Photo by Ashford Marx on Unsplash
Greetings, CTU Members and Friends –
Congratulations to Gur Mouanga (now REVEREND Gur Mouanga!) on his ordination of 22nd March 2026. Our church was filled to overflowing with friends, family and colleagues shedding tears of joy as we celebrated this milestone in Gur’s life and the life of our congregation.
On a very sad note, our dear Fred Benning passed away peacefully at home on 9th March. A memorial will be held to celebrate his life on Sunday 12 April at 2 pm, in person and online. See below for the zoom link.
Our theme for the month of April will be Buddhism, a path I have passionately walked for 30 years. See below how we explore this fascinating religion.
The Ministerial Search Committee has begun exploring what our ministry needs will be, when I step down in December of this year. If you are interested in being part of the committee, contact LeighMeinert@gmail.com.
Lastly, on 19-22 March, we hosted 20 African Unitarian Leaders in our building for a weeklong conference. The meetings were dedicated to creating an Unitarian leadership programme that recognises and represents African culture (in all its diversity). It will be created by Africans for Africans, with support from some of our Unitarian colleagues worldwide.
If I can be of support to you, in times of joy or sorrow, don’t hesitate to reach out.
With love and light,
WhatsApp 076 024 9120
In this issue of the newsletter
Check out our events page to view our church calendar. This includes events posted in the building and outside of the building. If you would like your event added, please contact us via email at: community@capetownunitarians.org
Sunday Services
Upcoming Activities
Fundraising
Council Updates
Sunday Services
All services will start at 10:30 am SA time
Contact Community@CapeTownUnitarians.org for the link
5 April, The Beginnings of Buddhism (online only due to the Two Oceans race). Nima will look at the historical context of Siddhartha Gautama and his awakening. What was his life like before that moment? What led to his awakening? Each week, we’ll explore what Buddhist practices might have benefit to your own life.
12 April, The Path of Practice, Cultivating Heart and Mind. Nima will share some important Buddhist practices, like loving-kindness and tonglen (a practice of compassion, for oneself and for others).
19 April, Adjusting to Change in Building a Beloved Community. Gur will share some thoughts about how we can turn change into opportunity to enable transformation inside us and around us.
26 April, The Nature of Mind, Dzogchen and Absolute Truth. Join Nima as she explores the distinction between relative and absolute truth, and what Tibetans discovered about the nature of mind. A powerful Tibetan practice called Trekchöd, cutting through, will be shared.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Somerset West Fellowship
SATURDAY, 11 APRIL 2026 @ 10h00
NOTE 2ND SATURDAY IN APRIL DUE TO EASTER
Speaker: Dorian Haarhoff
NEW WINE IN OLD BOTTLES
A GAGA conversation on ageing without getting old
“Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made…” (Browning)
GAGA (not the Lady) = Gracious Ageing, Grateful Ageing. How can we open to new ideas and beliefs that keep the inside bright, shiny and rust free?
Dorian Haarhoff is a writer, story-teller, mentor and speaker. Passionate about developing innate creativity and imagination, he believes in the power of stories to create new realities, to bring healing, and to build our belonging. A former Professor of English (Namibia), Dorian’s wordshops are based on his workbook The Writer’s Voice.
Vonke Meeting Room, Vonke House, 121 Lourensford Rd, Somerset West
📞 **Contact:** Rev. Roux Malan – 084 679 5466
🌐 **Website:** https://swunitarians.carrd.co
This is a free event—all are welcome!
Fred Benning Memorial
Sunday, 12 April, 2 pm
Please join online to celebrate our beloved Fred Benning, who passed away peacefully on 10 March. Here is the zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95665345880?pwd=bymfaS0kPw7SqwvI4F1CKRX3kWntcJ.1
Meeting ID: 956 6534 5880
Passcode: Fred
CTU Community Update:
Gur’s ordination!
Thank you to everyone who supported Gur Mouanga at his ordination as a Unitarian minister. He sends everyone deep gratitude and appreciation for you!
Fundraising
GUR NEEDS YOUR HELP: Gur’s GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/150067d08
We have already raised 60% of the money needed to change Gur and his family’s life dramatically for the better by getting their permanent residency approved. Most have donated via EFT to CTU. If you’d like to give in that way, here are the details: Unitarian Church, Standard Bank, account # 070440719, Swift Code SBZAZAJJ. 50 people giving R500 will achieve our goal! 5 people giving R5,000 works as well. Any amount is appreciated.
Council Updates
A Council meeting was held Sunday, 29 March. A recap of the Pan African Conference was discussed, along with Gur’s ordination. Preparations were made for the upcoming Annual General Meeting that will be held Sunday, 24 May, 11:30am - 1:30pm. Please mark your diaries. Also, discussion was had about the new ministerial search process. Jacky Woodman presented the Oxford model of three leaders focused on specific areas of the ministry as one option.
Have questions or comments for Council? Please email us at community@capetownunitarians.org.