Table View Methodist

Does the Bible say that Christians have a right and responsibility to physically punish their children? There is a saying of Ahiqar, a sage from Assyria that is often misunderstood to come from the Bible; Ahiqar says that to "spare the rod is to spoil the child."  The Assyrians captured Israel and took the people into slavery in 722 and 724 BCE; this marked the end of the region of the Northern tribes which in the time of Jesus were known as Sumeria; the region from which the Samaritans came.  There is a similar saying in Proverbs; Proverbs 13:24 -  24 He who spares the rod hates his son,   but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.   Many argue that this means that Christians should be allowed to practice corporal punishment but in a ruling of the Supreme Court this past week Justice Mogeong  Mogeong ruled that spanking crossed the line of violence:  “The right to be free from all forms of violence or to be treated with dignity speaks quite forcefully aga

Fete on Saturday!  Lots of Fun - especially for kids - bring friends!!!!! Dear Table View Methodist Family, Psalm 137 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept     when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars     we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs,     our tormentors demanded songs of joy;     they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord     while in a foreign land? Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted.” - Matthew 5:4 This past week the media and the march against women abuse; the tragic rape and murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana have reminded us of the horrific war on women’s bodies that is going on in South Africa at the moment.   We should Mourn; which reminds me of the Kübler-Ross model of 5 stages of grief: 1. Denial and isolation; 2. Anger; 3. Bargaining; 4. Depression; 5. Acceptance. I am not suggesting that we move from Denial and Isolation to Ac

Rev Zipho Siwa (Methodist Bishop) A Call to Prayer to end Violence I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Isa. 60:17-18 (NIV) The Methodist Church of Southern Africa condemns the despicable acts of violence and looting being perpetrated mainly against nationals of other African countries by criminal elements in South Africa. We call on the criminal justice system to bring those guilty of these wanton acts of violence and criminality to book. The Presiding Bishop, Rev Ziphozihe Siwa, is also calling for all congregations in all services to observe a moment of silence and prayer on Sunday 8 September 2019 for the end to the senseless femicide in South Africa and the broader Connexion. Enough is enough and serious action needs to be taken against the perpetrators of unbridled violence ag