Afrikaanse Samewerkende Kerke Bulawayo/Dutch Reformed Churches

Afrikaanse Samewerkende Kerke Bulawayo/Dutch Reformed Churches Ons is nie meer net drie samewerkende Afrikaanse Gereformeerde kerke nie, maar volledig verenigd as een gemeente, hier bekend as Bulawayo DRC.

Die gemeente is gestig in 1895 as die eerste NG Kerk gemeente noord van die Limpopo en dus ook die heel eerste gemeente in Zimbabwe. Die stigting van die gemeente op 6 September 1895 is dus ook die stigtingsdatum van die NGK in Zimbabwe (Rhodesië) Die gemeente vier op 6 September 2015 haar 120 jarige bestaan. Aan die begin het die gemeente die Afrikaners van die ander Kerke ook gehuisves wat later

self gemeentes gestig het en hulle eie predikante beroep het. Na al die jare het die ander Afrikaanse Kerke weer sedert 2011 by die gemeente aangesluit en as Afrikaanse Samewerkende Kerke begin om die gemeenskap te bedien. Die Kerk het talle Engelssprekende lidmate of kinders van lidmate en daarom word daar ook een maal per maand volledige Engelse erediens gehou. ONS DANK DIE HERE VIR DIE BESONDERE GELEENTHEID OM NOU MEER AS 12 DEKADES HIER TE KON LEEF EN WERK! Ons glo ons het nog 'n doel en 'n taak om mee te werk om 'n verskil te maak in die land! God sal ons die weg wys.

02/04/2025

From 1 June 2025, selling or supplying single-use vapes will be banned across the UK.

Up to 26 million disposable vapes were consumed and thrown away in Scotland in 2023.

The ban will help:
🔵 reduce waste
🔵 protect our environment
🔵 create a cleaner, greener future

30/05/2020

Vir 'n tyd soos hierdie -

Ons kan maar klae –
Laying our grief and questions before God

With what we have been going through with Covid19, we cannot but sing songs of lament such as are found in the Old Testament book of Lamentations. Greek scholar and Bishop N T Wright points out that in the Bible laments and prayers arise when the questions that believers ask in their misery and suffering remain unanswered. We complain to God when we no longer have either a rational explanation for what is happening, or can no longer be comforted in any way. When cell phones or scripture verses no longer bring any relief, then believers turn to crying out in a feeling of desolation, asking why, why?

Laments are more than complaints or grumbling. They are actually prayers of anguish that are aimed straight at God. They are born from our utter dependence on God, whereby according to Rebekah Eklund, the conviction is expressed that the destruction brought about by sickness and disaster is fundamentally not acceptable in the light of God’s promise to faithfully keep and protect us. To direct a lament at God is not simply to tell him that the world is full of pain and misery as he himself should well know, but to call upon him to do something about it. Paradoxically it is actually an expression of faith at a time that our faith is being severely shaken and tested. It is an admission that God is not absent in our suffering. That he is there, and that he cares.

While singing laments and uttering complaints to God in prayer seem strange to many believers, they are common in the Bible. In the Psalm book for example, it actually represents the most common kind of psalm. The psalms which Jesus himself quotes in his prayers, such as “deliver us from evil” are actually taken straight from these complaint psalms. He does not change them into songs of praise as our hymn books tend to do. How many songs of complaint can you identify in the hymn books that we are using in church?

Jesus actually tends to underline and intensify the complaints such as we find in Job and the Psalms. Psalm 22 begins with “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me?’, but later in verse 22 turns to “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you,” urging them on, “You who fear the Lord, praise him.” Jesus moves from confessing to his disciples in Gethsemane, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34), to doubt on the cross, crying out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Mark 15:34). Even his pending resurrection does not muffle or render his heart rending call unnecessary. According to Mark 8:31 and 9:31 Jesus knew in advance that he would rise again on the third day, yet he dies with this cry of desolation. It is precisely his expectation of God’s act to save and redeem the world that amplifies his cry.

We can indeed voice our desperation before God and praise him, since both praise and complaint are directed at God as acts of our worship. May God bring us to recognise the presence of his hand over and under us in the state of our confusion, uncertainty and grieving, and the light of love that is shining from his face turned toward us.

Sinode vergadering van my tafel geneem.
16/10/2019

Sinode vergadering van my tafel geneem.

16/10/2019

Ek was bevoorreg om verlede week die NG Algemene Sinode in Benoni by te woon namens die Ring van Midde-Afrika. Dit was vir my 'n bemoedigende en inspirerende ervaring. As enigiemand 'n vraag het oor die sinode, skakel my asb by +263 774 069 065 met WhatsApp, en ek sal probeer antwoord so goed soos ek kan.

30/09/2019

Ek was so bemoedig toe ek vorige Sondag in Harare kerk toe gegaan het.

Ek was verlede Sondag in Harare en het na die oggend diens in Samora Machel gegaan. Dit was so lekker om daar so baie van ons ou vriende weer te sien. Marlene en ek was van 1971 tot ons in 2014 Bulawayo toe getrek het, dus vir 43 jaar deel van die gemeente.
Toe ek by die deur instap staan ‘n bekende gesig - diaken, ag ek kan alweer nie haar naam onthou nie - om vir my die bladjie met die afkondigings te gee. Nege items aan beide kante. Met die gaan sit, val die pragtige orgedee rangskikking voor die preekstoel my op. Maar mense praat al van agter oor my skouer om te groet. Ds Sampie ...., die brug predikant wat gekom het nadat Ds Piet en Grieta van Vuuren in April maand weg is, en die kerkraad stap in. Rhinus Grau van die Hervormde gemeente doen eers weer die aankondiginge by die kateder, gevolg deur Ds Sampie wat vra dat soveel mense as moontlik na tee in die saal sal bly vir die bespreking oor waarheen die gemeente op pad moet wees. Daarna klim hy op die preekstoel. Hy het so ‘n lekker gesels manier van die diens lei en ook die boodskap te bring. Gerhard en Analise Beukes projekteer en lei die sang soos gewoonlik, terwyl Marie de Bruin bo by die orrel is.
‘n Nuwe diaken, Rassie van Eeden uit Suid-Afrika, wat al meer as twee jaar in Harare werk, word bevestig. Sy vrou met hulle twee woellige kleuters is natuurlik ook in die kerk. Dis lekker dat hy twee van sy Afrikaanse kollegas saam gebring het. Miskien sal hulle ook by die gemeente aansluit, d**k ek.
Ds Sampie se preek is oor die doodsbeendere in Esegiel 37 waarop God vleis en vel gesit het en toe lewe ingeblaas het. Hy se Harare gemeente is alles behalwe dood, maar dat God al sy kinders wat dikwels vas geval raak in gebruike van die verlede, op ‘n nuwe koers van diens aan “verwondes te plaas, om hulle te ondersteun en aan hulle hoop te bring,” (dis die voorgestelde visie van die gemeente onderaan die bladjie), beide binne die gemeente maar ook in die gemeenskap daar buite.
By die tee moet ons vining kuier want ons moet om die lang tafel in die saal gaan sit om te beraad. Ek maak myself maar ‘n aanhangsel daar, want ek is nog nie bekend gestel aan Ds Sampie en sy vrou, wat baie aktief aan alles deelneem. Die gesprek gaan oor missionaliteit, oor wat dit beteken om ‘n gestuurde gemeente te wees n.a.v. ‘n lang lys van besprekings-vrae. Hoe weet ons bv. wie die behoeftiges in die gemeente is, wie nie iemand het om na hulle om te sien, wat nie meer by die kerk kan uitkom nie? Veral as ons getalle so klein is, en daar baie min is wat die tyd en middele het om ander op te soek? Maak die hele idee van wyke nog enige sin, en is dit nie beter om omgee Bybelstudie groepe te begin vir die wat in dieselfde deel van die dorp of omgewing bly nie. Seniors, hoofsaaklik vroue, kom bymekaar in tehuise, maar hoe kry ons die mans en egpare met kinders om betrokke te raak by sulke groepe, wanneer daar oor die jare nog net een standhoudende Bybelstudie en gebedsgroep saam met Ds Piet en Grieta was? Baie van die jong mense gaan weg om elders te gaan studeer of opleiding te kry, maar wat van die wat dit nie kan bekostig en ook nie meer Afrikaans verstaan nie. Sien ons besoekers by die kerk raak en laat ons hulle welkom voel? Hoe kan ons uitreik, of bydra tot maniere om behoeftiges in die wyere gemeenskappe van Harare te help. Elke keer is daar ‘n kort bespreking met gedagtes oor verskillende moontlikhede oor wat gedoen kan word. En ja, na hierdie saak sal ons weer moet kyk oor wie wat kan doen. Ek d**k ook aan ‘n vraag wat nie te berde kom nie, want terwyl ons gesels is daar swart vroue en kinders wat in die saal se voorportaal rondstap omdat die RCZ (Reformed Church of Zimbabwe) se erediens nou nou in die kerk gaan begin. Hoe kan die gemeente iets meer as net die gebou deel met hierdie susterkerk waarin ek as kind op Morgenster groot geword het?
‘n Sleutel saak is dat ‘n ooreenkoms opgetrek moet word wat deur beide die Hervormde en NG kerkrade onderteken word, oor die inskakeling en samewerking van die twee gemeentes. Dit is nou alreeds twee of drie maande lank wat dat daar al om die ander Sondag kerk gehou word in Samora Machel en by die Hervormde Kerk in Hillside. Na baie jare se gesoek word dit nou ‘n werklikheid.

Coenie Brand
30/09/19

27/09/2019

Almal wat destyds deel was van Salisbury-Suid, Beatrice, of Enkeldoorn/Chivu gemeentes sou vir oom Kais Hofmann van Pennyfather plaas, met sy welige bos baard geken het. Liena het nou sy as terug gebring en sy seun Sias, wat al lank in Australia woon, skryf as volg daaroor:

My Dad. Today is a rather big day for my family. My beloved sister is embarking on a new journey to join my brother and I on this side of the world. On behalf of both of us she will be for fulling my Dads final wish’s for his ashes to be with Mum on the farm, on Pennyfather, together with those of my ancestors. In so many ways, today is also a final goodbye for us to our much-loved farm. I think I have the bravest sister in the world. She will be accompanied by a neighbour and an Uncle and the ash’s of other family members who want to be on Pennyfather soil.
It seems so ironic to me that this event is occurring around Mugabe’s funeral. A man who’s death is recorded all over the world, and yet My Dad died in exile in a foreign land, isolated from his community and the soil he so loved. In my eyes he was a far greater man and contributor to the country than this ruthless leader. Therefore, I do feel the urge to share in a public a bit of his legacy.
Born the middle child to a larger pioneering family Cornelius Jansen Taljaart, Dad came to farm on Pennyfather after his three elder brother returned after the second world war and they wanted to continue other adventures. Dad loved the farm. He was born there on the 22nd June 1927. He died on 21st June 2011 in Stellenbosch.
I recall the day of the memorial of Samora Machel in Chivhu. A few of us where kind of forced to attend. I think we were six white face in a sea of black. Like most ZANU PF rallies we were made to chant the slogan that enhanced hatred, “Pamperi ne Mugabe, pasi ne mabuno!” “Forward with Mugabe, down with the boer farmers!” But I remember the master of ceremonies shouting “ Down with the white f boers” then he looked at my Dad who was made to sit in the front row with his regal white beard and added “ of South Africa”. For me that is his true legacy. In the mist of hatred, he changed perceptions. You see My dad was truly a honourable man with the biggest heart. We did not always get on , as I felt I was not quite the son he wanted. But he taught me the power of love, peace and forgiveness.
Yes, he was chairman of our local Rhodesian Front, but embraced changed under Mugabes regime, taking on the identity of a Zimbabwean. He paid every cent of his tax, to both church and state.
Dad was a devoted to his Christian God. He read his scriptures every day and twice a day I would find him on his knees praying. I cannot recall a day in his entire life that this was not his practice. I struggled with very strong emotions after been evicted from the farm. In those moments Dad would turn to me and say “Son, God gave us the land, we did our best. He has choosen to give it to some one else.” And then he would bless my future. I don’t necessarily agree with this view, but it certainly eased my suffering. Practicing forgiveness is still a work in progress for me, and today particular I see its significance towards being more peaceful. I have realised that it does not erase the karma of those who have hurt us, but it does help my own peace of mind so that I don’t cause pain or have any ill wish’s to others. May the suffering of all Zimbabweans cease soon.
Dad was a leader. He served on many committees.
He was an environmentalist, and instrumental in introducing local laws that helped protect our local wild life. All gone now.
He cherished his community. He chaired many a school committee and would embarrass me with his long speech’s and his loud hip peep hoeras.
Dad loved his rugby. I remember meeting him in Cape Town Airport after he got evicted from his home. As they lowered him down in a wheelchair with a small suit case of cloths and his DSTV on his lab he said to me “Son, they can take away my farm, but they are not going to take away my rugby!”
He loved his language. I cannot recall one conversation with him in English.
Dad was loyal and had strong caring virtues towards all his family. He had a strong sense of responsibility towards the Hoffman clan. He never intended harm to any one and I have very few memories of his pain turning into anger. My Dad never once lifted a hand towards me. I think me and my siblings turned out OK without physical discipline! Both Mum and Dad invested hugely in our education with great sacrifice in putting the three of us through Uni at the same time in South Africa. Their vision enabled us to seek a future else-where in the world.
But Dad’s greatest legacy would be his love for Mum. He never recovered after her death. Mum died suddenly and young wanted to be buried with her family in the Chivhu grave yard. Dad asked us if she could be buried on the farm. It was the most beautiful thing to witness Dad visiting Mums grave every day. A photo of her never left his side.
Mum influenced both myself and my Dad. Mum used her inheritance and invested it in a farm store. We had many an argument as this store never made any money and cost the farm thousands of dollars. Mum would insist that it was her duty and way to make sure no one went to bed hungry. After her death, this became my Dad’s work, to continue this service to the community in a very remote part of the world.
My last memories of him would be sharing his pan cakes and biltong with me in the rest home in Hermanus. Rus in vrede my liewe Vader. xx

11/08/2019

Interessante stukkie kerkgeskiedenis uit Bulawayo in die vroeë 'negentienhonderds -

Dr Hendrik Verwoerd, Suid-Afrika se Eerste Minister van 1958 tot '66, wat deur Dimitri Tsafendas in die parlement doodgesteek is, se suster Lucie vertel van hulle vroeë jeugjare in Bulawayo.

"In Augustus 1914 het die Eerste Wêreldoorlog uitgebreek en in Oktober was daar rebellie in die Vrystaat en Transvaal, juis toe [Dr Hendrik se] Pa op 'n kollektereis in Suid-Afrika was vanaf Bulawayo .. in Rhodesië, waar hy vir drie jaar 'n NGK hulpprediker was. Pa kom toe terug, vol entoesiasme vir die Afrikanersaak. Die mense was opgerui en in Milton High waar Len en Hendrik was, moes die seuns elke dag 'God Save the King' sing. Van die groter seuns het aangesluit om teen die Duitsers in Suidwes te gaan veg.

"In die helfte van 1917 word 1917 word Pa egter aangestel as kolporteur van die Vrystaatse NG Kerk ment Brandfort as standplaas. Hendrik moes vir die skoolhoof [van Milton] gaan sê dat hy sal kan bly nie. Dis toe dat hy vir 'n rebel uitgeskel en letterlik by die kantoorn uitgeskop is.

"In Brandfort se skool het Hendrik verdere probleme opgetel. Die eerste was sy [Nederlandse] geboortesertifikaat. Toe die hoof sien dat hy in 1901 gebore is en sy tweede naam dieselfde is van die berugte generaal French uit die Anglo-Boereoorlog, en dat hy boonop van die Britse kolonie Rhodesië af kom, is hy en sy familie dadelik gebrandmerk as jingo's. Dit het heelwat verduideliking van Pa se kant gekos om die misverstand uit die weg te ruim."

[Geneem uit Wilhelm Verwoerd: Bloedbande, Tafelberg 2018]

Ons het vandag 'n roerende, troostende, en inspirerende afskeid geneem van Alta Vermaak. Dankie Ds Innes Nagel vir jou g...
15/03/2019

Ons het vandag 'n roerende, troostende, en inspirerende afskeid geneem van Alta Vermaak. Dankie Ds Innes Nagel vir jou getuienis en boodskap.

Nellie van Vuuren's memorial last Tuesday
03/02/2019

Nellie van Vuuren's memorial last Tuesday

Oom Willie Els se begrafnis, 2 Okt '18
03/10/2018

Oom Willie Els se begrafnis, 2 Okt '18

Oom Willie Els was a dear member of our congregation. He passed on last night. We remember oom Willie as the friendly ma...
28/09/2018

Oom Willie Els was a dear member of our congregation. He passed on last night. We remember oom Willie as the friendly man with the smile. His place was seldom empty in our services and he was the honorary president of the pancake table at the pancake evenings and bazaars.... always with a smile! We pray that God will comfort his family and loved ones and give you peace!

Address

Twintower Churh, Cnr Of G Silundika And 13th Avenue, PO Box 1210
Bulawayo

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 15:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 15:00
Thursday 08:00 - 15:00
Friday 08:00 - 15:00
Sunday 09:00 - 10:00

Telephone

+263926690

Website

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