3 Feb 2023, 14:17Janice Savizon (Aberdeen Church Communications department)Aberdeen Seventh-day Adventist Church
Aberdeen Church celebrates ordination of a new elder, deacons and deaconesses in an emotional ceremony
The final Sabbath in January was set aside in Aberdeen as a day for ordinations of an elder, two deacons and two deaconesses. Those ordained were Edson Mukombiwa as elder, Alex Gere and Valerian Matthews as deacons and Ellen Mkukuma and Patience Ojobe as deaconesses. During the divine service before the ordination, each of the other three established elders; Manuel Vieira, Providence Motsi, Koye Edwards, along with our Pastor Weiers Coetser, delivered a four-part sermon on the theme of service.
Edson, arrived in Aberdeen from Edinburgh a few years ago to study chemistry. On completion of his course, he managed to secure a position in the Aberdeen area and now resides locally. For over two years, Edson has served as part of the church’s Pastoral team and has fitted in very well especially by leading out in Sabbath School. In the congregation, to witness his deserving ordination, were Eddie’s parents who had travelled up from Edinburgh.
Towards the end of the service, each elder rendered gifts to their new member. Elder Koye attached the Elder’s pin to his lapel and Elder Providence handed Eddie a copy of the Elder’s Manual. Lastly, our senior Elder, Manuel, gave Eddie his personal bible. Speaking emotionally, Elder Manuel explained how precious the bible was to him as its cover was made by his wife.
Deacon, Alex, has been a long-standing member of the Aberdeen church while Valerian is a more recent convert to the faith. This is also the case for deaconess, Patience, who became a member of the church prior to the onset of COVID 19. Lastly, Ellen, who has lived in Aberdeen for several years, is our newly-elected head deaconess.
The Aberdeen members look forward to working with Edson along with Alex, Valarian, Patience and Ellen while looking into the year to come and those yet to follow. It is the desire that God would continue to bless all those chosen to serve the Aberdeen church as well as those in its greater community.
The final Sabbath in January was set aside in Aberdeen as a day for ordinations of an elder, two deacons and two deaconesses. Those ordained were Edson Mukombiwa as elder, Alex Gere and Valerian Matthews as deacons and Ellen Mkukuma and Patience Ojobe as deaconesses. During the divine service before the ordination, each of the other three established elders; Manuel Vieira, Providence Motsi, Koye Edwards, along with our Pastor Weiers Coetser, delivered a four-part sermon on the theme of service.
Edson, arrived in Aberdeen from Edinburgh a few years ago to study chemistry. On completion of his course, he managed to secure a position in the Aberdeen area and now resides locally. For over two years, Edson has served as part of the church’s Pastoral team and has fitted in very well especially by leading out in Sabbath School. In the congregation, to witness his deserving ordination, were Eddie’s parents who had travelled up from Edinburgh.
Towards the end of the service, each elder rendered gifts to their new member. Elder Koye attached the Elder’s pin to his lapel and Elder Providence handed Eddie a copy of the Elder’s Manual. Lastly, our senior Elder, Manuel, gave Eddie his personal bible. Speaking emotionally, Elder Manuel explained how precious the bible was to him as its cover was made by his wife.
Deacon, Alex, has been a long-standing member of the Aberdeen church while Valerian is a more recent convert to the faith. This is also the case for deaconess, Patience, who became a member of the church prior to the onset of COVID 19. Lastly, Ellen, who has lived in Aberdeen for several years, is our newly-elected head deaconess.
The Aberdeen members look forward to working with Edson along with Alex, Valarian, Patience and Ellen while looking into the year to come and those yet to follow. It is the desire that God would continue to bless all those chosen to serve the Aberdeen church as well as those in its greater community.
