Dear Congregation, hard to believe! It is already a year since I packed my suitcases in Germany and came to Toronto into „Deep Freeze Temperatures’. I have now lived and worked here one year among you as a „Guest“ Pastor and have gathered various experiences. In this report, I would like to share with you these experiences and review my time in Canada Even before I arrived here, I noticed the great willingness to help, which was shown my husband. From far away I heard, that many of you brought by furniture for our apartment and many other items one needs in life. I was thankful, that you took us in in such a friendly and heartfelt manner. My first event in the line of duty was the traditional weekend in Edgewood at the end of January, which Pastor Stefan Wolf and I prepared and led on the topic of the 23rd Psalm. It was nice for me to see that profound and honest conversations were possible at this retreat and that also new methods were accepted. At the same time, I could get to know some of you better in a somewhat different atmosphere. It was for me the first step to truly arrive in the congregation. On the following Sunday, February 8th, I officially introduced myself to the congregation and was ceremoniously installed as Pastor. From then on, I participated in most events, conducted Church Services and thus became a part of the congregation.  I agreed with Pastor Stefan Wolf that we would, if at all possible, take turns in conducting congregational circles, Church Services and Radio Devotions. My own projects, which I introduced at the Annual Meeting, were the founding of a Visiting-Service Group, which co-ordinates the visits within the congregation and strengthens the congregation’s understanding of „Being there for each other“, as well as starting and leading a Senior’s Circle. Both circles have been well accepted and are now established in the congregation. A further new circle is the English Bible-Circle, which I have founded together with Peggy Seifert. One of the highlights of this year was the participation in the youth camp at Lutherlyn, which we prepared as a team. I found it impressive to see the enthusiasm with which so many children and youth of various ages took part in the program, and how adults, families, youth and children spent this week together. Very soon, I felt to be kindly accepted into this community. An important and very good experience was the help which I received, after my initial difficulties with the English language. Through the weekly English instructions from Peggy Seifert, I have, in time, overcome my insecurity and language blockage. That has made my work much easier and has added much to my feeling at home in the congregation. After a phase of settling in, when I first had to find my role within the congregation (and the congregation me in this role), I realized that the trust in me as Pastor was growing. I liked very much to take on my duty in Pastoral care during my congregational visits, during many conversations with you after the Church Service and on the telephone. It gave me much joy, to lead the Bible hours, the Senior’s Circle meetings and the Visiting-Service Circle, to have conversations with you or just to socialize with you on our congregational trips. I want to thank you all for the trust and the goodwill which you have offered me in my work during this year. I thank particularly Stefan Wolf, who has accompanied my work with his help and has given me much freedom in my work. This year was, personally as well as professionally, a considerable  enrichment for me.

My impression of the Martin Luther Church

On the whole, I came to know you as a very caring congregation, which considers itself to be a large family. One cares for elderly and sick congregational members and helps one another. But the children, too, have a secure place within the congregation. I find it is nice how the children are integrated into the Church Service and have their place in Sunday School. Also, the active participation in the Family Services, in summer (Camp Edgewood) and in winter (Christmas Play) shows me that the congregation stands together as a whole. It is exemplary for me how congregational structures can function on a democratic basis without much cannon law, and how you, as congregational members, are committed to your congregation with your money and your personal energy. Traditions play a big role in this congregation. I have seen how important community is, which retains its own roots abroad. The congregation is, according to my impression, quite ready to try new things, if there are good favourable arguments. I have noticed an ongoing effort to be an open, inviting congregation, which does not isolate itself from its surroundings, but perceives its mission in the society (i.e. through the Nursery) and in the world (Partner Church in Brazil). 

Auf Wiedersehen und Good bye - God bless you!
Susanne Hofmann

Once again we point out that we close our apartment in Mississauga. Therefore, we ask all, who want to get their items/furniture back, to contact me at the latest on February 13th (Tel: 905-275-7084). We will take care of the disposal of all other items. 

Greetings, Pastor Susanne and Andreas Hofmann

We remind once again of the date of the Annual Meeting, which is to begin around 1:30 p.m. on February 20th. We hope that as many members as possible can take part in the meeting. It is important that you take advantage of this opportunity, to inform yourself regarding further plans, especially during the Anniversary Year and add your opinions. We hope to be able to make the reports available two weeks ahead of time. In case it is not possible for you to pick up the report at the Church, there is the possibility that you contact us, so that we can send you the report via mail  or email

We have to fill four positions in the Church Council. The members Melvin Zabel, Horst Zimmer and Dan Sommerfeld retire at the end of their turn. Also, Matthias Gutsch has decided to leave the Church Council prematurely because of personal reasons. We thank these Church Elders very much for their tireless commitment.

We hope that we can conduct a vote and that several congregational members are already interested in the Church Council, who represents the entire congregation. The expectations of Church Council members are, that they participate in the life of the congregation and in the Church Council meetings (app. 10 times a year) and realize the duties around the Church Service (greeting, distributing programs and song books, collect and count money etc.). The Church Council is responsible for the financial administration of the congregation based on the decisions of the Annual Meeting, the hiring and dismissing of staff, the careful maintenance of the buildings and the mission to promote and support the membership and the spiritual work within the congregation. It is possible to recommend candidates on the day of the Annual Meeting. It is, however, advisable, to speak to the candidates beforehand and to win their participation in the Church Council. If possible, please inform the Church Council of sincere recommendations before the Annual Meeting, so that voting can be prepared accordingly. THANK YOU!

Once again, we point out to you a surely extraordinary, good concert. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra will present Johann Sebastian Bach’s Matthew Passion on Saturday, March 26th, at 7:30 p.m.

Hans Vetter has preordered 60 tickets, some of those are sold already. In case you are interested in this truly outstanding musical event on Saturday before Easter, please contact him and take note of the announcement in the foyer of the Church.

Herewith we invite to a Joint Service, during which we will inaugurate the newly elected Church Council and the new members into our congregation. Furthermore, this Sunday is exactly nine months before the festive 50th Anniversary of our congregation. Therefore, we want to assume a festive mood now already, and following the Service show the Luther Film which came out last year.

The film begins with his conversion experience   during a storm 1505, Luther’s  transfer to the University of Wittenberg 1508, Luther’s work as Doctor of Theology from 1512, then revolves around  his central question of faith regarding the merciful God and finally demonstrates how Luther, through the posting of the 95 theses at the Palace Church of Wittenberg on 31.10.1517 raged against the so-called absolution trade of the business efficient commissar of absolution of the Archbishop of Mainz, Tetzel (Alfred Molina). Luther’s summons before the Reichstag in Worms 1521, his translation of the Bible from the Greek original text under the protection of  Prince Frederic the Wise at the Wartburg after 1521, his marriage to the former nun Katharina von Bora (Claire Cox) 1525, and thereby the conscious and open break with celibacy, are addressed in the film as well as the horror of the peasant uprisings 1525 and their fallout. The film director Eric Till shows the person Luther in connection with the dispute around these questions of faith and thereby the Reformation as a religious matter. Participating actors are among others Joseph Fiennes, Alfred Molina, Jonathan Firth, Claire Cox, Peter Ustinov, Bruno Ganz, Uwe Ochsenknecht and Mathieu Carrière. We show the film in the English original version.

I would like to start a new confirmation group after the March break and Easter. Therefore, I ask all parents to register their children, from 12 years on, for instruction. On Monday, April 4th, the instructions start with an Information Evening for parents and prospective confirmands, where contents and progression of instructions will be explained. It would be nice if the children would be registered by telephone before that date. I am eager to know, as always, whether we will get a group together this year. Please register!

On Friday March 4th at 2:00 p.m., we are all cordially invited to the World Prayer Day at the Deutsche Evangeliumskirche on Glebe Road. The Order for this year comes from Poland with the title: „Let us be Light.“ The authors of the liturgy see the challenge, not to withdraw from the responsibility within society and to become involved in the matters of this world and be a part in shaping it. Christians should be light and should give orientation in faith to others, particularly to young people, and, not to be separated from this, through acting for one’s neighbour. An example for such action is to them the young Israeli prisoner in the house of Naaman, who shows her master the way to healing (2. Kings 5, 1 - 15). The motto of the liturgy derives from the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount „You are the light of the world“ (Mt.5, 13 - 16); in the Letter to the Ephesians (5, 8 – 14), the invitation can be found to live as „children of light“. Every year, women and men in app. 170 countries celebrate a Church Service on the World Prayer Day of women. Thus, in joint prayer, a world wide community is created. The collection supports women’s projects and aid projects which promote the concerns of women. After the Service, coffee is served.

The address of the Church is 20 Glebe Road East, Toronto, (east of Yonge Street and south of Eglinton Avenue). The telephone number is: 416-484-6849.

On Wednesday, February 9th, 2005 our Lent Services begin again, which take place every Wednesday during the Lent Season at 7:00 p.m. It is about concentrating on the life and work of Jesus during the Lent season. This year, the series of sermons is called „The Man from Galilee“ and contains texts from the Gospel of Matthew.

09. February:  The Temptation of his Life                                       Matthew 4, 1-11

16. February   The Call to Follow                                                       Matthew 4, 18-22

23. February   The Transforming Touch                                            Matthew 8, 14-17

02. March       Jubilation under Burdens                                           Matthew 11, 28-29

09. March       Knowing What Will Come                                             Matthew 20, 17-19

16. March       The Long Road from Lament to Praise                     Matthew 23, 37-39

I have asked myself, whether there is also interest in the English Congregation for such devotions, and whether we may find a day and a time, when English speaking congregational members could come. I propose Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m., beginning with February 15th. What do you think about this?

Mission Circle
every Wednesday morning from 9.30 a.m., except 09.02.
Church Choir
every Friday, 7:30 p.m., Church.
Planning Meeting with all those Responsible for Congregational Groups
Sunday, 06. February, 12.00 noon, Church.
Literary Circle
Tuesday, 08. February,  4:00 p.m., Parsonage!
Board of Directors, Nursery
Tuesday ,  08. February, 6:00 p.m., Church.
Women’s Circle
Wednesday,  09. February, 8:00 p.m.(!),  Church.
Church Council
Wednesday,  09. February, 8:00 p.m.(!),  Church.
Visiting Service Group
Sunday, 13. February, 12:00 noon, Church.
English Bible Group
Tuesday, 15. February, 7:30 p.m., Church.
German Bible Group
Wednesday, 16. February, 1:30 p.m., Church.
General Annual Meeting
Sunday, 20. February, app.1:30 p.m. Church.
Planning Group - Anniversary
Monday, 21. February, 7:00 p.m., Parsonage!
German Lenten Services
every Wednesday Evening, 7:00 p.m., Church.
World Prayer Day
Friday,  4. March,  2:00 p.m., 20 Glebe Road!

Without parting, there is no reunion.
(Walter Ludin)