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CONTACT US
Telephone:
011 475 1314
[also answering machine)
Fax:
011
475 8284
E-mail: office@stmikes.org.za
1123 Cornelius Street, Weltevreden Park
P O Box 5561, Weltevreden Park 1715
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| Interesting
snippets 
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The
present Green altar frontal –
made to replace the original which was stolen – is perhaps more
detailed than the First and therefore requires a closer look.
The centre is dominated by the Trinity Rings. From the top of
the frontal, as if from the top of the Altar, flows the Word of God.
There is double representation here – the beads on the
organza represent water, which in turn represents the Word of God.
It flows through the rings to the fields below, feeding the
elements of our faith. On the one side is the wheat and on the other side is a grape
vine, representing bread and wine.
It is here that you must look for the ants active on the grape vine
and the birds feeding on the wheat.
There is also a family of mice feeding on the harvest.
This section was completed by Jenny Smith using silk ribbon
embroidery and appliqué. |
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The
left hand side is overshadowed by a mine headgear which has
been so vital to our being in Gauteng.
There are the streets of Johannesburg at the base, crowded
with people and cars. Can
you spot 11 Diagonal Street? Mine
dumps separate the city from the suburbs where there are three
styles represented. In the middle, behind the wheel of the headgear, there is an
informal settlement, represented by the tiny little squares.
On the right is the low-cost housing development and on the
left, the up-market garden suburb, each individual home with its
double garage and swimming pool.
In order to get from the city to the suburbs, there are the
motorways that add to the noise and general busyness of our city and
suburban life style. |
By
contrast, the right hand side is peaceful and quiet.
You reach the gentle rolling hills via the motorway from the
left hand side which becomes a bridge to the other side.
At the base of the bridge support you will see the most beautiful
interpretation of the lion and the lamb, which underlines the peace
and tranquillity of this side.
The lions and the lamb where embroidered by Alma Frese in
cross-stitch – a true labour of love – working from a computer
enhanced model.
Nestled in the hills to the right is a little corrugated iron
church. This church was
one of the first Anglican churches build on the Witwatersrand in the
late nineteenth century. It
was built in Maraisburg and was dedicated to St Michael and All
Angels. Some time
later, St Gabriel's in Florida was established and for many years it
was know as the Parish of Florida/Maraisburg.
When St Gabriel's established a presence in Weltevreden Park,
it seemed the right thing to do by dedicating the new chapel again
to St Michael and All Angels.
Ruth
Manley embroidered the little church from an old photograph. |
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There
is a cross on each side of the frontal – the one on the left is
part of the headgear and the one on the right is a more natural
phenomenon, caused possibly by the action of the sun on a lens or
piece of quartz. Christ
should always be at the centre of both our busy life and our quiet
times.
The bridge itself is open-ended and is perhaps a reminder
that we are the rest of the bridge that will enable other people to
come to Christ.
Even in our busy lives we can find peace in Christ, represented by
the dove hovering over the informal settlement within the wheel of
the headgear. The
Dove of Peace
was also embroidered by Ruth Manley.
The matching vestments and altar line were made of the same green
shantung as the First Edition frontal and we were very fortunate to
be able to obtain the same green shantung for the Second Edition
frontal. All items are decorated with one or two of the elements of
the frontal and are easily identifiable although they are the
interpretations of the First Edition frontal.
The various shades and textures of green material were supplied by
members of the congregation and for every piece used on the left
hand side, you should find a matching piece on the right hand side.
The overall impression that is hoped to be conveyed is on of
contrasts, both the busyness and the tranquillity of our lives.
The Frontal was designed by the late Michael Mullett, and the interpretations
and production by Barbara Barker, Alma Frese and Jenny Smith.
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The
Crucifix
The Crucifix was carved in the early days
of St Michael's by a Parishioner - Maureen Rheynders - who now lives
in New Zealand. |
The
Lectern
The
Lectern, as well as the Baptismal Font, was carved by the first Priest-in-Charge, Revd Stuart Mennike, who now resides in KwaZulu Natal |
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The
Moveable Altar
This Altar and Cross was a gift to St
Michaels from the Late Revd Walter Lovegrove in memory of his wife
Freda.
The Altar cloth was crocheted by the late Susie Taylor from St
Gabriel's. |
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Incense at our Services
In
this parish we use incense to celebrate the great festivals of
Christianity. Most of these occur within the first third of the year.
Some parishioners have queried where this practice arises, and have
wondered whether it has Muslim origins, or was used to disguise the
smell of the great unwashed in earlier days.
In truth, incense is as old as the Christian Church itself, and
dates even to Jewish times. The recipe that is traditionally used to
make up the incense is taken from Exodus 30: 34-37. It was used in
the Temple, and carried over into Christian worship by the first
Jewish converts to Christianity, to honour the presence of the Lord
amongst God’s people; as a symbol of our sacrificial offering of
ourselves to God; as a means of healing and cleansing (the same way
we use the holy oil, which dates from the same Jewish practices); as
a way to drive out evil and set a space apart for God; and as a
symbol of our prayers offered to God rising to heaven. When asked
why she liked using incense, one of our boat girls (the young
servers who carry the incense) replied, ‘Because it spreads Jesus
around’.
The practice of worshipping with incense fell into disuse in the
Church during the time of the great persecutions by Rome, but after
it became safe for the Church to openly worship again, the use of
incense spread rapidly and is well documented from the fourth
century onwards. In the Eastern tradition, the Eucharist is never
celebrated without incense. In our custom incense is used at the
beginning of the service to bless the altar; to honour the Word of
God spoken through the Gospel reading; and to bless the altar,
priest and people at the Offertory, as we prepare to encounter God
through the Eucharist.
So when incense
is used at a Service, try to let it carry
the above meanings for you, and draw you into a worship of God which
engages all of your senses, in an offering of your whole body, mind
and spirit to God.
Fr Doug Michaels |
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St
Michael and All Angels