First female Church president appointed

“Over the last few years, retired Bishop Jürgen Müller served as Church president in Slovenia. He also saw to the pastoral care of the New Apostolic Christians in the country until his retirement. On 1 September 2020 Sister Esther Kompare took over the position of Church president,” it says on the website of the District Apostle Area Switzerland.

Responsibility for the pastoral care of the members in Slovenia will rest with District Apostle Jürg Zbinden, Apostle Philipp Burren, and Bishop Peter Jeram, who wished our Sister God’s blessing and much joy as she took over the official duties.

Esther Kompare is originally from Switzerland and lives in Slovenia with her husband. In recent years, she has taken on various administrative tasks in the Church, and has now taken over the official duties together with her deputy, Shepherd Korosec. As Church president, Esther Kompare represents the New Apostolic Church in Slovenia in all official matters at state level.

In many countries, the president of a District Church is at the same time a leading minister, such as District Apostle, Apostle, or Bishop. This is not obligatory, however.

More news from Europe

Church dedication in Germany

“It feels good to be here,” Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer said in his closing words. The members of the congregation and Apostle Ralph Wittich were not the only ones who had come to the church dedication last weekend in Auerbach (Germany). Also there were state and municipal officials, who were impressed by the religious life in the town. On account of the distance rules, guests and members of the congregation stayed at a safe distance from each other, but everyone enjoyed the exchange and the togetherness at the official ceremony. The church dedication was featured on a regional television channel, MDR, and various other media, as well as on the website of the New Apostolic Church Northern and Eastern Germany.

Apostles visit congregations in Romania and Portugal

In-person services are once again possible in a number of countries. With a reduced number of seats and other safety and hygiene measures, the celebration of divine services is once again possible. The Apostles jumped at the chance to visit the congregations. The website of the New Apostolic Church in Portugal reports that Apostle Dimitrios Diniz, for example, was once again able to conduct a divine service. And in Romania, Apostle Vasile Cone was able to conduct a divine service in the congregation of Dej, where he dispensed sacramental blessings and ordained a Deacon.

Church dedication in Austria

A new church was dedicated for the New Apostolic members in Bregenz (Austria) by Apostle Philipp Burren after a construction period of 17 months. The Apostle based his sermon on Haggai 2: 9: “‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” The Apostle thanked all those who had contributed to the construction of this magnificent edifice. He said that the new church should serve all those who love and seek Jesus, and asked that God bring peace, confidence, and glory to the new church building.

Correction (02.10.2020, 08.30): Contrary to a previous version of this article, Esther Kompare is not the first church president in Europe, but in Slovenia.