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Come, Your hearts and voices raising,Christ the Lord with gladness
praising; Loudly sing His love amazing, Worthy folk of Christendom.
Chr is tmas i n
Mur ray f ie ld : 2013
What happened?
Another year as bishop in
the LCSA and rector at LTS
Angelika visits Verona to
see “Nabucco” and “Aida”
live, but does some serious
work too
Christoph works hard as LTS
caretaker (Hausmeister) -
and relieves his father
tremendously
Friederike returns from
France and successfully
completes here BA
(Honours) majoring in
French.
Detlev returns after an
exiting year in Finland,
Germany and Switzerland.
Matthias finishes school and
gets his drivers license
Hallelujah
Bishop of the LCSA 2
Rector’s Report 2
Verdi in Verona 3
France and back 3
Buffalo Camp 3
Inside Story 5
Inside Story 6
Murrayfield
Sin and death may well be groaning,
Satan now may well be moaning;
We, our full salvation owning,
Cast our ev'ry care away.
See how God, for us providing,
Gave His Son and life abiding;
He our weary steps is guiding
From earth's woe to heav'nly joy.
Christ, from heav'n to us descending
And in love our race befriending,
In our need His help extending,
Saved us from the wily foe.
Jacob's star in all its splendor
Beams with comfort sweet and tender,
Forcing Satan to surrender,
Breaking all the pow'rs of hell.
From the bondage that oppressed us,
From sin's fetters that possessed us,
From the grief that sore distressed us,
We, the captives, now are free.
Oh, the joy beyond expressing
When by faith we grasp this blessing
And to Thee we come confessing
That our freedom Thou hast wrought!
Gracious Child, we pray Thee, hear us,
From Thy lowly manger cheer us,
Gently lead us and be near us
Till we join th'angelic choir.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #128
A very joyful, peaceful + blessed Christmas to you
However he also rose victori-
ously from the dead. He lives
and reigns for us and for our
salvation (cf. Nicene Creed)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah! If you
want to read my latest Christ-
mas sermon here: http://
kwaweber.org/2013/12/23/
Thanks be to God for his
great mercy which is new
every morning! And his shows
his grace and mercy in such
numerous ways, but his love
has become manifest in his
sending (mission) of his most
beloved son Jesus Christ, our
Lord and savior, while we
were still sinners (Rom.5:1). He
was born for us and our sal-
vation. For this reason he lived
amongst us—serving God’s
people with grace, peace and
mercy-suffered under Pontius
Pilate, died and was buried +
Good news for all people: Jesus Christ was born for us and our salvation +
Christmas greetings from Webers in Murrayfield Page 2
Let our gladness have no end, Alleluia! For to earth
did Christ descend. Alleluia! On this day God gave us
Christ, his Son, to save us; Christ, his Son, to save us.
See, the loveliest blooming rose, Alleluia! From the
branch of Jesse grows. Alleluia! On this day God
gave us Christ, his Son, to save us; Christ, his Son, to
save us.
Into flesh is made the Word, Alleluia! He, our refuge
and our Lord. Alleluia! On this day God gave us
Christ, his Son, to save us; Christ, his Son, to save us.
Hymn # 69 from Lutheran Worship Author: Bohemian carol
Tune: Narodil Se Kristus Pan 1st Published in: 1636
Another year as bishop of the LCSA
Going about my business as rector of the LTS
By the grace and mercy of
our God I served the LCSA
as bishop for another year
and I am so grateful for this
undeserved honor and privi-
lege. After being ordained
21 years now, I am painfully
aware of many failings and
shortcomings in every regard
on my part even while know-
ing that many of these sins I
don’t even recognize as such.
Still, I trust in God’s grace,
mercy and daily forgiveness
of all my sins for Christ’s
sake. That gives me great
comfort, confidence and
plenty thankfulness. Visiting,
ordaining, preaching, teach-
ing and writing in this office
has filled me with great joy
and satisfaction despite
countless failures, mistakes,
serious faults and other dis-
appointments.
Together with my valued
and highly esteemed broth-
ers and friends in the Church
Council we had four regular
sessions—one every quarter.
Meeting on the premises of
the LTS in Tshwane is most
convenient for all of us and
we had the best attendance
and most thorough reporting,
deliberating and planning so
far. There where some high-
lights in our Church spread
out nicely over the year:
Presentation of the BoC in
SeTswana at the University
of Pretoria in April
Missionfestival in the Aula
of the University of Pretoria
with brother Christoph as
preacher
Seminary Open Day with
Rev. Eliot Sithole (PhD) and
Deaconess Grace Rao as
keynote speakers.
In all dioceses except North-
West there were diocesan
synods too. Still on the 1st
Advent I was invited to
preach in Tshing (NW) by
brother C. Mosenogi (picture
top left)
Read more: https://
sites.google.com/site/
lutheranchurchinsouthernafri-
ca/what-s-happening/
bishopsreport2013
2012 was a very good year for the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane. Despite
serious challenges on all fronts things ran smoothly for most Seminarians throughout the
year. Two of our teachers graduated successfully with PhDs and five of our students with
MTh. It’s for the first time that we are going to utilize some of these “masters” in missions
and at Seminary—and this fill me with great hope and gratitude.
My Son Christoph (picture on the left) continued to work as caretaker (“Hausmeister”) at the
LTS— and I am very grateful for his diligence and hard work at getting lot’s of stuff out of
my hair. You can see that I’ve lost some in the process! My sister Renate continues to serve
the Seminarians with warm meals every week day during the academic quarters. This is such a wonderful help—and it’s quite in line
with what her mother did years ago in Enhlanhleni.
As usual five newsletters were published throughout the year—practically every two months. Here is a link to the last update:
http://kwaweber.org/2013/11/19/lts-news-3/ You can also read my latest report to the members here: https://
sites.google.com/site/lutheranchurchinsouthernafrica/what-s-happening/rectorsreportattheltsmembersmeeting
Page 3 Christmas 2013
Gone hunting with my father and some brothers
To celebrate my father’s 80th birthday, my brother Peach decided to go hunting with him in
Elandskraal. My mother accompanied my father and we all had a wonderful time together even
if Peach was just too ill to join us in the end.
Buffalo Camp borders dear old Zululand and from the hills we had the familiar view onto Ncom-
boshe and the Umsinga surroundings that made up most of our sightseeing for the many years in
Enhlanhleni.
We did a lot of talking, cooking, driving, leisurely walking, serious hiking, photographing and
even hunting. Although I saw a trophy Kudu on arrival, I never go to see another one after that—
except when Toffie stalked a herd of them and we kept good watch from on top of the hill. It was
a fabulous time - and hopefully we can do this again next year and I would very much like my
sons to experience this too and have Peach part of the expedition too.
Angelika’s trip to Tirol – and she gets to see Verdi’s
Nabucco and Aida too. A dream come true!
At the end of July Angelika read an academic paper in Bozen (N.Italy) at the International
Deutsche Tagung (IDT—more than 3k participants!). They were treated to some sightseeing too
and as I missed my flight due to visa problems, which the foreign organizing touring agents (USA)
hadn’t taken into account, she didn’t stay up in Tirol for some hiking as planned, but went to see
Verdi’s Nabucco and Aida performed live on two different nights in Verona: http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZEnE8VTcPQ This was an absolutely stunning experience for Ange-
lika and she returned overjoyed and hyped-up. In the mean-time she has started learning some of
those passages in Italian and can join in the singing too.
Angelika works hard teaching and doing research in the German Department at the University of Pretoria, but still finds time for sing-
ing in the choir at St. Pauls, staying fit at the gym, caring for our roses and other flowers and plants at home, reading Thomas Mann
& Goethe in that order of preference and really liking to watch a good “Krimi” now and again. I hope that one of these days she’ll
find time for playing the piano a bit more!
With the parents on Crocodile
bridge at Malelane gate (KNP)
Angelika and her mother in Wart-
burg just after Papa Scharlach’s
88th birthday this November.
Friederike returns from France & passes her BA (Hons)
Friederike was in France for
the first Semester. She was
at the Institut catholique
d’Études supérieures (ICES) in
La Roche Suv Yon (West
Coast). This was part of her
post-graduate studies. Her
friend Carinna was with her
for most of the time. The
Haessigs - David, Jacqueline
and Rosine - were especially
kind to her and treated her
most hospitably.
She got to visit family and
friends in Germany before
returning to be at her grand-
father Weber’s 80th birth-
day. Now she’s busy tutor-
ing students, but finds time
for baking and watching
films—in French of course.
Here she (2nd from the right)
is with members of her
course in the French Spring
on a sight-seeing tour.
Christmas greetings from Webers in Murrayfield Page 4
Detlev loves Finland, but comes home anyway. I am glad about that!
Matzi finishes school and get’s his driver’s license
For some reason Detlev
wanted to learn Finnish –
and he did. He enjoyed the
dark, cold winter and was
only disappointed that
Spring eventually came to
Finland too.
He made some good friends
while learning this foreign
language. Who’s surprised
to hear that it was mainly
Africans trying to get asylum
up north.
Before returning home in
time to catch the best part of
our summer here in Pretoria,
he visited with his friend
Tobias in Hamburg and to-
gether with him went to Ba-
varia and Switzerland too.
That was only after he had
earned something by picking
berries in Lachendorf, Lower
Saxony. As I was at the SELK
pastor’s convention during
this time, we meet at Dieter
& Johanna Scharlach’s place
and caught up on this and
that. Our visit to Celle was
memorable! It was during
this time that we even joined
in the celebrations of the
25th anniversary of Don and
Renate Hougard. It was just
meant to be!
While hiring out boats in
Munich he earned more in
one day than in about four
picking berries. Well, just
goes to show that there are
different opportunities out
there. Now he’s back selling
Pizza, preparing to get his
driver’s license and getting
ready to start his studies at
the University of Pretoria
next year.
He’s now planning to study
German, English, History and
perhaps even Zulu or Sotho -
depending on availability at
the University.
At last he owns the French
Horn, that he borrowed from
his teacher over many years
and practices quite diligent-
ly - and as you can read
from our family favorites,
he’s still not tired of learning
difficult languages. Well, I
think Elfish will keep him
busy for sure.
Our youngest son Matthias has now finished school and is quite exited
about that. Here he is with Anita Slabber before their Matrik Farewell
in September. Notice Angelika’s blooming Jasmyn in the background.
Although he had a firm offer from friends to start learning a butchers
trade (Fleischer Lehre), this was retracted with short notice and he’s
now considering doing this in Austria or Baden-Württemberg next
year. Let’s see, what works out.
We are very proud that he made his driver’s license first shot and he’s
glad to be independent in that way also—even if he has to ask his
big brother (or mother) for a car still.
On my side I am glad to still have him around and would like to see
him do this or that here in Pretoria before leaving for Europe, but
we’ll see how things will work out.
Page 5 Chrismas 2013
Away in the bush with friends & family
On a number of occasions we were in the northern bush
with our parents, family and friends. Up in Mapungub-
we we toured with dear John Nordling in a bush camp
all to ourselves. Out west we were in Balule with Berno,
Karin & Co coming up really close and personal with
wild elephants trumpeting all around us and that’s not
even counting the prancing hippo and swooping vul-
tures, who were gone with the wind, when we tried to
follow up on them. Finally we were in Letaba and Sku-
kuza with our parents watching giant eagle owls, rhinos,
lions and even cheetah.
Our family favorites for 2013
Matzi Dedi Frikkie Chris Angie Wilhelm
Song “Little Dream-
er” (Ensiferum)
“Sleeping fun”
by Nightwish
“At least it was
here” (The 88)
“Gib niemals
auf” from their
Musical at DSP
“Nabucco” (Ver
di) &
“Scherzo” (Men
delssohn)
J.S. Bach’s St.
John’s Passion
Book “THUD” (Terry
Prachett)
Harry Potter in
Finnish
“Hearts in At-
lantis” (Steven
King)
“Der Kontra-
bass” (Patrick
Suesskind)
“Zauberberg”
(Thomas Mann)
Ringleben:
“Jesus”
Film Desolation of the
Smaug (Hobbit II)
Brave Heart
(Mel Gibson)
Great Gatsby Kill Bill Wonderwerker Verraiers
Place/Space Anywhere with
Timo
Vuokattissa,
Suomessa
Paris Cape Town Italy/Tirol Home
Holiday/Occasion Kruger Park Summerbreeze
in Dinkelsbuehl
Lachendorf,
Germany
Clans Farewell
Party
Morgan’s Bay Buffalo Camp
Goal for 2014
(God willing)
Linz (Austria) or
Odenwald to learn
“Metzger”
Learn Elvish Pay closer at-
tention to cur-
rent affairs
Successful at
Gerald’s
Publication of
literary texts to
learn German
Grammar
Learn Zulu
Dream holiday Australia or Aus-
tria (That’s only the
A’s)
Otter Trail
(E.Cape)
New York Machu Pichu Knysna Okavango
Occupation Student Traveller Student Caretaker Teacher Pastor
Visiting Morgan’s Bay on the Wild Coast
OUR FATHER’S 80 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN WELBEDACHT, KZN
Watchword for 2013: For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14)
Just after the school had closed down, Angelika had
wrapped up her Varsity stuff and I had finished with
diocesan synods, we travelled to camp in Yellowwood
Forest in Morgan’s Bay along the Wild Coast of Trans-
kei (E.Cape).
Although it rained the first few days—and quite heavi-
ly too—we enjoyed being away in a beautiful world
not troubled by drought like that
desolate stretch from Bloemfontein
to Aliwal North. The Wild Coast is
just beautiful even in dreary weath-
er, which off course in our world
doesn’t say all that much if you
remember the ice storms in Toronto
last week.
We finished plenty books, drank
too much coffee and thrived on the
long walks, because the water was
just too cold for the extended
swimming we’re into usually. Funny
enough we had some rather mild
spells too. So it seems to be a
question of currents, seasons and
times.
I was struck by the lack of schools
in the Transkei, when we toured the
land. That’s in stark contrast to
Mpumalanga, KZN and even North
-West, where you see schools all
over and every now and again.
Just cows, goats and lots of huts -
not counting the ship wrecks!
If you want to see more have a
look at my update on Facebook
under Wilhelm Weber jr
Rubida Street 196, Murray-
field X1, 0184 South Africa
(+27) 12 751 4933 (Home)
(+27) 82 544 9898 (Cell)
A very happy Christmas
to you and your family +
a very blessed, peaceful
and prosperous new year
of the Lord 2014 under
the watchword from Ps
73: “But as for me, it is
good to be near
God” (Verse 28a)
