Dear Fellow
Christians !
on
the photo you see a sculpture of the Swedish artist Carl Milles
(1875-1955). It is in Millesgården/Stockholm and bears the
title, ”God’s Hand”.
This figure
impresses me very much. Overwhelmed by the might of heaven -
that is its dramatic gesture. This person wanted to climb up
high, the stance of his legs is that of climbing a mountain. But
much stronger than his effort is the overwhelming experience, to
be lifted up by the powerful hand of God. Before his gaze,
heaven opens, and he is overwhelmed by this glory. His eyes show
amazement and worship, and his arms are opened wide to let
himself be filled with the brilliance which opens up above him.
This
sculpture makes the events of Pentecost clear to me and reminds
me of Psalm 139. Pentecost – the disciples have experienced
something like this. Heaven opened up above them, the hand of
God lifted them up; the Spirit of God seized their life anew and
filled them. And in Psalm 139 we can read: "You
hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such
knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot
attain it. 7Where can I go from your spirit? Or where
can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are
there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the
wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the
sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand
shall hold me fast."
To
discover God’s Spirit anew.
God’s Spirit,
who has created everything in this world and who lives within
the entire cosmos, who fills it with power and beauty. To hold
still for God’s Spirit, to open myself, so that my life is
filled with new strength and courage. That is Pentecost in the
midst of my daily life.
There is a
word by Maria Kaißling that seems seems to describe this
sculpture, “Heaven is always in motion, enticing and pulling us
and hurrying towards us and catching up with us.” And Lynne
Hybels says, "To believe means, to give oneself to this God, who
is greater – greater than my doubts and greater than my
questions.” Let us be encouraged by this again at this Feast of
Pentecost – giving ourselves to God, whose heaven opens up above
us, whose Spirit wants to touch and fill us!
With kind
greetings and blessings,
yours,
Pastor Alexander Mielke
On Pentecost Sunday,
May 31, 2009, Lukas Frantzke and Benedikt Mielke will
celebrate their confirmation in the festive Joint Service at
11.00 a.m. In
September, young people
can again join Confirmation Class at Martin Luther Church.
Confirmation instruction takes place every two weeks on Friday
evenings, and for the new-beginners, this then leads to Confirmation
on Pentecost Sunday, June 12th, 2011. Please bring this
instruction to the attention of your family and circle of friends.
You can contact Alexander Mielke concerning this matter:
416-567-2487.
On June 7, we will be able to
welcome the EKD-North-American Conference in our midst.
Oberkirchenrat Paul Oppenheim of the
EKD/Hannover and four other pastor colleagues from Miami, New York,
Ottawa and Washington will attend our joint service at 11:00 a.m.
Before that Sunday, this conference, organized by Pastor Mielke,
will take place as of June 4th, at the Retreat Centre of
the Franciscan Sisters in Lewiston/State of New York, near Niagara
Falls.
Welcome
to the next Movie Night in the Martin Luther Church. On
Monday, June 15, 7:00 p.m., the movie "The Lives of
the Others" will be presented, in German language with English
subtitles. Same time: movie for children, followed by snacks and
drinks.This movie night is one in a series of events which helps us, now in
the 20th year after the wall came down to learn more about German
experiences between East and West.
A big thank you to all these hard-working men who spoiled us with
delicious food on Mother's Day!
We also thank Dimpflmeier Bakery and Lein Catering Service for their
very generous donations of baked goods as well as
sausages, potatoe salad, cole slaw, cold cuts and veggie trays.
So we have been able to transfer $ 1,107.77 to our Lutheran Sister
Congregation in Sao Paulo in order to support the children in
Guarulhos
(incl.
Mothers Day Luncheon $ 353.65 and donation from Ascension Service at
St. George with all German speaking Luth. Churches, Toronto, $
216.00).
It was an honour and a pleasure that, on Mother's Day,
we could welcome the German Consul General Holger Raasch (centre),
together with his wife Jacqueline
and her uncle, Father Ghislain de Jaeger, in our festive service.
In
the beginning of October (probably Oct 4, 2:00 p.m.) we will have a
German reading event in our church. Anne C. Voorhoeve is going to
read out of her novel "Lilly unter den Linden" (Lilly under the
Lindens), which is suitable for older children too.
Story:
When thirteen-year-old Lily leaves Hamburg in secret after her
mother’s death to go and live with her aunt’s family in Jena, she
finds herself faced with such confusing slogans as this one in the
streets, and with many other initially baffling situations in the
daily life of the German Democratic Republic. In her novel for young
people,
Lilly unter den Linden, Anne
Voorhoeve brilliantly succeeds in uniting such disparate subjects as
Lilly’s loss of her mother and her adventurous, illicit journey to
the GDR with information, suitably presented for her readers’ age,
about daily life and its problems in the Socialist part of Germany
shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall. She tells the story from
the point of view of its protagonist Lilly, now ten years older and,
at the age of twenty-three, looking back at that critical period.
Portrait:
Anne C. Voorhoeve
was born on 19 December 1963. She read Political Science, American
Studies and Ancient History in Mainz and then worked for a year as
an assistant to a Brecht researcher at the University of Maryland.
Following an internship at the editorial office of a specialist
medical journal, she worked as an editor in a publishing house and
did PR work for a Protestant monastery. In 2000, she became a
freelance editor in order to be able to devote herself to writing
once again. Lilly unter den Linden was first written as a script and
was filmed by MDR. In July 2004, the novel was published by
Ravensburger Buchverlag. As well as working on her next book, the
writer intends to continue to write scripts.
Congregational
Picknick in Camp Edgewood
We are looking forward to
a fine day in Camp Edgewood. On June 28, we will start with a
family service at 11:00 a.m., followed by potluck luncheon. And we
will have a program suitable for young and old, suitable for all the
family. End will be around 4:00 p.m. Please bring your lunch, plate,
dishes, cup. Very welcome! If you need help with transportation,
please contact Pastor Alexander Mielke (416-567-2487)
Please mark down also July 5,
2009. On this Sunday, we expect to have the 30 member Brass Band
from Ganderkesee near Bremen as guests in our congregation.
First they will offer musical contributions during the joint
service, and then, at 2:00 p.m., will give a Concert in the
Martin Luther Church.
We
invite you to our annual summer camp at Camp Lutherlyn, Golden
Lake, Ontario near Pembroke - from Sunday July 26th to
Friday July 31st (5 nights). The cost is the same as
last year: $225 person, plus the bus $50 single or $75 family. You
can go to our website
www.martinluther.ca to download the Registration Form,
the Bus Transportation Form and the Owl Rafting Waiver
Form. All three forms need to be filled out for complete camp
participation. Please submit forms and payment by July 3rd,
2009. The day trip to Owl Rafting is an additional cost at
$15-$20. While you are at our website, please read
ahead of time the Supply Check List for what to bring and the
Rules of Camp Lutherlyn.
The camp is also open
to families with young children and also to seniors;
discounted rates apply.
For
many years the Martin Luther Lutheran Church has invited its youth
for a one-week-camp to the Golden Lake. The Camp gives children and
youth in the ages between 8 and 18 the opportunity to have a good
time together and to enjoy the beautiful landscape around the lake,
The counselors are experienced youth leaders of the church who take
good care of the needs of the campers and provide an interesting
program with creative games and sports. Part of the program are the
bible-studies which combine biblical stories with outdoor
activities. The campers sleep in cabins in groups of 10. Meals are
cooked by the staff of the Camp Lutherlyn.
For
more information contact: Dan Sommerfeld:
feld-of-dreams@sympatico.ca, or Pastor
Alexander Mielke:
alexander.mielke@rogers.com
Special Collection 2009
It’s almost summer again and like in previous years; we would like
to call upon you with our Special Collection which us very important
and urgent for our Congregation during the summer months.
The running costs alone are a heavy burden, as you may know. At the
moment though, there are following additional expenses: The new
showcase is going to be installed until the end of June, we have
already had to pay $ 6,000 for this. And for urgent renovation works
in the appartment of Superior 5 we will have to spend some $ 3,000 .
You will find enclosed a donation envelope in the newsletter which
you can give during the Services or mail it to our Church office.
Also, if you would like to have a visit from Pastor Alexander Mielke
or any of Church Council members let us know and we would gladly
come and visit you.
Your input is greatly appreciated.
With a heartfelt thank you and for all the support you give to our
church.
Kind regards,
Ernst Wienecke, President and Hans-Joachim Arndt, Treasurer
A warm welcome to come to this summer festical and
meet our neighbours in Mimico!
12TH ANNUAL
MIMICO SUMMER FESTIVAL – PARTY IN THE PARK
June 23rd 2009, 5:30 – 8:30, Mimico Memorial Park
GOING GREEN
Promoting Community Safety, Strength and Spirit
Event is sponsored by Mark Grimes, City Councillor and supported by
Laurel Broten MPP and MP Michael Ignatieff. This huge festival is a
great time for the whole family.
Confirmed Sponsors/Participants so far include: Mimico Baptist
church, Host, Holiday Club for children, displays, Seniors tent;
Mimico Residents Association, host, display; Mimico Presbyterian
Church - Kidz Zone
Wesley Mimico United Church: Large stuffed animals and displays;
St. Leo’s Knights of Columbus; Hogle Funeral Homes – hot dogs; Mark
Grimes – sponsor, greetings, display; Laurel Broten- greetings,
display,
Michael Ignatieff - greetings, display; The Rec Room – children’s
activity, healthy eating; Amerispec – eco energy program display;
Display of hybrid automobiles from local auto dealers; Canadian
Baptist Ministries – Eco responses; Daily Bread Food Bank –
accepting food donations; City Water Truck ; Lake Shore Arts –
launch of UTHINK performances; Authors and Books display – Sandy
Eathorne organising; Mimico Train Station Committee, display; Parks
& Rec , jumping castle; LEAF, displays, LAMP, displays; Mimico
Public Library, display, story, mascot; Project Porchlight,
lightbulb exchange; SEELC: South Etobicoke Environmental Liaison
Committee; Face painting with community artists and professional
face painter, Amazing Al
Jumping castles and Giant Slide; Martin Luther Church Day Care –
games for kids; Mosaic, Mimico Moms, children’s activity; Area
Guides and Scouts; Ambulance display, old and new; Women’s Habitat,
booth
Rexdale Women’s Centre - display
