Faith in full bloom: Pniël Congregational Church hosts annual flower festival

Pniël Congregational Church will hold its annual flower festival from Saturday, November 15 to Tuesday, November 18.

The festival is in its 22nd year, as the event was halted during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating Unity in Diversity’.

The event will kick off on Saturday with an opening ceremony at 9.30am, which will include devotions, a presentation from Dr Eleanor Damon, and a blessing of flowers.

On Sunday, November 15, viewing will be from 2pm to 6pm, and from 9am to 6pm on Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17.

The festival’s coordinator, Sandra November, said the congregation was inspired to launch the festival in 2001 following the arrival of their new minister, Reverend Leon Klate, in 2000.

“His passion for mission work and stewardship has set our congregation on a path of gratitude to the Lord for all our gracious gifts received from His hand for 182 years now.

“Our first flower festival chairwoman was Ethelwynne Petersen, who is now 91 years young.

“She was given the task in 2001 to transform the church into a flower festival out of gratitude to our Lord for his goodness and grace in the year.

“Our first theme was 'Celebrating God's creation',” Ms November said.

Pniël Congregational Church, located in Kloof Street in Pniël, is the only church in the community. It has a rich history that spans over 180 years.

Ms November said the annual flower festival draws people together from all sectors in the community.

“Our congregation is actually the entire town, because we only have one church. About 98% of the nearly 3 000 residents belong to our church,” Ms November said.

“Our town has nine wards, various ministries, sports clubs, and families who all come to place a flower arrangement in the church,” she said.

So what can festival-goers expect at this year’s floral event?

“The church will be decorated in the most beautiful anthuriums, orchids, roses, lilies, and the most expensive floral splendour.

“The lobby, pulpit, windows, benches, organ, piano, baptismal font, and communion table are depicted with flowers, the theme.

“Previously, our church benches were also taken out to represent a type of Chelsea flower garden. Now our ‘out of our garden’ is displayed in the cafeteria.

“People can come and marvel at the display of potted plants that come from the congregation members’ own gardens while enjoying some homemade milk tart, koeksisters, baked bread, and cookies with tea,” Ms November said.

A special area has been added to remember members of the congregation who have died in the past year.

"Last year, we lost two members who were 104 and 103 years old, respectively. We will honour their memory with special flower arrangements.

"We will also have an area with floral displays from 17 members who are over 90 years old and want to demonstrate their thankfulness toward God."

Refreshments will be on sale in the cafeteria from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, and from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday. Various plants will also be sold. While entry is free, donations are welcomed.

"We are a welcoming, loving and generous congregation that cares for our community. Through our festival, we would like to make more people aware of God's great grace towards us," Ms November added.