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At home around the world

April 18, 2015

Author: Peter Johanning

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Dedications, commemorations, confirmations—there sure seems to be a lot going on in the congregations around the world. As usual, we provide our readers with a brief, representative overview of the events of the past week in the many New Apostolic congregations around the world.

NAC Canada

The District Church of Canada publishes a national news magazine once each month online, in PDF format. The main topic this time around is the 50-year history of the Church’s missionary work in the previous District Apostle district of North America. This part of the New Apostolic globe, which at the time belonged to a single—much larger—district, numbered over five million members for a time. A tremendous missionary effort was made in 77 countries around the world. In the foreword of the “Canada District News”, District Apostle Mark Woll writes that this work began in Jamaica 50 years ago. The then District Apostle Michael Kraus commissioned Priest Roy Rutty to go to the Caribbean island, spread awareness about the New Apostolic Church among the people there, and establish a congregation. Over the course of time, over 40 ministers swarmed to the missionary work, many of them in a voluntary capacity. The District Apostle summarizes that there are still eleven countries served administratively and pastorally from the motherland of Canada.

INA Argentina

The District Church has opened up its own archive on the pioneer work of the Church in its country. It contains many old magazines, Communion chalices from past years, and accessories pertaining to congregational life such as photos, books, signs, and much more. The festive dedication of the “Museo de nuestros pioneros” was conducted by District Apostle Helper Enrique Minio on Saturday, 11 April. He had invited many retired ministers and their families to help celebrate this event.

NAK Nederland

On Sunday, 12 April 2015, there was a national confirmation day in the District Church of the Netherlands, which took place in the Hilversum church. This year there are 32 confirmands. Along with their confirmation teachers, they were invited to a special event that included a divine service and a number of workshops. Apostle Peter Klene gave them a warm welcome. Their confirmation, explained the Apostle, is a transition from their training into the youth, and is to be a special celebration. Four workshops had been prepared for the young people. The divine service took place after the lunch break. The parents, family members, rectors, and youth leaders of the confirmands were also invited.

NAC Cape

There were also some confirmation services scheduled in the Cape District Church. On Sunday, 12 April, District Apostle Noel Barnes visited the congregation of Dunrobin. A total of 19 confirmands and a fully occupied congregation were waiting anxiously for his arrival. Many friends and confirmation guests had also come. Prior to the divine service, the District Apostle took advantage of the opportunity to talk to all of the confirmands at length.

Gereja Kerasulan Baru Indonesia

The District Church of Indonesia is also offering the new Church magazine “community” in the Indonesian language. It is distributed both in PDF format and in print version, and is intended to replace the previous Church magazine “KELUARGA KITA”. The new magazine appears once each quarter and is free of charge.

NAC Southern Germany

“Blessing is our mission”—this is the title of a short film that was shown for the first time prior to the divine service on Sunday, 12 April 2015. Since the divine service was transmitted in sound and picture to approximately 380 churches equipped for transmissions in the working area of District Apostle Michael Ehrich, this film was instrumental in informing many New Apostolic Christians about the “Missionswerk”. The New Apostolic Church considers its primary task—its “mission” (from the Latin ‘missio’, meaning commission, task)—to be the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to provide pastoral care. A further, central element that is of special importance is to come to the aid of others—in other words, to practise active charity. The film can also be seen on the website of the “Missionswerk”.

April 18, 2015

Author: Peter Johanning

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