In March 2009 a team of seven left Stormont to work with the Siphila Sonke project at Elgin South Africa near Cape Town. They distributed much-needed food parcels to families in the area many of whom are suffering from Aids or TB. In addition, they carried out many home visit providing families with much-needed help. The team also completed the painting project during their stay.

Stormont have undertaken to give financial help to Siphila Sonke for the next three years.

To all the Stormont Parishioners,

Building started in earnest at the Imizamo United Church (sister congregation of Elgin United Church) in Xolanaledi this week, after a ground-breaking ceremony on Sunday morning.

Since the opening of their building in August 2007 the congregation of Imizamo has hosted a wide range of community organizations such as feeding schemes, support groups, Kids Clubs and a family counseling centre in addition to becoming a popular venue for weddings, funerals, public meetings and community celebrations. The growing demand for such facilities in the township as well as the growth of two community organizations in particular, Siphila Sonke and Abba Family Counseling Centre, led the joint Church Council of Elgin United and Imizamo United to embark on a project to enlarge the church complex. The new complex will include the Siphila Sonke Centre comprising offices and work-areas for Siphila Sonke and it's patient support groups as well as the Abba Centre counseling rooms for individual and group counseling.

Mr Terence Scrooby has been appointed to manage the contract and local builder, Pierre Fortuin, and his team will undertake the main work. Nick McFall of HH Steel, who was heavily involved in the erection of the original church building, will again be responsible for the steel structure on the extension to the main building.

At a short ceremony last Sunday, the ground was formally broken by Mrs Gladys Ralane, a senior Elder of the Imizamo United Church. The ceremony was conducted by Rev Neil Meyer of Elgin United Church and attended by members of the two congregations along with representatives of Abba and Siphila Sonke.

Picture: (fltr): Warren Dunton (Abba), Bev Morgan (Siphila Sonke), Gladys Ralane (Imizamo), Lucy Xayimpi (Imizamo), Linda Braun (Siphila Sonke), Thelma Mfengwana (Imizamo), Pieter Silberbauer (Rustic Homes), Lunga Moni (Imizamo) and Rev Neil Meyer (Elgin United).

If you wish more information please contact our Church Office.