However, this is not always such an easymatter to put into practice. The aim of thisprogramme is to provide additional opportunities for improving the level of thiscare in the years ahead. I ask for your support for this initiative throughout 2012.

The New Year already promises a number ofother interesting prospects as well. TheCatechism of the New Apostolic Church isdue to be released later in the year. We alsocontinue to look at how we can betterpromote the invitation to join us in our congregations to the general community.This is an ongoing challenge which we arecontinually addressing. It is hoped that 2012can be a 'watershed year' for this.

I wish you and your dear ones a very blessedand peaceful Christmas and a successful andhappy New Year.

With loving greetings,

Andrew H. Andersen

AUSTRALIA DISTRICTNEWS

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

Yet another year comes to an end. The yearthat began with high hopes and great expectations can now be reviewed by each ofus to see how it has 'measured up' to thosedesires. Undoubtedly, whatever we mayconclude, we are above all thankful for manythings that we have experienced. As weenjoy the activities and the festivities that surround this time of the year we look forwardwith anticipation to the year that lies beforeus. No matter what our circumstances, wemust never allow the spirits of pessimism ornegativity to enter our environment. Suchspirits only serve to distract the individualfrom embracing the opportunities that areavailable.

The continuing uncertainty throughout manyparts of the world is still highlighting thevolatility of the times in which we live. Thisgives us an even greater reason to be thankfulfor we know that we have our HeavenlyFather watching over us and our faith to support us. Naturally, this does not guaranteethat we are not affected by these matters butit does mean that we can have confidence inthe future. The word of God that He spokethrough His servant Jeremiah is still valid:"For I know the thoughts that I think towardyou, says the LORD, thoughts of peace andnot of evil, to give you a future and a hope"(Jeremiah 29:11).

The year 2012 will be under the banner "Yearof Children and Youth Activity". This is notjust about entertainment activities for ouryounger generations but a focus on theimportance of contributing to the work in thecongregation. Encouraging such participationis important for the future of the congregationand for the work of God in general. The careof our younger generations is always a priorityfor each Rector.

Edition 26/4 - December 2011

On 18th September, 2011 District Apostle Andersen conducted a combined Service in Ryde, NSW. On this occasion he was accompaniedby Apostle Williams, Bishop Green and District Ministries from NSW. Prior to the commencement of the Service, the District Apostleand Ministers were greeted with a song at the entrance to the hall, performed by the Sunday School children. During the Divine Servicethe District Apostle carried out the sacrament of Holy Sealing. This occasion also marked the retirement of District Evangelist IvanBarendse, who had faithfully served the congregations of NSW as a District Evangelist for 17 years.

After a fellowship lunch together, the District Apostle conducted a Service for Ministers and Wives.

District Apostle Andersen visits Ryde, NSW

Apostle Lodewick travelled to Western Australia to conduct a Divine Service in Rockingham on 17th July 2011. Gatheredthere were the congregations of Beckenham and Bunbury. During the Service the Apostle conducted Holy Sealing.

Apostle Lodewick visits Rockingham, WA

Youth Convention - Mapleton, QldThe youth of Queensland were invited to attend a weekend youth convention in Mapleton which is in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.Most of the youth arrived by bus which gave them an opportunity to already have fun together. After the induction and welcome the roomswere allocated and then it was time for lunch.

The afternoon activities included indoor wall climbing, a giant swing and orienteering, and from reports received all participated andenjoyed the afternoon. The evening was spent with a game show style event called 'Saturday Night Live'; this brought a lot of laughterand was enjoyed by everyone. District Apostle Andersen was the judge of the history completion which entailed putting the AustralianApostles in date order of their ordination.

The Sunday Youth Service was the highlight and the youth choir provided wonderful music to enhance the service. The text was: "If youhave faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains". This was a wonderful experience for the organisation committee, as thetheme for the convention which was printed on the clothing issued was: "Faith can move Mountains." After fellowship lunch together,the youth, Caloundra members and the District Apostle said their goodbyes and made their way home.

Youth Convention - Jindabyne, NSWThe Southern District Youth Convention was fantastic! A great group of young people arrived from Germany, Gosford, Sydney,Wollongong, Nowra and Canberra on Friday evening at the spotless and cosy Alpine Village in Jindabyne. Snowflakes, wallabies andwombats, good food, warm heating, nice staff and more - there was something magic with this place.

After breakfast on the Saturday the youth hit the slopes, on skis, snowboards, toboggan or enjoyed the day otherwise in the remotenessof the Snowy Mountains. Apostle Williams and Bishop Green mingled with the youth in the course of Saturday afternoon. After dinnerit was competition time - the "chosen ones" were the winners of the Bible Trivia and Deacon Mark won the fierce poker competition.Night became daytime for some, you know who you are, but it was daytime in a good sense.

Sunday morning saw a 7am breakfast, service preparations and then the highlight of the weekend - a unique Divine Service around themotto of the 2011 convention: Faith can move mountains! Retired District Apostle Arthur Rosentreter and his wife Audrey joined theyouth for this occasion, which was a surprise and added to the atmosphere. Everybody was hungry afterwards, tucked into a great vegetarian Lasagne - yes, it was vegetarian - and the last two hours of fellowship were enjoyed before packing up and farewelling at 2pm.

The traveling back was smooth for most and unforgettable for some to say the least, but everybody arrived safely and happy at theirrespective homes. A great thank you to all who contributed to make this weekend as special as it was!

The youth of Western Australia were invited to a youth camp at Busselton for the WA Youth Convention. This year the convention wasself catered and with much work and joy the orgainsation group provided for the needs of the youth over the entire weekend, with manyhome cooked meals being enjoyed by everyone.

Apostle Lodewick spent time with the youth at the camp and joined in with the activities and helping out in the kitchen for his shift.

The youth enjoyed the games and spiritual activities and finished Saturday off with a show case of their musical talents. Sunday broughtthe highlight under the same text given by our District Apostle. After a hearty lunch all said goodbye and made their way home after ablessed and joy filled weekend.

Youth Convention - Busselton, WA

Youth Convention - Waikato, NZOn Friday 22nd October, D-day had arrived for the NZ Youth Convention! One bus and two mini vans helped transport our youth to thecamp site, about 2 hours from Auckland in the Waikato region! A group of youth from Christchurch, Invercargill and Wellington flew intoAuckland Airport and joined the group on the buses. Friday evening after dinner, the youth were taken on a glow worm trip, after whichthey enjoyed some music by DJ Clyde!

Saturday morning after breakfast the games began and included kayaking, raft-building, archery, and flying fox! Before lunch the youthwere divided into two camps and engaged in a 'sword fight'. Bodies were strewn all over the park! Fortunately there were no majorinjuries! After lunch the youth all attended a presentation by Priest Neil Rischbieter on "Sex before Marriage", which was followed bythe E100 Bible Challenge. The feedback was overwhelming and this spiritual portion of the local youth conventions will no doubt becomea regular feature of future conventions! Saturday evening, the Showcase showed off the talents of our youth in various different forms,with contributions by our Apostle Williams and special guest Bishop Green!

The weekend culminated in a Divine Service conducted by Apostle Trevor Williams and assisted by Bishop John Green and the NZDistrict Youth Leader Priest Bryce Diaz. The local congregation of Hamilton was also invited to attend this Divine Service, after whicheveryone enjoyed lunch, and then made their various ways back home.

On the weekend of 6/7 August 2011, the Youth Leaders from around Australia travelled to Brisbane, Qld for a Youth Leaders Conferencethe first of its kind ever held. The weekend was an opportunity for the Youth Leaders to compare experiences and brainstorm ways ofbetter meeting the spiritual needs of our young people. The motto developed for the youth is iventure - guiding youth care into the future.After a day of workshops in Silkstone, the Youth Leaders travelled to Redcliffe for dinner and an evening of fellowship and singing. OnSunday morning the Youth Leaders gathered in Beenleigh for a Divine Service conducted by District Apostle Andersen.

Youth Leaders Conference

St Marys congregation in NSW celebrated 25th anniversary with a concert with the children and choirs performing to the enjoyment of allpresent. A special celebratory Divine Service was held on Sunday to bring thanks to our Heavenly Father for His blessings. All remainedand joined in a fellowship lunch to round off the festive day.

St Marys (NSW) congregation celebrates 25 years

The Sunday School children of NSWexperienced their first Children's Camp in September. All the children were very excited when theyarrived at the camp on Friday evening. Not every part of the camp could be explored immediately, as it was already dark. It was a latenight for all, as there were a lot of new friends to meet.

On Saturday the rain stopped for most of the day allowing the children to enjoy the many outdoor and indoor activities which includedindoor rock climbing and a low rope course. The rain returned on Saturday night, but it was still possible to sit around the camp fire inthe evening. On Sunday morning the children were seated very close to the altar and our Bishop served with a word out of Deuteronomy31:8. He pointed out that when we place our trust in God we do not need to be afraid.

Everyone felt that it was a great experience and some children and adults slept very well on Sunday night after a hectic but very enjoyable weekend.

Apostle Lodewick conducted a Sunday School Service in Rivervale on the 16th of July, during which the children performed as the choir.At the conclusion of the Service the children were able to enjoy some fellowship with the Apostle and each other.

Sunday School Service in Rivervale, WA

NSW Sunday School Camp

Around the congregations

The South-East Qld Concert Choir held a concert in Redcliffe (Qld)

Apostle Lodewick sat with children after a combined Service with Elizabeth & Hope

Valley (SA) congregations

The congregation in Hastings (NZ)

Father's Day in Box Hill (Vic)

Bishop Green conducted a Sunday School Service in Kingston (Qld)

The Victorian Concert Choir travelled to Albury for a concert

Children in South Australia sing during aSunday School Service held by

District Apostle Andersen

District Evangelist Barendse at the conclusionof the last Divine Service he held in Gosford

(NSW) prior to his retirement

Father's Day in Springvale (Vic)

Br Peter and Sis Lucille Yon celebrated their25th Wedding anniversary in Croydon (Vic)

on Thanksgiving Day

The Redcliffe (Qld) Sunday School childrenpresented a number of items during the concert

South-Queensland Concert Choir performing

Celebrations

Br Charles & Sis Allison Carey ofBeckenham (WA) celebrated their 40th

wedding anniversary on 28/8/11

Br Hans Schwarz of Buranda (Qld)celebrated his 90th birthday on 20/10/11

Sis Hilda Thorne of Caloundra (Qld) celebrated her 94th birthday on 2/9/11

Br Stephen Wolf & Sis Tracey Taylor receivedwedding blessings in Newcastleon 22/10/11

Sis Glenda & Br Andrew Labuschagne ofRivervale celebrated their 25th wedding

anniversary on 17/7/11Br Sidney & Sis Marlene Muller of Fairfield (NSW)celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on 10/4/11

Sis Gracie Probst of Riverleigh (Qld) celebrated her 99th birthday on 20/8/11

Sis Nellie Pur of Braybrook (Vic) celebratedher 85th birthday on 16/9/11

Holy Baptism of Reinhardt Muller inRedcliffe (Qld) on 28/8/11

Sister Elfriede Haas of Braybrook (Vic) 21/9/11Brother Donald Page Croydon (Vic) 21/9/11Brother Egon Haas of Braybrook (Vic) 25/9/11Sister Irmgard Pesic of the Geelong (Vic) 11/10/11Sister Rachel Smith of the Fairfield (Vic) 14/10/11

Head Office:1A/3 Deakin StreetBrendale, Qld 4500 Australia

Telephone Facsimile Email A.B.N.

(07) 3480 0400(07) 3480 0444 nacho@newapostolic.org.au67 011 031 780

Postal address:New Apostolic ChurchP.O. Box 5903Brendale, BC Qld 4500

Published by the New Apostolic Church - Australia District

Celebrations

Deceased

Br Heinz Hensel of Highton celebrated his80th Birthday on 17/10/11

Holy Baptism of Quade Bazeley inNorth Ipswich (Qld) on 25/9/11

Apostle Lodewick celebrated his birthdayin Croydon (Vic) on 6/10/11

Baptism of Ava MacKrill in Redcliffe (Qld)on 30/10/11

Br Frank & Sis Lorna Latham of Gosford (NSW)celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on 4/9/11

Holy Baptism of Theonardo van Wyk inRockingham (WA) on 4/9/11

Br George & Sis Margaret Broadhurstcelebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary

in Box Hill on 13/8/11

Holy Sealing of Jared Amsterdam in Springvale (Vic) on 21/8/11

Sis Frieda Schirk of Newcastle (NSW) celebrated her 80th birthday on 22/10/11