Joy, grief, reverence, warmth: many a divine service is filled with emotion—especially when something special is on the agenda. However, tender feelings can also prove sensitive—which means it is also important to use fingertip sensitivity when snapping photos.

A handshake between the chairman and the delegates sealed it: the New Apostolic Church has been awarded associate status in the Council of Christian Churches in Germany.

Whether at the end of the world, close to the South Pole, or on a small island somewhere in Africa, divine services and fellowship are possible nearly everywhere in the world. All one has to do is get up and go.

There is always something new happening. Not a single day goes by without new things going on somewhere in the world. And New Apostolic congregations are no exception. Here is a small extract.

It does not happen every day that the website of a District Church dedicates a whole page to a District Elder. Yet this is what the New Apostolic Church in the Philippines has done.

Areas of responsibility, language barriers, and distances … faith and fellowship are capable of breaking down all these barriers. Here are some examples—like the story about a call for help from a hospital.

From the Caribbean via Spain to the Black Sea: the working area that District Apostle (ret.) Markus Fehlbaum of Switzerland looked after for ten years took him to countries with diverse cultures and languages. How did he do it all?

Building and shaping, with each other and for each other. Many committed people are busy across the New Apostolic world, driven by enthusiasm and Christian love—and they don’t shy away from a challenge.

There has been a lot of movement in the New Apostolic congregations around the world: for one thing, the congregations in Italy and in the Ticino region (the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland) have once again received a new Bishop in Ivan de Lazzari.

Cancelled services because of heavy snowfall, Sunday School with recorder and trombone ensembles, and an annual programme of learning and praying. These are some of the different ways New Apostolic congregations across the world launched into the new year.

Success in life and finding one’s personal life balance: something most people certainly don’t need God for. So why do we even still need the church? A clear answer from Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider.

Nine Apostles were ordained by Chief Apostle Schneider in the second half of last year. He also appointed two new District Apostles. One Apostle passed away, seven Apostles and two District Apostles retired, and one Apostle was dismissed.

Praising God with a velvet voice, loving God against all odds, and doing volunteer work abroad with no thought of self. This is how Manilo, Mannki, and Angela live their faith, each in his or her own unique way.

A dual pastoral care commitment: in the congregation and for war veterans. Craig Esterhuizen has dedicated himself to help in word and deed. On the recent centenary marking the end of World War One he received additional support.

Ministers should know what they are talking about. The faithful not only expect advice and answers from ministers in all kinds of matters, but also expect them to react with empathy when problems arise. Training can help in this.

Do churches make people unhappy so that they can comfort them afterwards? That’s a stupid allegation, the Chief Apostle says, for life certainly serves up enough suffering. On the contrary, faith brings consolation and even gives strength to do what is good and right.

Urs Hebeisen is always on the go—across geographical, technical, and sometimes even mental barriers. As District Apostle he has left his mark on many people, congregations, and the international Church. On Sunday, the Chief Apostle will be retiring a man who has a heart of gold.

Who could claim that he always feels God’s love? However, there is plenty of evidence that it is always there. This is what the Chief Apostle made clear in a divine service in Brazil recently, riveting people’s attention.