Reasons to give gifts—and give thanks!

Music brings in support

“Sing Christmas!” — It was under this motto that children’s choirs, youth choirs, and adult choirs as well as a number of instrumentalists took to the stage in the Silvertown concert church a few days before Christmas. Only one afternoon performance had actually been planned originally, but in response to popular demand, the groups ended up presenting their diverse and soulful programme twice in a row.

“Christmas is here!” — It was with these words that District Apostle John Kriel expressed his thanks, not only to the performers, but also to the concertgoers. This was because the audience had contributed generously to the Masakhe Foundation, the relief agency of the New Apostolic Church of Southern Africa. A total of 60,000 rand (approximately US $4,300) was presented to Jacqui Naidoo, the manager of Masakhe.

Aid for victims, perpetrators, and helpers

The aid agency of the New Apostolic Church in Southern Germany, “human aktiv”, made some donations to a number of different institutions just prior to Christmas. For example, 20,000 euros were presented to the “Weißen Ring” [White Ring], an association that assists victims of crime. Among other things, the institution provides personal support, arranges aid from government and other agencies, and helps bridge financial difficulties. A further 10,000 euros were awarded to the “Behandlungsinitiative Opferschutz” [Treatment Initiative for Victim Protection], which provides acute psychological treatment to victims of violent and sexual crimes, but also delivers qualified treatment to perpetrators in order to prevent relapses.

Another 20,000 euros were donated to “Interplast Germany”, an association whose teams—which include experienced surgeons, anaesthesiologists, surgical nurses, and other caregivers—volunteer in developing countries. In addition, the Red Cross received some 10,000 euros for its “Kältebus” initiative in Stuttgart, which provides help to homeless people. Further donations were earmarked for the Christian charity known as “Arche” [Ark], which provides free lunches, homework supervision, and leisure activities to children and young people from socially disadvantaged families. Over the years, this institution has received a total of 220,000 euros.

India celebrates an anniversary

The New Apostolic Church in India will celebrate its 50-year anniversary in the coming year. For this reason, its 2020 calendar year will be focused on the beginnings and developments of the New Apostolic denomination on the subcontinent.

Starting with the sealing of Angel Robinson, the first member in India, the calendar outlines the growth of the work and the faith in India. It provides insight into the early period of the Church in India and the hard work of the early Apostles. It also traces the growth phase of the work in India and gives an idea of the consolidation and reorganisation efforts intended to bolster the Church there in the future.

The NAC India website concludes its remarks on the calendar with the words of Philippians 1: 6: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”