The shouts and cheerful singing of our newly arrived students at various times of the day and the night during this past Oweek, have announced well and truly that the university term is upon us.
On behalf of all the churches in Grahamstown, I extend a very warm welcome to all our students, first years and seniors.
The shouts and cheerful singing of our newly arrived students at various times of the day and the night during this past Oweek, have announced well and truly that the university term is upon us.
On behalf of all the churches in Grahamstown, I extend a very warm welcome to all our students, first years and seniors.
We pray that your time in Grahamstown be happy, academically successful, and safe. This town has strong Christian roots and traditions, as the large number of churches indicate.
But familiarity can breed contempt. I hope that students will explore their faith heritage and draw close to God during their time here.
People often look back to their university years as formative in a number of ways, not only in terms of academic formation.
Significant friendships are formed. Relationships (we are just over a week away from Valentine’s Day!) take off and flourish.
For those who have moved away from home and family for the first time, these are the years of growing up into independence and adulthood.
The university years are also a time to reexamine, and often reshape, our attitudes, beliefs and values,
our cultures and our histories, as well as our understanding of the world around us. It has been good to know that the university has been arranging creative, alcohol-free events during Oweek.
There has been a clear anti-racism message as well. But we have a long way to go before a number of deeply ingrained attitudes shift. While giving due respect to our President as the one who occupies the highest political office in our land, I am disturbed by the latest story that has surrounded him.
What the media coyly call a love child is the product of what many others would call adultery or fornication, accompanied by the abuse of power. Who can say no to the President? Nor is this merely a private matter, as some argue.
Our leaders are to lead by example in all aspects of life, including in their private lives. St Paul writes – in words that can be applied to us all, including our student community – “‘I am free to do anything,’ you say.
Yes, but not everything does good. No doubt I am free to do anything, but I for one will not let anything make free with me. ‘Food is for the belly and the belly for food,’ you say. True; and one day God will put an end to both.
But the body is not for fornication; it is for the Lord – and the Lord for the body…. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the Spirit is God’s gift to you? You do not belong to
yourselves; you were bought with a price.
Then honour God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:12-13, 19-20). We are called to live holy lives. As one of the ministers in Grahamstown, I welcome students to all our churches, and encourage them in their life of worship and faithful Christian witness during their time here.
