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Saints: A brief History

                              

Our Vision is 

to establish and run Training and Development Programmes
that will equip the Laity
with the Knowledge, Understanding and Experience
Necessary for them to :

  • Develop and live out their Christian faith
  • Identify and develop their spiritual gifts and talents
  • Assist in the care and development of the congregations
  • Become relevant and effective witnesses within society 
  
 

Following a year of "Presentation 2000" to the parishes in the Diocese and the adoption of the Diocesan Vision in 2002 a Ministry Formation portfolio was formed. One of the outcomes of this was increased attention being given to the development of the ministry of the laity within this Portfolio. It was clear that what was needed to fulfil the Vision was, among other aspects, laity that was equipped to minister and so begin to create Stage 4 of "Presentation 2000"- A church of disciples - a church in which members of the congregation take responsibility for their ministry rather than simply help the Rector. The SAINTS arose out of this initiative.

SAINTS seeks to be a part of this equipping process and has run numerous mornings during which the laity are helped to read in church, minister to the sick, dying and bereaved, take services in church, take communion to the sick, parish administration, preach, develop spiritual formation, and many other topics. Some of the events are workshops and some take the form of an interactive talk by a keynote speaker.

SAINTS also sponsors the running of the "Boundaries" course and the "Network" course if these are required. Contact Maureen 011 728 7015

A major project that the team undertook was to produce a course for the preparation of parents for the baptism of their child. This has been well received throughout the Diocese and indeed the Province. It is available through the Anglican Publishing Department at a cost of R72. Their telephone number for orders is 011 836 5825.

The team is currently working to produce a short course for newcomers to a parish that help them to feel they belong and to understand something of what it means to be an Anglican. We welcome any suggestions and offers to join the research group.