Newsletter to Members and Friends

April 2014 No 11

Newsletter to members and friends

Sanibonani abangame, Dear Friends of Partnership, NEWS from Liebe Mitglieder und Freun- It took a long time to adjust the committee to the new structures of part- de sowie Freundinnen von nership in both circuits Melle-Georgsmarienhütte and Bramsche:

Susanne Storck This is our Newsletter No. 11, Rev. Heribert Duscha representing Eastern 2014 chairman Bramsche circuit

Rev. Elfriede Siemens greats you all in Elke Eilers representing this lenten season in the name of deputy chairlady Bramsche circuit our Lord Jesus Christ. We are all preparing for Eastern. Anke Meckfessel We follow the painful way of our Peter Turks representing Melle- Lord Jesus Christ but we are full secretary Georgsmarienhütte circuit. of hope. We trust that our Lord opened by his way a life full of joy for us. We know the custom Dean Loos of our South African partners to Franziska Hesse representing Melle- meet all in one congregation to treasurer Georgsmarienhütte circuit. celebrate both, reminding the way of Jesus to the cross and as well the joyful message of his Heiko Grube resurrection. Maybe we will get representing Diakonia some inspiration in our services by this very special worshipping. It is the association’s objective to support and promote partnership in the circuits of Bramsche, Durban, Melle-Georgsmarienhütte, Pirna and Annual Meeting Umngeni. The work of the association focusses in the support of parti- Members of Friends of cular projects, in public relations, fund raising and further fostering. The Partnership will meet association works in agreement with the objectives of partnership in for the annual assembly the circuits of Bramsche, Durban, Melle -Georgsmarienhütte, Pirna and at Melle St Petri parish Umngeni. (Charter of Friends of Partnership § 2) hall on May, 20th, at 5 p.m. New partnership chairman in Bramsche circuit Also further information Rev. Andreas Siemens has been elected by the Bramsche circuit about the project will be partnership committee to be its new chairman. He is the husband of Bad Essen ladypastor Elfriede Siemens and working as secre- given (see page 2). tary of Bramsche circuit's Dean Hans Hentschel in Bramsche. Chairperon’s Visit The Skill Training centre in Bishopstowe to South Africa Rev. Heribert Duscha and Mrs Christine Duscha enjoyed in Octo- ber/ November a stay in South Af- rica. They met a lot of long staying friends and visited some places of special interest.

Meeting at Ncami’s: Monika Schlonski, Mr Mr Zwelihle Khumalo, Dean Nathi Myaka with the new video camera Since a number of years Friends Mrs Nompumelelo Luthuli (sec- of Partnership takes it's main retary, Mpumalanga), Dean Nathi concern in supporting the Skill Myaka (Umngeni circuit) and Mrs Training centre in Bishopstowe Ncami Dlamini Khumalo (project in cooperation with Diakonia in manager, Pietermaritzburg South) Osnabrück (city and district). In in Pietermaritzburg. Rev. Duscha November 2013, there were mee- passed a video camera to the tings with representatives of the committee as a gift of Friends of Diocesan rally in Howick: coordinating partnership commit- Partnership. Diocesan Secretary Rev. Themba Khathi, Rev Bongisiwe Maggy Nzama tee of Durban and Umngeni cir- There is the beginning of pub- cuits. November, 1st, Rev. Heribert lic pressure as neighbours have Duscha and the St Petri Melle de- shown increasing interest in the legation (Rev. Richard Schröder, site. The South African partners Mrs Monika Schlonski, Mrs Bir- clearly expressed the wish for git Tubbesing) met Mr Zwelihle further support by Friends of Khumalo (chairman, Ntuzuma), Partnership.

In Nhlangakazi cave: Members of the partnership committee including Mr M. D. Maphumulo and guests (Christine Duscha and Mr Muzi J Mthethwa, Mooi River).

On Oct 27th, they were present at the Diocesan Rally at Howick. In Pietermaritzburg they paid a visit to Mrs Monica Ncgobo in Imbali. In March there were heavy storms At Ncami’s: Monika Schlonski, Mr Mr Zwelihle Khumalo and Mrs Luthuli with in Pietermaritzburg which took as approved drawing of the dormitory well off the roof of her house. Delegations and other visits Diakonia / Bishopstowe Delegation of Melle St Petri in South Africa 2013, End of November Mr Heiko Grube October 22nd – November, 4th met the coordinating partnership In 2013 it was the turn of Melle committee of Durban and Um St Petri to travel to Pietermaritz- ngeni circuits in Durban. His visit burg South in order to stay in the to Bishopstowe did not show any biannual rhythm. Pastor Richard change. Schroeder, Birgit Tubbesing – kin- But now: the building license is on dergarten teacher und responsible hand, and building shall be started for the partnership with the Mach- in February 2014. The costs will be bisa crèche and Monika Schlonski R 750.000 per contructional unit. travelled with high expectations, (deanery and dormitrory).16 youths mainly because we did know the shall be trained in Bishopstowe. partnership committee, except Meeting the Pietermaritzburg-South In January Mrs Ncami Dlamini Dean Myaka. Our trip included partnership committee in the church- Khumalo and architect Siya Nkosi many highlights besides the already hall of Machibisa congregation meet the builder, Site clearing is mentioned Diocesan Rally and the to be started. Next to the old buil- meeting of the Coordinating Com- dings of the old primary school the mittee at Ncami Khumalo’s home. new deanery is to be built. We were very much impressed to experience the growth of Pieter- maritzburg South parish, how they are working for new congregations, how they take notice of the people and offer services under very sim- ple conditions , eg. in Mpumelelo, sloppy called „Frances“ as being beyond the border. The Howick congregation as well is growing so Meeting stuff members of the part- that the classroom were they are nerschool (Imbali) of the Grönenberg- worshipping will be to small within school (Melle) in the principal's room short. We got as well a new mes- As she is as well involved in an sage when seeing the new errec- other project in cooperation with ted memorial in Imbali as a sign of Diakonia (Ezemvelo Soccer Cha- reconciliation between the rivaling mionship) Mrs Ncami Dlamini Khu- and in the times of Apartheid figh- malo (photo) will be from April, 22nd ting groups of ANC and IFP. In the to May, 5th in Osnabrück and Melle partnership meeting were present: and report on the progress of the chairman Mr. Siyabonga Nkosi, his project. deputy Mr. Semandle, Dean Myaka, Mr. Maurice Sithole, Mr. Dumisani Heading for South Africa Makani, Mrs Lindi Zungu, Mr. A.B. Ms Anke Meckfessel in the chair of Mthemba and the three delegates the Melle-Georgsmariehütte part- from Melle. Very impressing were nership committee has started her the visits to the Machbisa crèche visit to the partners on April,1st. Be- and to the Mfundwendhle School sides the strengthening of the re- in Imbali which offered a great pro- lations among the partner commit- gram to us. We could pass gree- tees she will for sure be involved in tings and presents oft he Grönen- preparing the next youth exchange berg School in Melle. We, and our in June and try to get informations partners as well are very pleased Birgit Tubbesing and Monika Schlonski on the progress of the skill training that our partnership goes beyond talking with the kids at the kindergar- centre in Bishopstowe church into school. (Monika Schlonski) ten of Machibisa church center Delegations and other visits Chatsworth parish to visit Barkhausen Rabber

ne festival at Ostercappeln parish, visits to Eisenach, Wartburg und Wittenberg, many meetings i.g. women's legue and men's league, Bad Essen municipality, Diakonia activities like second hand shops for furniture (Bad Essen) and tex- tils (Bohmte), the One-World-Shop in Bramsche, the textil museum in Bramsche, exhibition center Va- rus-Battle, ecumenical meetings with the Baptits church in Lintorf and the islamic parish in Linne and many privat meetings. As prepara- tion for the "Luther tour" the eng- lish version of the Luther-video will be shown.

Robin Ramiah, head of Chats- Youth exchange in Melle-Georgsmarienhütte circuit worth parish partnership committee, writes: "The Chatsworth pa- In this year there will take place farm and taking part in the church rish as accepted an invitation to the first encounter in the new cir- wide youth camp. Naturally it will visit our partners in Germany from cuit structures. From June, 28th to be important to meet one another the 14th June – 25th June 2014. July, 18th ten youths from our part- face to face, to get to know in per- The Chatsworth delegation will be ner circuits of Durban, Umngeni son, and to exchange on life and Rev Collin Chellan (parish pastor) and Umvoti will be our guests in faith. Moreover there will be time Robin Ramiah (chairperson of pa- Melle-Georgsmarienhütte. Under to visit the partner parishes of the rish and partnership) and Mrs Olive the motto of „ Together is better“ guests. Govender (parish council member) there will be an interesting pro- The Germans should already noti- Mr Ramiah says that the delegation gramm, e.g. special projects in ce these dates: June, 29th, 10 am is excited about this visit since the the vocational training school in welcome service in Oldendorf, last visit from Chatsworth was in Osnabrück-Haste, joint staying and 6 pm welcome party at „Holte 2006. Chatsworth was also previl- with German youths in the church Castle“. If you want to host guests leged to host Mr Ernst Gausmann retreat centre „Holte Castle“, a vi- please adress Antje Witzorek or from Barkhausen in October 2012. sit payed to the refugee camp in Henning Enge Rev Chellan commented that it will Hesepe, working in a health food be interesting to meet our brot- hers and sisters in Germany and The International Youth Weak... experience a bit of their life style. ...is a project of the Church of Ha- nover. Second half will be to take We hope that our relationship with nover youth ministry, Hermans- part in the „Global Village“ at the Barkhausen Parish be a long and burg Mission and Youth ministry church wide youth camp. This fruitful one." of Melle-Georgsmarienhütte cir- year the topic will be“ Fighting for cuit. Circuit youth worker Hen- peace“, this means to debate how Ernst-August Gausmann from ning Enge is involved in planning to handle conflicts. The results are Barkhausen-Rabber parish added: and executing. Youths and young brought tot he global village. "The visit is under the toppic Pa- adults will stay together from rish life in a changing world and June, 27nd to July, 3rd in ecume- Further information: changing structures. nical and international encoun- Henning Enge The program will include the par- ter in the Antikriegshaus (Antiwar [email protected], ticipitation on the circuits trompo- House) Sievershausen near Han- Fon: 0049 (0) 5422 9213144 News from Mpumalanga Delegations and other visits and Oldendorf parishes Renovation of the crèche "walking to Emmaus" Pastor Keding from Oldendorf parish is happy to report that there is a good progress in the renovation of the crèche in Mpumalan- ga. The roof is completed, doors are installed, the floor renewed. Oldendorf parish will contribute more than R 200.000 to help the partners. Remember: there our partnership started in 1973 by the support of this building. May this be an im- pressive symbol for the future of partnership: When some thing 10 youths from the South eastern leaders, will take part in the project: breaks down it can be re-built Diocese (ELCSA) – see photo – will Around 40 youths from Sweden and and partnership will continue. be participating in an exciting event the Diocese of Skara, 10 youths in Sweden and the Holy Land. The from Wakefield, 10 youths from Pa- project is called "walking to Em- lestine, 10 youths from Bayern and maus”. 80 youths from Sweden, 10 youths from South Africa. South Africa, Germany, England, Within the project two pilgrimage and Palestine will have the expe- walks will take place, in the Diocese riences to share their faith and life, of Skara in 24-31 August 2014, and deepen friendship and experience in the Holy Land during Easter 6-12 the worldwide church. April in 2015, with a final walk bet- Altogether around 80 youths, plus ween Jerusalem and Emmaus. Bad Essen trombone choir members to visit Christianenburg parish in October/November 2014 Plans have been made, tickets are The drafted program shows partici- booked: Some of the members of pitation in Christianenburgs parish Bad Essen parish trombone choir activities on the one side and visits under the leadership of church mu- to famous places of KwaZulu-Natal sician Martin Stindt will start for a like the Drakens Berge and the Na- two weeks stay in South Africa end tional Parks at the Nothern coast on of October. the other side.

Elder died in car accident Pastor Keding reports further on: The elder of Mpumala parish, Mr Bongani Mashaba, very much involved in partnership, died in a car accident. He left a family including 7 years old twins.

Welcome service for the youth Oldendorf parish already prepares for the welcome of the 10 youths which will arrive in Melle-Georgs- marienhütte circuit on June, 27th. Building bridges: There will be a welcome service Joint worshipping Durban Central Parish and Indian Parishes in New Germany in Oldendorf on June, 29th, at (ELCSA-NT) under the motto "building bridges" at November 3rd, 2013. 10 a.m. News from Pirna circuit Transfer of pastors in Durban and Umngeni circuits and Pietermaritzburg- North and Mtulwa parishes In November 2013 the Diocesan Council decided as usual on the transfer of pastors in the new year 2014.

Seminary, a bishop of Eastern Di- ocese, again a lecturer at Theolo- gical Institute (LTI) in Pietermaritz- burg. For Christianenburg parish Mrs Rhosta reports: „The end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year has been dramatic in Christia- nenburg Parish by bidding farewell to Pastor Buthelezi who has been transferred to Umngeni Circuit in Georgenau parish. There is the Pirna circuit follows it’s tradition idea of Bad Essen parish to have to celebrate an annual partner- an exchange in November 2014." ship service, this time March,23, New parish pastor in George- together with it’s partners Pieter- In Durban circuit Pastor Njabulo maritzburg North and Mtulwa. Sithole (photo) left Ntuzuma parish to serve in the neighbouring Chris- tianenburg parish. Rev. Sithole has been a parish pastor in Ntuzu- ma for 16 years which is according to ELCSA SED regulations a very long time. He facilitated the building of a big church hall at Esang- weni congregation. The church is a dome building which has housed a Circuit open meeting comfortably because it is that big. He was very much involved in partnership issu- Mrs Sbongile Nxumalo reports: es and will for sure continue in the "Our partnership service went partnership Christianenburg-Bad nau: Rev. Buthelezi and family well though I wasn't part of it Essen. (photo). Besides Rev. Buthelezi of because I was working over the Nhlangakazi parish there is now weekend. They had a lot to do another Pastor Buthelezi in Umn- and discuss as we will be hosting geni circuit, this time in Georgenau the Circuit Prayer Women's Con- where he is one of the successors ference (Abasizikazi) in July." of Rev. Edward Ndlovu.

There is as well a new pastor in Oebisfelde parish. Pastor LV Qhe- le was transferred end oft he year to another parish outside our partnership. Oebisfelde new pastor's name is Sibusiso Mosia.

The new pastor of Ntuzuma is Rev. Dr. Musa Biyela (photo) well May God bless all of us. known to the partners since long iNkosi busisa sonke! years. He has been a lecture in Umphumulo Lutheran Theological Möge Gott uns alle segnen. Co-operate!

Don’t hesitate to pass over a comment about this newsletter, news to be published or e-mail addresses of other interested persons to [email protected]

Association „Friends of Partnership“ e.V. Membership application Hereby I apply for a membership in „Friends of Partnership“ beginning with ______. I agree with the aims of the association as mentioned. Maybe... Annual subscription (1,00 Euro/month = 12 Euro/year) ...someMaybe... body wants to join our association “Friends of partner- (10,00 Rand/month = 120 Rand/year) ...some body wants to join our ship”. These are our objectives: association “Friends of partner- other subscription amount The development association “Friendsship” These of partnership“ are our objectives: works an _____ Euro/month = ______Euro/year theThe developmentconviction that association partnership between“Friends ofpeople partnership“ of different works name. family name ______culturean the convictionshould be that encouraged partner- inship order between to achieve people justiceof diffe- and ______peacerent culture in this should world. be So encoura- our as- sociationged in order supports to achieve partnership justice pysical address ______onand circuit peace level in this as world.well as Soon ourcon- gregationalassociation supportslevel in the partnership circuits of ______Melle-Georgsmarienhütte,on circuit level as well as on Bram- sche,congregational Durban, levelPirna, in theUmnge circu-- postal address ______niits andof Melle, Umvoti. Durban, Our Pirnaassociation und backsUmngeni. and Our develops association constituent backs ______projects,and develops does constituent promotion pro-of pu- blicity, fund raising, and other jects, does promotion of publici- email ______measuresty, fund raising, on this and concern. other mea- To apply for membership please sures on this concern. for German only: print and fill in the application To apply for membership please Account Nr.: ______form,print andand fillsend in the it to application our treasurer, Mrs Franziska Hesse, c/o form, and send it to our treasu- Diakonia, Riemsloher Straße 5, Bank and Bank Code: ______rer, Mrs Elke Eilers, Sonnenweg D-49324 Melle, Germany. 3, D-49152 Bad Essen, Germany. You may as well simply send a ______You may as well simply send a mail encluding your details to I will set up a standing order to the account of "Friends of [email protected] encluding your details to Partnership” [email protected]. Annual subscription in Germany place, date ______isAnnual at least subscription Euro 12.00. in ForGermany rates is at least Euro 12.00. For rates in South Africa, please, ask Fran- signature ______ziska.in South Africa, please, ask Elke.

Eingetragener Verein zur Förderung der Partnerschaft der Ev.-luth. Kirchenkreise FRIENDS Durban, Melle, Pirna und Umngeni / Registered Association for the Promotion of Partnership by the Evangelical Lutheran Circuits Durban, Melle, Pirna and Umngeni Vorsitzender/ Chairman: Heribert Duscha, Parkstr. 5 31707 Bad Eilsen, Tel.:(0949/ 0) 5722/892469, E-Mail: [email protected] Bankverbindung: Konto-Nr. 101 493 Kreissparkasse Melle (BLZ 265 522 86)