A thankful congregation is a joyful congregation!
Against cholera, for peace and understanding between peoples—the programmes of the congregations around the world are creative, diverse, and fantastic. It is important that we take on responsibility in society, not only spiritually but also in a concrete and material way.
-
Photo: MSF
-
Photo: MSF
-
Photo: MSF
-
Photo: NAK Süddeutschland
-
Photo: NAK Süddeutschland
-
Photo: NAK Süddeutschland
-
Photo: NAC Thailand
Dadaab is considered the largest refugee camp in the world. It is located in the north-east of Kenya, close to the border of Somalia. Some 400,000 displaced people are living a miserable existence there. Most come from South Sudan, a country in the throes of civil war, and from Somalia. The hygienic conditions are poor. Aid organizations are aware that the risk of epidemics and disease is extremely high. Just recently it became known that the medical charity Doctors without Borders managed to respond to and contain an outbreak of cholera in Dadaab. The Swiss foundation NAK-Humanitas contributed 10,000 Swiss francs to this humanitarian project last year.
Villingen-Schwenningen with its population of 80,000 is a medium-sized city in the eastern Black Forest region in Germany in which 50 religious denominations co-exist. They all signed a joint declaration of peace in October in favour of mutual respect, a peaceful co-existence, and against all forms of manipulation, violence, and terror. The Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, many free churches, the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs DITIB, the Millî Görüş Association, the Al Salaam Association, the Alawites, and the Orthodox churches—they all signed the declaration. The Jewish religious community and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) are planning on still adding their signatures to the document. The signatories for the New Apostolic Church were the two rectors of the congregations in Villingen and Schwenningen. Following the signing, the assembled dignitaries planted a lime tree as a sign of peace.
Blantyre, Malawi. “Such a divine service for the departed is always extraordinary,” District Apostle Charles Ndandula says. He is head of the New Apostolic Church in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe and is looking forward to the visit of Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider in Blantyre (Malawi), who will celebrate this service there on the first Sunday in November. The District Apostle is aware how important such a visit is and made a public announcement, inviting anyone wishing to attend: “The New Apostolic Church invites its members and the general public to a service for the departed to be conducted by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider in Blantyre, Malawi.” The service will take place in the Chirimba congregation in Blantyre and will be broadcast throughout Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The motto for the service will be “And your heart will rejoice”, based on John 16: 22. Special guest will be District Apostle Helper João Uanuque Misselo from Angola.
Chiang Mai, the small New Apostolic congregation in Thailand, also celebrates Thanksgiving. Different cultures around the world thank God, the Creator, for all the good gifts He gives. A great deal of effort and creativity go into the altar decorations on this day. The congregations express their thankfulness by artfully arranging and displaying fruits and vegetables in front of the altar. A grateful congregation is a joyful congregation! Here is a look at the altar and the congregation, representing all the other congregations around the world that celebrate Thanksgiving.
Article info
Author:
Date:
Keywords:
Peter Johanning
07.10.2016
Kenya,
Malawi,
Thailand,
Germany,
Switzerland,
Aid agencies,
Denominations,
Social commitment,
International,
Congregational life
