it is our turn to host the Regional Council and synod in Johannesburg from 27th February – 3rd March. The local community is always invited to participate in the evening sessions and Sunday mornings.
The Regional Council met in Windhoek this year, using the long weekend of the 16th June to justify the long trip and gain more time to work through our agenda. There was also time for a stroll around the Green Market on Saturday morning on the church premises, have a look at the centre of town and spend the afternoon on the farm Krumhuk. After a session of work we headed out into the bush for a walk in the golden setting sun among the springbok, ending with a simple supper around the campfire. We held the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Regional Council PBO. The treasurers of all our centres had enough time to listen to each other’s approach to the finances and find a way to coordinate the reporting, which will make it easier to compare figures. This was the first year that the Region has consolidated all the regional finances in new bank accounts and no congregation any longer holds any regional monies in their accounts. Leigh Sax, from the Cape, has held the threads together for the past 16 years from the first meetings when it was called ‘Finance Focus’ to now, where we are a legal body able to manage regional affairs well beyond finances. He has handed the baton of chairperson over to Glenda Tuckell from KZN.
Each evening and on Sunday morning, community members of Windhoek joined us to work on the theme: “Building Sustainable Community”. Inspired by the way the different sacraments describe and require community, we first worked from the background of the baptism, then “Building Social Community” inspired by the confirmation, the consultation and Act of Consecration, and finally “Sharing Life in Community” was inspired by the sacrament of marriage. We closed these lively evenings on Sunday morning after the service in the plenum with “Building Christian Community”.
One of the main purposes of the Council is to lend an ear to what is happening in the different communities: what are the concerns, the joys, the projects. It is good to have other ears and eyes and minds present to witness and think. The Council members are representatives of the community that sends them and each community should appoint a person to be such a representative for them.
Two topics from the many discussions can be shared: firstly the disappointment that Rev. Marcel Frank will not be coming to South Africa. The visa process has been underway for more than 9 months and after three attempts his papers have still not been accepted at the South African embassy. We will have to work at another route to get priests into the country, possibly by first getting a blanket waiver approved by Home Affairs for The Christian Community church. His coming would have freed up Reingard to support Cape Town and Windhoek a little more. A new discussion needs to occur to nonetheless facilitate this. An idea is to investigate whether Kine Voigts can go to Cape Town for 3 months and we find a priest who can step into the Windhoek community for that period.
Next year it is our turn to host the Regional Council and synod in Johannesburg from 27th February – 3rd March. The local community is always invited to participate in the evening sessions and Sunday mornings.
From left to right Glenda Tuckell, Peter Holman and Richard Goodall relaxing at Krumhuk Farm outside Windhoek.
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Letter from the Lenker, Rev. Reingard Knausenberger, informing of changes in 2016
by Marilize King, Cape Town
Helene was well-known for her artistry with words. She had an insatiable interest in their origins, proper meanings and the endless vistas they unfold and the opportunities they afford to people to express themselves in all moods and under all circumstances. Words for her were living beings, and had to be treated with respect and awareness to ensure that they go forth into the world for the purpose for which they were intended: to uplift, to build, to bring great joy, to express love, to share grief. She played with words as children play with their favourite toys, receiving much joy in the process.
For her, words danced like sunbeams on water, always moving, reaching out to people and into the ethers. With words we can reach others, words are the foundation of our culture, of who we are. They help us to establish ourselves in the world, even to survive. They connect us to Spirit: we worship and pray, sing and applaud. We whisper comfort to others.
She had a particular interest in John 1, studying about the Logos until the end of her life. One can say that she went to the beginning to discover the true Word of different backgrounds and cultures and made contact to them through the word, which was not only a technical tool but also the medium of sharing feelings and the common denominator of understanding between people. Through other peoples' poetry and stories she raised awareness of inter-connectedness. As Professor Mouton said at her memorial service in Stellenbosch: Helene's life task was to bring the spiritual and earthy together and she chose to do it through the word.
Helene was well-known for her artistry with words. She had an insatiable interest in their origins, proper meanings and the endless vistas they unfold and the opportunities they afford to people to express themselves in all moods and under all circumstances. Words for her were living beings, and had to be treated with respect and awareness to ensure that they go forth into the world for the purpose for which they were intended: to uplift, to build, to bring great joy, to express love, to share grief. She played with words as children play with their favourite toys, receiving much joy in the process.
For her, words danced like sunbeams on water, always moving, reaching out to people and into the ethers. With words we can reach others, words are the foundation of our culture, of who we are. They help us to establish ourselves in the world, even to survive. They connect us to Spirit: we worship and pray, sing and applaud. We whisper comfort to others.
She had a particular interest in John 1, studying about the Logos until the end of her life. One can say that she went to the beginning to discover the true Word of different backgrounds and cultures and made contact to them through the word, which was not only a technical tool but also the medium of sharing feelings and the common denominator of understanding between people. Through other peoples' poetry and stories she raised awareness of inter-connectedness. As Professor Mouton said at her memorial service in Stellenbosch: Helene's life task was to bring the spiritual and earthy together and she chose to do it through the word.
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Helene spoke fluent isiXhosa, Afrikaans, English, German and French. She studied anthropology and English and translated between these languages, particularly into Afrikaans to make anthroposophical content, mantras and esoteric texts accessible. She was an active part of The Christian Community, Anthroposophical Society and Waldorf Movements wherever she lived. She resided in Johannesburg during the 1980's and '90's.
by Jane Abrahams
The Grail Stone in Africa and the Search for Prester John by Helene de Villiers, is subtitled 'South Africa's past and future seen in a different light.' It is beautifully conceived and put together, and very well illustrated. Through it all, like a golden thread, runs a strong plea for the spiritual redemption of this dark continent of ours, so rich in potential, so riven by fear and violence. Helene de Villiers takes as her central theme the premise that the Grail found its final home in Africa, its last Keeper being the first of the long line of Ethiopian kings known as Prester John who was thought to be descended from the Three Wise Men of the East.
The book describes the legendary roots of the story; the Grail Stone arriving at last in the land of Saba (Abyssinia/Ethiopia), the extraordinary flowering of Coptic Christianity under Lalibela, who was baptized by the Angel Gabriel in the River Jordan, and who returned home to build the underground churches which are still used for worship in present-day Ethiopia. The author then looks at the known historical facts. The quest to find Prester John began with the vision of Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal, who in the 15th Century initiated various expeditions down the coast of Africa, culminating in that of Bartholomeu Dias, the first European to set foot in South Africa, at Mossel Bay in 1488. At key points around the southern coast of Africa, Dias and da Gama who followed him, erected padraoes, stone columns bearing a cross, thus symbolising that Christianity had touched this savage land. 'Like a chain of prayer they surrounded this region long before the Dutch and English arrived.'
Were these expeditions successful? Did they find Prester John? The answer is yes and no. They found a king, certainly, although he was not the all-powerful ruler of legend. But they did find a form of Christianity there which was rigorous and devout. It is as though in this north-east corner of the continent a flame of spiritual knowledge and faith was lighted and kept burning through the centuries, although many waves of history rolled over it and threatened to put it out.
The second part of the book includes a collection of African fireside tales, many illustrating the themes of resurrection and metamorphosis. An overall atmosphere of fear and retribution imbues these tales, but redemption also shines through. As a tremendously satisfying climax, the author shows how many of the themes which have figured in the past history and mythology of Africa are surfacing again in the work of modern South African writers.
Helene de Villiers has written a many-layered book which brings together the separate tributaries of myth, history, poetry and folklore into a strong narrative river which carries one along in the growing hope that Africa may one day ask the right question and attain lasting brotherhood.
It is available from the bookshop at the Rudolf Steiner Centre, Bryanston, or directly from the publishers: The Attic Press
The Grail Stone in Africa and the Search for Prester John by Helene de Villiers, is subtitled 'South Africa's past and future seen in a different light.' It is beautifully conceived and put together, and very well illustrated. Through it all, like a golden thread, runs a strong plea for the spiritual redemption of this dark continent of ours, so rich in potential, so riven by fear and violence. Helene de Villiers takes as her central theme the premise that the Grail found its final home in Africa, its last Keeper being the first of the long line of Ethiopian kings known as Prester John who was thought to be descended from the Three Wise Men of the East.
The book describes the legendary roots of the story; the Grail Stone arriving at last in the land of Saba (Abyssinia/Ethiopia), the extraordinary flowering of Coptic Christianity under Lalibela, who was baptized by the Angel Gabriel in the River Jordan, and who returned home to build the underground churches which are still used for worship in present-day Ethiopia. The author then looks at the known historical facts. The quest to find Prester John began with the vision of Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal, who in the 15th Century initiated various expeditions down the coast of Africa, culminating in that of Bartholomeu Dias, the first European to set foot in South Africa, at Mossel Bay in 1488. At key points around the southern coast of Africa, Dias and da Gama who followed him, erected padraoes, stone columns bearing a cross, thus symbolising that Christianity had touched this savage land. 'Like a chain of prayer they surrounded this region long before the Dutch and English arrived.'
Were these expeditions successful? Did they find Prester John? The answer is yes and no. They found a king, certainly, although he was not the all-powerful ruler of legend. But they did find a form of Christianity there which was rigorous and devout. It is as though in this north-east corner of the continent a flame of spiritual knowledge and faith was lighted and kept burning through the centuries, although many waves of history rolled over it and threatened to put it out.
The second part of the book includes a collection of African fireside tales, many illustrating the themes of resurrection and metamorphosis. An overall atmosphere of fear and retribution imbues these tales, but redemption also shines through. As a tremendously satisfying climax, the author shows how many of the themes which have figured in the past history and mythology of Africa are surfacing again in the work of modern South African writers.
Helene de Villiers has written a many-layered book which brings together the separate tributaries of myth, history, poetry and folklore into a strong narrative river which carries one along in the growing hope that Africa may one day ask the right question and attain lasting brotherhood.
It is available from the bookshop at the Rudolf Steiner Centre, Bryanston, or directly from the publishers: The Attic Press
Regional Synod in Windhoek - October 2014
Rt to lt: Rev. Reingard Knausenberger, Rev. Kine Voigts, Rev. Richard Goodall, Rev. Peter Holman, Rev. Malcolm Allsop
Priests of the Region Southern Africa taking a break during the Synod October 2014 held in Windhoek.
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Regional Synod in Cape Town - March 2014
Lt to Rt: Rev. Reingard Knausenberger, Rev. Richard Goodall, Rev. Peter Holman, Rev. Kine Voigts, Rev. Vicke von Behr & Rev. Malcolm Allsop
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Regional Council Meeting - August 2013
The annual meeting of The Christian Community Regional Council, Southern African Region took place in the Johannesburg congregation from Friday evening, 23th to lunch on Sunday, 25th August 2013. Trustees and members of the various congregations were also invited to attend the meeting.
See also articles on the Johannesburg Congregation news pages entitled Growing Together by Raimer von Haase and Experiencing the Regional Council meeting by John-Peter Gernaat.
See also articles on the Johannesburg Congregation news pages entitled Growing Together by Raimer von Haase and Experiencing the Regional Council meeting by John-Peter Gernaat.
Student Conference, Hogsback, April 2013
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Hermanus October 2012
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
The Regional Council met in Hermanus this October for the first time. Camphill Village generously opened their beautiful hall for our meetings, catering for us with delicious meals. Even though there is no permanent priest for this area, we experienced three services in the hall, where the altar is set up every time when Rev. Richard Goodall visits, about every two months. On Friday evening we were introduced to the history of Camphill and its founding in the Valley of Hemel en Aarde. Sunday we participated with the Village community in an Act of Consecration of Man.
This time the Council met a day longer, giving space to ponder some questions and topics more deliberately, e.g. “What does money have to do with us? The unique quality of ‘Gifting/Donation’ money; The imagination of John in the Book of Revelation to John, Ch. 1 and its inner dynamic relevance”. It is heartening to experience that as the Council achieves a continuity in meeting, so does the consciousness for each other and the community they represent. Since the last meeting major steps have been taken in Cape Town (phase 2 of Timour Hall cottages is nearly complete), in KZN (Kangelani Way is upbeat to convert the old horse stables into a chapel space after the Shongweni property has passed into new hands), in Joburg (a complete upgrade of the church garden and West Manse), and Windhoek manages to keep a stable course despite some unexpected, sometimes dramatic, events which stretched both priest and members. There is no doubt any more: we are a Region, thinking and feeling together, helping each other, creating a flow from community to community.
This time the Council met a day longer, giving space to ponder some questions and topics more deliberately, e.g. “What does money have to do with us? The unique quality of ‘Gifting/Donation’ money; The imagination of John in the Book of Revelation to John, Ch. 1 and its inner dynamic relevance”. It is heartening to experience that as the Council achieves a continuity in meeting, so does the consciousness for each other and the community they represent. Since the last meeting major steps have been taken in Cape Town (phase 2 of Timour Hall cottages is nearly complete), in KZN (Kangelani Way is upbeat to convert the old horse stables into a chapel space after the Shongweni property has passed into new hands), in Joburg (a complete upgrade of the church garden and West Manse), and Windhoek manages to keep a stable course despite some unexpected, sometimes dramatic, events which stretched both priest and members. There is no doubt any more: we are a Region, thinking and feeling together, helping each other, creating a flow from community to community.
Preceding the Council was a short retreat of the priests with our colleague Rev. Mechtild Oltmann from Berlin. We focused on the Book of Revelation and were very grateful for the rare opportunity of extended conversation with colleagues. We were also very fortunate to be hosted by Barbara Sanne on her horse stud Oldlands, right next to Camphill Village.
Before priests and the Council members arrived, Rev. Oltmann met with 14-18 members living around Hermanus, offering perspectives on the Book of Revelation during several sessions over Saturday and Sunday.
All in all a worthwhile and inspiring time touching base in an area where members and friends of the Christian Community uphold the Christ-flame in often lonely conditions.
Before priests and the Council members arrived, Rev. Oltmann met with 14-18 members living around Hermanus, offering perspectives on the Book of Revelation during several sessions over Saturday and Sunday.
All in all a worthwhile and inspiring time touching base in an area where members and friends of the Christian Community uphold the Christ-flame in often lonely conditions.
Watching whales on the Whale Coast at Hermanus
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Priest's Synod in Johannesburg in May 2012 Rev. Hugh Thornton, Rev. Kine Voigts, Rev. Peter Holman, Rev. Reingard Knausenberger and Rev. Richard Goodall in the Community Garden in Johannesburg
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Confirmees 2012
On Palm-Sunday, you planted seeds and throughout Holy Week you watched how they started sending up green shoots. By Easter they are already high enough to be seen well above the container rim. Why do you think they could grow so quickly? - Because they were planted in good soil and had light, air and water.
You might remember the parables about the kingdom of heaven in the gospel of Matthew 13: 'A sower went out to sow his seed...' and that it matters a lot where the seed lands if there is to be a good result. We hear that the seed is the Word of God. We all have experiences of how powerful a word can be, depending on where and how it lands in us. We know how it feels to be criticised and hurt by anger and how difficult it is to pull that thorn of hurt out of the heart. But we also know the opposite, how a kind and caring word can warm us through and fill us with joy and strength from the inside out.
Then we can think of the very beginning of the Bible, the book of Genesis, where we hear how God created the world in six great cosmic world-days through the power of The Word. It was God's own initiative to speak His substance out like a seed. The whole of creation, this world around us, is the seed He has sown.You and I and we all are a seed God planted into this world. And He says: 'it is good' – planted in good soil. On the seventh day He pauses, eager to see what will become of the seed He has sown.
A lot of things happened in the world since then, the whole of history until now is about growing that original seed. Getting the conditions right so that something can find its place and grow is the first challenge. After a while, though, when it is established and growing, another question arises: what is its purpose, where is this headed, what will become of it? At that point in history, when this question was existential, a very special human being was born with a unique mission. Jesus gave Christ, the son of God, the opportunity to enter into His creation and show us what God's power can do when a human being brings it alive within his heart. The meaning of creation became real when Christ died. Now we can understand better the first verses of the gospel of John: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God'. The power of Creation, the power of His Word that can become anything, was with God. Long ago, God spoke it out, ... have you ever tried to take a word back you spoke? Was it possible? You will find that it can never be made 'unspoken' again, even if you try to correct and change its impact.
So the question for us is: where is God's Word now? Christ, the spoken-out Word of God, died! Where, how, does it become alive again?
You see, this question leads us to an altar. Everything we experience at an altar in celebrating a sacrament is about The Word. Sacraments are there because The Word was with God and is now with us! The deed of Jesus Christ on Golgotha fulfilled the original purpose of creation and has produced a new seed, sown deeper into our being, right into our heart, into our flesh and blood. Christ, The Word, is now in us. What was with God is now in you like a seed, a magnificent creative potential, a spiritual 'power point'. It is a possibility waiting to come alive in your heart. That is why it matters where this experience of receiving a sacrament lands: on the path where it will be trodden underfoot among all the many experiences we have in the course of life, on the rock where it is of momentary interest and then forgotten, among thorns where it isn't given any exposure to light and air, or in good soil where it can take root?
The ritual of a sacrament gives us the opportunity to lift our creative power into the light of the Spirit and let it be energised by the breath of a greater purpose. We are responsible for the conditions they land in. Each one of us is responsible what becomes of them. That is our freedom. With the sacrament of confirmation the Word of God has been given to you: a mighty creative power. No one says it is easy to nurture this and let it live and grow in a positive way, but when you keep at it, like a gardener does, you will find it leads to the most fulfilling and meaningful experiences in life. Later when you look back on things you have done and who you have become in the course of this effort, you will be able to say: it might have been difficult at times, but it was GOOD. And the Good will endure. Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
In our Southern African Region twenty-four young people received the blessing of the Sacrament of Confirmation: eight in Johannesburg, four in Cape Town, five in Hillcrest, KZN, seven in Windhoek. They join the world-wide community of young people confirmed this year during Easter in the Spirit of the Christian Community.
You might remember the parables about the kingdom of heaven in the gospel of Matthew 13: 'A sower went out to sow his seed...' and that it matters a lot where the seed lands if there is to be a good result. We hear that the seed is the Word of God. We all have experiences of how powerful a word can be, depending on where and how it lands in us. We know how it feels to be criticised and hurt by anger and how difficult it is to pull that thorn of hurt out of the heart. But we also know the opposite, how a kind and caring word can warm us through and fill us with joy and strength from the inside out.
Then we can think of the very beginning of the Bible, the book of Genesis, where we hear how God created the world in six great cosmic world-days through the power of The Word. It was God's own initiative to speak His substance out like a seed. The whole of creation, this world around us, is the seed He has sown.You and I and we all are a seed God planted into this world. And He says: 'it is good' – planted in good soil. On the seventh day He pauses, eager to see what will become of the seed He has sown.
A lot of things happened in the world since then, the whole of history until now is about growing that original seed. Getting the conditions right so that something can find its place and grow is the first challenge. After a while, though, when it is established and growing, another question arises: what is its purpose, where is this headed, what will become of it? At that point in history, when this question was existential, a very special human being was born with a unique mission. Jesus gave Christ, the son of God, the opportunity to enter into His creation and show us what God's power can do when a human being brings it alive within his heart. The meaning of creation became real when Christ died. Now we can understand better the first verses of the gospel of John: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God'. The power of Creation, the power of His Word that can become anything, was with God. Long ago, God spoke it out, ... have you ever tried to take a word back you spoke? Was it possible? You will find that it can never be made 'unspoken' again, even if you try to correct and change its impact.
So the question for us is: where is God's Word now? Christ, the spoken-out Word of God, died! Where, how, does it become alive again?
You see, this question leads us to an altar. Everything we experience at an altar in celebrating a sacrament is about The Word. Sacraments are there because The Word was with God and is now with us! The deed of Jesus Christ on Golgotha fulfilled the original purpose of creation and has produced a new seed, sown deeper into our being, right into our heart, into our flesh and blood. Christ, The Word, is now in us. What was with God is now in you like a seed, a magnificent creative potential, a spiritual 'power point'. It is a possibility waiting to come alive in your heart. That is why it matters where this experience of receiving a sacrament lands: on the path where it will be trodden underfoot among all the many experiences we have in the course of life, on the rock where it is of momentary interest and then forgotten, among thorns where it isn't given any exposure to light and air, or in good soil where it can take root?
The ritual of a sacrament gives us the opportunity to lift our creative power into the light of the Spirit and let it be energised by the breath of a greater purpose. We are responsible for the conditions they land in. Each one of us is responsible what becomes of them. That is our freedom. With the sacrament of confirmation the Word of God has been given to you: a mighty creative power. No one says it is easy to nurture this and let it live and grow in a positive way, but when you keep at it, like a gardener does, you will find it leads to the most fulfilling and meaningful experiences in life. Later when you look back on things you have done and who you have become in the course of this effort, you will be able to say: it might have been difficult at times, but it was GOOD. And the Good will endure. Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
In our Southern African Region twenty-four young people received the blessing of the Sacrament of Confirmation: eight in Johannesburg, four in Cape Town, five in Hillcrest, KZN, seven in Windhoek. They join the world-wide community of young people confirmed this year during Easter in the Spirit of the Christian Community.
