Another week of news—and it is not always good. In Germany, France, and Spain, people are in mourning because a Germanwings passenger aircraft crashed over the French Alps. A total of 150 people lost their lives in the crash.
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Altar decorations in Haltern
Photo: NAK NRW
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Conference in Port of Spain
Photo: NAC USA
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Conference in Graaff-Reinet
Photo: NAC Cape
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Conference in Bangkok
Photo: NAC SEAsia
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A conference of a special kind in Kitchener
Photo: NAC Canada
One city was particularly hard-hit: Haltern. It was from this city that sixteen students and two teachers lost their lives. They had been on their way home from an educational trip to Barcelona. Many people in Haltern took part in the grieving process, including the New Apostolic congregation. The congregation kept its doors open all day long, and in the evening service, the members even reflected their special sympathy in the altar decorations. After the divine service, the members of the congregation brought the flowers to the school in Haltern and laid them on the makeshift memorial site that had come into being on the steps in front of the main entrance. District Apostle Rainer Storck also reacted in shock and deep sadness: “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and friends of the victims. Our deep sympathy extends to all the bereaved.”
Conference in Port of Spain
From 20-22 March there was also a meeting of Church leaders in Port of Spain, Trinidad. District leaders from across the Caribbean, which is served by the District Church of the USA, gathered together for this event. This included District Elders from Jamaica, Guyana, and the Bahamas. District Apostle Leonard Kolb extends an invitation to this conference once each year. On these occasions, he and Apostle Orlofski, who is responsible for the region, lead special events, address various matters of pastoral care in small groups, and also take care of various administrative matters. This meeting centred primarily on a theological perspective of forgiveness of sins and a deepened understanding of the “Serving and Leading” principle. An entire day was reserved for a course on divine services of substance.
Conference in Graaff-Reinet
There was a similar meeting in Graaff-Reinet—a small city in the province of East Cape in South Africa—over the same weekend. District Apostle Noel Barnes and all Apostles from the District Church of Cape came together and discussed the development of the Church in the future. On the afternoon of Saturday, 21 March, they enjoyed a festive choral concert in the city hall, which was also attended by the local mayor. The program featured various different musical styles, including classical music, gospel music, and isiXhosa folklore.
Conference in Bangkok
There was also a gathering in Thailand. The annually occurring meeting of the board of the NAC Foundation Thailand took place on Saturday, 21 March in Bangkok. The Chairman of the board is District Apostle Urs Hebeisen. His opening statement is clear: he is very happy that the New Apostolic Church in Thailand, though small, is connected with the global New Apostolic Church. “Let us let our light shine!”For the congregation in Hua Hin he ordained the hitherto Deacon Michael Komischke a Priest. He will serve the German-speaking members of the congregation.
Conference in Kitchener
On the weekend of 21-22 March, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider was in Kitchener, Canada. His itinerary began with a conference of a special kind: a discussion for young adults from the region. They had put together a list of questions beforehand and forwarded them to the Church leader. The Chief Apostle took sufficient time to answer these questions in all seriousness. This special form of discussion with the Chief Apostle was transmitted across the country by internet for interested viewers.