The English-Speaking Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Geneva 20, Rue Verdaine / 1204 Geneva, Switzerland.
Volume 02/2018 Summer
Pope Francis- Ebenezer, Rock of Help
“Jesus Christ is By George Arende state of Shock, Rebecca quickly walked into her our oxygen” November 14th last year, was house and dashed into the not a normal day like any bedroom where she safely others for Rebecca. Her hus- kept one of her favorable band, Peniel who works with gifts - a wedding necklace the World Council of Church- known in her language as es was on work travel in Tai- Mangalasutra [Literally pei and Rebecca remained In ‗wedding chain‘ which in Inside this issue: Geneva with their sons. some South Indian traditions That morning, Rebecca pre- a groom ties around the ―I felt unsafe, I was shaken, pared their sons Ebenezer bride‘s neck during marriage Rock of Help 1 didn‘t know what to do or (10 yrs) and Cleon (6) for symbolizing the bonds of where to start as Peniel was school and left for work at marriage]. This was a neck- away‖ she says. Book of Revelation 1 the Lutheran World Federa- lace given to her by Peniel‘s tion. Little did she know that parents during her wedding I Saw God through my son some people had been trail- in 2004. Pastor Column 2 ing all her family move- ―The entire house was up- Rebecca stayed numb as mul- ments. side down, they had pulled tiple thoughts crossed her On return home that evening everything down, things mind. Unaware of what to do Cultural Soiree 3 at around 18.30, she insert- were scattered, computers or procedure to follow, she ed the keys as usual to open on the floor, glass from the sat on the stairs con- the door. Unlike other days, broken door splintered all fused. ―Mama, let‘s call the Ski Outing 4 the entire lock unit came over,‖ she narrated to Gene- police and Vanita [a member out. Someone had intruded va Lutheran. The wedding of our congregation]‖, mur- into her home. ―Mama, necklace was missing as well mured her son. Outside and New Geneva Law 5 someone must have broken as other valuable items. Bur- in confusion, ….Cont Pg 8 into our house‖, said glars had struck and robbed Ebenezer. Confused and in a her off her sense of security. Literacy Tips 6 Reflection on the Book of Revelation
Pope‘s Visit 9 mor and various videos By Patrick Fleury tion. She stressed the im- (including a Chevrolet Super Martin Luther questioned if portance of the different Bowl commercial!!!) through the book of Revelation letters to the seven In Clay Jars 10 the daunting imagery of the should be part of the Bible Churches of Asia, and how woman, the dragon and the and John Calvin commented their message is still rele- child, and the Beasts from the whole Bible except Reve- vant today to assess the the Sea and the Earth. The Service Learning 11 lation. It is therefore with vitality of our church com- imagery of the fall of the anticipation that I decided to munity. Her wit, humor and city of Babylon was heavily join this eight week Bible dedication gave us the nec- discussed by the partici- Announcements 12 study. The first four sessions essary elements to pursue pants and made us ques- were lead by Miriam Deffen- with the symbolic imagery tion what we could change baugh who was able to com- of the Book. Pastor Andy in our life in order to be ment with passion and illus- lead the four final sessions. closer to God. Pastor Andy trate the historical and cul- Andy guided us also with ….Cont Pg 8 tural background of Revela- theological depth and hu- Pastor’s Column: New Opportunities in Children’s Ministry
By Andy Willis week is the time at home— been the general experience Page 2 time spent in conversation of churches that have tried It‘s no secret that there are about faith, reading the Bible something similar. Generally, lots of children around our together, singing songs, or when children are in a place congregation these days. On praying as a family. How can where they can see, they are any given Sunday, we see up our congregation better sup- much more engaged with the to 30 children of Sunday port families in fulfilling their experience of worship—and if school age, plus several more baptismal promises to raise anything, the volume level in under age 3. their children in the faith? This the service goes down. Sum- “ Children The presence of so many is a key question for our com- mer could be a great time for young ones brings us to some munity and one we can pay us to experiment with a space can begin to wonderful and important much more attention to. of this sort in our sanctuary. questions: How are we cur- Worship is one of the key There are pros and cons to rently passing on Christian internalize ways children learn the our current church school faith to the children of our faith. time; it may be worth try- much of the community, and are there ing a new time. changes we might make to do Church school certainly has an Christian this in a more whole and faith- important role to play in intro- Our current model—where ful way? ducing children to Bible stories children are present for the faith simply and themes of Christian life; beginning and ending of wor- To help us think through these but it is no substitute for par- ship and attend church school by being questions, a congregational ticipating in worship. In a wor- for the middle—certainly isn‘t forum was held after worship ship, children are exposed to a bad. It gives children both present ” on 17 June. I want to take this multisensory experience—the some experience of worship opportunity to share a few of sights of others praying and and some class time, and it the key themes from our time serving one another, the clearly works for us logistical- together. smells of bread and wine, the ly. But what would happen if Children’s ministry is both sounds of a community sing- we made some small changes about what happens at ing together. No matter how to the worship space (making church and what happens young, children can begin to it more welcoming for chil- at home. internalize much of the Chris- dren) and the worship service tian faith simply by being pre- (shortening it a bit and maybe Sometimes we can imagine sent regularly for the experi- including more regular direct that the only way children‘s ence of worship. involvement of children) and ministry happens is through then moved the time of church the classroom time of church We can experiment with school so that children could school. But the formation of a our worship space to make attend the whole service with child‘s faith is about much it more welcoming to chil- their families? Church school dren. could either take place before Physical space can greatly the service (during the adult affect children‘s experience education time) or after of worship. The area current- (during coffee hour). I person- ly designated for children in ally think this could be a great our sanctuary is squeezed opportunity to introduce chil- under the stairwell at the dren—from a young age—to back of the room and has the whole sweep of worship, space for no more than three and it could help them feel kids at a time. Now may be a that they have a place there good time to revisit both the from the very beginning. size and placement of this This is an ongoing conver- area. sation in our community Children light candle ahead of the Churches in many places are now, and I hope you’ll join worship. experimenting with creating in as you’re able! children‘s spaces that are Forum audio is available on more than that. Tim Fieldsend much larger, more visible, and our website. The presence of noted that if a child attends closer to the ―action‖ of wor- so many children in our com- church school every Sunday ship. While we might imagine munity is a wonderful gift, and we offer it in a given year, she that putting a larger carpet we have the opportunity now will have been in class for the closer to the altar and bring- to embrace the task of passing equivalent of two to three full ing in some children‘s chairs, on the faith in some new and school days. It‘s a very short exciting ways. Thanks for be- amount of time. cushions, books, and quiet toys would make the sanctu- ing part of this ministry to- Far more significant than ary much louder, that‘s not gether. those 25 or 30 minutes a Multi-Cultural Soiree
By Jonathan Frerichs Cynthia Wilburs-Muturi provid- as much a part of the program ed answers to vexing inter- as the various acts offered. Page 3 Good memories come in part cultural questions brought to from having something to re- them by children and grown- member. The Icelandic World ups. Various anxieties were 9 cultural ―treasures‖—stories, skits, Cup Clap is that something assuaged, and heads nodded songs and sagacity from this event. Everyone during a testimony about how had a chance to use it, start- 21 nationalities important it is to make friends ing with a haunting Viking with local citizens in this city 26 delectable dishes Ballads sung by Kristin To- of transient foreigners. masdottir with Gudrun and 57 participants Elizabeth, and Arni Danielsson 75 percent joining the clean-up crew at asking all to stand and try an The room fell silent when the the end, a kind of ―flash mob‖. Icelandic version of the Hokey Von Rimmer Trio (Chad, Paul Pokey which serves as an anti- Michael and Luke Rimmer) dote to long, sunless winters. sang a James Taylor song called ―Carolina‖—their home Tony and Henry Herder mimed and his. An inter-generational American cultural treasures duo, Emese Posfay and Attila such as baseball and pheasant Orban, shared Hungarian folk- hunting. Fulata Moyo revealed songs. Emese is a member of some of the special powers the parish for nearly 50 years endowed on people who are and Attila is a young seminari- born feet-first in Malawi (and an here for a year from Tran- perhaps elsewhere). John sylvania. Pastor Andy ―Banjo‖ Evans-Klock paid tribute to the Willis closed the evening with respect and rewarding human a sing-along, banjo picking, contacts bestowed on an and a prayer of thanks. somewhat aging foreigner these last three years in Gha- The ethnic food, fun and fel- na. lowship were all collective ef- Seated like sages on a rug forts. Good food and lively Participants at the Multi-cultural Soiree right where the altar usually table talk among members, perform a Viking clap (Iceland world cup stands, Wairimu Schmale and friends and newcomers were cheer clap).
I Am Willing; Be Cleansed into irreversible loss of fingers, toes or blindness. By George Arende they actively participate in their LLHSC started in 1996, is In December 2017 our con- families and communities. the leading leprosy hospi- gregation gave a grant of In 2013 alone, out of the tal in Nepal. It has several 5,000 Swiss francs to Lalgadh 11,000 patients who visited the community health and Leprosy Hospital & Services hospital, more than 400 were development programs Centre, LLHSC, in Mithila Mu- children with leprosy. that serve more than nicipality, Nepal for the pro- Leprosy is a curable disease 87,000 patients annual- ject dubbed ―Rescuing 400 that remains a big burden to ly. The recently opened ultra-poor girls and women countries in the South –East children hospital unit will from leprosy‖. Asia region. World Health Or- treat vulnerable children in ganization reports indicate that Nepal. The project sought to seek the region accounts for 75% of out, diagnose, treat, restore new cases worldwide. and rehabilitate some 400girls and women affected Caused by slowly mul- by leprosy. This group is the tiplying bacillus myco- most vulnerable 12,000 dis- bacterium leprae, Lep- advantaged leprosy patients. rosy takes 5years to Neelam, back in The program aimed at curing incubate and mainly early diagnosed patients, manifests itself through hospital with prevent the spread of lepro- cosmetic or mutila- ulcer on her sy, reverse the progressive tion. stump deformity to eyes, hands and Type 1 leads to active feet as well as empower the skin patches and nerve women and girls. The project damage, while type 2 also aims at providing hope reacts with the body and dignity to the patients as immune manifesting "Effortless" Valley X-Country Ski Outing Impression.
Page 4 By Maarten Wilbers With very effective pulling souls who had survived their and prodding, Jonathan did first experience on skis … an Full disclosure No. 1: The manage to get us all to Ober- unbelievable achievement Interregio to Brig departs Ge- wald, the Bauer-Moores in- given the slippery nature of neva at 06.30 hrs. That is cluded. this substance called snow! the one tiny drawback to our They too were rewarded (or intrepid tour guide Jonathan All of us at the head of the punished) with heavy plates Frerich‘s well-laid plans for piste. Some old hands like of roesti Augenstern. this wonderful annual event in Ralie taking it upon them- the snowbound slopes of the selves to help out the very Straining under roesti-fueled Valais. The starting time is new. Patricia, Mari and Gaku gravitational forces, it was 06:30 hrs in the morning. It had never been on skis before downhill from there on to the is non-negotiable. We tried. but they took on the chal- tiny little train station of Un- lenge with great bravery. terwald. Our little red train We did all make that early Johanna and her boys stayed trundled through the narrow train and most of us settled together to the end, even in Vallée de Conches, with stun- into our compartment and the face of equipment failure. ning views of pink mountain closed our eyes, trying to Jonathan lead a group of su- tops backlit by the last of the catch a few winks before we per skiers to blaze through a day‘s sunrays. Then through made Montreux. But we were piste that was far from effort the vistas of the beautiful thwarted in our efforts by a few chirpy characters who clearly got to bed too early the night before; the minute the train pulled out of Cor- navin, they started sharing their copious breakfast wares with their sleepy neighbours in an obvious ploy to engage us in conversation … When did they have time to make breakfast, one wonders? Why can‘t they just look out the window or read the newspa- per and leave us to prepare ourselves through dreamless slumber for the major physi- cal challenge that lies ahead? Some of our congregation members on a ski Full Disclosure No. 2: The expedition. term ‗Effortless‘ in our ‗Effortless Valley Ski Outing‘ less. A Valais, was coined by our tour guide small group, mostly those with a dead-on-time arrival at Frerichs; who we all know has from warmer climes, decided Cornavin – just as had been never been known to partici- to forgo the skis and walk the promised by our most es- pate in anything that is scenic route. teemed tour guide and the ‗Effortless‘. ever-reliable Swiss Railways And at the end of the trek, Jonathan builds up the ten- … our usual rendezvous at the sion as we get underway: Restaurant Augenstern, All back in Geneva. Tired and ‗Look out for the Bauer-Moore where we could rest our wea- happy and looking forward to guys to come on board in ry limbs and enjoy the offer- the next adventure. Thank Nyon. If they don‘t make it, I ings of roesti with Speck, you Jonathan and see you fear we won‘t be seeing them cheese or egg toppings; or sometime in March next year for a long, long time; ‗Now throw caution to the wind and at 06:29 hrs.! Or maybe a when we get to Brig, we have go for the roesti Augenstern little later this time? Always to make a dash because we which features all of these - in worth a try I guess … only have 21 minutes to get one dish! out of the station and make it across to Gleis 11 for the con- The skiers straggled into the nection to Oberwald. ‗Listen restaurant, one by one or in up all. Gleis 11 is tricky to small groups to the applause find. It is in front of the sta- of those already there. But tion, but tucked away on your the warmest applause was right.‘ saved for those three brave New law affects church-state relations in Geneva
Page 5 By Simone Sinn Plateforme interreligieuse de be it philosophical, spiritual or Genève has been active in the religious in the respective Adopting the Reformation in debate. It emphasised the public institutions, were intro- 1536 was a landmark event constructive contributions that duced into the law. for Geneva: it not only funda- religious communities provide mentally changed the church, It also welcomes the open- for the well-being in the city but also the whole society, ness to other religious com- of Geneva, and actively en- and the state. After centuries munities than the Roman gaged in interreligious rela- of confessional disputes, Swit- Catholic, Protestant and Cath- tions to address conflicts and zerland has recognized free- olic-Christian churches in Ge- stereotypes. In the annual dom of religion since 1874. neva to use the collection assembly of the English- However, this freedom is reg- procedure of the voluntary Speaking Congregation, I ulated differently in different religious contribution by the gave an update on the current “The new cantons of Switzerland. For Cantonal Department of Fi- discussions on the Law on the Geneva, the separation be- nance. laïcité of the State in May constitution tween church and state, intro- 2018. I represent the ELCG There are worries about the duced in 1907, and influenced on the PFIR, along with Rev. consequences for living well of Geneva, by the developments in Marc Blessing from the Ger- together in Geneva, because France towards laïcité adopted in man-Speaking Congregation. of the provision forbidding the (secularity), provides the The Plateforme engaged in a wearing of external religious framework for relations be- 2012, consensus process to develop symbols by the agents of the tween religious communities a joint statement on this law. State in contact with the pub- and state. Since 1944, the formally While there are still differing lic and regrets even more the Eglise Protestante de Genève, opinions within the Plateforme one extending this prohibition the Roman Catholic Church in introduced with regard to the details of to the elected persons at the Geneva, and the Old Catholic this law, the committee was Grand Conseil and in the mu- Church have been recognized the able to agree on some key nicipal councils (in plenary ―publicly‖, and have some points. Below is a translation sessions). term laïcité” kind of privileged status which from the French original, pub- enables them to collect their It also considers that the arti- lished by the Plateforme on 8 member contributions through cle providing for the use of June 2018: the tax system of the state; preventive measures such as however, they receive no fi- Law on the laïcité of the the restriction, or even the nancial contribution from the State: declaration of the prohibition, for purposes of state. Plateforme interreligieuse public safety, of the wearing de Genève of conspicuous religious sym- The new constitution of Gene- bols was not necessary in this va, adopted in 2012, has for- The Plateforme interreligieuse law since these measures are mally introduced the term de Genève (hereinafter, the already possible, if necessary, laïcité into the constitution PFIR Geneva) takes note of according to cantonal legisla- itself (article 3). Given the the adoption of the law on the tion in force. formulation ―The state author- laïcité (secularity) of the State ities maintain relations with (LLE), by the Grand Conseil Such provisions may contrib- religious communities‖, it was on 26 April 2018. In February ute to the marginalization or felt that a new law needs to 2016, the PFIR Geneva con- even discrimination of some be introduced to clarify the tributed to the hearing of the communities and women in purpose and character of such Human Rights Commission of particular. From our point of relations. Since 2015, the the Grand Conseil, after hav- view, they constitute a brake Grand Conseil of the Canton ing responded to the official on the policy of opening up a of Geneva has discussed such consultation opened at the society which, in Geneva, as- a law. While some were pro- end of 2015 by the Canton of serts itself as multicultural, moting more constructive and Geneva. After reading the multi religious and interna- active relationships between above mentioned law, it ex- tional. state and religious communi- presses the following. As such, the PFIR Geneva ties in the discussions, others The PFIR Geneva notes with does not express itself on the highlighted the dangerous pleasure that some of the legal or political consequences side of religion and pushed points that it raised during to be given to the publication towards privatization of reli- this hearing, in particular the of the law, it being specified gion. Implicit as well as ex- teaching of information on that the religious entities plicit, islamophobic senti- religion within the framework which make up its Committee ments have been present in of the obligatory schooling or have the faculty to act ac- the debate. the recognition of the persons cording to their own views. The steering committee of the in charge of accompaniment,
Tips On Enhancing Literacy
Page 6 For nearly twenty years, California English teacher, says ―to empower children to give Emily Pendergrass , Ph.D. has that often teachers commit active shape to their life‘s con- taught elementary school both ―read-a-cide‖, which is the slow tingencies‖ (van Manen, 1991, second and fourth grades. She killing of the love of reading. p. 3). started teaching students with We have to avoid this at all Technological advancement learning disability before she costs, and we can do that is now said to have a double moved to teach 14-16 year old through student choice! Choice edge sword on reading and middle school students. After in what students read and how learning habits. Are there finishing her Ph.D on Literacy they respond are the two most approaches you embrace to Education, she joined higher important tools to keep stu- help people overcome the education where she works dents reading into and beyond negatives? with preservice and early ca- adolescence.
reer development teachers. The field of literacy is rapidly She is active in building per- Could you elaborate more changing, so much so that as sonal and home libraries that about linking literacy as a Leu, et al (2013) argued, to be provide students with compre- social justice issue? ―literate yesterday, in a world Choice of hensive view on literacy. She Literacy is a social justice is- defined primarily by relatively currently runs multiple book sue. Literacy is a critical prac- static book technologies, does what people clubs for over 300 students tice in our world today. All lev- not ensure that one is fully across the US. els of citizens and employees literate today where we en- read and GenevaLutheran interviewed need to be able to participate counter new technologies‖ on a her for an insight on several in our ever-changing literacy continual basis. Wired maga- how they issues around literacy educa- environment. Oftentimes, zine recently reported that tion. schools are set up in such a globally people are producing respond are way that many students fall 3.6 trillion words a day through Students in middle school through the cracks simply be- two tools to struggle with school based cause of their or their parents‘ reading. Such struggles cre- educational or social status; prevent– ate reading apathy in most students are labeled early in students. What are the tools their school career, and these “read-a- you employ in easing these labels often are adhere perma- challenges? nently, leaving major learning cide” deficits, perhaps when expec- I believe that pre/early adoles- tations are lowered. We strip cents need highly engaging students who are struggling of texts. Texts that they are inter- high level, engaging texts and ested in reading not texts their reduce literacy to a set of basic teachers or other adults are skills that need to mastered. interested in reading. Reading These students are not met has to start where the kids are with high-level instruction and and with the students‘ inter- experiences that builds their ests, if it is going to be influen- confidence as readers and tial and make a difference in learners. We have to use what their lives. As students get old- the students have and the er there is a ton of research on knowledge that the students how they lose interest in read- bring with them from their ex- ing because of what counts as periences in life as entry into reading at school. Literary curriculum. We have to deliver analysis and essay response content up to their curiosity are very traditional options and embark on a journey to- email and social media. Teach- from a huge range of ways that gether with high level support ers are wrestling with these students can show they under- and engagement so that changes. A former student and stand what they are reading. growth can occur. If a learning now ELA teacher emailed re- But in many classrooms and task would not be used among cently that she is adjusting her schools we only focus on liter- the ―elite‖ (i.e. a scripted pro- instruction to ―allow students ary analysis and responses that gram or curricula) then we to both build and express the are devoid of meaning beyond should not use it with students ways in which they connect the English classroom. We have who have been marginalized. If with and dissect texts in crea- to expand out repertoire of we continue to offer low-level, tive and non-traditional ways.‖ what we ask students to do skill based practices to our stu- She notes that her students are with the texts they read to in- dents who need the very best challenged to develop greater clude creative, artistic, digital, instruction, the cycles of op- depth of understanding using and other alternative responses pression will continue. Perhaps multiple modalities with varied to literature. Kelly Gallagher, A the goal of teachers could be texts. While some may think that the advent of technology definitions of literacy that prove to the students that diminishes the need for litera- characterize the act of learn- they possess an important cy, the opposite is true. The ing to read and write using expertise to offer others. Be- avalanche of more and more cognitive processing skills ing 15 years older, I was posi- Page 7 words cascading through and following basic decoding skills. tive that they would not be in multiple media expands Reading now is so much more able to stump me ten times, exponentially the literacy de- complex. Most people have but they did. We tied 10 to mands facing young people the ability to acquire basic 10. today. literacy skills, skills that let them say the words on a page What are the parental re- Literacy for me goes be- and very likely answer simple sponsibilities in enhancing yond simply recognizing comprehension questions literacy within the family words and decoding texts. about those words. But in a unit? I encounter people who world that is rapidly changing Parents and caregivers can feel inadequate (skill wise) with technology, evolving def- participate in many literacy- to access the world of initions of what literacy is and related ways with their own knowledge; synthesize in- what counts as literacy must children. In a child‘s early formation from different also evolve. We have to make years, parents can read sources, present argu- use of the institutional, cultur- books, tell stories, share ex- ments from total new sub- al, and social practices and periences from their day, ask jects. These seem to be the resources that are established questions and wait for an- contextual definition of and available while consider- swers. They can read the literacy. What is your take ing the new thought process- same favorite book again and on this? es needed to make sense of again; eventually having the the shifting world. Reading is child read (recite) it back. Reading, for me, is a complex just one component of litera- Parents can ask the child to process using available tools cy, a situated practice that is write a shopping list, create a in organized ways to build up social and political in nature. puppet to go with a book, write a story with disappear- There are readers ing ink (i.e. water on a warm who easily make day), sing songs, etc. sense of a Shake- So much language is devel- speare drama, but oped before students officially struggle to read a start school around the age of chemical engineering 5 or 6, so the best thing for text; or perhaps adults to do is talk and en- someone that strug- gage in questions and an- gles to read a music swers. Just about any experi- score, but can read a ence can have a literacy com- basketball play with ponent. For example, when ease. walking together down a Paulo Freire (1990), a street, point out things and Brazilian educator ask questions about what you and philsopher devel- see. Things like: ―look at that oped an activity in white birdbath in the yard. I rural Brazil to demon- wonder why it‘s called a bird- strate to rural work- bath‖ and let the child brain- ers how much storm some possibilities. knowledge they really Working together to also held, which I think come up with other uses for can easily be adapted the birdbath and think about to many situations what other animals might use shared meanings, knowledge, that help ALL people realize the birdbath. It doesn‘t have and experience. It is connect- that they have very much to to be a birdbath, it could be a ing and arranging – ideas, contribute to the world around flag, a car, an anvil, a pine- images, objects, etc. -- to- them. For example with mid- cone, a bicycle or whatever gether in ways that make dle schoolers, the students you see! Making meaning in sense, to make meaning, of would ask me a question to the world around us is the which they do not think I heart of literacy! "Reading is just know the answer, and I would try to answer it. If I could not (Courtesy Kiki Lawal) one component provide the correct answer, the students score a point. of literacyˮ Then I would ask a question, if the students are unable to and in the world around us. answer, I would score a This differs from traditional point. The hidden agenda: ...Pg 1 Cont, Help From Unlikely Place Page 8 Ebenezer true to his name him courage to comfort us‖. Her advice became the rock of help. ―He ―He was empowered because With the assistance from WCC, took the phone called and at that time I was scared and she managed to get insurance narrated the ordeal to the po- couldn‘t think straight,‖ con- compensation for most of the lice‖. With not so good French, fessed Rebecca. lost items. The experience she Rebecca watched in awe, as went through gave her life After the police had finished her son explained to the police lesson she shared with with all the forensic work, they in French what had happened. Geneva Lutheran:- were both allowed into the The police instructed them to apartment. stay out of the apartment and Be aware of what is hap- not to touch anything as they Although they were relieved to pening around you, secure made their way to the crime get back their apartment after your locks. scene. hours of police work; the long Change your routine, for journey ahead of coping was Next person to be called was one might not be sure who doubtful. The feeling of insecu- Vinita, who was equally helpful is watching. rity and constant thoughts of to Rebecca at that point of what had happened a few days Keep receipts of valuable brokenness and loss. ago, traumatized everyone. ―I items, for they make com- The police got onto their in- was traumatized, the boys pensation process easy. vestigation work after a few were so afraid‖ she lament. Talk about own experience minutes of their arrival, she ―The three of us slept in one with other people, for oth- narrates. As they waited on room, for we were so afraid to ers may have encountered the stairs for the police to con- separate from each other‖, the same and could give clude the dusting of finger- says Rebecca. For two nights better advice or show prints, Ebenezer encouraged and two days, Rebecca stayed compassion. the mum assuring her that in, locked in her room. She everything would be okay. was afraid to leave for fears that someone would sneak in. ―He was so calm and com- Peniel arrived home on the posed‖ she says. He suggested third day and thereafter, life who to call for help and of- normalized. fered comfort.
―His strength gave me hope‖.
―God was with him and gave
...Pg 1. Cont, Revelation Reflection
showed us that the out cost." (Revelation 22:17). Book of Revelation For me the important message should be seen in its of Revelation and this Bible first century . context study was that God will always and not necessarily be present, even in the time considered as having of fear and persecution and a prophetic relevance that He will always be with us for today's world. forever from the beginning to Participants were hap- the end. I also want to con- py to finish the bible clude by thanking all the par- study with the image- ticipants for their comments, ry. their questioning and their humor, which helped me to go of the River and the through this difficult book of Tree of life and the the Bible and deepen my beautiful message of faith. hope it contains " The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Worship on Confirmation Sunday, 20 May 2018 And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life with- Pope Visits The Heart Of Protestant Reformation
By George Arende unity‘. outreach" and went further to say, "we are called to be a Page 9 Calvin lived in Geneva from Pope Francis and his entou- people that experiences and 1536 up to the time of his rage then left for a ‗papal shares the joy of the Gospel, death in 1564, and his work in lunch‘ at the Bossy institute praises the Lord and serves the city galvanized other forc- amidst heavy police presence. our brothers and sisters with es to spread reformed theolo- At Bossy Institute, the pope hearts burning with a desire to gy across Europe. The ‗City of was presented with disability open up horizons of goodness Calvin,‘ as it is popularly symbolic wooden carved cross and beauty unimaginable to known, is at the heart of the made by Karim Okiki from those who have not been reformation. Kenya and a water bottle from blessed truly to know Jesus". This backdrop brought signifi- the Ecumenical Water Net- "Whenever we say ‗Our Fa- cant meaning to the visit of a work. ther‘, we feel an echo within pope who has championed Call for new evangelical us of our sons and daughters, causes of peace and justice in outreach but also of our being brothers his papacy. On the invitation and sisters", said Pope. of World Council of Churches The Central Committee mem- (WCC), the pope was willing to bers and other invited digni- "We cannot look the other walk, talk and work with mem- taries gathered for an ecu- way, [when] events and situa- " We cannot bers of the protestant church- menical meeting later in the tions affect a greater part of look the es. afternoon. The WCC general humanity", said the pontiff. secretary, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse other way“ The Argentinian pontiff arrived Message of forgiveness Tveit termed the visit a in the ‗City of Calvin‘ to pomp "milestone in the relations Later on in the evening, all the and color. People queued among the churches". attention turned to Palexpo along the roads to wave and exhibition hall, where thou- to get a glimpse of the 81 year He referred to the 50 year- sands had gathered for the pope. On arrival at the ecu- relationship between the Ro- papal mass. The Roman Cath- menical center for the dia- man Catholic Church and the olic Diocese of Lausanne, Ge- mond jubilee celebrations, the WCC as one of "truth and neva and Fribourg, which or- pope was received by his host love" which offers lessons on ganized the mass, reported WCC General Secretary Rev. "what it means to be a fellow- that more than 41,000 people Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit and WCC ship of churches". Tveit were in attendance. Central Committee moderator praised the pope for Dr. Agnes Abuom, among oth- "commitment to holy ministry The pope‘s message for thou- er church leaders. of unity, serving justice and sands of people in the arena peace". focused on three themes: fa- Ecumenical worship ther, bread and forgiveness. On her part, WCC central com- The pontiff joined other faith- mittee moderator Dr. Agnes "The words ‗our father‘ reveal ful at the WCC chapel for an Abuom praised the co- our identity, our life‘s mean- ecumenical service, where he operation between WCC and ing: we are God‘s beloved urged for greater church unity. pontifical council on peace sons and daughters. Those He said he had "desired to efforts in South Sudan, Burun- words solve the problem of come" to Geneva in quest for di, Colombia and the Korean our isolation, our sense of be- peace and unity. "Looking at peninsula. ing orphans", said Pope Fran- our own journey, we see a cis. reflection of ourselves in some "The concern of reunification of the experiences of the early has always been a high priori- "Never tire of saying ‗Our Fa- communities. How difficult it is ty for the ecumenical family", ther‘. It reminds us none is to overcome hard feelings and said Abuom. Being a Thurs- ever alone in this world". to foster communion!" he said. day, gender justice campaign On forgiveness, the pope symbols were visible in the ‗Our difference must not be asked the gathered faithful to black attire many chose for excuses. We can pray, evan- seek for forgiveness without the day. The moderator ex- gelize and serve together‘, tiring. "God frees our hearts of plained to the pope why many said the pope. all sin, he forgives every last people were in black "[It is] thing. Yet he asks only one [Unity] is possible and pleas- Not because we disregard and thing of us: that we in turn ing to God while the opposite disrespect the color black, but never tire of forgiving.... We leads to conflict and breakup, because one of the greatest should take a good x-ray of he added. scenes that faces us in the our heart, to find out if there world is rape and violence The pope concluded his mes- are blockages within us, ob- against women. We are say- sage with a plea that ‗Lord ing, ‗No! Enough is enough!" stacles to forgiveness, stones asks us for unity; our world needing to be removed". [is] torn by divisions that af- Pope Francis noted that the fect vulnerable [and] begs for world needs "new evangelical Treasures in Clay Jars Emese, took in preserving Page 10 By Andy Willis safe home and a new life. the pictures themselves, Réka came as a child keeping the memory of It was April 22, just a few around 1948. George was these ordinary, sacred days after Réka Posewitz sent there as a young, events alive. had died, and Emese single man in 1952 to And then there‘s the fact Pósfay took me aside be- found a church for the di- that here in our congrega- fore Sunday worship. verse immigrant popula- tion in Geneva, half a ―George confirmed her, tion and to serve as pastor world away from Caracas, you know. I have the pic- for the Hungarian commu- these lives would meet tures at home.‖ I didn‘t nity. And Emese followed again. Réka moved to Ge- neva in the early 1960s and soon began work as an interpreter with the U.N., so she was already settled here when George and Emese arrived in 1971 for George‘s work with the Lutheran World Federation. For decades the families continued to meet and share memories of life back in Venezuela. They always remembered their long history together, but for many years, the confirmation pictures had been forgotten. It was about ten years ago, Em- ese remembers, when a group of church members were gathered to celebrate Réka‘s birthday, that she Confirmation Class, Caracas, Venezuela, 1955 thought to pull out the old
scrapbook.
Réka was delighted with
the photographs. The de-
mentia was beginning to know. But in the days that in 1959, after she and affect her memory then, followed, I learned about George were married in but Emese says she could an amazing connection Buenos Aires, Argentina, still name every one of the among members of our where she had grown up. students she was con- congregation that goes So there they were, in a firmed with. back to Caracas, Venezue- carefully kept scrapbook ―We have this treasure in la in the 1950s. on the shelf in Emese‘s clay jars,‖ Paul wrote to World War II brought vio- apartment: photographs of the church in Corinth—the lence, instability, and for- a 1955 confirmation class riches of God‘s grace in the eign occupation to Hunga- in Caracas. George stands most ordinary of places. ry, and many Hungarians in the back row, a young Those treasures are all were forced to flee. Among pastor with a gentle smile, around you—in old photo them were three people and beaming, front and albums, in stories passed who would later become center, is Réka, age 13, down, in lives that have part of our congregation in clutching a bouquet of made a difference in your Geneva: George Pósfay, flowers. own. Pay attention to Emese Koppányi, and Réka There‘s much that I find them, and give thanks. Posewitz. Their routes moving in this story. The were different, and none of passing on of faith from them knew one another in one generation to another; Europe, but all three even- the story of refugees find- tually ended up in Vene- ing community and hospi- zuela, in the city of Cara- tality and a new home; the cas, where many Hungari- care that George, and then an refugees were finding a Inspiring Others Through Service
By George Arende with my husband over Page 11 other knitted items. In money demands‖, said one Dr Heli Bathija, a member 2017 alone, 8,791 knitted woman. Most of them sole- of our congregation since items were sent to ly depend on knitting since 1986, got inspiration from Afghanistan and they are illiterate and lack the work of Pirkko Tuppu- distributed in maternity the necessary skills and rainen, a Finnish mission- clinics there in addition to opportunities to do other ary working in Ethiopia, to the 3600 sweater and hat jobs. start off a project to pro- sets knitted by women in ―Knitting has assisted us vide warm hand-knitted Kabul All the efforts help to meet our essential needs‖ outfits for newborn babies promote Human Rights said another woman. in order to improve their and care for many families Health education messages chances of survival. To- in Afghanistan where disseminated through the gether with other like- average winter women groups have en- minded friends, at her temperature can get to as couraged many to opt for World Health Organization low as minus 6. institutional delivery as (WHO) work place, Heli With the high maternal opposed to home delivery. initiated a knitting group mortality rate of 396 This in turn has increased that has today grown into deaths for every 100,000 the need for more baby an international move- live births; HOBI makes clothes especially from ment. significant contribution to poor families. ―We get “Knitting has ―Being the change end preventable maternal, 1000 deliveries every assisted us meet we wish to see in our essential the World‖ needs” Hope for the Babies Inter- national (HOBI), estab- lished officially in 2012, empowers women in Af- ghanistan to knit sets of baby sweaters, hats, socks and blankets that clothe and keep newborn babies warm. In partnership with Omaid Afghanistan Humanitarian Services (OAHS), HOBI offers financial incentives for these women for each item they knit (about 4 USD for a set of a baby sweater HOBI volunteers knitting. and hat) and holds monthly educational sessions for women on various health issues. new born and child deaths. month but only receives Run by volunteers and ―Children and mothers 300 sets of clothes for new through donations, true to need access to quality born‖ laments a health Mahatma Gandhi call of community based professional working in ‗being the change [we] healthcare and compre- Istiqlal maternity Hospital. wish to see in the world‘, hensive emergency obstet- HOBI marks its 6th anni- HOBI mobilizes volunteers ric and new born care‖, versary of existence this from Finland, France, says a UNICEF report. year and welcomes more Netherlands, Belgium, Knitters in Dasht Barchi volunteers to help Austria, UK, Canada, USA group, who are mainly strengthen its objective of and Switzerland to knit women, have reaped the providing hope to the new- sweaters for fun as well as economic benefit of the born babies. for leisure. Over the years HOBI project. ―[Income these ―solidarity knitters‖ from knitting] has reduced have contributed the number of quarrels thousands of sweaters and Evangelical ELCG ANNOUNCEMENT Lutheran Church of Geneva Daily Summer Concerts at the ELCG
English-Speaking From 28 June to 11 August, there will be a concert at the Congregation ELCG every day (excluding Sundays) from 12h30 to 13h30. These concerts are organized by Musique et Vie, a local char- Address itable organization. All are free and open to the public, and 20, Rue Verdaine this year‘s freewill offering will be given to support a chil- 1204, Geneva dren‘s choir in Yangon, Myanmar. For a full schedule, go to
https://musique-vie.ch/concerts-dete-2018/ Phone
022 310 50 89
Website www.genevalutheran.ch
Worship
Sundays, 11h00
Pope Francis admires an Ecumenical Water Network water bottle gift.
Editorial team: Noxolo Behane, Jane Wangui and George Arende. The Geneva Lutheran is published quaterly. Send an email to [email protected] to subscribe. Photo credits: Maarten Wilbers, Heli Bathija, George Arende, Emese Pósfay