Sunday School graduation ceremony

The only way children really have a future is with a good education. This not only applies in everyday life, but also spiritually. Featured in this week’s review are these two aspects, as well the Chief Apostle’s recent trip to the USA.

Moving on to the next level in religious education

In Kraaifontein, a suburb of Cape Town (South Africa), children celebrated their graduation from Pre-Sunday School on 27 November. They will now move on to Sunday School. Children in South Africa traditionally take this big step at the start of the Advent season, and in front of the whole congregation after a divine service. Before the children received their caps and certificates, they presented a poem and sang two songs for their parents and the members of the congregation.

Education for orphans

World AIDS Day was observed on 1 December. Declared by the World Health Organization in 1988, it was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. In the meantime, many organizations on all continents observe this day to raise awareness and show solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS as well as their families. Moreover, leaders in politics, business, and society are to be reminded that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a continuing scourge. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is “Hands up for #HIVprevention”.

To create awareness and provide practical support is the task of New Apostolic charities, such as NAK-karitativ. In Choma, a village in Zambia, for example, the charity has been supporting a project run by a group of women who provide long-term support to one hundred AIDS orphans. Thanks to this help the children can go to school and receive vocational training, giving them good prospects for the future.

Visiting members in the USA

Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider just returned from a visit to the American continent, his last one this year. After visits to Argentina, Peru, and Colombia in April, to Canada in July, and to Brazil in September, he now celebrated a divine service in Pasadena, California, on 27 November. The service was broadcast nationwide.

The Chief Apostle was accompanied by the Apostles from the USA, by District Apostle Enrique Minio from Argentina, and District Apostle Helper Frank Dzur from Canada. During his stay, there were many meetings with members and musical performances.

There are 30,000 New Apostolic members in the USA. They are spread over 240 congregations and are looked after by 1,400 ministers.

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