Confirmation Camp

Keeping the fires of faith burning...
Over the years we have honed our confirmation process. Most of the basic teaching takes place on a Sunday Morning in our TAG (Teens And God) class where a team of about six adults dedicate themselves to give their best to our teens in a teaching program designed to equip them with the lifeskills of faith.

Then the teens meet with Theo and Craig for two or three Sunday afternoons to deal with the creeds and some of the meatier issues of faith. Then we have the confirmation camp. Interestingly, we don't head off into the wilderness but rather have a sleepover in the church. We start with an enjoyable braai and then a thought provoking movie ("Flywheel") which provides the basis for a number of the discussions we have the next day.

We find that the teens connect well and ask meaningful questions. Craig spoils us by taking care of all the logistics and providing delicious meals and we usually end with a braai where we are joined by parents and elders.

We had a wonderful group of young people this year and are excited about their potential in the life of the church in the years that lie ahead!

Our dedicated Musicians

 

Music at Emmanuel is a fun affair! We have lots of people involved and it is a lot of fun. Our musicians play because they love God and they love music.
 
They are dedicated and practise regularly and it is fantastic to have both young and old coming together to enjoy the wonder of music and to "plumb the depths of love Divine" in lyric and music.

Our Music Team has often gone the extra mile for special events like broadcasts and carol services.
 

We pay tribute to our Musos: Guitars, Keyboards, Strings and Winds along with the occasional percussion.
 


We must also mention our Sound Box team and the hard work they put in behind the scenes.
 

Thanks to our Musos and Sound Engineers!!!

New Members Courses

We run our New Member's Courses every couple of months. They are great opportunities to make friends and get to know each other better. Sometimes they are on a Sunday afternoon and sometimes on a weekday evening.

We talk about the church, about membership and about basic discipleship. Along the way we share experiences, anecdotes and even what our favourite meals are.

There's time for questions, discussions and lots of laughter and fun. By the end of it all we've reflected on our congregations' mission and vision and folk feel ready to commit to the life and work of the congregation.

It really is a great experience.

(Pictured here is our August 2013 group.)

Our Congregational Banquet!

Emmanuel turned 20, Brenda and Theo had been here for 15 years, we've been in our beautiful building for 10 years and Grace congregation were 5 years old...

How do you celebrate when God has been so faithful???

Throw a big fat banquet of course!!

Here's the invitation we sent out:

Dear Emmanuel and Grace Family
We've been advertising our Celebration Dinner for the last couple of months and now it comes to the inevitable "this-is-your-last-chance" email! Our Dinner to celebrate God's goodness over the last 5,10,15 & 20 years takes place on Sat 18th Aug and here is your last chance to book your place and come along.

• What is it? An evening together in the company of our church family. It is not going to be an evening of long speeches and presentations. There will be a short devotion at the beginning, and then we'll tuck in! Our menu is good old fashioned "boerekos" (farmstyle.) Dress is casual, seating isn't numbered and the mood for the evening is "family and thanksgiving."
• What time? We start at 18h00 for 18h30 on Sat 18 Aug. We should be done by 20h30.
• Cost? R90 for adults, R60 for kids aged 6-13, Kids under 6 are free. 
• We will provide juice and water, but you are welcome to bring your own drinks and glasses.

Families with children please note:
1. We will not be finishing late - we plan to be done by 20h30.
2. We will have a sleeping area in rm 4 with someone to keep an eye on the kids. Bring a mattress and blanket for your child if this is appropriate.
3. We will also have some dvd's and supervision for older kids in room 5.
 
There is sponsorship available for folks who cannot afford to book. Please chat to Craig or myself.
I'm really looking forward to celebrate how far God has brought us through the years!
God bless!
Theo

        
 
Then the day came and our awesome and spectacular caterers, Meals of Distinction, came in with the food, our helpers came in to set up and the tables, were laid. Then the guests started arriving and with a slide show of 20 years of photos rolling in the background we offered songs of praise and a prayer of thanksgiving. Then, as God's family together, we sat down to celebrate!

It was an awesome evening and a wonderful celebration!

To God be the Glory - Great Things He has done!!!