Working in community—the next generation gets down to work

A reunion in the Alps

Finally, after a two-year break due to the pandemic, children from the districts of Ticino and Northern Italy came together for some fellowship. At the beginning of July, they spent a week together at 1,241 metres above sea level in a small village in Ticino. The 23 children and their teachers hiked, engaged in crafts, and played many games together. They also worked together to prepare the divine service space, and lovingly decorated the altar with things they found in nature. Bishop Ivan De Lazzari came to conduct the divine service for them on Sunday, and on Wednesday the children were delighted to see their District Apostle Jürg Zbinden.

On the move together

Confirmation is a special celebration for young Christians. In order to help the young people grow together nicely as a group, there are events before and after the confirmation celebration which are designed to promote group cohesion. It was for just such an event that the confirmands of the Cape Costal Apostle area in South Africa assembled on 6 August. The stormy weather could not keep the young people from their walk, which was captioned by this year’s motto: “Together in Christ”. Apostle Bradley Bourne was also on hand to give the young people some spiritual inspiration.

Helping along to craft the Church of the future

The students of the Gauteng / Limpopo Apostle area in South Africa do more than just have fun at student parties. On 30 July, all New Apostolic students from the area met up for a social get-together in the Groenkloof nature reserve in Pretoria. The day started with some fun games to help the youth become better acquainted with one another, and then the students hiked together through the nature reserve. Afterward they took some time to talk about things they would like to—and can—change about the Church.

Advertising with music

From 25 to 28 August, Port Gentil, Gabon was the scene of a youth summit attended by 185 young people who had come from all over the country to be together under the motto “Here I am: Together in Christ”. Since Apostle Geoffrey Nwogu had not been able to visit the small country for a long time owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the district ministers’ meeting was held at the same time. So while the ministers worked on spiritual subjects and negotiated ways to achieve financial independence, the youth enjoyed beach games and lots of music. However, they also introduced the New Apostolic Church in the various city quarters of Port Gentil and prepared for a large concert, which took place on Saturday afternoon at the Place de la Concorde. On Sunday, the youth summit came to a close with a festive divine service, which was attended by over 300 members. But that was not yet the end for the choir leaders and tutors. They still benefitted from some seminars together. Their task will now be to pass along the knowledge they have acquired to their home congregations in accordance with the “train the trainers” principle.