Calendar for October 2009 [PDF]
Dear Fellow Christians !
During a devotion at the DELKINA-Conference we could see a big
labyrinth, formed by well-tended lawns in the centre of a
garden. We saw the blue sky above us and heard the birds twitter
at this morning hour.
In
this morning devotion, Pastor Patricia Giannelia said, “Take the
time to find your way through the labyrinth sometime. Everyone
can take this path by himself only, as in real life.“
As in real life – yes, life sometimes appears to us like a
labyrinth.
Puzzling, and enigmatic. We had our hopes – they were shattered.
We had our wishes and goals – everything has turned out
differently.
One can experience this, when one takes the time to wander
slowly through such a labyrinth. In the centre, there awaits a
beautiful ornamental structure as the destination, like a
rosette. And in the beginning, the path leads straight ahead in
that direction. Then the path turns left, one does not come
closer to the destination, one knows however, it is not far
away. Then the path leads again directly towards the
destination, one is almost there, yet suddenly the path turns
back. One is led far away, and now endless turns and twists
begin. With effort one trots along seemingly random loops,
discouraged, because the original destination only appears in
the distance like a mirage.
There are famous places of Christendom, where you can find
labyrinths. Most well-known is probably Chartres. In this
cathedral, there can be found a labyrinth from the 12th
century, inlaid into the floor like a mosaic.
A labyrinth laid out in a church carries within a great message
and hope. For it is not a maze, not a garden with misleading
paths of twists and turns. In such a garden there are impasses,
wrong paths, dead end paths; a life path can perish here in
despondency and hopelessness.
The special feature of a church labyrinth, however, is: As long
and as laborious the path may seem, it does lead to the
destination. After countless turns, one finally does arrive at
the destination, at this beautiful rosette, which, in many
medieval Cathedrals, indicates the mystery and the abundance of
God.
In this way,
the labyrinth symbolizes Christian confidence.
Even when I do not understand the path, even then God leads me.
Even where hope and strength have left me, I am never alone on
my path. God who knows about the destination of my life, yes,
who himself represents the destination of my life, guides and
rescues me in his mysterious and yet loving and merciful way;
never can I be lost to his grace and love.
This reminds me of a famous word of Paul in Romans 5:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of
the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience,
experience; and experience, hope. And hope makes not ashamed;
because the love of God has been poured in our hearts by the
Holy Spirit which is given unto us.
Sometimes we despair because of the troubles and dead-end
streets of our life, but let us have trust in this: God still
guides us in a mysterious way towards his destination for our
life.
There is a word from the Brazilian Bishop Dom
Helder Camara, which
encourages us in a similar way:
“No, do not
stand still!
It is a godly grace to begin well.
It is a greater grace to remain on the good path.
But the grace of graces is, not to bend down
And, though broken and exhausted,
to go forward unto the destination.“
Kind regards, God's blessings for you!
Your Pastor Alexander Mielke
On
Sunday, October 4th, there is a film and book presentation
at Martin Luther Church in Toronto. At 2:00 p.m., the
German movie "Lilly unter den Linden" will be shown. We are very
glad that the author Anne Vorhoeve herself will be present at
this occasion. "Lilly unter den Linden" was, as a film produced by
Arte as well as a book published by the Ravensburger Verlag, very
successful. It describes the fictitious fate of a 13 year-old girl,
who moves to an aunt from Hamburg to Jena in 1988, and then
experiences the fall of the wall and the enormous changes that were
brought about. The film can help older children and youth to
understand the event of the German Reunification, and is ,
therefore, well suited for families At the same time, it is
also moving and highly recommended for adults, because of the
personal exchange with the author, for Anne Vorhoeve is looking
forward to the conversation with the audience.
Anne Vorhoeve speaks English very well, but,
unfortunately, film and book are only available in the German text.
All this is part of a reading tour, which brings her also to Ottawa,
Montreal and Washington. A heartfelt Thank You to the German Embassy
in Ottawa, the Consulate General and the Goethe-Institute in Toronto
for supporting this reading tour! Therefore, a cordial welcome to
this special presentation on October 4th, at 2:00 p.m.
Before that, an German Thanksgiving Service
will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. If you wish to come to both, the
Thanksgiving Service and the film, you may like to bring something
to eat.
We celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving on
October 11th, in a joint service. Following the
service, we come together for a joyful Potluck Luncheon. A
warm welcome!
Enclosed with the church bulletin are the donation envelopes for
Thanksgiving.Please support our church community at this
occasion in our manifold tasks. Many Thanks!
The
"Martin Luther Social Committee" extends a cordial invitation:
Presently, there is a sensational exhibition
at the Royal Ontario Museum. The world renowned Dead
Sea Scrolls can be viewed. When they were discovered in 1947,
this was the most important discovery of Bible research in the 20th
century. They represent the oldest manuscripts we have of the Old
Testament (the Hebrew Bible). You are cordially invited to our
congregational excursion to the ROM. Our guided tour begins at
1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7th. The entrance
fee is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and students.
Please register with Pastor Alexander Mielke (cellphone
416-567-2487, email alexander.mielke@rogers.com). If you need
transportation, please speak to Pastor Mielke.
On December 12th
at 1:30 p.m., "Fiddler on the Roof" is staged at the Canon
Theatre, 244 Victoria Street, Toronto. The role of Tevje is
played by the original actor of the classic film. The price pro
ticket is $ 110.00; in case we can make up a group of 20, it is
reduced to $ 90.00. Please register with Dina
Wancar, Gisela Wilhelm or Heidi Jonuschies.
Many may have noticed it already: In front of
the Martin Luther Church there is a new show-case installed, with
conspicuous digital announcements. Karen and Bob Hiscott have
designed the layout. A heartfelt Thank You to all the donors and to
those who have supported us in this project. The financial support
of the EKD in the amount of nearly $ 5,000 was a very helpful
contribution, which reduced the burden for the Martin Luther Church.
On November 8th, we will celebrate a Joint Service at
11:00 o’clock, when we will also officially place the
showcase and the thank-you plaque for the church stained glass
windows under God’s blessing. You are cordially invited to this
celebration!
In the Seniors’ Circle on October 20th
at 11:00 a.m. at the church, Pastor Alexander Mielke will show
photos in connection with his participation in DELKINA in British
Columbia (Kelowna – Vancouver – Rocky Mountains) A cordial welcome!
A warm welcome to the
English Bible Study on Oct 13, 7:30 p.m., at Ollie Gilker's
condo.
On October 25th, the annual pulpit
exchange among the German ELCIC-Congregations in Toronto will
take place again. Pastor Katharina Moeller will come to us, the
Martin Luther Church, and Pastor Alexander Mielke will conduct the
church services at the First Lutheran Church.
On the First Advent Sunday, November
29th, the Edelweiss-Choir will present an Advent Concert,
which begins at 2:00 p.m. Please mark this date on your calendar!
Now 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. An Information Session
which is the first meeting of the confirmation class after the
summer break too will be held on Friday, October 2, 6:30 p.m.,
in the church. You can contact Alexander Mielke concerning
this matter: 416-567-2487.
|
A large and joyous group got
together at the Summer Camp.
|
A
heartfelt Thank You to Dan Sommerfeld who prepared and
organized the summer camp in a very diligent and caring way,
as well as to the counselors
Nadine Jongsma,
Andrea Pohlmann, Christina Tiu, Andreas Zultner and Tanya
Zielke (who helped lots with the Bible Instructions).
Here you see Dan, a little
fatigued, but very happy, at the jubilee of his 100th
blood donation! |
|
Bruno’s Bus was
brand new and absolutely super!
|
In spite of the not
always sunny weather, everyone had much fun during swimming
and canoeing, white water rafting and sports activities. |
Hello everyone!
Just inviting you to our Camp Lutherlyn Reunion!
Where: The church;
When: Saturday, October 17th 2009; What time: 1-4pm
Who: everyone who came to camp (and anyone else you would like to
bring)
Why: Because it would be fun to see friends, share favourite camp
moments, get pumped for next summer, see the camp photo slide show
and have a good time!
Hope to see you
there! Tanya
PS. Any questions, email me! (tanya_zielke@yahoo.ca)
53
participants met at the General Meeting of the DELKINA
(German Evangelical-Lutheran Church Conference in North
America) in Kelowna. |
Professor Dittmar Muendel of
the University of Alberta spoke about the main topic
“Paradise and Desert – God’s promises and our arduous daily
life."
|
The former and new
President of the DELKINA, Pastor Katharina Moeller,
presented Pastor Patricia Giannelia with a gift as a Thank
You for the exceptionally warm reception at the Christ
Lutheran Church. |
|
Kind
regards from Pastor Siegmar Reichel and his wife, who are
very familiar to our congregation, because they were, for a
long time, responsible for the day care in Sao Paulo which
we support. Here they can be seen at the dreamlike beautiful
Lake Okanagan.
|
Unfortunately, during one of the heavy
downpours this summer, there was flooding in the basements of the
church as well as the nursery at 5 Superior. In spite of all
the complications which were caused by this, the day care and church
activities could continue. A heartfelt Thank You to Helen, Teresa
and Ali, as well as Edmund Scholz and all the others who have
tirelessly taken care of the clean up and the insurance
negotiations!
Joy and Grief in Our Congregation
The
couple Irene and Hans-Peter Runge was able to celebrate their
50th wedding anniversary on September 26, 2009. We
congratulate and wish all the best, God's blessing, for them,
together with all their family!
Our
heartfelt sympathies to the families Brozach and Schwarz who
lost their beloved husband, father, grandfather and dear relative
Reimar Brozach on August 13, 2009, only shortly before his 80th
birthday. May they find strength and consolation by trusting in the
promises of our eternal and caring God!
On behalf of my family I would
like to express my gratitude to the members and friends of
our Martin Luther-Congregation for all the love and attention
brought to us during the short illness and the death of my husband
Olaf. The many cards, flowers, and phone-calls showed us, how
thankful we can be to be surrounded by our Church-family. May the
donations to the Church in Olaf's memory help that God's Word can
be preached and heard in our church for a long time to come.
Else Weigelin
BAPTISM
Maya Wienecke
August 2, 2009
For
he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you
in all your ways.
On their hands, they will bear you up.
Psalm 91:11
FUNERALS
Ewald
Berndt, at the age of 81 years
September 21, 2009
The
Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not
want.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no
evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort
me.
Psalm 23
