Australia District News

In this issue: Farewell to Chief Apostle FehrVisit by Chief Apostle SchneiderNACYAC in PerthThanksgiving 2012

Edition 28/3 -Spring 2013

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Since the last Australia District News was issued we have learned of the passing of our beloved retired Chief Apostle Fehr. This issue of our Australia District magazine contains a tribute to him as the servant of God who led the New Apostolic Church for 17 years. His unexpected passing so relatively soon after his retirement again reinforces that we cannot take anything for granted and that we should see every day that we are given on this earth as grace to be thankful for and to work with.

Our Chief Apostle has kindly scheduled his first visit to

From the Desk of District Apostle Andersenour district in September and we welcome him and the accompanying District Apostles. Details of this visit are on the following pages. The motto for his visit (see the article concerned) is intended to reflect the continuous focus throughout our district of striving to increase the joy in our congregations. This is always a ‘work in progress’ and is added to by the endeavours as well as by the attitude of each and every member of each congregation. Let us continue to add to the joy in our congregations and in God’s work in general. The reward for doing so is self-fulfilment as well as blessing from the Lord.

Melbourne

Sydney

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From the Desk of District Apostle AndersenMuch is spoken about in our day and age regarding the desire and indeed the need for everything to be relevant. This is aimed at every aspect of our lives and includes our involvement in our church activities. Understandably, every individual has their own opinions about what is relevant because each one has their own needs. However, when it comes to the divine services and the many other gifts that God offers us, we should understand that these are given by our Heavenly Father because He has determined that they are relevant for us. It is then advisable for us to, in faith, accept all His gifts as being relevant for us rather than analyse each

one and perhaps come to a different conclusion. In this way we can again attract His blessings and good pleasure. We should be grateful for every gift and every opportunity from God, be it large or small.

With loving greetings

Andrew H. Andersen

Our pictorial highlights some of the places in our district that were visited by Chief Apostle Leber during his term as Chief Apostle.

Papua New Guinea

New Zealand

Fiji

Perth

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Chief Apostle FehrIn Memoriam:

On Sunday, 30th June retired Chief Apostle Richard Fehr passed away peacefully and unexpectedly just 15 days before his 74th birthday. Whilst he had been suffering serious illness for some years since his retirement, he was permitted to experience periodic relief from time to time. Only 2 weeks prior to his passing he was able to attend the official farewell of Chief Apostle Leber by the staff of the church’s headquarters in Zurich.

Chief Apostle Fehr first visited the Australia District as Chief Apostle Helper and conducted a divine service in Ipswich, Queensland on 15th March 1988. It was in that service that Apostle De Lisen was placed into retirement and District Evangelist Andrew Andersen (now our District Apostle) was ordained Apostle. Two months later District Apostle Rosentreter and Apostle Andersen were invited to be with him for the Pentecost Service in which he was ordained Chief Apostle following the retirement of Chief Apostle Urwyler due to illness. Since then, Chief Apostle Fehr visited many (if not most) lands around the world in order to be with brothers and sisters of all cultures and nationalities.

Our district was fortunate enough to receive 6 visits during his term as Chief Apostle. In January 1991 he visited Brisbane (13th January), Adelaide (15th January) and Auckland (17th January). On 6th February 1994 Chief Apostle Fehr hosted an International District Apostles’

Meeting in Sydney as well as conducting a divine service there. Papua New Guinea received a visit in 1996 when he went to Daru on 7th September and to Popondetta on 8th September. He returned again in 1997 and served in Perth on 29th May and in Brisbane on 1st June when he bestowed the Silver Wedding blessing on Apostle and Sister Andersen. On New Year’s Eve 2000 he served in Melbourne and the following day, 1st January 2001 he conducted the divine service on Queensland’s Gold Coast where he placed District Apostle Rosentreter into retirement and ordained Apostle Andersen as District Apostle for the Australia District. Chief Apostle Fehr returned to the Australia District again in 2005 and conducted his last service in the Australia District on 30th January. He was retired in the Pentecost Service in Fellbach, Germany on 15th May 2005.

Chief Apostle Fehr was supported by his loving wife who accompanied him almost everywhere despite the many challenging circumstances that often arose in the course of their travels. She encountered several health setbacks during these times but resolutely continued to carry her support for him and his great task without complaint. He will always be remembered as a man who had a great sense of humour whilst being a great servant of God who selflessly exercised his ministry with great dignity, humility and sense of purpose.

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The first and greatly anticipated visit of our Chief Apostle Schneider to our district will take place from 25th to 29th September. Since his ordination at Pentecost 2013, he has visited a number of other lands.

This already shows his universal and globally embracing approach to his task as Chief Apostle. He has accrued much experience from his work in other lands, mainly in Africa, during his time as District Apostle for the District of France. This experience has provided him with an obvious and very visible spiritual empathy for brothers and sisters around the globe.

The blessings to come from this Chief Apostle visit will be beneficial to the work of God throughout our whole district. It is to be hoped that, in this worldwide ‘Year of Profession’ and our local ‘Year of Community Spirit’, these blessings will crown our individual and collective efforts to encourage our fellow man to come and experience the joy in the congregation. The ‘theme’ chosen for the Chief Apostle’s visit is ”….we shall reap in joy”. May this be the result of all the efforts, prayers and sacrifices that we all bring to the Lord’s great work.

Our Chief Apostle’s visit is to be understood as a visit to our whole district and not as a visit to just the two cities on his itinerary. We have a geographically large and culturally diverse district spanning countries in both the south and north Pacific region and on both sides of the International Dateline. This, interestingly, results in both the first and the last divine services worldwide each Sunday morning being conducted in our district where (based on a normal Sunday morning start time) the first services are conducted in Samoa (formerly Western Samoa) and Tonga and the last services are conducted in American Samoa.

On this occasion our Chief Apostle will be accompanied by District Apostle Brinkmann and his wife Sister Brigitte (Dortmund, Germany), District Apostle Klingler and his wife Sister Helga (Hannover, Germany) and District Apostle Hebeisen and his wife Sister Lucienne (Manila, Philippines). Unfortunately our Chief Apostle’s wife, Sister Pascale is not able to accompany him on this visit.Additionally, our Chief Apostle will conduct a Regional Apostles’ Meeting in Brisbane on Saturday, 28th September and the following Apostles and their wives will also be with us:

• Apostles Lodewick and Williams (Australia) • Apostles Isnugroho and Hadiwidagdo (Indonesia) • Apostles Hungito, Pouru and Wasimbai (Papua New Guinea) • Apostles Bual, Catan, Desoloc, Diagbel, and Nuyad (Philippines) • Apostle Wolf (Thailand)

While in our district, our Chief Apostle will conduct a midweek service in our Hackham West church in Adelaide, South Australia for the brethren of that city on Wednesday evening, 25th September and then a service in the Brisbane City Hall in Brisbane, Queensland on Sunday, 29th September. A youth convention has also been arranged in Brisbane for the weekend of his visit which will enable the youth to enjoy one another’s company. The Sunday divine service from City Hall will be transmitted by satellite to specific churches and receiving stations throughout our district. This is a wonderful opportunity to ‘get to know’ our newly ordained Chief Apostle. As we prepare for this visit, let us do so not only outwardly with all the matters that need to be taken care of, but also inwardly to ensure that we are spiritually ‘tuned in’.

Chief Apostle visit to Australia district

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Brisbane City HallHackham West church

D/Ap Brinkmann D/Ap Hebeisen D/Ap Klingler

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On the weekend 28th–30th June 2013 a conference for the young adults of the New Apostolic Church was conducted in Perth, Western Australia. This is the second such conference to be held in our district, the first being in June 2012 in Brisbane. Adult youth (18+ years of age) were invited to attend the conference which has quickly and endearingly become known as the “NACYAC”. The youth, who had made their own travel and accommodation arrangements, were lovingly welcomed and catered for by the brethren of the Perth congregations.

During the conference the young adults were introduced to a new initiative which has evolved in Canada and United States which is the concept of ”Pillar Youth”. This refers to the young adult New Apostolics who are between the ages of 18 and 35, whether married or unmarried and who wish to assist in God’s work in whatever way they can. These ”Pillar Youth” have much to offer in the congregations and

in the broader work at a district level. It is recognised that many have professional skills which can be used in many fields such as teaching (Sunday School etc), music (choir, orchestra, applicability of music etc), organising of events etc, building and maintenance considerations and many other disciplines that they have skills for. Additionally, many have expressed their willingness and desire to mentor the younger youth and the children through what are sometimes spiritually challenging circumstances in their developing years. It is intended that the ”Pillar Youth” group will evolve and grow over time and they will be recognised as the important and valued group that they are within our district.

The weekend was filled with lectures, challenges and contributions from youth and ministers alike and the camaraderie among all who attended brought great joy to all including the hosts. A third NACYAC is planned for 2014.

Young Adults Conference in Perth

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50th Anniversary celebrations:Buranda & WollongongThe Buranda (Qld) congregation was established when District Apostle Gerke decided to build a church on the south side of the river.

This decision was prompted by the fact that a number of members had moved to the area, and that the Windsor church was regularly at capacity. For three and a half years, brothers from Windsor, North Ipswich and Maryborough worked on the building of the Buranda church, often working weeknights until midnight. The foundation work alone took 18 months due to the unforeseen obstacle of a filled-in creek running through the property.

The church was dedicated by District Apostle Gerke on 9th June 1963. District Evangelist (later District Elder) Bernie Schulte served as rector of the congregation. Due to its seating capacity the church was used for many combined services. Among these were visits from overseas apostles and the early youth services.

On New Year’s Day 1981 Alf Tickner was ordained Evangelist and commissioned as rector, a position he served in for over 25 years until 2006. Since then Evangelist John Thorne has served as rector.

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From as far back as 1954 divine services were held in the Wollongong (NSW) area. These were conducted once a month by ministers who travelled from Sydney.

The congregation fluctuated in size as members moved to the Wollongong region, often from overseas and then went back or relocated elsewhere. It wasn’t until 1963 that Pr FW Luckel was commissioned as the first rector of the Wollongong congregation.

After passing away in 1965, the congregation was again cared for by visiting ministers. Priest E Sickinger Sr became rector and travelled down twice a month.

In 1970 Priest Kohler, who had migrated to Wollongong with his family, was confirmed in the priest ministry and commissioned as rector. Services were held every Sunday morning and midweek services commenced a few years later.

The 1980s were a period of intensive missionary efforts in the Wollongong area and regular Sunday afternoon guest services and concerts were held.

Since April 1991 a number of ministers have been commissioned as rector for the congregation: Evangelist Graham Van Etten, Priest Michael Fisher and Priest Heber Sena. During the divine service to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Wollongong as a congregation, Priest Sena was placed into retirement. and Priest Randall Joubert was commissioned as rector.

Brothers, including District Ap Gerke, working on Buranda church

Buranda congregation in 1975

Buranda church today Anniversary Cake

Ap Williams serves

Wollongong Concert

Wollongong 50th Anniversary Service

Albany Ashmore Beverly Hills Braybrook

Drury Elizabeth Gosford

Maryborough Morayfield

Mt. Hagen New Lynn

Rainbow Redcliffe Rockhampton Silkstone

Thanksgiving 2012

Braybrook Caloundra ChristchurchInvercargill

Hahndorf Karratha Lane Cove

Mandurah

New Lynn North Shore Paihia

Silkstone Tonga Windsor

Rivervale

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1. A Sunday School Service was conducted in Auckland (NZ)

2. Seniors from around Auckland held a High Tea in North Shore (NZ)

3. Confirmation in Tauranga (NZ)4. Ascot Park (SA) Sunday School concert5. Gladstone (Qld) congregation submitted

craft entries into the Mt Larcom show and took home a number of prizes

6. Bishop Green conducted a Children’s Service in Redcliffe (Qld) which was followed by a choir practice for the children in preparation for the Chief Apostle Service.

7. A Seniors’ Dinner took place in Paihia (NZ)

8. Orchestra members from South East Qld helped to break the record for the World’s Biggest Orchestra

9. Gosford (NSW) congregation celebrated Christmas in July

10. North Shore (NZ) youth held a fundraising Sausage Sizzle

11. Croydon (Vic) Sunday School choir12. Seniors’ Service in Henderson (NZ)13. Mother’s Day in Croydon (Vic)14. Children from a number of

congregations performed items at a Sunday School concert in Auckland (NZ)

15. Mother’s Day in Hallam (Vic)16. Mother’s Day in Gosford (NSW)

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Around the Congregations

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Celebrations:1. Br Brian & Sis Esme Davids of Leumeah

(NSW) celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary

2. Holy Baptism of Emma Marmulla in Gosford (NSW)

3. Sis Inge Sarros of Ascot Park (SA) celebrated her 80th birthday

4. Sis Gloria Dietz of North Ipswich (Qld) celebrated her 80th birthday

5. Br Petrus & Sis Dalene Van Den Berg of Ashmore received Silver Wedding blessings

6. Br John Chapman of Riverleigh (Qld) celebrated his 80th birthday

7. Br Adolf & Sis Elfriede Teufel of Hallam (Vic) received Golden Wedding blessings

8. Pr Michael & Sis Eleanor Hans of Drury (NZ) received Silver Wedding blessings

9. Holy Sealing of Br Andre Terrelonge in Hallam (Vic)

10. Holy Baptism and Sealing in Rainbow (PNG) at Pentecost

11. Sis Audrey Rosentreter of Ashmore (Qld) celebrated her 80th birthday

12. Br Garry Barnack of Croydon (Vic) celebrated his 80th birthday

13. Sis Cyanne Nott & Br Travis Botha received Engagement blessings in Mandurah (WA)

14. Br Alan Rossman & Sis Nataliya Lukich of Nowra (NSW) received wedding blessings

15. Br Bernie & Sis Doris Eggerling received Ruby Wedding blessings in Bundaberg (Qld)

16. Holy Baptism of Madeleine Hoffmann in Windsor (Qld)

17. Br Heinz Mallon of Croydon (Vic) celebrated his 85th birthday

18. Sis Jacqueline Moss & Br Jaye Polanco of Seven Hills (NSW) received wedding blessings

19. Adoption of Br Stephen Turner in Mandurah (WA)

20. Ev (ret) Ken & Sis Rhondda Cunningham of Maryborough (Qld) received Golden Wedding blessings

21. Sis Elsie Klass of Maryborough (Qld) celebrated her 93rd birthday

22. Pr Ralph & Sis Marilyn Davids of Leumeah (NSW) received Ruby Wedding blessings

23. Holy Sealing of Rosely De Nysschen in Mackay (Qld)

24. Dcn Ken & Sis Kerry Collins received Ruby Wedding blessings

25. Pr Fred & Sis Joy Tischendorf of Drury (NZ) received Silver Wedding blessings

26. Holy Baptism of Leo Daniels in Beckenham (WA)

27. Holy Baptism of Kaylee Attard in Croydon (Vic)

28. Holy Baptism of Leah Conway in Kingston (Qld)

29. Holy Baptism of John, Ripley & Ethan Timmins in Croydon (Vic)

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Ordinations / Retirements:Pr Kenneth Abrahams was placed into retirement in Auckland, NZDcn Bernard Horned was ordained priest for Henderson, NZBr Fabian Hencricks was ordained deacon for Henderson, NZPr Albert Backhouse of Taupo, NZ was confirmed in his ministryPr Ian Smith of Hamilton, NZ was confirmed in his ministryDcn Johan Joshua of Albany, NZ was confirmed in his ministryDcn Allan Smith of Hamilton, NZ was confirmed in his ministryPr Solomon Igima was ordained evangelist in Kiunga, PNGBr Yowo Hube was ordained priest in Kiunga, PNGEv Alex Kinobi was ordained district evangelist for Kiunga, PNGEv Benson was ordained district evangelist for Lake Murray, PNGDcns Emmanuel Saonda, Derick Tokwe and Timothy Simon were ordained priests for Lake Murray area, PNGBrs Presly Kewasa, Thomson Yame and Manes Peter were ordained priests for Lake Murray area, PNGBrs Sam Yomo, Kolsen Yame and Simon Miname were ordained deacons for Lake Murray area, PNGD/Ev Anton Akfal was ordained district elder for Sepik, PNGD/Ev John Yuambe was ordained district elder for Western Highlands, PNGEv Pisimi Yakumb was ordained district evangelist for the Southern Highlands, PNGPr Gordon Probst (who served as D/Ev for 14 years) of Mackay, Qld was placed into retirementPr Andre Mentor was commissioned as rector for Townsville, QldEv Graeme Van Etten was commissioned as rector for Nowra, NSWPr Randall Joubert was commissioned as rector for Wollongong, NSWPr Heber Sena of Wollongong, NSW was placed into retirement

For your Information

Contact Details:New Apostolic Church

Office address1A 3 Deakin Street, Brendale, Qld. AUSTRALIA

Postal address PO Box 5903,

Brendale BC. Qld 4500, AUSTRALIA

Phone: +617 3480 0400 Fax: +617 3480 0444

EmailPhotos: adn@newapostolic.org.au

Admin: nacho@newapostolic.org.au

In Memoriam:Sis Patricia Hyde of Newcastle, NSW 14 June 2013 Br Anthony Scott of Albany, NZ 22 June 2013 Sis Evelyn Probst of North Ipswich, Qld 27 June 2013 Sis Jana Diamond of Koondoola, WA 7 July 2013 Br Rodney Meagher of Toowoomba, Qld 12 July 2013 Sis Bessie Schulte of Bundaberg, Qld 21 July 2013 Sis Erika McKenzie of Ashmore, Qld 22 July 2013 Br Manfred Gerlach of Hallam, Vic 1 Aug 2013 Pr (ret) Jeffrey Fish of Springvale, Vic 9 Aug 2013 Sis Elisabeth Zuecker of Caloundra, Qld 25 Aug 2013 Br Trevor Suhl of North Ipswich, Qld 30 Aug 2013

Our Chief Apostle is scheduled to conduct the following services:

Our District Apostle’s visiting schedule:

Oct 2013 Nov 2013 Dec 2013

13: Niagara, Canada 3: Aachen, Germany 1: Johannesburg, Sth Africa

20: Gossau, Switzerland 10: Udaipur, India 8: Valencia, Spain

27: Kaliningrad, Russia 17: Limburg, Germany 22: Genf, Switzerland

24: Rostock, Germany

Upcoming Events:

Oct 2013 Nov 2013 Dec 2013

6: Redcliffe, Qld 3: Melbourne, Vic 1: Buranda, Qld

13: Niagara, Canada 10: Perth, WA 8: Auckland, NZ

17: Gladstone, Qld 15: Ashmore, Qld

24: Adelaide, SA 22: Silkstone, Qld

25: Redcliffe, Qld

Oct 2013 Nov 2013 Dec 2013

6: Thanksgiving 3: Service for the Departed

1: Advent & Sunday School breakup

1: 25th Anniversary of Maryborough (Qld)

25: Christmas Day