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Be
doers of the word, and not hearers only.
James 1, 22
Meditation
on the verse for July 2003
Dear
Congregation,
Recently – as you probably know – a group
of our congregation was at the First Ecumenical Church Festival in
Berlin
. This is the biggest Church event in
Germany
, comparable to a large celebration, where Church Services,
concerts, discussions take place and, of course, for Christians there are many
opportunities to meet. Between 200,000 and 300,000 people met for the opening
ceremony already at the Brandenburger Tor. The exceptional thing, however, was
not the multitude of people, although it was really encouraging to see so many
young people at a Church event (25% of the participants were younger than 25
years!). The exceptional thing was that, for the first time in history since the
Reformation, both denominations invited jointly to the Church Festival. Since
the 16th century, it had not been possible to overcome theological
differences and Church Service traditions for coming together in a joint
celebration of faith. Certainly, during the past decades, there were many
ecumenical meetings, foremost on the congregational level. And after the II.
Vatican Council, the largest reform council in the Catholic Church, things like
ecumenical marriages were made possible. One had come somewhat closer together.
And, as it usually happens, this was not a problem at all for most
congregations. I, for instance, had good contacts with the Catholic congregation
in
Germany
. And here in this district, where our Church is, the
Churches of varying denominations work together. – Why has it taken so long
until the Church leaders could finally agree on a joint Church Festival? There
was the concern about their own traditions being
destroyed. I cannot go into depth here, but what happens, for instance, if all
celebrate Holy Communion together, while the concept of Holy Communion is
different in the Catholic and Evangelical faith? – I found this picture. As in
a contest in sports, the podium for the winners can be seen. It does not matter
which bishop is in place two or three, the Bible, in any case, is number one. I
think this is still undisputed among Christians, that we base our faith on the
Bible, and the Churches – which ever it may be – derives its traditions
directly from the Bible. Therefore, if the Bible is number one, then the unity
of Christians should no longer be a problem, should it? Two difficulties,
unfortunately, are not removed yet: The differing understanding of the Biblical
Text, and what the verse for the month from the Letter of James suggests: Be
doers of the word, and not hearers only...
The most impressive thing at the Church Festival in
Berlin
was that people were less concerned with the differences but
more with things they had in common. And I think this is a very important step,
also in minor things. To our Church, too, people come from different
backgrounds, different ages, with different needs and expectations. And, as at
the large Church Festival in
Berlin
, so it is also necessary, time and
again, to agree on a joint path. It is the process of coming-together. Often
enough, one has to find a middle path, which, however, does not simply drop down
from heaven, but which we must seek jointly with God’s help. This is not
always easy, but, on the whole, it is fruitful. We are bound together with a
band which faith ties regardless of generations and all the differences. The
task remains for us as individuals to work on ourselves, to regard the common
ground as more important than the individual standpoint, and to find
compromises. It is love, it is respect for each other, which bridge all
differences – this is, all in all, surely the most important thing we can
learn from the Bible. It is up to us, then, to take this to heart, too. What did
the verse of the month just say? - Be doers of the word, and not hearers only...
With best wishes for July,
I remain with best regards, your Pastor
Special
Collection
Our Special Collection begins later than
last year. During the coming days and weeks, you will be approached or
visited by members of the Church Council and participating congregational
members and asked for your donations for the congregation. Because of the
harsh winter ,
the higher energy costs and the fact that the numbers of Church visitors
throughout the winter months were not as high, the income was less. We are
depending on donations. The congregational work is benefiting fully from
them. Much has been accomplished, but it is important to continue on same
road and further our congregational activities. We thank you for your
support of the congregation and already for your contributions!
Trip
to Germany - in Retrospect
 When
going on a trip, there is much to tell... This is, guaranteed true of our
Germany-Trip. The trip was strenuous, because it was packed with visits
and events, so that I heard the odd person say: “Now we
have to recover from the trip, first of all, and have to digest our
experiences.” – As a few of the trip-participants were already in
Germany
, we met at the Heilig Kreuz Kirche in Berlin-Kreuzberg
on May 27. The congregation consists of two districts with two Churches
and is located in an area of many foreign nationalities. Therefore,
congregational life is determined by the support of refugees and asylum
seekers. On the very first evening, we were billeted with our hosts, with
whom we stayed during the time of the Church Festival. The Church Festival
offered everything one can imagine in connection with the Church.
Emphasis, of course, was on the meeting of the two large German
denominations, the Catholics and the Protestants. During the Festival, the
signing of the “Carta Oekumenica” took place, which urges the majority
of European Churches to work together ecumenically. This, unfortunately,
has not made the headlines as the joint celebration of Holy Communion did,
which took place here and there, but had not been permitted by the
Catholic Church. The attending priests have been relieved of their
positions in the meantime. We, as participants, were certainly left with
impressions of the atmosphere as such: Even in a large city like
Berlin
, the Christians influenced the streetscape; the mood
was very positive and friendly. 
There were 3000 events, out of which
everyone of us picked whatever he wanted. Certainly moving was the fact
that even the largest Churches in
Berlin
were occupied to the last seat. – From
Berlin
we went on to
Dresden
on June 1st. The erection of the
Frauenkirche, which was destroyed during the war, is nearing completion.
In about six months, the Church will be consecrated. It will function as a
place of meeting and reconciliation. The bells were ringing for the first
time a
Dresden
we went on to
Erfurt
, where we slept in the Cloister of the
Augustine-Hermits, the cloister which Martin Luther entered as a monk. The
renovation of the cloister is outstanding, and it also accommodates a
small convent of female Benedictines now. High points in
Erfurt
were the Dome visit and a devotion in the small chapel
of the cloister. From
Erfurt
we went to Wernigerode in the
Harz Mountains
. The trip with the Harz-Train up to the
Brocken
, the highest mountain in the Harz, has transported
many of us back to childhood days: the puffing steam-locomotive twisted
its way up through the forest – what an experience. From there we
visited the Wartburg – Luther’s exile in the year 1521 – where
Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German in only 10 weeks.
You can see here, that Martin Luther dominated our travel route time and
again. In
Eisenach
we visited the Bach House. In Eisleben we saw the
birthplace of Martin Luther and the house where he died. Then we came to
Leipzig
, which, as all cities of the former GDR, became a
modern and beautiful city after the reunification. A highlight in
Leipzig
was the visit of the Nicolai-Church and the
conversation with the Pastor there, Christian Führer, about the
demonstrations after the peace prayers on Mondays. 
This movement has,
finally, brought about the fall of the Regime of the GDR.
“Nicolai-Church – open to all”, is written at the door; they acted
accordingly, especially during difficult times, when huge pressure was put
on Churches during Socialist times. Even today, this motto is still valid.
For the congregation all that happened, seen in retrospect, is a miracle.
One can only agree with this, particularly when reflecting on the fact
that this revolution happened peacefully, no shot was fired. From
Leipzig
we went to
Wittenberg
. In the
Palace
Church
, where Martin Luther is supposed to have nailed the 95
Theses to the door, we have experienced a Pentecost-Service. Another
Luther-House with a table where Luther disputed with students and
colleagues; later on, these speeches were published as the
“Table-talks”. From
Wittenberg
we returned to
Berlin
, from where some of our group departed for visits of
relatives, and the others flew back to
Canada
. In conclusion, I must say that this trip was
certainly worth-while. So many impressions and experiences! – Indeed,
now they have to be digested first.
Congregational
Meeting
On
May 25th, a Congregational Meeting took already place, after the
German Service, concerning the application of the German School Toronto, to use,
if necessary, the basement of the Church. During a conversation with the
people of the school responsible for this matter, there have, however,
arisen questions and suggestions. Furthermore, the meeting did not constitute a
quorum – there were less than 50 voting members present. On June 22nd,
therefore, a second meeting was called. Once again, concerns could be voiced.
The vote resulted in a majority accepting the application of the school. Now we
need to wait whether the school will indeed use the rooms in September or
perhaps will find something closer to their old location.
The Mother's
Day Luncheon
...has brought in a net amount of
$478, which goes to the
Mission Circle
for their work. We thank the congregation, but also
our sponsors
The
Lein Family (Lein Delikatessen)
And Horst Wiegers (H&R Sweets)
Many
Thanks!!
.
Camp
Lutherlyn - please register!!
Whoever wants to come to
Camp
Lutherlyn
, Sunday, July 27th till Saturday, August 2nd, should
please register as soon as possible. Attached to this Bulletin you find a
Registration Form. There will be a bus to transport children to the camp and
pick them up again. Departure: July 27th,
8:30 a.m.
!
Cultivating
Community Workshop
Camp Edgewood, October 24-26/03
You
can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and
enjoy its results only
if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each
other with dignity and honour.
You are invited to participate in a
community-building workshop, in the Fall at
Camp
Edgewood
. Sessions begin
Friday afternoon, and run through to Sunday afternoon. It is imperative to
be present for the entire workshop. Only those actively involved in the
workshop will be at the Camp. A minimum of eight and a maximum of 16
participants are required.
Cultivating community will take
Honesty, Humility, Courtesy, Confidentiality, Frequency and Commitment.
To cultivate real fellowship, and a loving community in this small
group, you will have to make some tough choices, and take some risks.
Contact
Hans Vetter
Phone: (416) 367-0378
Church
Picnic - in Retrospect
Our
Church Picnic was a total success. It was nice that, in spite of
Father’s Day, so many took part in the Picnic. Everything was harmonious
and well-prepared. To all those who
helped, a heartfelt thank-you. The
Mission Circle
has taken in $270.30 for the support
of needy
families.
Radio-Devotion
on AM530
Every Friday at
11:00 a.m.
, Pastor Wolf holds a Radio-Devotion in German on station
Ciao Radio, AM 530. It is about
“God and the World” and offers a preview to the following Sunday
Service. Please tell others, particularly those who can no longer come to
Church, for here the Church comes directly to them!!!
In
the next Bulletin
Report
on the new Sunday School Team!!
The Last Word
How
long should vacation last? Long enough so that the boss misses you,
but not too long, so that he discovers he can do without you.
(From
Switzerland
)
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cordially invite you to stay for a while
after
the Services for a cup of coffee!