After a long break, please find below the latest edition of the Good Hope MCC Newsletter. We hope you enjoy the reading.

Reflection: Coming Home

The Western Cape Province already some years ago adopted the words of Chief Albert Luthuli as its slogan: "Home for all – Ikhaya lethu sonke – Tuiste vir almal". It is an ambitious target for a province to set when it truly aims to become a home to its entire people. A place where all people will feel they can come home to and where they can also be at home with who they are.

Some people experience that they don’t feel at home in their biological bodies and that they need to transition to be more at home with their true identities. All of us needs to journey far to make peace with ourselves and to come to a place within ourselves which we can call “home”. One’s family home is furthermore often not experienced as hospitable as “family” should be. Then one seeks to create an alternative family, consisting of friends, lovers and people who are in solidarity with one’s cause. In this sense the concept of family gets redefined and broadened.

The spiritual journey is also a journey of home-coming. Coming home to oneself, to God, to others and to the environment out of which one is born. It is a journey of return, if you like. A journey of return to God and to God’s heart as we get better tuned into it. One gets tuned into the fact that God is actually at home in our lives.

This in turn changes the perspective that we’ve got on ourselves, on others and on the environment. It therefore changes the way we do “family”, the way we do “home” and also the way we do “church”. The community which we create becomes an all-welcoming family of God where everyone can come home to, find their home in, and call: Home for all. In this family month when we also celebrate a home-coming service, let’s reflect anew on what it means for each of us to truly “come home” and on what it means for us to build a community which can indeed be “home for all”.

By Laurie Gaum

Laurie Gaum have been appointed as our Spiritual Mentor for GHMCC and have officially started his appointment 01 September 2010. Laurie will be offering spiritual support and guidance to the church council and the leaders of the church. He is employed for a period of 6 months and his contract with the church may be extended as may be required. The church would like to wish Laurie all the best for his journey with GHMCC.

Worship in October

Our worship theme for October is "We are Family - Friends, Lovers and Neighbours".

All services are at Zonnebloem College Chapel, Cambridge Street. Click here for directions.

On 20 November, we will be celebrating the 12th Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance and GHMCC will be hosting a special service on 21 November at 18h00.

Double the Terror - Double the Shock: Out in Africa

The team of Out in Africa, the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival presents us with the 17th South African Gay and Lesbian Film Festival from 14 to 31 October at Nu Metro Hyde Park and The Bioscope in Johannesburg and from 21 October to 7 November at Nu Metro V&A Waterfront and at Foxy on Broadway.

Good Hope MCC is a proud supporter of the Film Festival the sponsor of the opening Night Movie "Loose Cannons". Visit http://www.oia.co.za for more information or watch your inbox - we will send you all the information about the film festival shortly.

Dates to Remember

Ministries Update

Altar Ministry
If you would like to contribute to our Altar Ministry, whether it be in preparing the altar or just donating towards the candles, clothes, flowers, etc. please contact Denzil Adams:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Prayer Ministry
If you wish to be part of our prayer exchange group which includes our sister church from the UK, then please contact Sharon Ludwig: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cape Town Pride
Do you a creative side? Why not join the Church’s Pride Planning committee and be part of this wonderful outreach programme which take place 24 February to 06 March 2011. For more information contact Dominic Kessell: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Youth Ministry
Church is not normally well attended by our Youth and we would like to change that. We want to invite and welcome our Youth to a safe space where they can be at peace with their spirituality and sexuality. For more information contact Dominic Kessell: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Helping Hands
It’s that time of the year again. With just under 2 months to go, we will be hosting our 5th Xmas Time Party in Gugulethu with those less fortunate. This event has grown over the years from as little as 40 to over 200 little children between newborn and 8 years old. We need all the love and support through gifts, food, sweeties and your hands in order to make this day a memorable special occasion. For more information contact Dominic Kessell: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Church Attendance

Update your Details

Please take a moment to update your personal details with the Church. Visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FCDDYQZ to do this online. It will only take 5 minutes of your time.