Trinity Team
December 2013
Trinity Team
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Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 10014 81 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6E 1W8 Phone: (780) 433 1604 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.trinity-lutheran.ab.ca
December 2013 “What Did You Get For Christmas” By Pastor Tim “What did you get for Christmas?”— manding, and can cry for a variety of reaperhaps the most popular Boxing Day ques- sons—mostly unknowable. In a word, they tion of them all. Hopefully each of us will are exhausting. But they also provide a great be able to identify a special, just right, kind deal of joy that always outweighs the hassle. of gift or two. Hopefully we are able to in- And because of their wonderful potential clude on that gift list a treasured moment they embody hope. Now while Jesus was with family or friends. But beyond the very likely an ordinary baby in terms of the good things and happy celebrations associ- care he needed from Mary and Joseph he is ated with Christmas, and in truth not always so much more for all humanity. He is divine hope bursting into human history. experienced, are the profound life This hope is never just some kind of -changing gifts God gives. Gifts Why would Pollyanna everything will be okay: revealed that night in that stable God go to in that out of the way town. such lengths it is the freedom to live courageousAt four o’clock on Christmas for us? In a ly in the knowledge that our future is in God’s good hands. This kind of Eve here at Trinity our first worword, the hope enables us to hang-in just a ship service will include a reanswer is enactment of Our Lord’s birth “Love.” Jesus little longer and at the same time it complete with shepherds, angels, is God’s love is the ability to walk away in order wise men, and the Holy Family in the flesh. to start over. The second gift God gives each one of is hope that transincluding a new born recently lates into courage that makes life baptized baby boy. It will be sweet, picturesque, inviting and oh so clean. that much better. Now let’s bring to mind the two kinds of Completely opposite to the original situation. Scholars suggest that the stable was guests that come to the stable. Some are very likely a smelly, cramped, and animal there to check out things and others are filled cave. Yet it is in such a place we en- there to pay homage. Shepherds arrive dirty, counter the Christ Child. The message, so empty handed and full of wild stories. The beautifully illustrated, is that there is no wise men arrive in a dignity that reflects place in life, so off-putting, desperate or their position, offering costly gifts, and full distant that Our Lord will not come to seek of adoration that befits a new born king. us out. The way Our Lord always answers Amazingly they find equal welcome. Such our question, “Did I go too far this time?” is is the third gift given us - assurance of welalways “No!” Why? Why would God go to come regardless of our economic situation, such lengths for us? In a word, the answer social position or capabilities; we all experiis “Love.” Jesus is God’s love in the flesh. ence God’s own hospitality, we are acceptThis love is God’s first gift to us. This love ed. “What did you get for Christmas?” I don’t makes each one of us valuable regardless of what we are told or may even believe about know how you answer when it comes to the stuff or the highlights but I do know each ourselves. What are babies like? As grandparents we one of us can include a love that declares us have the happy privilege of babysitting and valuable, a reason to be hopeful and couraso get a periodic reminder of what they are geous, and the assurance we are welcome in really like. They are utterly dependent, de- God’s Presence.
Inside this issue: Reflections What did you get for Christmas? Was hast du zu Weihnachten bekommen? ” Bishop’s Message By the Grace of God Pastor Indra’s message German Children’s Events A Super Christmas Called into Learning Council News The Church in Mission Christmas Joy Bursting in on Illness Grief and Christmas Community Garden Flower Bed Proposal Yoga at Trinity DELKINA Conference One Day in the Life of a Homeless Person
1 2 3 4 7 7
8 8 9 10 10 11 11 12 15
Comings, Goings and
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Celebrations Looking Ahead
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December 2013
Trinity Team
“Was hast du zu Weihnachten bekommen? ” von Pastor Tim “Was hast du zu Weihnachten bekommen?” Das ist wohl die berühmteste Frage zum 2. Weihnachtstag, die es gibt. Hoffentlich wird ein jeder von euch das eine oder andere genau richtige Geschenk erwähnen können. Hoffentlich gehören zu der Geschenkliste auch geschätzte Momente, die wir mit Freunden und Verwandten verbringen durften. Jedoch weit über die guten und fröhlichen Sachen hinaus, die wir allzugerne mit dem Begriff “Weihnachten” verknüpfen, die aber nicht immer von allen erfahren werden, dürfen wir von Gott selber einige tiefgründige und lebensverändernde Geschenke erhalten. In unserem Familiengottesdienst, der Heilig Abend um 16 Uhr stattfindet, gibt es eine Darstellung der Geburt unseres Heilands. Dazu gehören die Schäfer, Engel, Weisen und die Heilige Familie samt dem neugeborenen Kind. Es wird alles so süss, malerisch und sauber sein, völlig das Gegenteil vom Original. Gelehrte glauben herausgefunden zu haben, daß der Stall von Bethlehem eher eine kleine, enge, nicht sehr wohlriechende Höhle war. Doch gerade in solchen Orten begegnet uns unser Heiland, Jesus Christus. Die Botschaft, die so klar herausstrahlt, ist, daß es keinen Ort im Leben gibt, der so anekelnd, so auswegslos, so weit von allem entfernt ist, an dem unser Herr nicht zu uns kommt und uns aufsucht. Unser Herr beantwortet unsere Frage, ob wir dieses mal nicht wieder zu weit ausgeschweift sind, mit einem starken “Nein!” Wieso bemüht Gott sich so sehr um uns? Die Antwort besteht aus einem einzigen Wort. LIEBE. Jesus ist Gottes Liebe in konkreter Menschenform. Diese Liebe ist das erste Geschenk, das Gott uns gibt. Obwohl wir uns selber als wertlos betrachten mögen, oder gar von anderen als wertlos betrachtet werden, haben wir durch Gottes Liebe den Beweis, daß wir in Gottes Augen von großem Wert sind. Wie beschreibt man eigentlich ein Baby? Als Großeltern erfreuen wir uns der Ehre von Zeit zu Zeit mal babysitten zu dürfen, und somit werden in uns hin und wieder die Erinnerungen geweckt, wie ein Baby so sein kann. Babys sind völlig von anderen abhängig, können zugleich aber auch sehr fordernd sein. Und sie weinen – oft aus unerklärlichen Gründen. Kurz gesagt, Babys sind anstrengend. Sie machen einem aber auch viel Freude, Freude die den Ärger überwindet. Und jedes Baby
verkörpert die Hoffnung, Hoffnung auf ein neues Leben, auf viele Möglichkeiten. Jesus war sicherlich ein sehr gewöhliches Baby, indem er wohl der täglichen (und nächtlichen) Pflege von Maria und Josef bedurfte, jedoch für die gesamte Menschheit bedeutete er viel mehr. Er verkörpert die göttliche Hoffnung, die in die Geschichte der Menschheit hineinplatzt. Es geht hier nicht um den naiven Optimismus, der im Kinderbuch Pollyanna zum Ausdruck gebracht wird, -- eine unbestimmte Überzeugung, dass letztendlich alles gut gehen wird. Nein, wir dürfen mutig und frei leben in der Gewissheit, daß unsere Zukunft in Gottes Händen gesichert ist. Diese Hoffnung befähigt uns in diversen schwierigen Lebenslagen noch ein bißchen länger durchzuhalten. Sie befähigt uns auch, wenn nötig von einer Lage wegzugehen, um einen neuen Start zu machen. Das zweite Geschenk, das wir von Gott erhalten, ist die HOFFNUNG, die sich in MUT verwandelt, der unsere Lebenslage verbessern kann. Lassen Sie uns nun die zwei Sorten Gäste betrachten, die damals zum Stall gekommen sind. Die einen kamen, eher aus Neugierde und die anderen kamen, extra um Jesus zu huldigen. Die schmutzigen Schäfer kamen mit leeren Händen an, voller Begeisterung und wilden Geschichten. Die erhabenen Weisen kamen mit einer gewissen Würde und mit kosbaren Geschenken herbei, mit der Verehrung, die eines neugeborenen Kindes gebührt. Trotz aller Erwartungen, werden sie alle gleich an der Krippe willkommen geheißen. Das ist das dritte Geschenk – die VERSICHERUNG, daß wir alle gleich empfangen und willkommen geheißen werden, egal aus welcher finanziellen Lage oder sozialen Schicht wir kommen oder welche Fähigkeiten wir besitzen. Wir alle erfahren Gottes Gastfreundlichkeit und werden von ihm akzeptiert. “Was hast du zu Weihnachten bekommen?” Ich weiß nicht, wie Sie auf diese Frage beantworten, wenn es um materialle Dinge geht, oder wenn Sie ihre schönsten Momente auflisten. Aber ich weiß was sich unter den Geschenken aller Menschen befindet: eine Liebe, die uns als wertvoll erklärt, einen Grund für Hoffnung und Mut, und die Versicherung, daß wir alle in Gottes Gegenwart willkommen geheißen werden.
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Bishop’s Message Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ – May grace and peace be yours in abundance (I Peter 1:2a). Hanging in my office is the beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. The image is a reproduction of an original painting by a Roman Catholic Priest, Father Salvador, who my wife, Cathy, and I, and several other adults visited in 2001 in the community he served in the Parish of the Holy Spirit and St. Mary of Guadalupe in Ecatepec, Mexico. According to tradition, an indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, had a vision of the Virgin in 1531. As he was walking among the hills he heard a song which sounded like birds singing – a song soft and beautiful. He wondered if he was dreaming but he followed the sound and was met by the Virgin Mary who appeared to Juan Diego as she does in the painting – as an indigenous woman dressed in royal garments. She spoke to him in his native tongue calling his name and asking him to go to the bishop and tell him to have a shrine built in her honor on the place where she had appeared to Juan Diego. He went to the bishop and with great difficulty was finally able to see the bishop who responded with great skepticism to Juan Diego’s request. The Virgin appeared a second time and Juan Diego begged the Virgin to send someone more important. “I am insignificant,” he said, “a piece of rope, the last rung of a ladder.” She responded, “My child, the smallest, the least, I send you. I have many messengers, but I have chosen you.” She said that she wanted a building to be erected where she could show and give love, compassion, help and defense to the inhabitants of the land; a place where people could listen and find solutions to their miseries, pain and sufferings. The bishop responded to Juan Diego insisting that he needed a sign. A third time the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego this time asking him to collect roses which were nearby (very rare flowers not grown in the area) and to take them to the bishop as a sign. Juan Diego gathered the roses in his cloak and when he opened his cloak to show the bishop,
out fell the flowers and imprinted on his cloak was the image of the Virgin. The bishop immediately fell to his knees and asked Juan Diego for forgiveness at not having listened to him. A church was built on the site where the Virgin had appeared and today, on this site, hangs the cloak and its image of the Virgin in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe – a worship site visited by more people each year than the Vatican in Rome. One of the things that intrigued me about this story is that from the margins – the fringe – of his world, Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican, was prodded awake by God’s presence in the world through the appearances of Mary. Like many before him, Juan Diego was a reluctant prophet begging the Virgin to entrust the mission to someone of importance. But she would not take no for an answer, and Juan Diego’s awakening to his mission would precipitate the awakening of all of Mexico to God’s love through Christ. As we journey this Advent and Christmas season, listen carefully – listen closely to how often God will chose someone on the margins to carry an important word: Mary – who gave birth to the Savior of the world; Zechariah – who, serving in the temple, is unable to speak until his son John the Baptist was born; Elizabeth – who gave birth to the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah – John the Baptist; and shepherds in the field – who were chosen to welcome and announce the birth of Jesus. This Advent – this Christmas – listen carefully – listen closely – for God at work through the poor, the lowly, those on the outside, those on the edge and then ask a very Lutheran question: “what does this mean?” The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). In Christ Jesus – Shalom, Larry Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer Bishop, Synod of Alberta and the Territories
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December 2013
By the grace of God I am what I am
Trinity Team
„Durch Gottes Gnade, bin ich was ich bin“
(1 Cor 15:10)
(1 Kor 15,10)
Pauluskirche Aurich
Dear Congregation, For almost 16 months I served as a Pastor in Training at Trinity. For more than a year, I was part of this congregation, of a pastoral team, of church council and of many other committees. In this short time I made friends, connected to people, led services, taught the confirmands, visited members, sang in the choir, and participated in many other aspects of congregational life. For me it was a time of so many new experiences, and I can’t name them all in a short article like this. In my exit interview with church council I was asked to name areas of satisfaction during my work here at Trinity; some of them I’d like to share. Probably you have realized during my time at Trinity that one area that brought me great joy was the worship service. Celebrating worship in two different languages was challenging and fruitful at the same time. Of course, the German service from the beginning was easier and more familiar to me, but the English was a learning experience I never would have wanted to miss. Again it showed me how much the people attending service shape the atmosphere within worship. Especially learning the different liturgical settings from the ELW was a challenge and enrichment at the same time. Never having heard theses melodies, I was pleased to have support from my colleagues, the choir, you the congregation and of course our very competent musicians, Jordan and Cherie. Thanks to you! Another area that I really enjoyed was working with our youth. It took me a while to really get into it, but my effort in getting to know our youth was worth it. I gained a lot out of this work. In confirmation the young people shared what they want to do and showed what they need to feel ...see Pastor Indra - page 5
Liebe Gemeinde, fast 16 Monate habe ich als Pastor in Training in der Trinitatisgemeinde verbracht. Mehr als ein Jahr, in dem ich Teil der Gemeinde, der Mitarbeiter, von Church Council und andere Gremien und Ausschüsse war. In dieser kurzen Zeit habe ich Freunde gefunden, bin mit Ihnen ins Gespräch gekommen, habe Gottesdienste geleitet, Konfirmandenunterricht gegeben, Mitglieder besucht, im Chor gesungen und an vielen anderen Stellen im Gemeindeleben mitgemacht. Für mich war es eine Zeit von so vielen Erfahrungen, die ich hier nicht alle wiedergeben kann. Bei meinem Abschlussgespräch im Church Council, wurde ich nach den Dingen gefragt, die mir viel Spaß bereitet haben, und deshalb möchte ich zum Abschied mit einem kleinen Rückblick hiervon einige benennen. Wahrscheinlich haben es viele von Ihnen im Laufe der Zeit bemerkt, dass ich besonders großen Spaß am Gottesdienst hatte. Gerade die Her-ausforderung mich in Gottesdienste mit zwei verschiedenen Sprachen einzuarbeiten hat mich begeistert. Der Deutsche Gottesdienst war natürlich von Anfang der mir wesentlich vertrautere, uns der Englische eine Lernerfahrung, die ich nicht missen möchte. Eine besondere Herausforderung stellten hierbei die zehn verschiedenen liturgischen Abläufe des englischen Gottesdienstes dar. Niemals zuvor hatte ich die Melodien zu den Liturgien gehört und bin deshalb sehr dankbar über die Unterstützung meiner Kollegen, der gesamten Gemeinde und im Besonderen von Cherie und Jordan, die mir mit ihrer Hilfe immer zur Seite standen. Ein weiteres Betätigungsfeld, das mich sehr gepackt hat, war die Arbeit mit den Jugendlichen. Nach einem etwas schwierigen Start, kann ich ...siehe Pastor Indra - Seite 5
Trinity Team
December 2013
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Pastor Indra from page 4
Pastor Indra von Seite 4
comfortable at church. Having planned an Easter Vigil with the youth leaders, I now know a little bit more about the dreams our youth have for their church, what they miss, what they value and how they understand life and church life. Thanks for sharing your ideas about church and discussing what you believe in.
sagen, dass sich jede Mühe gelohnt eine Beziehung zu den jungen Menschen aufzubauen. Ich habe eine Menge aus der Arbeit mit Ihnen gelernt. Sowohl in der Konfirmandenarbeit als auch in der Zusammen-arbeit mit den Jugendleitern. Besonders denke ich hierbei an die Vorbereitung der Osternacht. Danke für die Einblicke in euer Kirchenverständnis und euer Glaubensleben. Es waren wertvolle Diskussionen für mich.
Furthermore, I appreciated all the support I was offered. Support in every imaginable way, but especially when it came to attending committees, conventions etc. within the Alberta Synod or even the National Church. I got the chance to learn, not just about Trinity, but also about the structures of the ELCIC which was of great interest to me. All of that wouldn’t have been possible if Church Council and the whole congregation wouldn’t have supported the idea of sending me to attend events like that to get some inside experience. Thanks especially to Church Council and to Frank as chair for making that happen. A final area I want to name and I’m thankful for all the experiences I gained, is working for DELKINA. Being involved with the German interest conference and in planning their biennial meeting here in Edmonton was a stressful period during my stay, but also one in which I learned a lot. Thanks for the opportunity and the support combined with the trust that I could manage a task like that. I am thankful for 16 months at Trinity where I was treated as one of you. I got all the help I asked for and even more. Right from the beginning, I had the Lay Committee supporting me and helping me to first of all adjust to Canada. Thank you Rosanne, Karen, Sylvia, Sig, Andrea and Dorothea, for being there for me and making me feel so welcomed! “By the grace of God I am what I am.” All of you always accepted me for who I am. You helped me to find my place within the congregation and together we learned and walked a path of faith. With this verse from 1 Corinthians 15:10 that I choose for my ordination, I wanted to show (others and myself) that being the one I am is nothing I “made”, but it is God who made me who I am. God by his grace makes all of us into who we are. He is the one leading our way and saving ...see Pastor Indra - page 6
Darüber hinaus bin ich über jegliche Art von Unterstützung, die ich seitens der Gemeinde erhalten habe, sehr dankbar. Besonders im Hinblick auf die großzügige Unterstützung, die mir die Teilnahme and diversen Meetings, Kirchenkonventen und besonders an der National Convention in Ottawa ermöglicht hat. Hier bekam ich einen Einblick in die Strukturen der kanadischen Kirche auch über die Trinitatisgemeinde hinaus und hatte die Möglichkeit mit Kirchenmitgliedern aus ganz Kanada ins Gespräch zu kommen. Herzlichen Dank besonders an Church Council und an Frank als Vorsitzenden, dass ihr das für mich möglich gemacht habt. Ein letztes Feld, das ich hier ansprechen möchte, ist die DELKINA Arbeit. Über das hinaus, was ich an deutsch-sprachiger Arbeit in Kanada durch die Aktivitäten in der Trinitatisgemeinde erleben konnte, bin ich dankbar für die Möglichkeit auch überregional Erfahrungen erlangt zu haben. Die Mitwirkung im Vorstand der DELKINA und die gemeinsame Planung der Vollversammlung in Edmonton, war eine besonders arbeitsreiche und intensive Phase meiner Zeit in Edmonton, aber auch eine aus der ich sehr viel gelernt habe. Danke für diese Gelegenheit und für das Vertrauen aus der Gemeinde, das ich dieser Aufgabe gewachsen bin und so an dieser Aufgabe wachsen konnte. Ich bin außerordentlich dankbar für meine Zeit in der Trinitatisgemeinde und dass ich von euch von und ganz in die Gemeinde aufgenommen wurde. Gleich von Beginn an, hatte ich das Lay Committee, das mir die gesamte Zeit mit Rat und Tat zur Seite stand und mir geholfen hat mich erst einmal einzugewöhnen. Danke Rosanne, Karen, Sylvia, Sig, Andrea und Dorothea, dass ihr für mich da wart und mich herzlich willkommen ...siehe Pastor Indra - Seite 6
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Pastor Indra from page 5
Pastor Indra von Seite 5
us by his grace. And I, no matter where I am, believe that God is the one who is with us on our way and that because of him each of us can say: “By the grace of God I am what I am.” On October 27, I became a fully ordained minister and I thank all of you for your support in prayer on that special day of mine. It was one of the most amazing days in my life. I had my family around me, lots of friends and my new con-
geheißen habt. „Durch Gottes Gnade, bin ich was ich bin“. Alle von Ihnen haben mich immer als die angenommen die ich bin. Sie haben mir geholfen meinen Platz in der Gemeinde zu finden um dann ein Stück auf dem Glaubensweg gemeinsam zu gehen. Mit dem Vers aus 1. Kor 15,10, den ich als meinen Ordinationsspruch ausgesucht habe, wollte ich (anderen und mir selber) noch einmal zeigen, dass so zu sein, wie ich bin, nicht in erster Linie von mir „gemacht“ ist, sondern von Gott geschenkt. Durch seine Gnade, sind wir die die wir sind. Er ist es, der uns auf unserem Weg leitet und uns durch seine Gnade rettet. Und ich, egal wo ich bin, glaube, dass Gott mit uns auf dem Weg ist und dass durch ihn jeder von uns sagen kann: „Durch Gottes Gnade, bin ich was ich bin“. Seit dem 27. Oktober bin ich nun ordentlich ordinierte Pastorin der Hannoverschen Landeskirche und ich möchte mich ganz herzlich bei allen bedanken, die an diesem Tage im Gebet oder in Gedanken bei mir waren. Es war ein ganz besonderer Tag in meinem Leben, den ich mit meiner Familie und Freunden und meiner neuen Kirchengemeinde feiern konnte. Ich fand es sehr schade, dass sie nicht dabei sein konnten, habe mich aber umso mehr darüber gefreut, dass Pastor Markus die Trinitatisgemeinde an diesem Tag repräsentiert hat. Gleichzeitig hat er mir auch das Geschenk von Trinity überreicht für das ich mich ganz herzlich bedanken möchte. Nicht nur die Stola zur Ordination, sondern auch die Abschieds-geschenke, dich ich bei meinem Abschieds-gottesdienst erhalten habe, haben mich sehr gefreut. Ich war von der Großzügigkeit sehr überwältigt und finde immer noch schwerlich Worte meinen Dank auszudrücken. Ganz herzlichen Dank!! Wahrscheinlich haben sie schon gemerkt, dass in meinem Artikel eine Person bis jetzt noch überhaupt nicht erwähnt worden ist. Mein letzer Dank geht an Pastor Ingrid, die in den vergangenen 16 Monaten das Amt meiner Mentorin übernommen hatte. Ingrid, du warst mir eine große Hilfe und ich bin dankbar, dass du mich in dieser Zeit meines Sondervikariates unterstützt und begleitet hast. Es war mir eine große Freude mit dir gemeinsam zu arbeiten. Danke für alles und Gottes Segen! Trinity ist eine Gemeinde, die ich niemals vergessen werde. Ich wünschen ihnen allen nur das Beste und den Segen Gottes. Auf Wiedersehen Ihre Pastor (in Training) Indra
gregation. I missed having you being part of this celebration, but was unbelievably happy to have Pr. Markus representing Trinity and being one of my ordination assistants, giving me a special blessing for my time in ministry. The gifts you made… I hardly have words to say what I felt receiving them. The farewell present I got in my last service, the money I got from you and again the gifts Markus brought for my ordination; all of these presents I received in great gratitude. I’m thankful for your generosity and all I can say right now is: Thank you all!! Probably you have realized that there is one person not mentioned at all in my article until now. My final thanks go to Pastor Ingrid my mentor during these 16 months. Ingrid, it was a pleasure for me to get to know you, to work with you and to have you guiding me and supporting me. You will always be more than just a mentor or a colleague and I trust you know that. I wish you all the best in ministry and God’s peace. Trinity is a place I will never forget and will hold in my prayers. I wish you all the best and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God Bless You! Your Pastor (in Training) Indra
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German Children’s Events at Trinity
A Super Christmas Pageant
On the fourth Sunday of each month, a small circle of German speaking children gather in the Social Room for Kinderkirche, a mini version of a church service which features lots of handson activities to illustrate the topic of the day. This year, our Big Question has been “Who is God?” and each month we are adding more to the picture. Along with Kinderkirche, we have hosted the St. Martin’s Day Lantern Walkabout for a number of years. This year, we added a new twist. Learning from St. Martin’s caring for the poor, we gave the children an opportunity to share their earnings with the Food Bank. Children were asked to listen carefully to the story of St. Martin, and afterwards they could earn $2.00 for answering questions correctly. One (real) dollar was given to the Food Bank and the other (chocolate) dollar was quickly enjoyed by everyone who got a question answered right! In total $50 were given to the Food Bank.
A few months ago we put up a large piece of paper, called it "God Graffiti" and let the Confirmation students go wild with images that they thought would tell people about God. There was an amazing number of Superhero pictures drawn. So when we came across a Christmas Pageant featuring Superheroes we knew we had a fit. Preschool children, older Sunday School kids and Confirmation students will all have roles in the pageant this year. We have been trying to create more opportunities for children in these age groups to come together. We are also encouraging the older ones to be "Superheroes" or at least mentors or friends to the younger ones. The morning after the Youth Sleep Over in November we asked the Youth to help the Preschoolers and Sunday School kids to do a simple Bible picture puzzle, then draw and colour prayers. It was touching to watch a teenage boy who had been running around most of the night playing games, asking a three year old if he could find the other zebra piece for the Noah's Ark puzzle, and to see the little boy look up with adoring eyes at the older one. We hope you will be able to see the Superheroes in action at the Christmas Pageant Dec 15 during the 11am service. There will be some very cute little angels too.
Kids (and their moms) listen intently as Mark Knoefel poses questions. (Photo by John Espinaco) The celebration of Candlemas (Maria Lichtmess) February 1st Light up the Darkness with Candles The various traditions related to the Birth of Christ are well known and often celebrated. Less well-known are old church traditions around the dedication for Christ as a young infant. Historically, the Church found a way to combine the joy felt by the elder prophets Simeon and Anna, when they caught sight of the infant Saviour on his first visit to the temple, with a number of seasonal and practical elements into yet another celebration in the church year. These include pancakes, candles, methods of counting the days till winter arrives, and more. How can all these elements be combined you ask? The answer is our next intergenerational German church outreach event to be held on Saturday, Feb. 1. Similar to the St. Martin's Day Lantern Walkabout, this event, which has yet to be named, will be promoted as a fun way for German speaking families with young children to be exposed to some core church values and historic German traditions. More information will be shared in January.
Da der St. Martin Gutes für die Obdachlosen und Hungernden getan hat, haben wir den Kindern nach der Nachspielung der Geschichte und dem Umzug und Gebäck Fragen gestellt zum Thema St. Martin. Für jede richtige Antwort "verdienten" die Kinder $2.00, die sie mit der Food Bank teilten, d.h. ein Dollar war Hartgeld und ein Dollar war ein Schokodollar. Insgesamt wurde eine Frage 50 mal richtig beantwortet und somit "verdienten" die Kinder ganze $50, die dann der Food Bank gegeben wurden. Wir haben zusätzlich noch mit den Kindern über die Aktion "Coats for Kids“ geredet und ihnen erklärt, wie auch sie "den Mantel teilen" könnten, indem Jacken, die zu Hause nicht gebraucht wurden, gespendet werden können. Am Sonnabend, den 1. Februar werden wir wieder Familien mit Kindern zu einer traditionsreichen Begegnung mit Glaubensgeschichten einladen, und zwar zum Thema Maria Lichtmess.
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Trinity Team
Called into Learning As I learn your righteous rulings, I will praise you with a pure heart. - Psalm 119: 7, 15, 130
Council News Pastor Tim has now been part of our ministry team at Trinity for 2 months and it has been wonderful to have his support for Pastor Ingrid and his refreshing input to staff and Council meetings. Church Council has deliberately not convened a search committee at this time because we’re not sure that calling a 2nd pastor is the best solution for our congregation right now. The Advent season has just started and the busyness of the Christmas season is upon us. We will continue to function with Pastor Tim as our interim pastor for the foreseeable future. Early in 2014 we will begin the process of deciding what our future staffing should look like. This is not just a job for church council, it is important that the whole congregation has an opportunity to participate in this conversation. There are many things to consider and we have been gathering information for quite some time already. Once we are clear on the future for Trinity we can start the conversation about what ministry staff is required to support this future. When we are clear on the ministry model that is right for Trinity we will convene a call committee to begin to look for candidates to meet our needs. But this should not be our vision for what ministry at Trinity looks like; the ministry at Trinity is not our ministry, it’s God’s ministry. Determining the future for Trinity needs to be a process of discernment. Individually and collectively we need to spend time with Scripture, in prayer and in reflection. And we need to be open to hear God’s voice calling us. When Jesus called people it was seldom a call to what they were expecting, so we must not approach this work having already determined the “right” outcome. We know it will be difficult to remember this as we head into 2014. We have our annual meeting coming up at the end of February, we need to develop a budget, set priorities and make plans for the new year. Please keep your church council in your prayers, that in the midst of all the decisions we need to make we leave ample room for God to act in our midst. The good news is that we don’t have to do this alone, God will send us people to help us on our journey. David Rust, a member who regularly worships in the English service has already felt God calling him to challenge all of us to begin this conversation with God. Watch the bulletin over the coming Sundays to learn more about how each of us can participate in this conversation with God. Frank Thede, Council Chairperson
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For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10: 10-15
The Church in Mission What does this mean for Trinity? In a world growing less and less interested in attending our churches (or most any church for that matter), our future increasingly depends on our ability to raise people up (discipleship) and send people out (mission). Problem? Few of us Christian leaders know how to do this effectively. Churches haven't modeled it and seminaries haven't taught it. This is not news to Trinity, the results of our natural church development survey clearly indicated evangelism is our weakest link. As we work to engage the question of what it would take for Trinity to become a radically welcoming community, or even simply to be faithful to Jesus command to “make disciples of all nations” it has become increasingly clear that we need to learn how to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The churches in the ELCIC have agreed that our focus is to be a church in mission. At the end of October Pastor Ingrid and I attended an ELCIC Discipleship and mission Workshop in Regina. We came away from Regina with the certain knowledge that we have a lot to learn, first to become effective disciples and secondly to help others become effective disciples. Jesus is still calling people to be disciples, and it’s not just the pastors. We have started our journey of discipleship and over the next few months will be inviting others at Trinity to join us. Thank you for this opportunity to learn.
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December 2013
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Called Into Learning
Christmas Joy Bursting in on Illness As we move into the Advent and Christmas season, filled with joy about God’s gift of supreme love (or anticipation of gifts wrapped in pretty paper, especially for the children), we are asked to reach out to those in our extended families, our workplaces and neighbourhoods, as well as in our congregation, for whom Christmas is not as joyous. Living with chronic illnesses, especially those considered invisible, can be a complete mental drain, not to mention a strain on the finances for many a family. The long waiting for a diagnosis, the question as to whether a proposed treatment might be effective; the general family turmoil caused by many a trip to a medical facility – all of these may be combined with a deep sense of loss. People have lost the dream of the healthy, happy family, the one that has time, money and energy to decorate the house and plan the pretty table settings we see in the magazines. Parents of severely ill children might be mourning the loss of their children’s future or a happy carefree childhood. And family members of those exhibiting signs of mental illness might be sensing the loss of their loved one’s psychological well-being. Or we may be that person who is losing all control of his or her physical or mental health and feeling emotionally numb, unable to feel the joy associated with the words “Merry Christmas.” Did you know that according to Alberta Health Services; on average, over a three year period over 33% of Albertans receive at least one mental health service from a physician? So, on average, one in three of us may have discussed concerns regarding our mental well being with our doctor and possibly have received some sort of treatment in the past three years. In a single year, approximately 16% of Albertans seek the help of a physician for mental health concerns. These figures do not include any of us who were not sufficiently aware of our symptoms, not aware of where to turn for help, or who may have feared the stigma associated with admitting that there is something wrong and seeking help. So the actual prevalence of mental health disorders in the province is likely higher than reported. Anxiety and depression are the most common reasons for seeking help in the area of mental health. Also included under the general heading of mental health services are services provided in the case of disorders related to substance use and abuse, and developmental disorders most often first diagnosed in children. These would be related to problems with learning, communication, attention deficit and conduct, including any conditions along the wide spectrum of Autism related disorders. And finally, Alberta Health Services includes a category called adjustment disorders under the general heading of mental health services.
These are defined as significant symptoms that emerge as a result of a range of stressors such as financial strain, relationship issues, and changes in one’s phase of life or being a victim of crime or having experienced a natural disaster. Even though, at the mention of mental illness, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders might come to mind first, in 2004/05 they accounted for only 16% of all inpatient services in the area of mental health. Overall, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2020, 15% of all health care services will be related to mental health disorders. http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/2774.asp In 2011, 40,000 Albertans lived on Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). Mixed diagnoses are not rare. For example, an individual may have cerebral palsy alongside of attention deficit disorder and a learning disability, or obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder combined. With a maximum monthly living allowance of $1588 when the average price of rent of a two-bedroom apartment in Edmonton is $1200, it is nearly impossible for a single parent on AISH to cover the costs of living for a child.
So what of Christmas? What of all of the “preparations” we tend to want to make for the holidays? The shepherds of old were not “prepared” for Christmas. At the fringe of society, it was THEY who were the first to receive word of God’s holy gift. Their joy was pure; their eagerness to experience God in the flesh was immediate. They have a message for us. God breaks into our brokenness, our mourning, our anxiety, our phobias and disorders, and gives us that cosmic, angelic hug, giving us all, the well and the unwell, the grace to say with the Psalmist: I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3
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Grief and the Christmas Season Christmas is such a central part of our celebrations as Christians, yet Christmas can be such a painful time for those who have lost a loved one. I have worked with those who are grieving for over 30 years, and have discovered that there are no easy answers to making the season less painful. There are some strategies that seem to be somewhat helpful. Approach the season deliberately, make plans however small. Those people who hope to sleep through the day or pretend that Christmas doesn't exist this year tend to do poorer. Think about creating some structure to the day or season. Attempt to balance keeping traditions with change. Grief arrows are those times when you feel like you have been stabbed with overwhelming emotion. Be aware of the occasions they may hit and make decisions about the value of the tradition. If, for example, you have always gone to a candlelight service, but just hearing a favourite hymn brings on intense emotion, you might want to change that tradition for a few years and go to a family oriented service. Or you might consider that tradition so dear you want to go anyway being prepared to be sad. Many people find it helpful to create a new ritual or tradition to honour their loved one. This can be a new Christmas tree ornament, a walk in a special place, sharing memories with others. Sometimes it takes several years to find a new comforting tradition.
Grief is so personal, it is difficult to predict what will be painful or helpful for each person. Family and friends often shy away from talking about your loved one so not to make you feel uncomfortable. If it is helpful for you to share memories or talk about your grief, you might need to be the one to bring up the conversation. Similarly, take care of yourself by deciding what is helpful and not so helpful regarding society's portrayal of Christmas. Christmas music in stores might be painful to one and not to another. Protect yourself as much as you are able from fatigue. Finally, don't underestimate the pain of the second Christmas. Often one gets carried through the first year in a blur, and second year's grief blindsides you. Grief and Christmas are both seasons that have the potential to impact our vision and experience of God and move us into a deeper relationship with Him. It is often in our brokenness and grief that He reaches into the deep parts of our spirit to bring a comfort that the world cannot give. I love the story of Jesus weeping at Lazarus' death ( John 11:25) even though He would later resurrect him. He demonstrated an understanding and a personal, emotional response to loss. Sometimes this can provide comfort; the King of the Universe, who came as a baby, understands how hard it is to lose a loved one. This truly is the miracle of Christmas. Submitted by Karen Goldstone
COMMUNITY GARDEN REPORT As in all gardens, the fall was a time of harvesting and preparing for winter. We harvested delicious tomatoes, as well as many other vegetables. (Some of these were on display on Thanksgiving, and some will be part of the next community dinner.) We cleared the beds, spread and dug in the compost, and started a new compost pile. As far as I know, this year no grass clippings and no leaves went into our garbage bins - it was all composted. In this way, the garden is helping reduce Trinity's waste (and waste removal bill), and improving the natural cycle of growing and decomposing. In the fall, we heard that our grant application to Sustainable Food Edmonton was successful. We can now move ahead with our plans for the garden. We got busy right away and built a shed in October! Check it out (in the park under the oak tree), it's beautiful. Thank you very much to Jeff Gusdal, who donated many hours preparing and leading the shed construction. Next year, we will turn our attention to the beds in front of Luther Centre and plant them with (mostly edible) perennials, shrubs and one or two fruit trees. There will also be a herb garden. We realize that this year, these beds were not always very sightly (although we loved the squash in their prime, and the herbs). We were working on soil amendment this year, and did not have the funds to purchase shrubs etc. Next year the beds will look different - following permaculture principles but more "landscaped". An informal poll suggests that most of this year's gardeners will continue next year. There will be a small number of spots for new member gardeners. So if you are interested and
live nearby, do not hesitate to contact us. Members pay an annual fee (about $20) and commit to volunteer hours/workbees. In return, they are entitled to gardening and a share of the harvest. Andrea Wilhelm Secretary, Trinity Community Garden A Note from Church Council In April 2012 Church Council approved a proposal from the community garden group to remodel the beds in front of Luther Centre. Color diagrams of the proposed beds were posted in the atrium for several weeks and circulated to key committees in the congregation for their comments. The description of the proposal clearly indicated that these changes would require removing the existing junipers, which were at the end of their life, and letting the soil recuperate for a year. At our September meeting council members shared comments that had been received from church members about the state of the flowerbeds in front of Luther Center. Church Council reviewed these concerns and is satisfied that the community garden group has met their commitments for making these changes. When council approved the redevelopment plan we understood that 2013 would be a transition year and that the soil conditions might limit the possibilities to grow vegetables or groundcover in the flowerbeds this year. We look forward to more comprehensive landscaping in 2014. A copy of the original sketches for the proposed flowerbeds are shown on the next page:
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Luther Centre Flower Bed Proposal West End East End
Yoga at Trinity by Camilla Witt Yoga is a complex set of practices, developed by many practitioners over more than 5000 years, to build strength, resilience, flexibility, vibrant good health and well being. It is not a religion although many Hindus use some of its practices as part of their religion. Practicing yoga brings fitness to the body, and builds a calm and positive outlook. There are many meanings that can be ascribed to the word “yoga”, but its root is a verb in Sanscrit, “yuj”, which means to connect. In yoga practice, we work to keep the mind, body and breath connected, which brings focus and effectiveness to the practice, as well as calm to the mind. The Eight Limbs of Yoga There are many different facets to yoga, which has been divided into eight parts, called the “eight limbs of yoga”. These are: Asanas, the postures and physical practice of yoga Pranayama, breath work to develop strong and healthy lungs and pulmonary system Pratyahara, awareness of our bodies and the messages they are sending us Yamas, ethical practices (including truth, non-violence, sharing, not coveting, not stealing and conserving resources, both personal and natural) Niyamas, self observation (including cleanliness, practicing gratitude and contentment, purification of the body, partly through exercise using the asanas, study, and awareness of God) Dharana, meditation Dyana, concentration Samadhi, connection with God through meditation In addition to building a strong and healthy body, practic-
ing the asanas builds the flexibility needed to be able to sit quietly in meditation for long periods. Yogic theory is that in meditation one may find connection with God. Meditation has also long been part of the practice of some Christians. According to Father Thomas Ryan, a Catholic priest and yoga teacher, monks have been practicing meditation since the 3rd century. In our classes here at Trinity, we are now teaching the Asanas, Pranayama and Pratyahara. We also teach yoga in a way which is consistent with our Christian faith. The Asanas (Physical Postures) The Asanas, the physical postures, have been carefully developed to do exactly what our bodies need. Many of the postures use oppositional movements and work through our ranges of motion. Many of them take us to positions we don't normally put our bodies into as adults. They challenge us in a variety of ways. However, we always work from where we are, doing what is good for our bodies now, and slowly building our abilities. The result is that our bodies become more fit, we develop stronger, healthier bones, our tendons and ligaments become stronger, thicker, and more flexible, our joints become healthier, have greater range of motion and move more smoothly, and our muscles become stronger. If our posture wasn't straight, it becomes straighter. We become less likely to get injured, and less likely to get sick. If we had aches and pains, they fade away. In fact, after a while, our bodies just feel great. Pranayama and Pratyahara (Breathing Exercises and Awareness of our Bodies) Pranayama, breathing exercises, both build the health of ...see Yoga - page 12
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Yoga from page 11 our pulmonary system and help the asanas, the exercises we are doing, to be more effective. Pratyahara, awareness of our bodies, gives us more information about our bodies and in the long run, leads us to make different, healthier decisions for ourselves. Building Mindfulness and Awareness Yoga teaches us to live in the present, and to experience it as fully as possible, noticing more and more of what is happening around us and how that impacts us internally. We become more observant, and we notice things we have not been aware of before. In my experience long time practitioners tend to become more aware of the grace of God in their lives and more thankful. Yoga builds both mindfulness and awareness. Melting away stress and its effects If one is experiencing stress, yoga is a great thing to practice. Many people are aware of the body's fight or flight response to challenges, which leads one to feel stress in various ways, throughout one's body and mind. If one experiences an immediate threat, like having to fight off a wild animal, the stress reaction is very helpful – it gives one extra strength and motivation to fight. However, if the stress is present often, such as in the context of a demanding job or demanding life circumstances or constant time pressure, the hormones secreted to depress the function of our organs while we are dealing with the “threat”, can slowly damage all of those organs. Fortunately, the body has a counterpart to the fight or flight reaction that has been recognized and studied, first at Harvard University in approximately 1970. It is called the relaxation response. Interestingly, it does not happen in sleep. It may happen when we are practicing the
Trinity Team
asanas, if we are using the breath correctly. It may happen in meditation. It may also happen if we use relaxation techniques such as progressive relaxation. Practicing yoga therefore not only ends the body's stress reaction, but can help heal damage caused in the past. Disadvantages / Advantages Are there disadvantages to practicing yoga? While the benefits are clear and well established, yoga takes time and commitment, and at first that can seem like a disadvantage. However, the more we do yoga, the better we feel, both while doing it and the rest of the time. In addition, the resulting changes to our bodies and brains lead us to be fit, sharp, energetic, more positive, more aware, and less likely to waste time dealing with illness and injury, That can make spending time on yoga feel more than worthwhile. Can anyone practice yoga? Yes, There are thousands of poses and modifications of those poses, and many techniques that can be used, so anyone can start at any point, begin to build strength and flexibility, and enjoy the other benefits. However, we have found that it is better for people to deal with certain problems first with a physiotherapist and then come to class, so they are able to do either the poses taught in class or modified versions of them. If you are interested, please call Camilla Witt or email her at yogaattrinity(atsign) gmail.com. A new session of Monday evening classes (taught by Camilla) and Thursday evening yoga classes (taught by Rose Radke) will start soon, and a new session of Gentle Yoga (taught by Camilla and by Lana Pilotte) will start in the new year. Each class lasts 90 minutes and the cost is $10. It is less when a person cannot afford that amount.
German Evangelical Lutheran Conference Convention in Edmonton and Jasper DELKINA (Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Konferenz in Nordamerika) (http://www.delkina.org/en).
September 13 – 19, 2013 DELKINA is a special interest conference for ministry among people of German language and/or heritage in North America. Reaching out to people whose primary language is not English (i.e., German), DELKINA sees itself as an integral part of the multicultural mission and outreach of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As an official interest conference, DELKINA works with and is supported by the two major Lutheran church bodies in North America, namely, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and by the Evangelical Church in Germa… see Delkina - page 13
DELKINA ist eine Interessenkonferenz der Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ElCIC) und der Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Ihre zweijährlichen Vollversammlungen finden abwechselnd in Canada und den USA statt. St. John’s Lutheran Church und Trinity waren Gastgeber der diesjährigen Tagung, der Geschäftsteil wurde von Pfr. Frank Kopania und Pastorin Ingrid Doerschel geleitet. Bischof Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Pfr. Kopania und Frank Thede hießen alle Teilnehmer am ersten Versammlungstag ini Trinitatis herzlich willkommen. Prof. Dr. Dietmar Mündel hielt einen Vortrag zum Thema der ...siehe Delkina - Seite13
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Delkina from page 12 ny (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland or EKD). An important part of the German Interest Conference is its biennial general assembly, which serves to foster fellowship and communication among its members and to plan for the future. Between the biennial meetings, an elected board does DELKINA’s work. This year, two bilingual Lutheran congregations hosted the conference in Edmonton: St. John's Lutheran Church and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. It has been a pleasure to work together on this major event and to offer our hospitality to the German speaking delegates who arrived from all over North America. They were welcomed warmly at the airport and taken to their hotel. Hand crafted bags, filled not only with protocols and business stuff, but with information about Edmonton, Jasper, and Alberta helped the participants to get a glimpse of the history, the urban and rural landscape, and the beauty of nature of Alberta. Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Bishop of Alberta and the Territories, Rev. Frank Kopania, (former) President of DELKINA, and Frank Thede, Chair of Trinity Lutheran Church, welcomed our guests and enjoyed breakfast and conversation. Rev. Frank Kopania and Rev. Ingrid Doerschel, Vice President of DELKINA, led the business sessions in Edmonton and Jasper. Prof. Dr. Dittmar Muendel held a lecture on the theme of this year’s convention: He focused on Hebrew 13: 14 “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” He explored the question “What does it mean for our understanding of life to be deeply rooted in a specific cultural and traditional heritage and at the same time to be committed to the land and the people where we live as Christians and citizens?” A delicious dinner and classical music performed by young students concluded the first day. One of the highlights of the conferences always is the main worship service attended by all participants, this time two German speaking congregations celebrated together at St. John's Lutheran Church, which also celebrated its 100th anniversary that Sunday. With Pastors Sigmar Reichel, Ingrid Doerschel, and Indra Grasekamp presiding and Bishop Dr. Larry Kochendorfer preaching and the combined choirs singing, we celebrated a festive worship service in German and English. After worship we greatly enjoyed an “anniversary” lunch at St. John's. In sunshine and in good spirits the group visited Historical Fort Edmonton Park in the afternoon and spent the evening at the “Victoria Soccer Club” savouring a great dinner. Most of our guests had not been to the Rockies, and it was a pleasure to see how delighted they were visiting the Rockies and spending some time walking through Maligne Canyon and along Maligne Lake, watching canoeists and taking pictures at Medicine Lake and Athabasca Falls. We stayed at Pine Bungalows, located close to Jasper on the Athabasca River, and we held our business sessions in … see Delkina - page 14
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Delkina von Seite 12 Vollversammlung: „Wir haben hier keine bleibende Statt, sondern die zukünftige suchen wir“ (Hebräer13,14) – Heimat in der Fremde. Andrea Wilhelm gab eine Führung durch unseren Community Garden und Strathcona bis zum Farmers Market, um den Besuchern einen Eindruck von der Umgebung unserer Kirche zu vermitteln. Ein musikalischer Abend mit Dinner beschloss den ersten Tag. Höhepunkt in Edmonton war der deutsch-englische Sonntagsfestgottesdienst in St. John’s, geleitet von Bischof Larry Kochendorfer, Pastor Sigmar Reichel, Pastorin Ingrid Doerschel und Pastorin Indra Grasekamp, unter Mitwirkung der Chöre von St. John’s und
Trinity; gleichzeitig feierte die St. Johannesgemeinde ihr hundertjähriges Bestehen. Nach dem Mittagsfestmahl in St. John’s gab es eine Stadtrundfahrt mit anschließendem Besuch in Fort Edmonton Park – ein wahrhaft „historisches“ und sehr interessantes Erlebnis für unsere Gäste an dem herrlichen Spätsommertag. Überhaupt zeigten sich Edmonton und Alberta wettermäßig an all diesen Tagen von der besten Seite mit sonniger Wärme und blauem Himmel! Dieser zweite Tag endete mit einem eleganten, köstlichen Dinner im Victoria Soccer Club. Tagungsort für die weiteren Tage war Jasper im idyllisch am Athabasca River gelegenen Pine Bungelows Resort mit Konferenzsaal. Folgende Tagungspunkte und Beschlüsse sind besonders hervorzuheben: 1. Das Kirchliche Monatsblatt, das über 25 Jahre von Pastor Jakob Pillibeit im Alleingang herausgegeben und versandt wurde, besteht seit Januar 2013 nicht mehr, da Pastor Pillibeit aus Gesundheitsgründen sein Amt niederlegen musste. Abonnementsvoraus-zahlungen werden auf Antrag rückvergütet. Delkina ist jedoch bemüht, ein neues Nachrichtenblatt, evtl. in anderer Form, ab 2014 herauszugeben. Alle KM Abonnenten sind inzwischen entsprechend schriftlich benachrichtigt worden. 2. Die Bildung einer Arbeitsgruppe zur Herausgabe eines neuen, deutschen Liturgieheftes für Pastoren und Laienhelfer in deutschen Gottesdiensten, die nicht deutsch sprechen. 3. Aus Ersparnis- und und Effizienzgründen wurde der neue ...siehe Delkina 14
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Delkina from page 13 their conference room. We dealt with four major items: 1."Kirchliches Monatsblatt" had been published and mailed by Pastor Jakob Pillibeit, editor of KM and secretary of DELKINA. Due to health reasons, Jakob has resigned from his office and has not been able to publish our newsletter from January to September 2013. The conference decided to discontinue the traditional edition of “Kirchliches Monatsblatt” and to continue working on publishing a different kind of German newsletter in 2014. The new board was asked to send letters to all congregations and individuals who had already paid their yearly subscription fees and to offer refunding their prepayments. 2.A group was formed to work on a German worship book, requested especially by non-German speaking pastors and lay people serving in German speaking congregations. 3.In order to work more efficiently and to save money, the conference decided to elect only four board members instead of six; they are: President: Rev. Dr. Holger Roggelin, Baltimore, USA; Vice President: Rev. Ingrid Doerschel, Edmonton; Secretary: Rev. Dr. Olaf Wassmuth, Washington, USA; Treasurer: Albert Christ, Winnipeg, Canada. 4.Former President Rev. Frank Kopania has received a call from the EKD (Evangelical Church in Germany). The conference thanked him for his industrious work during the past two years. The conference offered a big thank you to Rev. Jakob Pillibeit, former editor of “Kirchliches Monatsblatt”. He has done a marvellous ministry to German speaking congregations by publishing the newsletter for more than 25 years! A heartfelt thank you to Trinity’s kitchen crew who spoiled us with delicious food at Pine Bungalows in Jasper. Many thanks to the Trinettes, the English choir and to the people at St. John’s Lutheran Church who provided us with tasteful breakfasts and several meals. Thank you to Cherie Larson who arranged a wonderful concert, and to the organizing team of St. John’s and Trinity who had been working hard to set up the conference! And lastly a big thank you to our congregations who prayed for us and helped to finance the event. The convention closed at St. John’s Lutheran Church with a worship service and the installation of the elected officers (and another dinner – Lutherans do love food!).
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DELKINA Ausschuss von sechs auf vier Mitglieder reduziert. 4. Wahlergebnis des neuen Vorstands: Vorsitzender – Pfr. Dr. Holger Roggelin, Baltimore/USA; Stellvertr. Vorsitzende – Pastorin Ingrid Doerschel, Edmonton/Canada; Schriftführer – Pfr. Dr. Olaf Wassmuth, Washington/USA; Schatzmeister – Albert Christ, Winnipeg/Canada. Besonderer Dank galt dem ehem. Vorsitzenden Pfr. Frank Kopania für seine ausgezeichnete Geschäftsführung in den vergangen zwei Jahren – er erhielt einen Ruf vom EKD; Pfr. Jakob Pillibeit für die Herausgabe des Kirchlichen Monatsblatts, einem langjährigen, arbeitsintensiven Dienst; sowie den Köchen, die täglich aufs Beste für unser leibliches Wohl sorgten. Wahrhaft begeistert waren die Besucher von der vielseitigen Schönheit des Nationalparks und der Landschaft Albertas – die Bustouren nach Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake, zur Jasper Lodge und auf dem Rückweg nach Edmonton zu den Athabasca Falls bestätigten die Vorstellungen, die die Broschüren vermittelten und erfüllten viele Erwartungen! Zahlreiche Aufnahmen werden später daran erinnern. Pastorin Ingrid überraschte uns alle als eine sehr gut informierte Reiseleiterin und ausgezeichnete Organisatorin. Der Aufenthalt in Jasper endete mit einem Gottesdienst in der lutherischen Kirche, geleitet von Pfr. Kopania. Die Vollversammlung fand ihren Abschluss in Edmonton mit der Amtseinführung der neuen Vorstandsmitglieder während des Abendgottesdienstes mit Heiligem Abendmahl in der St. Johanneskirche – und einem abermals köstlichen Dinner! Wir danken den Pastoren, Chören, musikalischen Leitern, Organisatoren und allen Helfern der St. John’s und Trinitatisgemeinden für alle Arbeit und Unterstützung, besonders auch finanzieller Art, die zum guten Gelingen der DELKINA Konferenz beitrugen.
Yours in Christ Talita Klingbeil, Ursula and John Meyer (delegates), Pastor Ingrid Doerschel submitted by Margarete Schwarz
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Called Into Learning
ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOMELESS PERSON Lights on straight in my face at 5:50 a.m. “Rise and shine ladies!” the lady loudly and with glee cries. “It’s time to head out and it’s minus 27 degrees Celsius with a wind chill so dress warmly”. I groan because morning has come too early again so I lie under my thin blanket as long as possible to get a few minutes more rest and warmth before heading out for another tiring and aimless day. Finally the workers force me to get up. I put on my tattered and old running shoes and socks that are too tight but warm, my fairly warm coat, a hat, scarf and mittens and head out the door before 6:30 a.m. Other people from the shelter are outside and invariably ask me for a cigarette. I grudgingly share one but try to get away before everyone asks me for a cigarette. I trudge over to the Co-op through the dark, windy and cold night. I have to sign in and state whether I slept inside or outside. I also have to get my breakfast number so I can get breakfast in an hour. It’s busy and loud and it takes me a while to find a seat. I am too late for the first round of coffee/juice so I have to sit down and wait for a half hour and try to warm up. The people are quite loud and feisty this morning. They are making drug deals in front of me and I just witnessed someone steal someone else’s I Pod but I don’t dare say anything. I try to read the book I got free from the public library but it’s too loud and I still feel tired. Finally the canteen is open for coffee and I scoot over into the line to wait to get one cup of coffee. I return to my seat and gratefully have my coffee. I’m still tired so I just manage to get a second coffee before the canteen closes again to prepare for breakfast. After my two coffees, I manage to steel myself to go outside for a quick cigarette before breakfast and manage to only be asked for a cigarette by two people. It is street rules to share cigarettes up to a point as the poor seem better at sharing what little they have. When I get back people have started lining up for breakfast so I line up as well. Today we received one sausage and miniature hash browns and yogurt, not much after waiting to eat since 6 a.m. but I wolf it down and also drink another cup of coffee. I wait at the Wild West Co-op until about 8:30 a.m. before trudging through the cold and windy morning to the public library downtown. There, I grab some books and a seat for the day (hopefully). Two other homies I know are sitting near me so we take turns going out to have a cigarette while watching each other’s stuff. I finally warm up and feel tired so I fall asleep sitting up for a while. The library security guard wakes me up to tell me to put my runners on. My feet were sore from the tight socks so I had taken the runners off to relax my feet. It’s hard having to wear the same socks and runners for days on end. Then it is time for lunch. I hide the books I have been attempting to read before heading off to line up for lunch at the Hope Mission. It’s cold outside so there is a huge lineup
and they cut me and some people in front of me off since there are no more lunch tickets left and I got there a bit late. Instead, I get a cold bagged lunch of somewhat stale white Canadian bread with bologna and an apple. I can’t stand this kind of bread but manage to force myself to eat most of the bread and I enjoy the apple. Back in the library, I manage to find some of the books I was reading and continue reading them. I have read what feels likes hundreds of books since becoming homeless. I run into a homeless friend and we decide to go look for cigarette butts at and around the downtown mall since we are running low on cigarettes. We spend several hours and manage to get enough for the day if we smoke sparingly. Smoking seems like a luxury but it makes you feel better. My friend suggests we stay at a different shelter tonight where there are less people, the workers are nicer and you can sleep a half hour longer. We spend a few more hours at the library warming up, relaxing and reading books before it is time to head off to line up for an hour or so to get supper. This time I’m lucky and after freezing outside for about 45 minutes I get into the building, get a number and get to wait another 45 minutes before eating a quite delicious supper. I stay as long as I can to warm up before heading off to the Co-op again to wait an hour before lining up at the new shelter. My friend keeps me company at the Co-op for a while, escorts me to the shelter and then takes off to different shelter where he doesn’t have to wait in line. I get to the shelter at 7 p.m. and have to stand in line for 1 ½ hours before finally being let in. In the mean time, some of the men make sure I am relatively warm and protected from some of the wilder people in the line and they share a few cigarettes. Everyone becomes argumentative and unruly shortly before opening time and some people try to butt in. Finally it is my turn and after being searched to make sure I’m not bringing in something not allowed, I get to go pick my mat. I take off my boots, put them under the mat to serve as a pillow, get earplugs and a few drinks of water, quickly lie down, keep my winter hat on, put on the ear plugs and drape my winter coat and 1 sweater over me to keep warm. It takes me quite some time to warm up after being outside so long. Finally I am able to fall asleep when I have warmed up and I know I’ll get an extra half hour of sleep. They say truth is stranger than fiction. This short story is about one day in my life when I was homeless for about 2 years. I always appreciated the kind souls who would come by the shelter lineups to distribute warm gloves, hats scarves, socks and other warm clothes. Homelessness can happen to anyone and once it happens to you, you will never forget it. Written by: Erika Ewen Jr.
Trinity Team
December 2013
Page 17
Called into Service What can I offer to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I am your servant, Lord. - Psalm 116: 12, 16-19
Small but Vital Communities Being a guest at a 12-Step Meeting in our Building Various times in the week, our upstairs Council Room becomes “home” to a wide range of people. Members of three different 12-Step programs gather anonymously to offer each other vital support and companionship. I had the honor of being invited by my friend of almost 40 years as she celebrated her 10th “birthday” as part of a regular Friday night home-group meeting of Cocaine Anonymous, otherwise known as CA. For 10 years now, she had managed to overcome the strong pull of alcohol and other drugs in order to stay clean (drug free). No one knows how to celebrate this milestone more than a fellow addict with the same struggles and the same goal. Speeches were given, and cake was cut and shared. The atmosphere was festive and I learned a lot. First of all, I realized that my mental image of an “addict” was skewed. The people gathered around our council table did not “look” like addicts. This could have been a community league meeting, a parent council meeting or even a church council meeting. The people were ordinary everyday people, the majority of whom hold down jobs from the trades to the professions and anything in between. Many of those in attendance have been coming to this home group for years, known only to each other by their first names. Having members remain anonymous is one of the key pillars of the 12-step movement. Only one contact person per group is registered here with the church office and has access to the church key and alarm system. He or she then sets up a buzzer at the back alley door which rings upstairs in the council room. One by one, the group members buzz at the back door and are let in. The chairperson of the meeting begins with introductions. My name is X and I am an addict. Recognition that one is an addict is the first step toward throwing off the power of one’s addiction. That evening, a young man arrived at the meeting for the first time. I witnessed how the community welcomed him in, making sure to get his phone number and to ensure that he would have information about all of the other 25 or more CA meetings in the city, so that at any time, when this young man is confronted with the urge to use any mind-altering substances, he knows where he can turn to for support so as not to give into the temptation to use drugs of any kind. As well, thanks to modern communication technology, people can also turn to online meetings on a regular basis. As part of the meeting, the chairperson passed out various texts to be read aloud including excerpts from the 12 steps initially written down in Ohio in 1935 by two men
known as “Bill W.” and “Dr. Bob” in a book entitled Alcoholics Anonymous. Even though the different 12 step groups are not allied with any religious denomination, political organization or other institution, I found it very interesting that these texts include many references to God and His power. The first three steps in particular reminded me a little of the confession of sins, as they pointed out the need to recognize and turn to a higher power to help overcome our shortcomings. Step One involves admitting powerlessness over mindaltering substances of all kinds, as well as admitting that these had made the person’s life unmanageable. Step Two includes a belief statement in a “Power greater than ourselves” that is able to restore lives. Step Three includes the decision to turn one’s life to the care of God, as “we understand him.” Throughout the evening, people reflected about how God is leading them through various portions of their recovery. Even those who do not specifically believe in God referred to “a Higher Power.” Each of the members of the group is linked with another person who has come further along the 12 steps toward recovery. This person is known as one’s sponsor. When individuals feel overcome by stress and face the temptation to turn back to any kind of mind-altering substance, they know they can call their sponsor for a lengthy chat over the phone or a face to face visit. At this special Birthday Party, a number of women spoke up and thanked my friend for the support she had offered them as their sponsor over the years. She knew of their many struggles, just as her sponsor knew of hers. After the meeting, many of the members gather in a local restaurant to continue their fellowship and support over pizza. As everyone left the building via the back door, I felt like I had witnessed a gathering much like those of the early church. A small group of believers meeting behind closed doors turning to each other for support, yet grounded in the knowledge that God sustains them all. Within our large congregation, we tend to keep our personal struggles hidden from each other. Other than perhaps the Faith Discussion Group, we tend not to meet in small groups and share with others how God moves in our lives. I don’t believe we confess our shortcomings in front of others for mutual support and understanding. I believe these communities who meet behind the closed doors of our building have a lot to teach us about ways of being a people of God. Hannah Noerenberg
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December 2013
Trinity Team
Comings, Goings and Celebrations Baptism: - Dec. 2, 2012 - Feb. 24, 2013 - August 4, 2013 - Oct. 6, 2013 - November 21, 2012
Marriages: - May 25, 2013 – June 1, 2013 – June 1, 2013 - June 22, 2013 - July13, 2013 - July 27, 2013 - Aug. 10, 2013 – Aug. 24, 2013 - Aug. 24, 2013 - Aug. 31, 2013 - Sept. 7, 2013 – Sept. 28, 2013 - Oct. 19, 2013 – Nov. 9, 2013 – Nov.30, 2013
Confirmation: - Oct. 27, 2013 - Oct. 27, 2013 - Oct. 27, 2013
Funerals/Memorials: Beate Barleben - Jan. 3, 2013 Eugenia Zenke - Feb. 1, 2013 Gerda Brunsch - Feb. 2, 2013 Edward Resler – March 19, 2013 Kurt Schwarz - May 13, 2013 Otto Aippersbach – June 8, 2013 Walter Konojacki – June 20, 2013 Horst Hoyer – July 23, 2013 Robert Welke – Sept. 26, 2013 Margaret Smith “Granny” - Oct. 26, 2013 Mato Bozic - Oct. 30, 2013 Ewald Lemke – Nov. 15, 2013
Looking Ahead Special Services Sunday, Dec 15 - 10:30 AM - Combined German English with “A Super Christmas Pageant” Christmas Eve - Tuesday - Dec 24: 4:00 PM - Family Christmas Eve Service 6:00 PM - German Candlelight Service 8:00 PM - English Candlelight Service Christmas Day - Dec 25 9:30 AM - German with Holy Communion 11:00 AM - English with Holy Communion Tues - Dec 31 - 5:00 PM German New Year’s Eve Wed - Jan 1 - 11:00 AM English New Year’s Day Regular Services Every Sunday: 9:30 AM - German Language Service 11:00 AM - English Service
The Trinity Team is a publication of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Edmonton, Alberta. The Team is published 3-4 times a year - in August, in December, in February, and in May under the auspices of the Communications Committee. The TEAM newsletter is intended to provide inspiration, information, and education to members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. The content of all articles must be relevant to the congregation and serve the above goals. I.e., articles are to inform and build up the congregation. Articles must be sound in Christian/Lutheran theology. We do not accept anonymous articles or articles with pen names. The editorial board, including the pastors, decide if an article is appropriate. Next publication date: March 2014. Deadline for submissions for next issue - March 17, 2014 The Team is intended to serve the members of Trinity Lutheran Church as a comprehensive communications tool. The editors welcome your comments or questions. Please submit all Team articles, information, comments or questions to:
[email protected] or drop them off at the church office - Attn: Trinity Team Trinity Lutheran Church, 2013 - Source should be acknowledged if material reproduced in whole or in part.
