Our Young, Our Youth

Church of the Cross Hayfields

Special Edition November 2013

We wish our matriculants everything of the best for their

final examinations.

Andrea Oellermann, Cathryn Kassier, Frank Lane and Matz Dedekind

Our best wishes for the future.

May your school years bring happy memories.

May the examinations go well.

May your future studies and careers bring you even more joy.

The Jacarandas embrace a beautiful path just as our path of life is embraced by our

Lord Jesus Christ. The road sign indicates a hump ahead – of which we have many

in our city! In the same way we will encounter ‘humps’ in our lives. Remember the

road of life is not always plain sailing, but the Lord is always with us as we read in

Psalm 23: “So even when things look dark and scary, I will not be afraid, because

God is with me”.

Our Children, our Youth our Young Adults form an integral and important part of

our congregation. It is important that we join hands and embrace each other in all we

do. We need each other!

I trust that this first edition of the Youth Special will bear fruits and that it will bring

joy to many. Thank you to all who have contributed and we hope that our next edi-

tion will include many others.

Wishing you all God’s Blessings

Wal Bornheimer

A good shepherd takes care of his sheep.

He brings them to rest

in green meadows,

and he leads them to drink

cool water from quiet streams.

God takes care of me just as well.

He shows me the right way to go,

so all the world will see

that God is good.

A good shepherd watches over his sheep.

He reaches out with his staff

and pulls them out of trouble,

and with his rod

he protects them from danger.

So even when things look dark and scary,

I will not be afraid,

because God is with me.

When trouble seems to be all around,

God prepares a feast for me.

I am his special guest,

and his blessings overflow.

God's goodness and forgiveness

will be with me all of my life,

and I will live with him forever.

In fact, Jesus MADE everything in the world FOR you!

In double fact, you are HERE because Jesus loves you! That's why he

made YOU!

If you take all the stories in the Bible and put them all together, and

then you ask me what they are all about, this is what I will tell you...

And more than anything in the world, Jesus wants to be with you, and

you to be with Him – FOREVER! Jesus wants that so bad, He would

do anything to make sure it happens. Even if it meant He would have to

give His life to save you.

And that's just what He did.

That's what the Bible is all about.

What was it again? Oh, yeah...

Students: their habitat, diet

and behaviour

Amidst the countless throng of Gauteng-a-lengers you might spot one or two famil-

iar faces. Indeed, the youth of yesteryears has migrated to the foreboding capital,

Pretoria. Yet we are not alone in this phenomenon. They came to this Promised Land

from Piet Retief, from Hillcrest, Hermannsburg, Vryheid and Kroondal. All together,

but nevertheless lost, each of us has found their way to what it is that unites us: Stu-

dentenkreis.

To quote ye good olde confirmation class: “Was ist das?” might be the next thought

to cross your mind. Controversially, Luther did not provide a definition for such

things. Furthermore a definition does not suffice to describe the role played by this

obtuse little word in our lives… Rather it is the unspoken life-stories and testimonies

ensuing from the Wednesday evening meetings that would aptly and precisely con-

vey the impetus and scope of the operation.

“Daunting” is the first thought that comes to mind when reminiscing about the first

days alone in Pretoria. For sure, the smaller hurdles would soon smooth out: driving

in traffic, seasoned Afrikaans language flying around like an airborne virus and

waaay too many Blue Bulls supporters for my liking. This leaves the rather arduous

problems: solitude, independence and time management (to those dear readers that

have not had the privilege of sustaining their own domestic needs, I wish you much

luck and patience). It is in these areas that one soon starts to lose the thread of the

colourful, everyday tapestry of excitement and responsibility. Perfect plans seem to

evaporate and focus flies out the window…

And at this point, when you have no hope of regaining your grip on this slippery

ledge, usually one Kristel Ortmann or Imke Engelbrecht phones you talking about

yet one more thing that takes time and petrol: Studentenkreis. But I pray you pause

and defer your hesitation. Before you think of the detriment of going, consider the

cost of staying home: yet more studying, housework or frivolity, but to be listened to

and accepted, that is where Studentenkreis fulfils its function of feeding the soul and

slaking your thirst for meaningful and faith-provoking encounters rather than aca-

demic or gregarious conversations that tickle the surface of what is really going on

below.

And so, in my humble recollection, I would describe its benefits as that of fellow-

ship, acceptance, guidance and focus. In essence, Studentenkreis is the home away

from home - a place one feels one is welcome and belongs.

Andreas Scriba

Claudia and Rudi Drews

Rudi then

- Rudi now

I matriculated from Maritzburg College in 2009 and then went on to

work for a year at Philip Voigts's company called Adventure Educators. I

was a facilitator on school camps and corporate team buildings. We

mostly worked along the south coast in places such as Hibberdene Chil-

drens Home and Camp Anerley. After my 'gap year' I still was unsure

about what I wanted to study so I went to work for my dads agricultural

companies, Agrispares and Tillmaster. My main jobs were repairing farm-

ers implements and equipment, manufacturing various components on the

lathe and milling machine, as well as being the delivery boy and doing

odd jobs.

During this time I applied to join The South African Air Force (SAAF) as

an aircraft mechanic. After months of waiting I eventually got my call up

and on May the 13th 2012 I started my Basic Military Training. Although

Basics was one of the most difficult things I have ever done it is also

where I made many good friends

After 5months of Basics we were finally done and sent to units all over

South Africa. Luckily many of my friends were also in technical trades

and we were all posted to 68 Air School in Pretoria. I am currently busy

with the theoretical part of my aircraft mechanics training and hopefully

by May next year I will be transferred to a squadron to qualify.

Rudi Erlo Drews, son of Erlo and Heather Drews.

Andrea Oellermann

I have been doing ballet since the age of six (grade 1). Initially it was

something that many little girls in my primary school, Athlone Primary,

did, but I loved it and kept going. I did 2 exams almost every year since

grade 1 – one for the Royal Academy of Dance and another exam for the

American Academy of Dance. For these exams an examiner from over-

sees would come to evaluate us.

As the years went by my commitment to my ballet required more and

more time so that since grade 11, I have been doing 4 to 5 ballet lessons a

week – mostly in the evenings and on Saturdays. Many people have asked

this puzzled question:”Have you got ballet – AGAIN??”, but it’s like any

other sport and requires time and training to get results.

I have now almost completed grade 12 at Epworth High School and have

completed the highest level of the American Academy of Dance examina-

tions– Level 12 with Gold and a distinction. I have completed the Royal

Academy of Dance programme up to the level of Advanced 1 for which I

had received a distinction. Unfortunately I fell ill 2 weeks ago and was

not able to do my last exam – Advanced 2. Next year I will be a part of

the Cape Town City Ballet Graduate Programme under Robin van Wyk

and I will also complete my Advanced 2 when I am in Cape Town.

Ballet requires a lot of discipline and intense training and there are often

times where you have to choose training over social outings, but I love it

and I especially love to perform. Another bonus that comes with all these

years of training is that I already have a qualification and with this I will

be able to teach ballet one day.

Mark Ortmann—Enviro Quiz This year’s Enviro Quiz saw St Charles College, of which Mark was a team mem-

ber, take top honours at the national event held at the UKZN. There were 15 par-

ticipating teams as far afield as Gauteng. The questions became more challenging

over the years and this year was themed “Water conservation”.

There are 10 divisions with 10 questions each. Topics include trees, birds, mam-

mals, reptiles and amphibians, biomes, fish, plant identification, culture, current

affairs. For each section the teams get 3 minutes to answer the questions. This year

each team received a tablet and the questions were sent to them via e-mail. They

would then answer on a sheet of paper, which was taken in after the bell rang after

3 minutes. During the time that the markers checked the answers, the audience

was shown the pictures or questions and was given a chance to answer them. If

you get the correct answer, you might be lucky enough to receive a sweet treat.

The St Charles' A Team beat Hermannsburg A Team by a margin of more than

10%. There were schools from Gauteng and Mpumalanga, as well as East Gri-

qualand and KZN.

Matthew Germishuizen, Mark Ortmann, Peter Taylor, Cameron Gemmel

Shaun Wormington shapes to cut on his way to a magnificent unbeaten

101 during Maritzburg College’s thrilling three-wicket victory over Preto-

ria Boys High.

Langa Ndlela

—an aspiring piano player!

Sibusiso Luthuli, Asanda Khuzwayo,

Pastor Scriba, Amy Summersgill, Ralf Schärf

2013 Confirmands

The camp in Harburg was a highlight for our confirmands

—Thank You Pastor Scriba!

Out of their mouths:

Special Moments:

Whenever Pastor Scriba goes fanatic when we finally get a question right!

Coming to the camp; the camp is a real special to me; it’s kind of creepy at the

camp, but Pastor Scriba and my friends are here; had fun and had a smile.

What I enjoyed most during classes:

Lot’s of learning; learning about the wonderful good news about Jesus and the

prophets; singing and reading; interesting facts about the Bible; when we all have

questions and Pastor Scriba gives us the answers and tells us more information.

Thank you and good wishes:

Thank you for making our Sundays very entertaining. I am grateful that you took

your time to be with us every Sunday afternoon. If confirmation class would carry

on for years, I promise I would be there almost every day.

Thank you Pastor Scriba. What you have taught me I will never forget.

Thank you Pastor Scriba. You really taught me and you really helped me to under-

stand the Bible.

Thx’s 4 all that I’ve learnt!

Thank you for everything that you have done for us. Teaching us about the Bible and

the creed..And for everything Pastor Scriba’s done. May God bless you!

I wish that Pastor Scriba lives another 50-60 years more because he is such a down

to earth person.

I wish Pastor Scriba a thousand more years. God bless you!

There are 3 Schärf siblings.

Elsa, the eldest, is in her first year of studying Occupational Therapy at the University

of Pretoria. She is thoroughly enjoying her course, despite the hard work. She was

guided to follow this path during Ruestwoche in her grade 11 year, after talking to

some of the other participants.

Tim is presently in grade 11 at St Charles College, where his favourite subjects are

Physics and English Literature. He is considering following a career in Engineering.

Ralf is in grade 7, also at St Charles, where he is enjoying being at the top of the Jun-

ior school. He is also delighted that he is no longer one of the shortest in his

grade! He is looking forward to starting High School next year.

They are very fortunate to have both sets of grandparents living in Lutheran Gar-

dens. They are pictured with their maternal grandparents, Siegfried and Dawn

Drewes, while their paternal grandparents are Helmuth and Ruth Schärf.

Siphesihle and Siyanda

Zuma enjoy coming to

church!

The Young and the

Young at Heart!

Anja and Erich Filter

Enjoying the model train ride!

Cathryn Kassier and Mark Ortmann

at our Spring Fest

Nathan Buhr and Stephanie

" I am in Grade 3 at St Charles College. I like school but I love sport. My favourite

sport is cricket. I play for the A team.

I also like playing golf. I play with my dad sometimes and its great fun. I support the

sharks and springboks and the proteas. We go and watch Sharks matches in Durban

and cricket at Kingsmeade and the Oval.

I love my sister. She is 6 months old and I like playing with her. '

Stephanie is 6 months old and a miracle from God !! She is bringing so much joy to

her family!

Hi my name is Rebecca Summersgill, I have just

turned 10 years old. I turned 10

on the 26 of September. I go to

Pelham Senior Primary School. I

am in grade 4. I live with my

Mom, my Dad and my sister. I

enjoy playing games with my

family, my friends and most of

all my pets. I enjoy going bird

watching with my Dad and mak-

ing slide-shows. I play the piano

and I do swimming and tennis.

I am Amy Summersgill I am

in grade 8 at Pietermaritzbug

Girls High School. I am beinng

confirmed this year. I really en-

joy Confirmation Class because

we learn a lot of interesting

stuff, we also go on camp

which is a really special time

together.I enjoy being out in

the bush and do canoeing at

school I also enjoy reading.

Paul Tönsing

- a smiling Sunday tea

helper!

Thank you Paul—that

was great!

Enjoying children’s church!

Mikje en Miate

Böcking

Franko—dis nou lekker!

Pa, staan jy op jou kop,

of ek op myne?