Bishop Monrad. The celebration of the bicentenary of his birth. If ever a project was blessed it is this celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of the Danish Prime minister and Lutheran Bishop Ditlev Gothard Monrad who was born on the 24th of November, 1811. Right from the beginning the excitement and support has been overwhelming. As I am fond of saying, 'Enthusiasm is contagious. We have started an epidemic'. The idea was dreamed over a cup of coffee back in August last year and it grew, like a mustard seed which, although it is the smallest of seeds, when it grows is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so that birds come and perch in its branches. In November people are coming from Denmark, from the United States of America, from Australia and from all over New Zealand to celebrate the life of a great man. Martin Luther's 527th birthday Our first happening was to combine the celebration of Martin Luther's 527th birthday with the launch of the bicentenary project. It was held in the Tamburini Room in the Museum Hotel and graciously hosted by the owner and management. Our patron, the then Bishop Robert Erickson, President of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand gave a homily about Luther and blessed the project. The former Mayor of Wellington Kerry Prendergast led the singing of, 'Happy birthday dear Martin...' and proposed the toast. Since then I have been welcomed at innumerable meetings and functions to a veritable deluge of interest and support. At the time of writing over 250 people had registered on our database. Every request - every invitation was received with a real interest and a real desire to be involved. The support has been outstanding! Here is the planned programme of celebrations. The launch of the book The first function is the planned launch of the book, 'Bishop Monrad in Aotearoa' at a reception in St Pauls Lutheran Church in Wellington. Publication was underwritten by Mrs Vera Gallagher of Wellington to whom sincere thanks. Following the welcome the Prayer and the Blessing by the Danish Lutheran Pastor Anja Groenne Mathiassen the introductions. Then the launch of the commemorative publication by Her Excellency Mrs Susanne Shine, Danish Ambassador to New Zealand. The Ambassador came specially from Canberra to launch the book. Guests will be entertained by the renowned '10DD Group' and their songs include two by Martin Luther and Bishop Monrad's Prayer for Advent which was specially set to music. To round off the evening a traditional Danish supper is to be served at the Greta Point Cafe in Evans Bay. * Next morning is scheduled the opening of the 'Exhibition of selected Etchings from the Monrad Collection' at the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa hosted by the Chief Executive Mike Houlihan. The exhibition shows for five months in the Illot Room. * On Thursday the 10th of November. A Breakfast Party for Martin Luther's 528th Birthday at the Greta Point Cafe in Evans Bay. * On Wednesday evening the 23rd of November at Rutherford House, Victoria University. An introduction to Bishop Monrad, his life and his time in New Zealand. Speakers included Doctor Steve Behrendt, Head of History, Victoria University of Wellington whose subject was 'Monrad, Liberalism, and Lasting Legacies'. Then Professor Julie Allen, Assistant Professor of Scandinavian Studies, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the USA; the Rev. Doctor Steen Olsen, Mission Director from the Lutheran Church of Australia and an illustrated lecture 'The Monrad Collection of Etchings’ by Ms Vicki Robson, Curator European Art at The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The evening graciously hosted by the people at Victoria University. * On the Bishop's actual Birthday, Thursday the 24th of November. A reception followed by a formal Danish Roast Pork Dinner, Risalamonde with, of course, a whole almond and a traditional Kransekage Birthday Cake. The Happy Birthday toast 'Skal' a mix of Aalborg Taffel Akvavit and Heering – the original Cherry Liqueur. Bishop Steen Skovsgaard, who is coming with his wife from Denmark, is to be the keynote speaker. They live in the same Manse as did Bishop Monrad and have the same Diocese. * On Friday evening the 25th of November in Auckland. A celebration arranged by the Danish Society. A festive, Danish/New Zealand celebration of the life of Bishop D.G.Monrad with guest speakers: Mr Niels Jaegersborg, Royal Danish Consul General, Auckland and Dr Peter Lineham, Associate Professor in History, Massey University followed by 'Kaffe Bord' coffee and cake served in the traditional Danish style. * On Saturday the 26th of November, in the Manawatu. A Mayoral Reception hosted by His Worship Jono Naylor, Mayor of Palmerston North, guest speakers, a viewing of the special exhibition at Te Manawa Museum, a presentation 'Emilie's Garden' by Dr Kay Flavell, luncheon, a tour of places of interest in the Manawatu concluding with afternoon tea. * On Advent Sunday, the 27th of November. A salutation and acknowledgement is suggested as part of the Advent Services in the Lutheran and Danish Churches throughout New Zealand. Pastors are invited to include in their service Bishop Monrad's 'A Prayer for Advent' written in Copenhagen in 1874. It is a beautiful short prayer which follows Martin Luther's advice: 'The fewer the words, the better the prayer'. Lord, hear our Prayer! Let the new Church year become rich in blessings for our souls. Let thy word live abundantly among us – thy word, the true, the deep. Thy word, the tender, the loving. Let it resound; let it ring, now in speech, now in song in every house that is called by Thy name. In the high light dwellings, in the low dark huts. Let no one bar the door, no one close his heart. Holy Spirit, be our guest. Blow through our souls as when the mild winds of spring kiss the earth. Light up our spirits as when the rosy dawn breaks through the gloom and darkness of the night. Let every dry and withered heart be refreshed by the dew Thou sendest from heaven, Thou, our Father. Lord. Hear our Prayer. Amen. And thus ends this celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Bishop Ditlev Gothard Monrad – a truly great man. New Zealand is the richer for his time spent here and for his priceless gift to our nation. Ian Macfarlane, Wellington, New Zealand. August 2011 Who is Ian Macfarlane? Ian Macfarlane is a great great grandson of Bishop Monrad of whom it is rightly said... 'New Zealand is the richer for his time spent here and for his priceless gift to our nation'. Ian has led a varied and exciting life and for many years was an editor and owned a publishing company. He is a Cape Horn yachtsman and has sailed up the mighty Amazon River. Ian is the organiser of the Bishop Monrad bicentenary celebrations. .