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Australia District News Edition 30/2 - Winter 2015

In this issue: District Ministers Meeting Youth Conventions - SA & NSW Confirmation 2015

From the Desk of District Dear Brothers and Sisters, From the many positive comments received over the past weeks it is evident that the Pentecost Service transmission was very well received by our brethren. Our Chief Apostle was very conscious of the fact that the majority of the world was able to share in that service and he remarked that the marvels of modern technology are also serving our church well. The service was far from a history lesson on Pentecost; it was a living message for today and the future. As children of God, we have the privilege of constantly being able to come under His living word; an opportunity that we should never take for granted.

For the Pentecost Service in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, all 19 District Apostles of the world and all the Apostles of the African continent (except for 7 who were 2 Australia District News

not permitted to travel out of their respective countries due to the Ebola crisis) came together with the Chief Apostle. There are presently a total of 234 Apostles active throughout the African continent. With over 10% of the total population of Zambia being New Apostolic, the talent in the choir and orchestra was very evident in a concert presented in our main Lusaka church on the Saturday prior to Pentecost. The church was at capacity with more than 4,000 members attending.

In the last edition of the Australia District News reference was made to the Move-a-thon event that is planned for 24 October. Preparations are in full swing and will be advised in due course. In the meantime our friendly competitors, our Canadian Brothers and Sisters, have held their event.

Apostle Andersen They have opted to keep the results hidden from us until we have ours in order to preserve the competitive spirit in their challenge to us. In this way we can still look forward to a keen contest between the two countries.

Preparations for the visit of our Chief Apostle to Auckland, New Zealand are being finalised and it promises to be another momentous event in the history of our district.

This will be the fourth Chief Apostle visit to New Zealand, the first being in 1976 by Chief Apostle Streckeisen when he visited Wellington. At that time the membership of New Zealand could very comfortably fit into the New Lynn church in Auckland. Today, the Ministers and Wives Services that are conducted there totally fill the same building. God’s blessings have certainly been upon the

work in this land. This service, to be conducted on Sunday 13 September 2015, will also be transmitted to as many parts of our district as technically possible.

As we now enter the second part of the year, I wish you rich experiences of faith and pray that you may continue to have joy in Christ.

With loving greetings,

Andrew H. Andersen Australia District News 3

District Ministers meeting in Brisbane District Apostle Andersen had invited all District Ministers from Australia and New Zealand to the annual District Ministers meeting which he conducted on Saturday 25 April 2015 in Brisbane (Qld).

The fact that this was Anzac Day was not lost and the District Apostle opened the meeting with prayer and included those that had fallen in conflict - in particular those that fought for freedom in the world. Already before breakfast some of the District Ministers viewed the Anzac Day Dawn service that was held in Brisbane’s Anzac Square (across the road from the Hotel). During lunch the District Apostle took some of the District Ministers to see the monument erected to honour the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels of Papua New Guinea. One of the areas where these Angels assisted in the war effort is on the Kodoka track, where today we have many NAC members.

The District Apostle presentenced topics from the last District Apostle meeting held in Zurich with our Chief Apostle. Also discussed were matters pertaining to our District with several of the District Ministers presenting information on Sunday School, Youth Care, Administration etc for discussion in the meeting.

After the meeting the District Ministers travelled to a meetand-greet concert with the SE Qld members. In between the 4 Australia District News

musical items that were presented by various groups, several of the District Ministers were interviewed by the two MC’s (both members of the Youth). This was enjoyed by all with many members commenting that it was good to get to know the District Ministers better, particularly those that work in other areas of our vast District. The concert concluded with a musical item performed by all the District Ministers. To close the evening all present enjoyed further time in fellowship and indulged in some dinner/supper which included a wonderful array of food – this was provided by the members, and was well received by all.

On Sunday 26 April the focus was on the Confirmation service which members from the congregations in the south east corner of Queensland attended together. The orchestra and choir were inspiring to listen to and moved all present. The combined service commenced with Hymn 576 “Before the congregation Your children come today” and the text and message was provided by Chief Apostle Schneider.

Nine young souls stood before the altar and took their vow ”to remain faithful to you until my end” and then they received the confirmation blessing from District Apostle Andersen.

The total attendance in the divine service was 472, with another 19 members who were connected via streaming.

Youth Convention in Adelaide Adelaide Youth Convention 2015 kicked off with a night at BOUNCE trampoline studio, where youth gathered for some fun and the beginning of a jam packed weekend of fellowship, workshops and team challenges. The night was capped off with dinner and fellowship with Apostle Des Lodewick.

Saturday morning arrived with a new team challenge - The Mount Lofty Hike. This involved an 8 km return hike up and down the popular and challenging Waterfall Gully, with a steep climb to the Mount Lofty Summit. Beginning as a team, we conquered as a team, all reaching the summit and sharing in a spectacular view of Adelaide before a race back down to the base.

Back at the Ascot Park church, congregation members had put together lunch for our hungry youth, ready for an afternoon workshop and practice. It was the first of its kind - an interactive workshop connected online between New South Wales and Adelaide youth. The topic - JOY IN CHRIST! Here was an opportunity to delve deeper into the motto of 2015 from our Chief Apostle, a time to share and absorb the experiences of both Apostle Lodewick and Apostle Williams, and an opportunity for small group discussions to further extend and explore the concept and objective, ”what and how can we as youth further implement Joy in Christ within our lives and congregations?” Many positive and enthusiastic thoughts, ideas and experiences were made, then shared together with the youth of New South Wales.

Sunday morning offered a special opportunity for the youth of Adelaide to combine with the congregations of South Australia along with Apostle Des Lodewick for a Divine Service. The choir and orchestra for the morning was made up of willing and enthusiastic youth, finishing off the divine service with a passionate and somewhat “youthful” presentation of “The Lord is my Light!”. Sharing in a combined fellowship lunch, we saw the Adelaide Youth Convention of 2015 come to an end.

Bring on 2016!

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Youth Convention in Coffs Harbour It was with great excitement that the youth travelled to Coffs Harbour for the annual NSW youth convention.

The youth had decided that they would prefer to travel by bus for the long journey.

The travel time from Sydney is approximately 6 and a half hours. Two buses were hired and left at 6pm and 7pm respectively. It was well after midnight on the Friday that they pulled into the Coffs Harbour Adventure Centre. Our only youth member from Coffs Harbour ensured that all was ready with tea and coffee, fruit and biscuits waiting for the travellers.

Saturday commenced at 8am with Breakfast followed by the first activities. The youth had to choose between the Zorb Ball and the Commando course and for the second session they could swap around. The Zorb ball is a giant ball where two youth climb in and are strapped in place and then the ball is rolled down a hill. Great fun if you don’t have breakfast in your stomach!

The Commando course was a very tough course where the youth split into two teams and challenged each other to see which team could complete the course first. Many mud pools, under water (muddy water that is!) swimming, hill climbing, and various obstacles faced the teams.

The youth had great fun! Some youth discarded their clothes in the bin after the challenge, convinced that they would never come clean again!

After lunch the youth settled down for an interactive workshop with the 8 Australia District News

youth from Adelaide via an audio visual connection as the Adelaide youth also had their convention over the same weekend. Apostle Lodewick in SA opened the session in prayer and Apostle Williams in NSW closed the session. This was a first in using technology to be together.

The session explored “Joy in Christ” and what we can do when we get back to our congregations to grow in the Joy in Christ. The two groups, NSW and SA, broke away to workshop these thoughts in smaller groups and then we connected up again to share our findings. It was a thought provoking session and great to have the combination of NSW and SA youth using technology.

The Saturday evening resulted in an ice breaker where teams of four had to balance in the air resting on each other’s laps. Only a photo can explain.

Needless to say, the senior ministers outperformed the youth. This was followed by a fun filled trivia session to close off the evening.

The weekend closed off with a youth service conducted by Apostle Trevor Williams on Sunday at the camp.

The Coffs Harbour congregation was invited to join in as well. The word used came from Luke 19:42 “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!” It was an insightful word to recognise Christ and God in our lives and the peace and joy associated with them. After the Divine Service we enjoyed lunch with all and then the youth headed back home after an absolutely great weekend filled with fun and many blessings.

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Brisbane (Qld)

Mackay (Qld)

Sydney (NSW)

Perth (WA)

Wellington (NZ)

Confirmation Message from our Chief Apostle Dear Confirmands, You are about to make the wisest and most beautiful of all decisions, namely to commend your lives to Jesus. Your parents, your leaders, and your brothers and sisters rejoice deeply over this The same goes for me because, like them, I know that you will never regret it.

Maidstone (Vic)

I dedicate the following Bible text to you on your Confirmation: ”The Teacher has come and is calling for you” (John 11:28).

The Lord loves you with a perfect love.

You can verify this for yourselves by drawing near to Him. You will see that He will never turn you away! Jesus is always prepared to come to your aid.

Never hesitate to call upon Him. Trust in Him. He will never disappoint you!

Christchurch (NZ)

Gladstone (Qld)

Pay heed to the call of the Lord. He is counting on you to bear witness to the truth, to sow peace, and to spread love around you. Do not be frightened by the magnitude of this task; when you rise to the challenge, you will find that the Lord will do the lion’s share of the work!

On behalf of all the Apostles surrounding me, I thank you in advance for your commitment to the service of the Lord, and I wish you much joy within the Church. May the eternal God bless and keep you!

Jean-Luc Schneider

Ascot Park (SA)

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Around the Congregations 1. Members of Bolba (PNG) congregation 2. NZ Sunday School Big Day Out

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3. Youth in Auckland (NZ) took part in a fun run to raise funds for Auckland City Mission 4. Mother’s Day in Redcliffe (Qld) 5. Mother’s Day in Gosford (NSW) 6. Newly renovated church in Geelong (Vic) 7. These youth walked through thick jungle for a week to attend the Silver Jubilee service in Kabwum (PNG) 8. Youth service in Windsor (Qld)

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9. Koondoola (WA) youth at AQWA 10. Fellowship after Sunday School choir & orchestra practice in Beverly Hills (NSW) 11. Mother’s Day in Ascot Park (SA) 12. Sunday School children in Beverly Hills (NSW) sang on Mother’s Day 13. Mother’s Day in Seven Hills (NSW) 14. Divine Service held in Cooktown (Qld) 15. Apostle Lodewick with Sunday School children in Croydon (Vic)

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16. DE Witbooi conducted a divine service in White River, Honiara (Solomon Is) 17. Ministers and wives service in Hackham West (SA) 18. An open air service was held in Kerowil (PNG) congregation 19. Mother’s Day in Croydon (Vic) 20. A Sunday School service was held in Ascot Park (SA) 21. Moikep, Mt Hagen (PNG) congregation, where the members are the local school teachers, with their children

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22. Barasipo congregation (Solomon Is) 23. Seniors from Auckland (NZ) enjoyed an outing to Puhoi 24. A Sunday School service took place in Springvale (Vic) 25. A Valedictory celebration for the 2015 confirmands took place in Ascot Park (SA) Australia District News 13

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1. Dcn Lionel & Sis Lavona Cortereal of Kingston (Qld) received Silver Wedding blessings 2. Br John Balding & Sis Aileen Hess received wedding blessings in Mackay (Qld) 3. Sis Jean Schmidt of Ascot Park (SA) celebrated her 70th birthday 4. Br Paul Phillips of Ballarat (Vic) celebrated his 70th birthday 5. Sis Nancy Nitschke of Ascot Park (SA) celebrated her 80th birthday 6. Sis Ruby Tyler of Kingston (Qld) celebrated her 80th birthday 7. Dcn Darryl Vogler & Sis Alica Hess of Koondoola (WA) received wedding blessings 8. Holy Sealing of Sis Mia Tickner in Buranda (Qld) 9. Holy Sealing in Braybrook (Vic) 10. Holy Sealing of Perceus Lewer in Braybrook (Vic) 11. Sis Stephanie Barker & Br Ben Coughlan received wedding blessings in Croydon (Vic) 12. Sis Kylie Hearns & Dcn Mitchell Kruger received wedding blessings in Geelong (Vic) 13. Sis Janice & DE (ret) Errol Dietz of Windsor (Qld) received Ruby wedding blessings 14. Dcn (ret) Ivan & Sis Marlene Smith received Golden wedding blessings in Leumeah (NSW) 15. Br Heinz and Sr Ingrid Mallon of Croydon (Vic) received blessings for their 65th wedding anniversary 16. Sis Patricia Ziervogel & Sis Klara Reiss of Ashmore (Qld) celebrated their 80th birthdays 17. Dcn Reg & Sis Sandra Watkins of Box Hill (Vic) received Silver Wedding blessings 18. Holy Sealing of Amelie Yon in Croydon (Vic) 19. Sis Brooke Glenny & Br Russel Graham received engagement blessings in Geelong (Vic) 20. Sis Melanie & Dcn Robin Paulsen of Redcliffe (Qld) received Silver Wedding blessings 21. Dcn Neil & Sis Lynette Wallace of North Ipswich (Qld) received Silver Wedding blessings 22. Holy Sealing of Heinrick Grobler in Mackay (Qld) 23. Holy Sealing of Emily Mansour in Leumeah (NSW) 24. Sis Doris & DE Geoff Barker received Ruby Wedding blessings in Croydon (Vic) 25. Br Charles de Long of Croydon (Vic) celebrated his 80th birthday 26. Br Rodney Cavernelis of Kingston (Qld) celebrated his 70th birthday 27. Holy Sealing of Maja Petrovic in Hallam (Vic) 28. Br & Sis Conradie receive Silver Wedding blessings in Kingston (Qld) 29. Sis Gloria & Pr (ret) William De Wet of Seven Hills (NSW) received Ruby wedding blessings Australia District News 15

For your Information Chief Apostle Schneider’s schedule: Jul 2015

Aug 2015

Sep 2015

5: Saarbrücken, Germany

2: Danzig, Poland

6: Schwenningen, Germany

12: Goma, DR Congo

30: Tiflis, Georgia

13: Auckland, New Zealand 27: Düsseldorf, Germany

19: Kinshasa, DR Congo

District Apostle Andersen’s schedule: Jul 2015

Aug 2015

Sep 2015

5: Samoa / American Samoa

2: Ashmore, Qld

6: Windsor, Qld

12: Melbourne, Vic

9: Redcliffe, Qld

13: Auckland, NZ

19: Silkstone, Qld

16: Christchurch, NZ

26: Bundaberg, Qld

23: Buranda, Qld 30: Rockhampton, Qld

Upcoming Events: Jul 2015

Aug 2015

Sep 2015

5: Service for Departed

6: Father’s Day

10-12: NACYAC, Melbourne (Vic)

13: Chief Apostle visit, Auckland (NZ) 21: International Day of Prayer for Peace 26-27: Youth convention, Auckland (NZ)

Ordinations / Retirements: Name

Ordination / Commission

Pr Mark Maritz Dc Charl Miles Pr Samuel Stampfli Pr Alec February Br Espoire Bishe Ev Derick Yon Pr Oliver Hammacher Pr Randall Joubert Ev Graham Van Etten Pr Frank Vaughan Dc Timothy Sickinger Dc Terence Bowers Br Jacob Sickinger Br Shaun Wimmer Ev Geoff Collins Ev Reo Uys Ev Sidney Muller Pr Leon Petersen Pr Michael Fisher Ev Thomas Arpin Pr Michael Anderson

Confirmation Confirmation Confirmation Commission Ordination Retirement Commission Commission Commission Confirmation Confirmation Confirmation Ordination Ordination Retirement Commission Retirement Commission Commission Commission Commission

Ev Michael Baono

Ordination

In Memoriam:

Ministry Priest Deacon Priest Rector Deacon Rector Rector Rector Priest Deacon Deacon Deacon Deacon Rector Rector Rector Rector Rector District Evangelist

Sis Caroline Marmulla of Newcastle, QLD Sis Renate Blocher of Koondoola, WA Br John Fredericks of Henderson, NZ Br Gunter Dassow of Gladstone, Qld Priest (ir) Eric Schulte of Ashmore, Qld Priest (ir) Fred Scholl of Ashmore, Qld Br Dante Roman Torre of Fairfield, NSW Sis Virginia De Wet of Ascot Park, SA Br Donald Ross of Caloundra, QLD Br Christiaan Van Etten of Ashmore, Qld

Congregation Kingston, Qld Wellington, NZ Maidstone, Vic Maidstone, Vic Werribee, Vic Croydon, Vic Croydon, Vic Beverly Hills, NSW Leumeah, NSW Cairns, Qld Lane Cove, NSW Fairfield, NSW Maidstone, Vic Geelong, Vic North Ipswich, Qld North Ipswich, Qld Fairfield, NSW Fairfield, NSW St Marys, NSW Seven Hills, NSW Darwin, NT Kikori area, PNG

1 Apr 2015 8 Apr 2015 15 Apr 2015 5 May 2015 12 May 2015 21 May 2015 28 May 2015 28 May 2015 28 May 2015 30 May 2015

Contact Details: New Apostolic Church Office address 1A 3 Deakin Street, Brendale, Qld. AUSTRALIA

2015 NZ Confirmands on a weekend trip to Paihia All photos used by permission

Postal address PO Box 5903, Brendale BC. Qld 4500, AUSTRALIA

Phone: +617 3480 0400 Email Fax: +617 3480 0444 Photos: adn@newapostolic.org.au Admin: nacho@newapostolic.org.au