Dear West View Family

January 19, 2023

The start of a new Year represents a future filled with possibilities and new opportunities for all of us and one of the best gifts that we receive in the Christmas season is the promise that our God will be with us in that future. At the start of this year may we all become aware of God’s presence in our lives and be intentional about acknowledging God as the source of our lives.

WEST VIEW ALL STAFF DAY 2023

On Monday 09^th January we had a wonderful time of fellowship with all the staff members of the West View entities (Church office, West View College, Ditshego House of Laughter and Khuluma Family Counselling). We spent the morning in Mooiplaas at the Pre-school, where we had our District Bishop Rev Dr Sidwell Mokgothu bring a message of hope and inspiration to the staff. Let me take this opportunity to thank each of you who took time and wrote a personalised message to every staff member (we have around 90 staff members). These personalised messages were a highlight of our time together and the staff expressed appreciation for your kind words of support and affirmation.

NEXT PREACHING SERIES: FIVE MARKS OF A METHODIST (THE FRUIT OF A LIVING FAITH)

A New Year offers us a wonderful opportunity to think about life in general but in the Methodist tradition it also affords us the space to think about our faith more seriously and to re-commit ourselves to God through the Covenant service. As we prepare for this year’s Covenant Service, we will be exploring what it means to be a follower of Christ in the Methodist tradition. Join us this Sunday in person or online as we begin the journey and explore five marks that are the Fruit of a Living Faith and discover the Joy of living in a life changing relationship with God and others.

This would be a great series for you to invite a friend or family member to come alongside you in worship either in person or online as we talk about the foundations of the Christian faith and Methodism.

INDUCTION SERVICE FOR REVS DAMIAN O’GRADY AND VUKILE MAKANDA

One of the practices of the Methodist Church is that when a new minister arrives at a new station (church) the Bishop or somebody delegated by the Bishop will come and conduct an induction service for that minister. Our Circuit has two new ministers Revs O’Grady and Makanda whose induction will be performed here at West View on Sunday the 22^nd January at 10:00. Please note that Rev Makanda is stationed at the Elim Society in Olievenhoutbosch and therefore members of the Elim Society will be joining us in worship for this service, I encourage you to share the warmth and hospitality of West View with them.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN WORSHIP ON THE 29 JANUARY 2023

Sunday the 29^th January is the day for our annual Covenant renewal service at all our worship services, I encourage you to intentionally think about your relationship with God as you prepare for this service. On the same day we will also have our West View Ministry Fair, this is an opportunity for you as members of West View to think about how you are going to serve God through West View. At the end of both in-person services there will be stalls in the lawn area where you can go and enquire about the various opportunities available for you to serve here at West View. My prayer is that we will all find something through which we can serve God and give expression to our purpose statement that we are Changed people, Changing the World.

ANNUAL SOCIETY MEETING

On Sunday the 05^th February 2023 we will have our Annual Society meeting towards the end of the 10:00 service. This meeting is an important aspect of our community life as we have an opportunity to share information and plan for the work of God at West View. I encourage you to come to the 10:00 prepared to spend an extra 15 minutes in the service.

WELCOME ELVIS MLISWA

We have a new Youth Pastor who joined the West View pastoral team on the 1^st January 2023, his name is Elvis Mliswa. Elvis is an experienced Youth Pastor who has served at Midstream Methodist Church and at Trinity Linden Methodist church as Youth Pastor, and we are looking forward to seeing how God will use Elvis here at West View. Please find moments to greet and welcome Elvis into the West View Community when you see him around the Campus.

YOUTH AND CHILDRENS CHURCH

We would like to invite all our children and youth to join us this Sunday as Rooted Youth and Children’s Church resume after the December holidays. We are excited for all the fun that we are going to have together this year, as we grow and learn how to be Christ followers.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

All are invited to join the meetings (every 3^rd Thursday of the month) starting on the 19^th January 2023 at 10:00 in the Luke hall, for fellowship and friendship. For more information contact info@westview.org.za.

Your Servant for Christ’s sake

Siphiwe

IMPORTANT DATES to DIARISE