And what do you need?

Training programme for ministers

In September 2017, the New Apostolic Church North Rhine-Westphalia began offering a three-part training programme for Deacons and Priests. In seminars of one day or more in duration, young ministers are qualified for their church commission. The content of the training programme ranges from subjects directly related to ministry (such as pastoral care, liturgy, the sermon, sacraments, fundamentals of theology, missionary work) to administrative matters (such as how to use internet portals, copyright laws, administrative processes, etc.), all the way to leadership skills (such as conflict management, team building, and lateral leadership).

The first such events already began at the start of this month. The “hands-on” exercises were especially well-received. In a departure from theoretical exercises, the participants practised the various liturgical elements involved in Holy Communion and Holy Baptism, right at the altar. This included learning the proper gesture for both the consecration and benediction, the presentation of the chalices, as well as how to dispense Communion wafers. At the end, ministers even made use of a doll to practise baptising an infant with sufficient water. “Even though it may have looked a little strange—this exercise helped me tremendously”, professed a young Priest afterward.

Houses for widows and orphans

Many families in Malawi live in difficult situations of life. For single women and orphans, survival is a special challenge. It is very difficult for women to earn a living on their own. They are thus no strangers to dilapidated housing, hunger, etc. To counter this, NAK-karitativ is currently engaged in a house construction project that aims to provide safe and secure living space. The first phase of the project will support ten widows with children and orphans in early adulthood. In addition to the housing element, this comprehensive aid package also includes various educational and training measures.

News for members

“From the desk of the District Apostle…”— so begins the quarterly magazine known as “Australia District News”. A new edition of the 16-page brochure, which can also be read on the website of the New Apostolic Church Australia, has just been published, and provides information on special events from the District Church and the congregation, for example, a youth event in Queensland, the latest celebration of Thanksgiving, and the upcoming appointment of District Apostle Helper Peter Schulte.

Information for sponsors

Twelve aid agencies of the New Apostolic Churches are spread throughout, and active on, all continents of the world. At times they execute their own projects, and at other times these agencies collaborate with other aid organisations to support people in need. The organisations regularly publish what is done with the donations they collect, both in member assemblies and in annual reports. The aid agency of the New Apostolic Churches in Germany—NAK-karitativ—just published its annual report for the year 2016 this week. You can download a copy of the report from the website.

Respect for listeners

Representatives of 20 different religious denominations sat down at the “Table of Religions”, which had been set up as part of the interreligious celebrations in St. Gallen, Switzerland. This year, the motto was: “Respect grows from listening”. The New Apostolic Church was also represented. Delegates from Christian churches, Islamic congregations, as well as representatives of Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and the Baha’i faith gathered together on the Swiss Day of Prayer and Repentance. The highlight of the meeting consisted of prayers that were sung and read aloud. The event incorporated moments of silence and elements of movement.