A SON of the soil of Uitenhage (Kariega) returned “home” as the new rector of St Simon of Cyrene Church in Thomas Gamble.
Reverend Canon Ulrüght Fleurs said he was excited to now “serve the people who once served and shaped me in becoming a minister for His church.”
Reverend Fleurs previously was in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) where he served the church in various parishes. His last parish he served in was St Mark and St John the Evangelist, Parkside as Rector.
“Born and raised in Uitenhage, I have always held the town close to my heart. I remember the town before gangs and gunshots crept into our communities. I remember how we could walk freely in the streets without the fear of being accosted. I remember the town in the days the word Garden Town could still be applied to it.
“Sad to say that today our town is not the same anymore. It evolved into a place we need to turn around for the sake of our kids’ futures.”
COVID-19 ‘changed’ the church
Reverend Fleurs said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed various aspects of the church.
“It changed how we worship, how we do communion as legislation prohibits singing in church. However, for many the biggest challenge is the lack of fellowship.
“Yes, the church is not a social club, but a place of fellowship and friendship where relationships are vital for the worshipping community.
“Not being able to shake hands or hug a person and to wear a mask is difficult, as the mission of the church is about teaching people to remove their ‘masks’ as before Christ we are called to walk around in this world maskless.”
Struggle to get the young involved
Reverend Fleurs said his mission is to get young people back into the worshipping community.
“The church functions, but growing to the full stature, of what Christ has called making disciples, is a daily prayer point for us.
“I think the struggle Jesus had in John 17 is still real today. The challenge for us is to be one in our love for the other. To have compassion for our neighbour. To throw away the guns, drugs, arrogance and ignorance and opt for a world of being one in what we all seek – peace.”
One of Reverend Fleurs’ favourite sayings is from Reverend Canon J. John: Evangelism is simply inviting someone to a party that is out of this world.
“Thus, my motto is, sharing Christ should be the greatest pleasure bestowed upon humanity,” said Reverend Fleurs.
He has been married to Elaine for the past 18 years and they have one son Xhendran (9).
The St Simon of Cyrene mass starts every Sunday at 08:30.
