tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13234746742559142472024-03-14T22:03:08.089+10:30President DWF BlogSharing news, prayers, thoughts, reflections, and stories....Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.comBlogger410125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-9332951299969374722022-04-13T08:55:00.001+09:302022-04-13T09:25:39.387+09:30MAMRE FJKM newsletter January 2022<p>MAMRE FJKM’s Chronicle N° 23/18/01/22 FIANGONAN’I JESOA KRISTY ETO MADAGASIKARA</p><p>Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ. </p><p>May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be merciful unto you! May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.’ (Numbers 6:24-27) </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ96e1RoOBB4H1bo65mkKeQ1Cz4B7wDcel-0oXCOdewGjnhZR1i-znFiTEQFIdO3ShOtTmzVQeLovqiUVFqsTX6gdqiC7lkT0QJC2YplQrSYNEqheoUQLDJHZD28f9L-1ciYj9_AgEvFptsLm6hNVGfuLRNdx5qp5IACUcNevziN7zJd_a2S_VFVNg-Q/s1196/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.20.27%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1196" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ96e1RoOBB4H1bo65mkKeQ1Cz4B7wDcel-0oXCOdewGjnhZR1i-znFiTEQFIdO3ShOtTmzVQeLovqiUVFqsTX6gdqiC7lkT0QJC2YplQrSYNEqheoUQLDJHZD28f9L-1ciYj9_AgEvFptsLm6hNVGfuLRNdx5qp5IACUcNevziN7zJd_a2S_VFVNg-Q/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.20.27%20am.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>The Mamre sisters are delighted to greet you and wish you a Blessed New Year in 2022 with the words of this gracious blessing from Almighty God. Yes, during the last six months of 2021 and up to now we literally live on these blessings. In our fears, our anguish, and difficulties like illness, and every kind of insecurity God’s protection has reassured us. He takes care of us day and night in the face of thieves who keep on coming into our yard and garden. They steal everything they can find in our garden, but the almighty Lord has protected us from their violence. </p><p></p><p>The situation in Madagascar remains precarious and ever more difficult, both on the social and political levels. There is a huge difference between the minority of rich people and the majority who are poor. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Many private companies have closed and these closures cause a big rise in the number of unemployed and these jobless people have to live on their stealing and that is the reason why the number of thieves and brigands who attack people in towns in the bush is increasing. They also attack people travelling on the main roads by day or night. Murder is everywhere. All regions of Madagascar are red zones. </p><p>In spite of long periods of lock-down due to Covid-19, our Lord Jesus Christ granted us the grace of completing the consecration service of our four sisters in one of the intervals between lock downs. This consecration service took place in Ambavahadimitafo Church our parish here in Antananarivo, on the 24 July 2021. They chose as their theme, words from the Gospel according to John chapter 17, verse 11b which says: ‘...Holy father, keep them in your name, the name you have given to me.’ The President of the FJKM, Dr IRAKO ANDRIAMAHAZOSOA Ammi, preached on this verse with these three challenges: holiness – trust – communion. </p><p>The FJKM Church had to catch up by having a General Synod (GS) in 2021 having been unable to hold it in 2020. Five sisters: Sr Pierrette, Sr Minah, Sr Danie, Sr Elisabeth and Sr Angeline got ready for their mission just after the consecration service. The GS was taking place in Sambava, in the north part of the Island from the 11th to the 18th August. Sr Danie, Sr Elisabeth, Sr Minah and Sr Pierrette took on the prayer chain together with local Christians available to take part in this task during those days, while Sr Angeline followed the meetings as the delegate from Mamre. Sr Minah fell ill after a few days and could no longer follow the prayer chain, so Sr Angeline had to look after the patient and missed the meetings. </p><p>Dr IRAKO ANDRIAMAHAZOSOA Ammi was re-elected as President of the FJKM. After the GS meetings ended, the three sisters: Sr Danie, Sr Elisabeth and Sr Angeline took advantage of their stay to see the land belonging to the community bought by Marie Homburger at Sambava. We got home safely on the 30th August 2021. </p><p>Faced with the great need of people living nearby, our sisters in Moria with two other helpers made the daring decision to welcome the canteen children all through the lock-downs. The schools were closed but the children were still welcomed. They were divided into five groups of twenty and they ate in the open air in the yard, the other activities had to be stopped for the time being but they continued the meals so that the children were sure of one meal each day during that difficult period. The hygiene was very strict and remains so: masks, sanitiser, handwashing with soap, keeping distance, keeping clean and all this always accompanied by the prayers of the sisters. As a result, everyone kept safe and well. </p><p>They prepared their Christmas show with fervour but have not been able to perform it yet because the schools have not yet returned. </p><p>Our sisters in Horeb have continued receiving guests particularly in the times when the lock-down was relaxed. They have improved their pig-farming and sell the piglets after they are weaned. In October, Sr Dina, Sr Lalatiana and Daniel followed a course on dairy farming organised by our parish in Ambohinaorina, Sabotsy Namehana. They have since applied their knowledge on their own cow who has produced a calf and the milk production has improved. At our fraternity in Soar, Antsapanana, Moramanga on the road to Tamatave: Sr Elienne is living there permanently at present. Other sisters and novices take turns to go and be with her. Sr Pierrette is there since a few weeks after her consecration. They have continued to improve what they had already started: </p><p>* Improving the way to grow the animal feed </p><p>* Improving the drinking water by installing a pump </p><p>* Improving the crops (rice, manioc, vegetables, fruit trees) </p><p>* Tree planting </p><p>* Improving the farming of chickens as people prefer to use them as food (already sold about 50 hens) </p><p>* Improving the care of dairy cows by reducing the number to two (we are expecting both to calve this year)</p><p>We are starting to receive guests by welcoming our close friends, just as we are, but our wooden house needs to be repaired as the rain comes in. Our presence in the village is a Christian witness of faith to these villagers, who live in incredible poverty and most of whom are illiterate. They come to us to sell little things they grow themselves and they share their problems with the sisters. Of course, we cannot give them much but they are comforted by our listening ear and our encouragement. May God who is rich in his bounty and grace fill you with his wealth all through the year 2022. And may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ flood the life of each of you, we are united together in Him in spite of the geographical distance that separates us. </p><p>Yours sincerely, </p><p>Sister Angeline and all her sisters. </p><p>Translated by Rev. Eleri EDWARDS </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1GX7aIN9vv-t582ik-9rIejBbuEMO2m1_J37DPOPm6TL21xg_jZXAIWN18iHB6acTPrbcoUp3jSnmik8ze-TDsbPzO_idmJ1CcKJPOMtaanlxKAYzyxvd0z5YGxatEWPhRtAa9bHOI6I6TxIx1kxjcGabWuCYFqvBAZP4zSLPJUKLMXUaWJ-B2DZZQ/s1162/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.20.41%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1162" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1GX7aIN9vv-t582ik-9rIejBbuEMO2m1_J37DPOPm6TL21xg_jZXAIWN18iHB6acTPrbcoUp3jSnmik8ze-TDsbPzO_idmJ1CcKJPOMtaanlxKAYzyxvd0z5YGxatEWPhRtAa9bHOI6I6TxIx1kxjcGabWuCYFqvBAZP4zSLPJUKLMXUaWJ-B2DZZQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.20.41%20am.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvC2GWXxhfpeZZ45quflJ4hdb-ycUqJbpVAGJ6I7e9vzb8XQ4ntl5phkIX-g1BPIO5-YxWl9Ig8wQDfCNovtcRvIvChN7lDMf6iPxbAGi6peSpu6WK9rUDt7d4bz4NNPM7K0v7srs7PziL70KB8fSEUqMOIhqsr36pE9gqDdraKXsKw_PobiPXrG8Nw/s414/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.20.50%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="414" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvC2GWXxhfpeZZ45quflJ4hdb-ycUqJbpVAGJ6I7e9vzb8XQ4ntl5phkIX-g1BPIO5-YxWl9Ig8wQDfCNovtcRvIvChN7lDMf6iPxbAGi6peSpu6WK9rUDt7d4bz4NNPM7K0v7srs7PziL70KB8fSEUqMOIhqsr36pE9gqDdraKXsKw_PobiPXrG8Nw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.20.50%20am.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77UmCGFo6azAQ52UyxnPqI3I0nNvy2WqkcFWAHe_-qKHPaunci_mnK2NypuqPl-m-tmRcb7vlE-nI-8FuPkui7ytlsQkCxJlrEUTiJwQlm250vK0jp3eAa5umb4t2X7fDLc5AHxKJQYUW9TNcot_fDIHCpCrKmkJoVSXIsCz1Xc7XeEV3_1DC2SSxGg/s1206/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.21.01%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1206" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77UmCGFo6azAQ52UyxnPqI3I0nNvy2WqkcFWAHe_-qKHPaunci_mnK2NypuqPl-m-tmRcb7vlE-nI-8FuPkui7ytlsQkCxJlrEUTiJwQlm250vK0jp3eAa5umb4t2X7fDLc5AHxKJQYUW9TNcot_fDIHCpCrKmkJoVSXIsCz1Xc7XeEV3_1DC2SSxGg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.21.01%20am.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0Xk48SIIJZ8yqJPtUldsobQI3V5xxrvWoVqXgN9iPWWbZJh3pv-KoY4WflrRnT-Htj8ariCl_sank86g62SdHarkbkslufodNVL-f6CVulfjXjtxQRo2qx51YISEWH9QOxqQvsUPlAwptBjFCqI4-PKx_fXsfkoRcmRg08YZgVcL6ErbtqDvROGAaA/s1198/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.21.08%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1198" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0Xk48SIIJZ8yqJPtUldsobQI3V5xxrvWoVqXgN9iPWWbZJh3pv-KoY4WflrRnT-Htj8ariCl_sank86g62SdHarkbkslufodNVL-f6CVulfjXjtxQRo2qx51YISEWH9QOxqQvsUPlAwptBjFCqI4-PKx_fXsfkoRcmRg08YZgVcL6ErbtqDvROGAaA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%209.21.08%20am.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-75528707074185717912022-04-13T06:57:00.004+09:302022-04-13T07:15:09.487+09:30Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="font-size: 14px; text-align: right;">2021 Newsletter - </span><span style="font-size: 14px; text-align: right;">Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCkhclOftaOtMl9NPbr_6VZi1e8No8er4EXfL36yoFrDQfpBZc0eamGHHB_lCZUj8g6AcSue7pm7h14goszBdTu_GD7tG1YHPzsueG2LCVcBDMj312Fxm3L15A6RTLYYRxam2_OOVSURLNf1mdWYsKUP__iknMCMpAadecSKibCvhWK_c-4ekmitIQ/s506/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.29.02%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="506" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCkhclOftaOtMl9NPbr_6VZi1e8No8er4EXfL36yoFrDQfpBZc0eamGHHB_lCZUj8g6AcSue7pm7h14goszBdTu_GD7tG1YHPzsueG2LCVcBDMj312Fxm3L15A6RTLYYRxam2_OOVSURLNf1mdWYsKUP__iknMCMpAadecSKibCvhWK_c-4ekmitIQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.29.02%20am.png" width="320" /></a></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><b>Mother House at Mokpo</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-1CQj3GnQGj5QXMyc6lwpQJ6k4xbHzI0HnVKJZonSAsY2HPovbPHwAuqrXZPycSLl7RkJsxmCWFdzNIcOcGH2ifKoe-UtXbJn6g-ZM5sS-TQ_wZMhdEgp7HOeooXDlOCO4G15Wfmxc_ptihPv2TK37cHfgr_QhPwABAYLhr5iHURCifC_4w5CkWPew/s406/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.28.23%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="406" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-1CQj3GnQGj5QXMyc6lwpQJ6k4xbHzI0HnVKJZonSAsY2HPovbPHwAuqrXZPycSLl7RkJsxmCWFdzNIcOcGH2ifKoe-UtXbJn6g-ZM5sS-TQ_wZMhdEgp7HOeooXDlOCO4G15Wfmxc_ptihPv2TK37cHfgr_QhPwABAYLhr5iHURCifC_4w5CkWPew/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.28.23%20am.png" width="320" /></a></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">We are entering the third year of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Amid the isolation, fear and despair brought to the world by the pandemic, we share the good news of peace and joy. Jesus is with us. God is with all of us anticipating a sign for hope and recovery.<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">At Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea, the year 2021 continued to be a time of internal growth and change.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">During the general meeting in January, Sr. Jong Sook Ro was elected as the new Abbess and her official appointment started in March with an appointment service. We thank Sr. Young Sook Ree for her dedication in the position for the past 12 years.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: left;">Each month we hold an internal gathering program led by Rev. Hyun Joo Lee and spend two days reflecting upon us as individuals and also as a community of Diakonia. We also started “walking prayer” done individually once a day for about an hour, as a way of immersing in prayer, while walking in the world created by God.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Diakonia Family Community</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><p><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="364" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1OAfqW3sqxwD5Tww8kDGgrXGd9-sFL2U_gqzqIAK-P4-DfQTSRr271m3jpumU1RVxdIhIlw29lckPGPe8cztftOorYuq8j0BU79H91XNNvcuI93CSP7-0Ao4_9r4jd2OOGfIyqu8t99k4cA0qONCGdrDWjKm_8ueCx2-xoHmjq3XJKG4RBaMROwFGg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.28.30%20am.png" width="320" /></p><p><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">At the end of December 2020, all members of the Family Community got together online. Although we could not meet in person, seeing others face-to-face online to share our lives gave us a much-needed chance to reconfirm the spirit of community.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">We held two silent prayer meetings with all the Family Community members, one in January and the other in April.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-align: justify;">Then in November, we held the 6</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-align: justify;"> Annual General Meeting for the whole of Family Community at the ‘Shim-Full Stay’ (renamed from the House of Spirituality and Peace) in Cheon An. This had been the site of our Mother Center for 17 years before we moved back to Mok Po and visiting the place to meet our Family gave us much joy. For two days, we shared our lives, prayed, and participated in the Bible seminars led by Rev. Sang Ki Kim. It was a meaningful time for us to think about our journey in Christ in the context of the pandemic and seek new ways to continue our common efforts. 18 existing members renewed their membership. The pledge service also included 3 preliminary members but the admission of new members was postponed in consideration of the pandemic.</span></span></p><p></p><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Volunteers</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">Despite the pandemic, many friends and volunteers came to our center to help us maintain our facilities. Mr. Chang Young Oh and Rev. Jong Won Kim helped us repaint areas around our prayer room. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Jeong Taek Ji and Mrs. Jeong Ran Koh installed a water pump to irrigate our vegetable garden in August and we had plentiful vegetables and fruits from the garden, enough to share with our neighbors. In September, other volunteers helped us arrange the forest around our center, making it more accessible, safe, and smart.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">In August and December, we had online meetings with the members of the the Korea Community Movement Association. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">In August, we were visited by the grandmaster Ko, Myong, and his wife from Shinson Hapkido(Korean martial art) in Germany. They have been supporting us for more than 30 years and every two years, a whole team of them came to our Mother Center to stay for days, sharing news and activities as well as providing financial support to our activities. Although only the grandmaster and his wife could visit today, it was an occasion to reconfirm our friendship and we also used this occasion to hold an online get-together to share greetings. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">On Christmas day, Family Community members from In Cheon and Gok Seong surprised us with a visit making our Christmas celebration even more lively and joyful.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><b>Diakonia Elderly Home</b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="298" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nZlPAJlJ2nTV7jP4Tmfgc0P0uvuKec4TRHha_EzJRbvaGKN4EyW1_EmiqP2f-M-aNxECo-fwNQqhzLQiRuobFfBkkRD9_K_JjMEQENDRvxA4TJMARGWLfAd2hd1fWcMG6kzXBaeX-KTNsr9RJOpbajRuIQxElUGFPKFtiRNvs4jCS-e3MDfaG8tbug/s1600/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.29.07%20am.png" width="298" /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">60 elderly people live in the facility together with about 40 staff and our sisters. External visits and activities have been severely restricted since the start of the pandemic and family visits have also been limited to a very short time, but we continue to maintain a comfortable environment with a variety of our own activities. We also frequently communicate with the family members through social media, sharing videos and messages to maintain contacts. </span>Our sisters in Diakonia sisterhood were also there to prepare kimchi, one of our biggest annual events at the Diakonia Elderly Home. 300 pickled cabbages were mixed with a well-made sauce while listening to the joyful songs and laughter of the nursing home teachers and stored in the kimchi jar one by one. The joyful atmosphere made us forget about the pandemic.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">What kind of joy can our sisters bring to the elderly this Christmas? “If we can’t sing, let’s dance,” he said, wearing protective clothing and dancing to the Christmas song. At first, they looked at us with curious eyes, and then they applauded and liked it to the upbeat music.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><b>Low-income household support </b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Group meetings and consultation became difficult under the current circumstances but we still support North Korean refugee families, multi-cultural families, and other low-income support programs through individual visits, calls, and consultations. We also maintain contacts with the students receiving our scholarship through individual visits as well as through social media networks. There was an incident when a sponsor of our program sent fried chicken to all our scholarship students anonymously and surprised us when we received thank you messages from the students for the tasty encouragement.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">Going into the third year, the global pandemic has influenced almost every aspect of our lives but we also witness a constant flow of love, love of God, and love of our neighbor, which enables us to continue our work of Diakonia with joy. We thank you all for your support and we join in prayers for our work in Christ.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;">Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sr. Jong-Sook, Ro(Oberin</span><span style="font-size: 11px;">)</span></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBKclSbGuvf5jtnLv2l6zGYzH2aRK4wTG39f102BBafkKGAXAIVlHru9gPeRPNAAJpGZ0H4Jp_ts5rp9_ABfXY8YFsjKDg8iRbgsD8yNI2N9bBsJBiMXUXSXafDEpfZYbKv-zPmeGT4-YdeNiYMusrP7t0Gym428B_t_LEZIsd_Nx-ktkH5poFNZt1A/s946/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.28.40%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHeGwO9lXMmcgtZlVazbxsvvhJapZcNUweoG83ercr0DzpN8ErANkVozIshlzIEKFq6vSbzTiq5RiQ_R_tF2at3nHzFmixzD5jkYSCqMgbTlpoXG6SeziOvw8ywVld6YKDcejdETKiskZnQi_T9amE84OdkZPSKFuV6Xa1bGipOFLP2lp1iDxwZrqtQ/s576/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.29.25%20am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="576" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHeGwO9lXMmcgtZlVazbxsvvhJapZcNUweoG83ercr0DzpN8ErANkVozIshlzIEKFq6vSbzTiq5RiQ_R_tF2at3nHzFmixzD5jkYSCqMgbTlpoXG6SeziOvw8ywVld6YKDcejdETKiskZnQi_T9amE84OdkZPSKFuV6Xa1bGipOFLP2lp1iDxwZrqtQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.29.25%20am.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-64926204172334533142022-04-13T06:36:00.008+09:302022-04-13T06:40:37.292+09:30Rev Deacon Sandy Boyce - Executive Officer, Victorian Council of Churches<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3hljDKmHh7KoIAB3DJFNmZOIZvpPQ5TnHl6M-njOdkI4P5a_giPdHyK655hyk3Ftrs3-K87Ef8mqULzEakvqnAdtZt20zRgKZxfgc8O-_wP2qg1O3L9JT783kpSYh3WvyypjcqpIsF6v-Yb8MMYpTl3ey7IAnmAnOvc1fFEhOvBjaLqDIcCem_RlIA/s412/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.07.59%20am.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="326" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3hljDKmHh7KoIAB3DJFNmZOIZvpPQ5TnHl6M-njOdkI4P5a_giPdHyK655hyk3Ftrs3-K87Ef8mqULzEakvqnAdtZt20zRgKZxfgc8O-_wP2qg1O3L9JT783kpSYh3WvyypjcqpIsF6v-Yb8MMYpTl3ey7IAnmAnOvc1fFEhOvBjaLqDIcCem_RlIA/w113-h143/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.07.59%20am.png" width="113" /></a></div><p>President of DIAKONIA World Federation, Rev Deacon Sandy Boyce, has been appointed to the position of Executive Officer, Victorian Council of Churches, to begin on April 19th, 2022. </p><p></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIcSOF0hGB4O3tqlhUhUX78kSEydultNhIFXt7YBqishhSVUxcoBPO-Rq30o4Kji0cf9AJy4ymiHpQx_NJyaujhPzpM2ZGWgXEWHReXn2wqL2VHrCBKST6hAPfClhQgfVqDxoyCaGugHaRDGIb7PnRPRR4tSBgfMuTGHcWvnBjGMjlQK2iXXnmJOBKA/s290/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.07.47%20am.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="282" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIcSOF0hGB4O3tqlhUhUX78kSEydultNhIFXt7YBqishhSVUxcoBPO-Rq30o4Kji0cf9AJy4ymiHpQx_NJyaujhPzpM2ZGWgXEWHReXn2wqL2VHrCBKST6hAPfClhQgfVqDxoyCaGugHaRDGIb7PnRPRR4tSBgfMuTGHcWvnBjGMjlQK2iXXnmJOBKA/w112-h115/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-13%20at%207.07.47%20am.png" width="112" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Victorian Council of Churches </b></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">ABN 51 350 238 724</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Level 6, West Tower, 608 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Telephone 03 9412 8487, Email: <a href="mailto:vcc@vcc.org.au"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">vcc@vcc.org.au</span></a></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">President: Dr Graeme L Blackman AO; Executive Officer: Rev Sandy Boyce</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">21 March 2022</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Victorian Council of Churches is delighted to announce the appointment of Reverend Sandra (Sandy) Boyce as Executive Officer. Sandy, an ordained Minister in the Uniting Church in Australia, will commence the role on Tuesday 19 April. </span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Sandy is currently President of DIAKONIA World Federation, an international and ecumenical community for diaconal ministry agents who are part of member associations. She has held the position since 2013.</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Sandy has a long background working in the church, particularly with youth and young adults. In 2021, she concluded a long ministry placement at Pilgrim Uniting Church in Adelaide, where she supported and encouraged diaconal ministry in that congregation, and in the wider church. For six years, Sandy worked in a national role coordinating the volunteer’s program for those preparing for short term volunteer placements with overseas partner churches in Asia, Africa and the Pacific, with visits to volunteer placements and meeting with church leaders. </span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Sandy loves to cook and welcome people into her home, which has included many overseas students, 'couchsurfers' and other visitors including hosting a regular gathering of young people from various faith traditions and cultural backgrounds so they could learn more about each other while sharing a meal together.</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">In reflecting on her new role as Executive Officer, Sandy recalls the statement by Konrad Raiser (2003), former General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, who said that “ecumenism - the fellowship of Christian churches as a sign of hope for the world - is not a building project whose state we can describe in a neutral and objective way, but a living process with which we must engage if we want to understand and appreciate it.”</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">She is looking forward to being part of the vital work of the churches finding their unity in Christ with an openness and appreciation of each other, and discerning with intentionality what God is up to in the world and joining in as part of the praxis of living ecumenism.</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Sandy reflects: </span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">"In a fractured, conflicted world with all its challenges and divisions, the churches have an important leadership role to play in valuing what we share in common and building towards visible unity, as well as speaking into the public space through the lens of justice, compassionate care, peacebuilding initiatives, and reconciliation".</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The President of the Victorian Council of Churches Dr Graeme L Blackman AO said: </span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">“I warmly welcome Rev Sandy Boyce as the new Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Churches. Sandy brings a wide range of experience and expertise across many areas of church life including parish ministry, youth ministry and ecumenical engagement, especially within the churches in South Australia. The Council and Standing Committee of the Victorian Council of Churches look forward to welcoming Sandy to Melbourne and to working with her as we advance the mission and strategic plan of the VCC.”</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Anglican; Antiochian Orthodox; Armenian Apostolic; Bulgarian Orthodox; Churches of Christ; Coptic Orthodox; Greek Orthodox; Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East; Lutheran; Malankara Orthodox Syrian; Mar Thoma Syrian; Religious Society of Friends; Roman Catholic; Melkite Catholic and Ukrainian Catholic Eparchies; St George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox; Romanian Orthodox; Salvation Army; Syrian Orthodox; Uniting Church; Welsh Church.</span></p><p><br /></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-89884681333045811292022-04-13T05:27:00.001+09:302022-04-13T05:27:22.327+09:30DWF Justice Committee - report to DWF EC March 2022<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>DIAKONIA World Federation</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Justice Committee</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Initial Priorities</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>March 2022</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Justice Committee formed in 2021, has a charter to “create, coordinate, and maintain a justice presence for DWF”. Later in reference to Justice Committee’s relations with the Executive Committee, the Charter says the Justice Committee is to meet “at least annually, identifying themes, making recommendations, and suggesting actions.” In Committee’s list of specific duties, it says that it is to:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">a. Maintain a current audit of justice initiatives undertaken by our member communities, other ecumenical partners, and individuals, and explore avenues for partnering, networking, and collaborating.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">b. Imagine ways our member associations and communities might be supportive of identified justice work</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">c. Set priorities and develop a plan for amplifying the justice work of DWF. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">d. Recruit leaders to facilitate events and programs that promote justice networking, information- sharing, learning, and acting.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">e. Publicize these opportunities, in cooperation with the Communications Committee, using the various DWF Communication platforms.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Justice Committee believes one of its roles for itself, and with DWF members, is to reflect on justice ministries our members are engaged with or perhaps on issues members are not engaged. The reflection – praxis model is central to justice ministries which have integrity and sound theological foundation. This model serves as a basis of the <a href="https://dotac.diakonia-world.org/events/dove/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: blue;">DOVE (Diakonia Overcoming Violence Experience)</span></a> which DOTAC hosts reflecting on various forms of violence different locations in their region.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are aware that engaging in justice issues in many regions is not a safe act and we need to be clear and intentional with what platforms we are using to share information and what we say and suggest for action.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In carrying out the responsibilities named in the Charter it is not clear on the style of justice presence or ministry it wants DWF to utilize. The Justice Committee discussed this extensively at its meeting in December 2021 and agreed that DWF is similar to the values, organization structure, and character of the WCC. However, we recognized that DWF does not have the resources and relationships the WCC has. So, DWF must choose which style of work best suits our resources and relationships with our members.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">For reference we have noted that the World Council of Churches has a variety of styles of work:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Education</b> of its members for local actions on global issues</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Encourage and Support Local Action</b> of its members in specific regions on specific areas of justice</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Commit To Equip, Mobilize, And Support Faith Communities </b>on justice issues which do not have high profile</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Transform the Renewal of Church and Society</b> on justice issues which are pervasive both within the church and society. Gender justice is such an issue.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Convening and Facilitating Advocacy at Different Levels</b> – globally, regionally, nationally, and locally. This is done with ecumenical organizations, partner churches, and with global bodies such, as the United Nations.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Identifying A Specific Justice Issue and Develop a Multi-Year, Multi-Faceted Program – </b>e.g., Programme to Combat Racism</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Guiding WCC on Justice Issues </b>and developing ecumenical policy for its members</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance</b> to develop and coordinate campaigns for supportive members, such as HIV and AIDS, food security and sustainable agriculture</span></li></ul>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Recommendations:</b></span></p>
<ol>
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>The Justice Committee recommends that we continue seek information from each region and member of DWF as to what each are doing on different themes or issues</b>. </span></li></ol>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We will first ask members organizations to name a contact person for the Justice Committee to be in direct communication. The contact person for the membership organization will:</span></p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Share information from their organization with the DWF Justice Committee. Initially this will be done by completing the survey on behalf of their organization</span></li>
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Share information from the DWF Justice Committee with their membership organization. </span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="2">
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>The first theme DWF will focus on will be climate change</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">, because it highly ranked in our initial survey of members and individuals, and is common to all areas. The focus may vary upon the local context. In some areas the focus may be on promoting electric vehicles and in other regions it may be on mining on indigenous lands for the lithium used for the batteries. Based upon what learn, we will then report to our members on what various regions are doing thereby educating our members and the Justice Committee about the issue of climate change.</span></li></ol>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Even though we may focus on one theme, such as climate change, our discussion and actions may crossover to other justice issues such as, the global concentration of wealth and power.</span></p><ol start="3"><li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>DWF Justice Committee’s</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>role initially will be to amplify the work and requests of the regions and members</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">. We may not necessarily be urging a particular action unless there is a particular urgent action or human rights situation.</span></li>
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Some members of the DWF Justice Committee will be the contact person in their regional organizations:</b></span></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">DRAE – Gwynne Lawlor (Africa) and will seek someone for Europe</span></li>
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">DOTAC – Megan Hale (Anglophone) and Dionata Rodrigues de Oliveira (Portuguese and Spanish)</span></li>
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">DAP – Emma Cantor - (Asia and Pacific) and Sophia Lizares (Australia & New Zealand) </span></li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ol start="5">
<li style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>The Executive to explore with DWF Justice Committee the possibility of developing working relationships the WCC global and regional committees in addressing justice issues.</b></span></li>
</ol>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We appreciate that this may be a long-term goal because the Justice Committee first needs to educate, engage and reflect with member organizations on what they are doing and not doing on justice issues.</span></p>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Respectfully submitted,</span></p>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Eric Tusz-King</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #181817; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px;">On Behalf of Justice Committee</span> </p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-86505828074807151912021-10-22T08:07:00.003+10:302021-10-22T08:08:04.115+10:30Rwanda sisters - October newsletter<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">Sr. Dorien Peet has sent this newsletter on the latest developments in the Rwandan sister community. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2021</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">VISIT</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">From 20 August to 11 September, Janny Oorebeek and sr. Dorien visited the sisters in Rwanda. The first week of our stay, two board members of the Friends of Sisters in Rwanda foundation were present: René van de Kieft (chairman) and Maarten van Ginkel (treasurer). A good friend of our Amerongen sister community also participated in the trip. For the three gentlemen it was the first introduction to the sisters and their work. They were very impressed by the enthusiasm of the sisters and their projects.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">SISTER COMMUNITY</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">During our stay we experienced two celebrations of the sister community: the decoration of Philomène, which after her probationary year received the uniform and was officially incorporated into the community.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">August 24, the official transfer of the leadership was celebrated: sr. Marie-Louise and her substitute sr. Domitille were consecrated for their new task and sr. Berthe was thanked for the years she led the community.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">SCHOOLING</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The sisters are aware of the importance of education, not only for children and young people, but also for themselves. Several sisters have completed or started a study. Internal training courses have also been given in recent months, e.g. in the administrative field. It is nice to see how the community grows in independence and joint responsibility.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOOL </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Fortunately, the school, which opened last year, was back in full operation, after months of silence due to corona. It was wonderful to experience the enthusiasm of the teachers and the children!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">There are now a total of 320 children at school with the sisters (kindergarten and first three classes of primary school). Of these, there are more than 100, whose parents cannot pay the school fees. From the support fund, these children are helped, not only with school fees but also with a uniform, materials and school meals. The parents meet regularly in self-help groups, to share their experiences and to save for small projects (microcredits).</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">EXPANSION</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In August the expansion of the school started and at the end of September it was already as far as you see in this picture! </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The sisters will be very happy if more children can be accepted, because the number of applications exceeds the possibilities they have now. They find it very difficult to say 'no' to the parents, who want their child so badly to go to the school of the sisters!</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">In addition to classrooms, a dining room, kitchen, library and offices will be realized in the new building.</p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">TECHNICAL SCHOOL</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">On 11 October, secondary schools started again. A total of 62 students are enrolled, of which 14 are girls. Unfortunately, some of them could not start yet due to lack of money. How nice it would be if we could find sponsors for some students! </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">WATER PROJECT</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In September, the final touches were made to the water project. Due to several setbacks, it all took longer than planned, but now there is good hope that the water, which is supplied from the new source, will continue to flow! </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">During the rainy season, full use can also be made of rainwater, for which special reservoirs are available.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The presence of water is even more important in corona time, because hygiene measures must be observed and that cannot be done without water!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">AGRICULTURAL PROJECT</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When visiting two farmers and a farmer's wife, we could see how the participation in the agricultural course of the sisters changed their lives:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">All three now have a good income, with which they can support their families, send the children to school and offer people work. Wonderful to see how hard they worked and how the fields were irrigated with eggplants!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In September, a group of 150 farmers started again, who indicated that they would like to learn how to work their land better and generate more income.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">AFTERCARE ORPHANS</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition to her task as director of the technical school, sr. Emilienne follows the children who have lived in the orphan village and are still sponsored.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Most children are doing well, but there are also very sad situations: young girls who get pregnant, children who have a hard time in the family where they live, great poverty, bad houses ...</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">From the foundation we try to help sr. Emilienne by making the necessary resources available. We are grateful for the sponsor parents, who sometimes support 'their' child for years!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">For some children we are looking for (new) sponsors.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">FROM THE FOUNDATION:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">René van de Kieft gives his impressions of the trip:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We had been looking forward to it for a long time. Postponement again and again... and then finally we fly south, exciting!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After a long drive with many holes and potholes we arrived in Rubengera, where a meeting awaited us to never forget!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Honestly, I thought sisters were polite, kind, courteous and welcoming - they were, and also with a lot of humour, but sisters dancing festively together?</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Then you cannot stand still and you feel like one of the family!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I was deeply impressed by what they all do in terms of work, with great dedication, in the sewing workshop, in the kitchen, on the land, wherever.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And so many children at the school, singing, clapping their hands and proudly speaking their first English words.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Can you imagine your own children standing at the school gate early in the morning after walking a while to enter?</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I feel very grateful that I was able to experience these encounters and learn so much from this warm sister community, in a beautiful country where everything seems to flourish and grow naturally.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It no longer surprises me that Janny has pledged her heart to the Rwandans, just like others who have visited the sisters.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It's great that we can make a difference as a friends foundation. And.. that you learn again to be intensely grateful for everything that is common here. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">René van de Kieft</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are very grateful that Alice van Barneveld has joined our board as secretary. In September she started her task with enthusiasm. She will introduce herself in the next newsletter.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The month of December is in sight, with everything that goes with it. Maybe you're going to send Christmas cards again this year? Then we would like to point out the beautiful cards made by the Rwandan sisters. They can be ordered by mail: zr.dorien@zdh.nl or info@zustersinrwanda.nl</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">POINTS TO THANK FOR:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">- the beautiful time we experienced as board members with the sisters</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-the sisters were able to expand their chapel, which had become too small, thanks to a donation</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-the expansion of the kindergarten and primary school could be started</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-God saved the sisters from illness due to Covid-19</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-the schools could start again!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">POINTS TO PRAY FOR:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-new sponsor parents for some orphans and students</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-wisdom for sr. Emilienne in providing aftercare to the children of the former orphan village</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-wisdom for sr. Marie-Louise and sr. Domitille in leading the community</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">-finding ways to help people out of poverty</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">On behalf of all board members of the Friends of Sisters in Rwanda Foundation, I thank you for all your sympathy and for your prayers.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A warm greeting and God's blessing!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sr. Dorien Peet</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven."</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Matthew 5:16</span></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-1257554264673145742021-08-20T07:08:00.001+09:302021-08-20T07:08:43.505+09:30Prayer for Afghanistan<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We are weary, O God. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Weary of the magnitude of problems in our world.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
Weary of troubles that overwhelm us.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
Our global community has seen too much despair<br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
disappointment and destruction, loss and grief.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
If we are on our knees in prayer, we feel we may not rise again. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">And yet, in your company, we have the courage to face our realities,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
and to name them in the spirit of prayer.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
In between the words, we leave space for silence,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
for those things that can best be expressed only<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
by lament, sighs, and sorrow.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
And yet, it is in these moments that the truth<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
of our human condition can be seen most fully,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
and named most truthfully. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We pray for Afghanistan. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">For people wearied by war, violence and destruction.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
For people living under the long shadow of fear and uncertainty.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
For people whose lives have been upended and in turmoil. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">For people desperate for hope, longing for peace.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
We pray for shelter and safety and some semblance of certainty<br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
for those whose lives are at the mercy<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
of leaders who wield power by weaponry, not wisdom. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We pray for women and children, and their families, <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">those at risk of losing life and liberty, and access to learning. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We give thanks for the courage, strength and wisdom<br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
that has grown silently within them, <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">that it will sustain them in body, mind and spirit<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
and be enough for them to endure in the midst of troubles. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We pray for those who have evacuated in fear of their lives, <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">who have left behind loved ones and all they held dear,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
uncertain about what happens next. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We pray for ourselves, for we know that differences<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
in language and culture and customs<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
can serve to distance us from real human need,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
until the situation is dire and threatens to overwhelm us all. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We feel helpless, angry at inaction and delays by those with power to act,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
frustrated by the foolishness and destruction of war <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">while lining the pockets of those who manoevre to be beneficiaries.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
Help us to find the courage to speak on behalf of others<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
when their voices have been silenced, <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">to name ugly truths and to sow the seeds of justice.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
We pray for those we name as enemies,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
though the words are hard to form on our lips and in our hearts.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
We pray for their awakening to the welfare and well-being of others<br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
to see that vengeance and violence sow the seeds of dissent and despair.<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
May nation building be founded on justice, and the value of each person. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We pray in the name of Jesus<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
who revealed to us the God of compassion and love,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
a God who invites us all to be part of a new family of God,<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
a kin-dom of people whose lives are shaped<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
by love, justice, peace, compassion and right living. <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Even when we journey through dark valleys and on barren ground, <br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">we pray, because we are not alone:<br /> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">
God is with us, and remains with us forever. Thanks be. Amen. <i> (Rev Sandy Boyce, August 2021)</i></span></div>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Selah (SEE-lah) is a Hebrew word used in the Psalms that means “to pause and reflect upon what has just been said.” It may be used at different times in this prayer to create a space for prayerful reflection. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-17821156088260620872021-07-31T07:37:00.003+09:302021-07-31T07:40:53.618+09:30MAMRE FJKM - Consecration of 4 new Sisters<p>Sister Angéline from Mamre FJKM writes: </p><p>Sisters and Brothers in Christ,</p><p>The consecration of the four new Sisters: Sister Fara, Sister Pierrette, Sister Dina, Sister Minah finished safely on 24th July 2021. We are very happy to thank God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the plentiful grace of life’s donation of each. </p><p>Some of you followed this service with Facebook F.J.K.M Ambavahadimitafo. </p><p>The Mamre’s Sisters are happy to offer you their gratitude and their warm thanks for your prayers and best wishes because: “God is not unfair. He will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for him in the help you gave and are still giving to your fellow-Christians” (Hebrews 6:10)</p><p>Thank you very much indeed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRl_NFL6dmk/YQR4CGjsj9I/AAAAAAAAG8Q/hBTYaPUAXUQp8tAVe_h13Hbo4tpp8aNBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1060605.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRl_NFL6dmk/YQR4CGjsj9I/AAAAAAAAG8Q/hBTYaPUAXUQp8tAVe_h13Hbo4tpp8aNBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1060605.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-82310676769444893452021-07-24T09:00:00.003+09:302021-07-24T09:07:38.161+09:30Church bells ring in Norway on 10th anniversary of Utøya attack<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUL4T8jwavE/YPtO2ZHkAjI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/Olqn-_ky6Y8MgRl88UxKcWD1uV8pE1ctwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1180/norway-attack-anniversary.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUL4T8jwavE/YPtO2ZHkAjI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/Olqn-_ky6Y8MgRl88UxKcWD1uV8pE1ctwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/norway-attack-anniversary.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Floral tributes lay outside Oslo Cathedral on Thursday. <br />The flowers have become a symbol of the country's response to the attack, when roses were piled outside Oslo Cathedral in the days after the mass killing. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Church bells rang for five minutes across Norway on 22 July, marking the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/norway-extremist-attack-decade-anniversary-mourn-victims-1.6107157" target="_blank">10th anniversary</a> of the twin attacks that killed 77 Norwegians and left hundreds of others scarred for life “both in body and soul,” as Oslo Bishop Kari Veiteberg put it at the memorial service in the Oslo Cathedral. Memorial services were held, from those in individual homes to churches to a service in the Oslo Cathedral. </div><div><br /></div><div>I remember being in Tanzania for the DRAE Assembly, followed by the DIAKONIA Executive Committee meeting. As the Executive were gathered in the small meeting room, news came through of the horrific attack and the tragic loss of life. I remember so well how shocked Rev Marianne Uri Øverland (DRAE) was as this news came through from her home country. She, along with the people in Norway, still bear the pain and sorrow of the attack. Marianne was part of the service in the Oslo Cathedral. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;">At the memorial service attended by survivors and relatives of the victims, political leaders and Norway's Royal family, the Prime Minister Erna Solberg said: </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;">"It hurts to think back to that dark day in July ten years ago. Today, we mourn together. Today, we remember the 77 that never came home". </span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;">The memorial was held in central Oslo outside what was once the prime minister's office. People also expressed their sorrow by leaving red roses at cathedral and in public places. </span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;">Eight of the victims died when a car bomb was detonated outside a tower block housing the offices of then Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Less than two hours later, a lone gunman attacked a summer camp organized by the ruling Norwegian Labour Party, killing 69 people and injuring more than 100 others.<br /></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;">Norwegian Bishop Erik Varden spoke of the "grief and perplexity" of Norwegians. The attack was the deadliest violence in the country since the Second World War. Ten years, on, <span lang="AR-SA" style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;" xml:lang="AR-SA">“</span>the nation is still in grief, and still struggles to understand how something as brutal as that act could happen in a nation that is peaceful, and that prides itself on being peaceful. So we<span lang="AR-SA" style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;" xml:lang="AR-SA">’</span>re united in grief and perplexity and also in indignation that such a thing should have happened here.”</span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><div>Some parents of the victims reflected on how the country has coped since the massacre, saying that “time does not heal all wounds." </div><div><br /></div><div>“What would those who were so brutally and unfairly killed think of us now 10 years later? I think they would be sad to know that there still are survivors and bereaved with great needs,” said Lisbeth Kristine Roeyneland, whose daughter, Synne, was killed by Breivik. Roeyneland runs the national support group for victims and families. "I think they would be disappointed in seeing the public debate in many ways has moved in the wrong direction. I also think they would be proud of us. Proud of how we reacted in the days after the terrorist attack and how our state under the rule of law firmly stood its ground in the face of brutality.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Astrid Hoem, a survivor from Utoya who leads the AUF, the youth wing of the center-left Labor Party, said, “We have not stopped the hatred,” and urged Norway to face up to the racism in the country. “It is so brutal that it can be difficult to fathom. But it’s our responsibility to do so. Because 10 years on, we must speak the truth. We haven’t stopped the hatred. Far-right extremism is still alive. The terrorist was one of us.”</div></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;">The victims came from all parts of the country and memorial services were also held across Norway, with people also laying down flowers in other cities.</span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;">The words of Shirley Erena Murray's song serve as a prayer for the people of Norway: </span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><div>SONG: When Human Voices Cannot Sing</div><div>When human voices cannot sing</div><div>and human hearts are breaking,</div><div>we bring our grief to you, O God</div><div>who knows our inner aching.</div><div><br /></div><div>Set free our spirits from all fear - </div><div>the cloud of dark unknowing,</div><div>and let the light, the Christ-light show</div><div>the pathway of our going.</div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Words: Shirley Murray, (*v 3&4 omitted); tune: St Columba 8.7.8.7)</span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Interesting academic research <a href="https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0166368" target="_blank">here</a> - a critical discourse analysis of the annual memorial speeches and coverage from 2012 to 2014 which examines how visions of national identity are produced in and through the remembrance of the terrorist attacks. </div>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-50859327293376569322021-07-17T15:17:00.000+09:302021-07-17T15:17:14.670+09:30Wildfires and climate change<p>Wildfires and bushfires are becoming more regular, and earlier in the summer season, amplified by high temperatures, drought, lightning strikes and climate change. Climate and fire scientists have long anticipated that fires on the west coast of the U.S. (and other places) would grow larger, more intense, and more dangerous. </p><p>A wildfire in southern Oregon is currently threatening transmission lines that carry imported power to California.</p><p>Temperatures have soared in the inland and desert areas of California as fires burned in the north. In California’s agricultural Central Valley, Fresno reached 111F (43.9C), one degree short of the all-time high for the date. Temperatures in Death Valley reached 130F, the highest high recorded since July 1913, when Furnace Creek desert hit 134F – largely considered the highest measured temperature on Earth.</p><p>The newly formed Justice Committee of DIAKONIA World Federation changed the title of the Committee from Social Justice, to Justice, to accommodate the pressing challenges in our world brought about by climate change, environmental matters and eco-justice. It would be great to know in what ways those in diaconal ministry are engaged in environmental matters - education, advocacy, recovery ministries etc. </p><b>Remembering catastrophic bushfires</b><br />We remember…cinders and sadness. <br />In agony, creation fought to survive, and communities were decimated.<br />We remember the loss of fauna, flora, farms and families.<br />O God, we heard the cries. We felt the heartache. We saw the tears.<br /> <br />We saw the courage, response and resourcefulness of communities.<br />We who have so much offered and assisted, but we could not prevent or postpone<br />the living pain, the terror and dying from the destructive roar.<br />We have lived with the ongoing loss and groaning<br />of all what was, and is, and will continue to be, grieving with this reality.<br />We remember….<br /><i>A silence is kept</i><br /> <br />Creator God,<br />Today we call to you in one voice.<br />Together, we celebrate our Earth.<br />We delight in all its diverse ecosystems.<br />We are awed by the variety of fauna and flora.<br />We are inspired by its wisdom and capacity to regenerate.<br /> <br />Generous One,<br />We are sorry that as your people, part of this great creation,<br />that our greed and sense of power has wreaked havoc on this splendour.<br />Our shame is too often set aside in bluster or denial.<br />Our anger is too often expressed in blame.<br />We too often do not take responsibility,<br />not wishing to put effort into relationship with the earth and consideration of the ‘other’.<br />We are sorrier than we can say. Forgive us.<br /> <br />In trust, with love, you call us to you,<br />And encourage us to act and see in a new way.<br />For you forgive us, and re-direct us to take our place in the midst of this wondrous creation.<br />Restoration and renewal draw us forward<br />to seek the right way of living, being just and acting with humility.<br />We listen and learn together, calling on our strength as God’s people to collaborate,<br />with consideration of all of creation and our small part with in it.<br />May our footprint be the size that fits in this wondrous earth,<br />sustaining, supporting and sensitively responding,<br />together with the Earth. Amen<br /><br />A prayer by Disaster and Recovery Ministries, an Ecumenical Ministry in South Australia, providing pastoral care for communities who are recovering from disaster, whether natural or those of human origin. <br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-29961753075318087852021-07-17T14:30:00.004+09:302021-07-18T06:38:04.810+09:30Floods in Europe<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No doubt you've seen the news of the devastation of the 'once in a century' floods in western Europe</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span> The floods have been fuelled by days of heavy rain, leaving thousands homeless after their dwellings were destroyed or deemed to be at risk. Elected officials are concerned about the lingering economic effects from lost homes and businesses. Elsewhere in Europe, dikes on swollen rivers are at risk of collapsing, and crews have raced to reinforce flood barriers. In one flooded German town, the ground collapsed under family homes. In another, floodwaters swept through an assisted living centre, killing 12. The number of dead has passed 125 and the search continues for hundreds of missing people. </p><p>We are particularly mindful of the safety of Deaconess communities in Europe, and grateful for their willingness to help where possible. Please remember them in your prayers. </p><p>We pray too for the rescuers facing such a huge task. </p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110); font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2GhGcJeZ6I/YPJhQw0-YOI/AAAAAAAAG6c/pnfacRy51x08WsLxKlsrrgxq90eoMtM_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1344/IMG_2104.WEBP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2GhGcJeZ6I/YPJhQw0-YOI/AAAAAAAAG6c/pnfacRy51x08WsLxKlsrrgxq90eoMtM_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2104.WEBP" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This prayer by <a href="https://giftsinopenhands.wordpress.com/2021/07/16/prayers-for-the-flooding-in-western-europe/" target="_blank">Maren Tirabassi</a>: <p></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">God who always walks across water, </span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">come to the people of Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">Tenderly reach out a hand</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">for those who grieve</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">so that they do not sink.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">Get into the small boats of fear</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">of those who wait for 1300 missing.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">Become the shoreline of hope</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">for those who work through the night</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">rescuing, searching,</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">providing shelter, food,</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">fresh water, medical supplies.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">For those in evacuation shelters</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">give peace-be-still to anxiety,</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">and grow faith large enough</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">to find a sun in tomorrow. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(16, 18, 110);">Amen.</span></span></div>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-31159029098783638022021-07-15T05:34:00.004+09:302021-07-15T05:54:41.512+09:30Prayers for South Africa - civil unrest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4KZifWn2yI/YO9HoB1UG2I/AAAAAAAAG50/R0M6fl7p8lkcQ4IjT-n18tny2xmjJSWWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1604/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-15%2Bat%2B5.50.49%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1604" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4KZifWn2yI/YO9HoB1UG2I/AAAAAAAAG50/R0M6fl7p8lkcQ4IjT-n18tny2xmjJSWWACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h281/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-15%2Bat%2B5.50.49%2Bam.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>There has been considerable civil unrest in parts of South Africa following the arrest and imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday (7 July), for contempt of court after failing to appear to answer corruption charges. The unrest began in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal. President Mr Ramaphosa stated: “This is not who we are as a nation,” and called for peace. Much of the ensuing violence, looting and chaos does not appear to have anything to do with Mr Zuma’s imprisonment. There is a great deal of pent up anger after many years of suffering, and deep-seated frustrations over poor governance. Mr Ramaphosa described it as: “Opportunistic acts of criminality, with groups of people instigating chaos merely as a cover for looting and theft” and destruction of property. President Cyril Ramaphosa said that there was no justification for the violence and that it was damaging efforts to rebuild the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p>The situation of the country, especially in Johannesburg where a majority of the population are the Zulu (former President Zuma’s ethnic tribe), has escalated. Johan Viljoen, the Director of Denis Hurley Peace Institute) says, "There is shooting everywhere. People are standing on bridges overlooking the highways and shooting aimlessly. Burning cars can also be seen on the streets and people are running in all directions with looted items. The people’s suffering has been aggravated by the COVID-19 lockdown in the country, which has left many without any sources of income. People are suffering from extreme poverty and some are risking their lives, dodging live bullets to steal food from people’s shops because they are hungry. People have witnessed a total mess in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout where a negligible percentage have accessed the vaccination against the target masses. There is zero social assistance from the government and the people are not happy about the way the government is handling the economic crisis.” Meanwhile, South Africa is battling a severe third wave of the coronavirus pandemic driven by the highly contagious delta variant.</p><p>The South African National Defence Force has been deployed to assist the South African Police Service in bringing the widespread chaos under control. At least 72 people are confirmed dead in the week since Zuma's arrest, and police say hundreds have been arrested.</p><p>South Africa is home to an estimated 57 million people, of whom 77% profess to be Christian. There are two member associations of DIAKONIA World Federation - The Methodist Diaconal Order, and the Highveld Deacons. </p><p>Please remember the people of South Africa in your prayers at this crucial time:</p><p>* for an effective response to the current crises</p><p>* for the protection of life and property</p><p>* for believers to be voices for peace and reconciliation</p><p>* for unity and reconciliation across all ethnic groups</p><p>* for those in positions of leadership</p><p>* for a solution to the poverty and unemployment people are experiencing</p><p>* for containment of the COVID pandemic</p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-27723916866075165782021-06-06T06:48:00.004+09:302021-06-10T10:06:30.385+09:30United Methodist Deacon 25th Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhisOAJcA3A/YLvpq91DEVI/AAAAAAAAG10/Ae0USH0NVoQBoJ6U-0fm7jiJlcNudbl5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s768/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.45.20%2Bam.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="768" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhisOAJcA3A/YLvpq91DEVI/AAAAAAAAG10/Ae0USH0NVoQBoJ6U-0fm7jiJlcNudbl5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.45.20%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Congratulations to the United Methodist Deacons on their 25th Anniversary. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hSYLBX2JVkk" width="320" youtube-src-id="hSYLBX2JVkk"></iframe></div><p>Please check out the celebrations of the Anniversary shared from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary</p><p>Inaugural Crain/Seymour Lecture: Mary Elizabeth Moore</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c15VYKGPlL8" width="320" youtube-src-id="c15VYKGPlL8"></iframe></div><p>Lecture by Margaret Ann Crain</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3V3yGzbnuC4" width="320" youtube-src-id="3V3yGzbnuC4"></iframe></div><br /><p>Service of Celebration</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CxE4EBOedxY" width="320" youtube-src-id="CxE4EBOedxY"></iframe></div><br /><p>Social Justice Panel</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/axXWbwDObOs" width="320" youtube-src-id="axXWbwDObOs"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-77486619107212647602021-06-06T06:44:00.007+09:302021-06-06T06:54:09.616+09:30United Methodist Office of Deaconess and Home Missioners<p>The United Methodist Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner welcomed 15 new deaconesses and 2 deaconesses transferring their relationship to the United States from the Philippines in a virtual service of welcome and dedication on May 3, 2021. </p><p>The candidates who were welcomed to the Order on May 3 had met every requirement to be deaconesses and home missioners. </p><p>Originally, these deaconesses were to be consecrated in-person at General Conference in September, which had been postponed from <span></span>2020. While everyone would have loved to together in-person, our virtual service allowed guests who would not have been able to travel to General Conference to be included. Each candidate shared their name, location, and ministry. Several who are already deaconesses created videos of welcome, which were shared as a part of the service, and that added an extra layer of love and support for these individuals. </p><p>Congratulations to the following Deaconesses! </p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><span></span><p><b>Alaska</b></p><p>Maria Capezio Crookes</p><p><b>California-Nevada</b></p><p>Heidi Caban-Santiago</p><p><b>Kenya-Ethiopia</b></p><p>Leah Wandera</p><p><b>Missouri</b></p><p>Sharon Kindle-Smith</p><p><b>Mountain Sky</b></p><p>Molly King</p><p><b>North Alabama</b></p><p>Latorria Turner</p><p><b>North Georgia</b></p><p>Lauren Breck</p><p>Gloria Parker</p><p><b>Oklahoma</b></p><p>Linda Tucker</p><p><b>Pacific Northwest</b></p><p>Ronda Cordil</p><p><b>Texas</b></p><p>Ruth Serquina (Transferring)</p><p><b>Virginia</b></p><p>Imelda De Los Santos (Transferring)</p><p><b>Western North Carolina</b></p><p>Nancy Litton</p><p><b>West Ohio</b></p><p>Cheryl Fox-Bender</p><p>Jody Stevens</p><p>Beth Vanoli</p><p><b>Wisconsin</b></p><p>Kady Herr-Yang</p><p> </p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-74136087685067096472021-06-06T06:40:00.001+09:302021-06-06T06:40:08.112+09:30Anti-Racism Programming 2021<p>The World Council of Churches has awarded DOTAC a grant from their “Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace” program. The WCC PJP is focused on North America for 2021. The programs address racial justice and/or indigenous rights (see <a href="https://dotac.diakonia-world.org/upcoming-events/anti-racism-programming-2021/" target="_blank">link</a> for more detail).</p><p>Registration is free. To register for any of these programs send an email to teddodd@live.com</p><p><b>DOTAC Racial Justice Journey</b></p><p>Working and learning together to be anti-racism advocates and allies. </p><p>Thursday, June 17 and Thursday, July 15 </p><p>noon—1:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time</p><p><b>KAIROS Blanket Exercise </b></p><p>Building understanding about the history of colonialism and its impact on Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada </p><p>Monday, August 9</p><p>1pm- 3:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time </p><p>or<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6pm- 8:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time</p><p><b>Exploring the Missing Chapter</b></p><p>Raising awareness of the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the United States.</p><p>Monday, October 18</p><p>1pm- 3:00 pm Central Daylight Time </p><p>or<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6pm- 8:00pm Central Daylight Time</p><p><b>Non-Violence Training</b></p><p>Exploring with Christian Peacemaker Teams, the basic tactics for social change and de-escalation skills.</p><p>Monday, November 2 Central Daylight Time</p><p>Noon—3 p.m.</p><div><br /></div><p> </p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-18289263206236402362021-06-06T06:35:00.007+09:302021-06-06T06:35:55.600+09:30Mondays in May: A DOTAC Seminar Series on DIAKONIA<p>DOTAC seminar series featuring scholars who have written and conducted research related to diakonia began on May 3. They have been a rousing success. Almost 200 people have asked to be on the registration list, and we have averaged about 80 for the live sessions. The speakers’ presentations have been recorded and made available to the registrants, (see the links to the first three below) on our Facebook page, and will be uploaded to our website. </p><p>See more: https://dotac.diakonia-world.org/upcoming-events/mondays-in-may/</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwaGKxw4KW8/YLvl-ltEMCI/AAAAAAAAG1U/gyJaZaZO5gUP_Xe8kkDJkgVvUKBZYzRYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1124/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.28.58%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="1124" height="116" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwaGKxw4KW8/YLvl-ltEMCI/AAAAAAAAG1U/gyJaZaZO5gUP_Xe8kkDJkgVvUKBZYzRYACLcBGAsYHQ/w509-h116/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.28.58%2Bam.png" width="509" /></a></div><br /><p>May 3: Reverend Doctor Carlos Emilio Ham</p><p>“Diakonia in Times of the COVID Pandemic: Are We Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?” </p><p>May 10: Sister Dottie Almoney</p><p>“Reclaiming the “D” Word -Diakonia in the Church” </p><p>May 17: Deacon Dionata Rodrigues de Oliveira</p><p>“Brazilian Perspectives on the Diaconate: Empowerment, Diaconal Methodology and Transformation”</p><p>May 24: Reverend Doctor Margaret Ann Crain</p><p>“Full and Equal Order: 25 Years of the United Methodist Order of Deacon”</p><p>May 31: Reverend Canon Deacon Michael Jackson</p><p>“The Diaconate: Seeking an Ecumenical Consensus”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeDLs2lUL_k/YLvmzgzVmGI/AAAAAAAAG1g/jXYgWpLEfuIOrjG3rynG8yxbbnz-FjlHACLcBGAsYHQ/s448/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.37%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeDLs2lUL_k/YLvmzgzVmGI/AAAAAAAAG1g/jXYgWpLEfuIOrjG3rynG8yxbbnz-FjlHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.37%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: #f9f7f6; color: blue; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JJVzfNrzxw&t=45s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JJVzfNrzxw&t=45s</a></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iW1yt_sgkVA/YLvmz4NbXcI/AAAAAAAAG1k/I4XFo7xCOjkBIWDwuPUGaaBTq78dtMSaACLcBGAsYHQ/s444/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.45%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iW1yt_sgkVA/YLvmz4NbXcI/AAAAAAAAG1k/I4XFo7xCOjkBIWDwuPUGaaBTq78dtMSaACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.45%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moL2Bl4I_TQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moL2Bl4I_TQ</a></span><span style="color: #b91211; font-kerning: none;"> <span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP55bX7rBf4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP55bX7rBf4</a></span></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVHGjtmboA4/YLvmz45C6TI/AAAAAAAAG1c/WyaxxxduEQk5yi33MGj88cCCmrFJejm3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s446/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.51%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVHGjtmboA4/YLvmz45C6TI/AAAAAAAAG1c/WyaxxxduEQk5yi33MGj88cCCmrFJejm3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.51%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP55bX7rBf4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP55bX7rBf4</a></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CitpxgO7yMw/YLvm0o-4rVI/AAAAAAAAG1o/p3t_LfQKjDA4FNNMFxZrZNinOTV0K-xCACLcBGAsYHQ/s422/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.57%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CitpxgO7yMw/YLvm0o-4rVI/AAAAAAAAG1o/p3t_LfQKjDA4FNNMFxZrZNinOTV0K-xCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.32.57%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZXYUuVd2dk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZXYUuVd2dk</a></span></p></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-38391303903176457602021-06-06T06:28:00.003+09:302021-06-06T06:28:27.441+09:30The Deaconess Community/ELCA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSHxcpObwPc/YLvlP-Sjx0I/AAAAAAAAG1I/PrlOnNRwRpooWnHyLR-dUcyjKtDCliDXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.26.22%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSHxcpObwPc/YLvlP-Sjx0I/AAAAAAAAG1I/PrlOnNRwRpooWnHyLR-dUcyjKtDCliDXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.26.22%2Bam.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uhd9_ewJ0jU/YLvlP8DkIWI/AAAAAAAAG1M/j6w5f5ZCPGcxb_SGape0Yl4smV2AeG3MgCLcBGAsYHQ/s332/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.26.28%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uhd9_ewJ0jU/YLvlP8DkIWI/AAAAAAAAG1M/j6w5f5ZCPGcxb_SGape0Yl4smV2AeG3MgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.26.28%2Bam.png" /></a></div><br />The theme of the 2021 ELCA Deaconess Community Assembly was “Love, Walk, Flourish.” Sister Noreen Stevens was re-elected to her second four-year term as directing deaconess at the 2021 Deaconess Community Assembly, held April 7-10. “As a Community called to prophetic diakonia and compelled by the love of Christ, we will continue to listen and act on the Spirit’s disruptions that open our hearts and minds to the broken, beautiful world and faithfully act on new opportunities, build on the strength of partnerships, work for justice and the flourishing of all God’s creation,” said Sr. Noreen.<p></p><p>The Assembly was held electronically this year, which enabled many of the Community's partners to attend. </p><p>The Community welcomed guests: </p><p>Diaconal Minister Ted Dodd, President of DIAKONIA of the Americas and the Caribbean; </p><p>Deaconess Lisa Polito, Executive Director of the Lutheran Diaconal Association; </p><p>The Rev. Crista Schrauf, general secretary of Kaiserswerth General Conference, Kaiserswerth Germany, </p><p>members of the Maine Poor People’s Campaign and </p><p>Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis to lead us through a study of Micah 6:8 at a pre-assembly learning event.</p><p>“We seek to practice the best of Community as we celebrate our faithful, intentional connections with one another and our partners,” said Sr. Noreen.</p><p>This Zoom event enabled many Sisters, Candidates, and guests to attend for the first time in years. Days filled with worship, plenary sessions, breakout room discussions, elections, resolutions that call for intentional engagement of our vision, and celebrations, ended with social events, such as an interactive CLUE game, pub-style trivia, and BINGO, designed to cultivate community time for those who attended.</p><p> </p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-73114722901542249342021-06-06T06:25:00.003+09:302021-06-06T06:25:31.832+09:30DOTAC Monthly Zoom Prayer Meetings<p>This DOTAC group meets on the first of every month for a time of check in, reflection, and prayer. We met on April 1, which this year was Maundy Thursday, and focused on the footwashing story in John. On May 1 we considered the Easter Appearance stories from the gospels and our experiences of resurrection hope. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l85rn_Tr65g/YLvkpTiueYI/AAAAAAAAG1A/w_SXdRjfxuMEJ-0ENvLatPRok014OtHBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s658/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.23.52%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="658" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l85rn_Tr65g/YLvkpTiueYI/AAAAAAAAG1A/w_SXdRjfxuMEJ-0ENvLatPRok014OtHBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.23.52%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>We meet on the first day of each month. Even months (June, August, October, etc.) are held at 5 pm Central Time and on odd months (July, September, November, etc.) at noon Central Time. If you are not already on our list, send an email to teddodd@live.com and a reminder and the Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the date.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-75915658996354483072021-06-06T06:23:00.000+09:302021-06-06T06:23:01.182+09:30Centre for Christian Studies <p>The Centre for Christian Studies celebrated graduation with a series of online events this spring. The Centre, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba focuses on formation for Anglican Deacons and United Church of Canada Diaconal Ministers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiScJXfsWyg/YLvj8bIAVLI/AAAAAAAAG00/02oPxByDsR0oCNMecaRu-wDCPidj3fuNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s994/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.19.48%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="994" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiScJXfsWyg/YLvj8bIAVLI/AAAAAAAAG00/02oPxByDsR0oCNMecaRu-wDCPidj3fuNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.19.48%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Taking advantage of the online format of their learning circles, an open session was held Saturday April 10th, and members of the community joined students to hear biographical profiles of diaconal ministers, deacons and deaconesses. Some of the people profiled were in attendance! That morning also featured conversation with 2021 Companion of the Centre Anne Manikel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5fN0rAb2w-4/YLvjwRB0dpI/AAAAAAAAG0w/K4MwdORuWg0OEtpIUrYtqqGLyUIaePUdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s546/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.19.57%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="546" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5fN0rAb2w-4/YLvjwRB0dpI/AAAAAAAAG0w/K4MwdORuWg0OEtpIUrYtqqGLyUIaePUdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.19.57%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>The following weekend continued the celebrations with an online worship service and online tea. Highlights of the worship service included a reflection by Companion Anne Manikel and communion. Updates to the zoom software enabled guests are the online tea to ‘wander’ from room to room, visiting with graduates and friends.</p><p>Although in person gatherings are greatly missed, online celebrations have allowed participants far and wide to celebrate together. The graduation events at the Centre honoured diaconal ministry of the past and present while looking forward to a transformative future of graduates who are imagining church differently.</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-57756974225606614802021-06-06T06:15:00.002+09:302021-06-06T06:18:10.819+09:30 LDA Phonathon Nurtures Community Amid Pandemic<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The coronavirus pandemic has paused a lot of life these past 14 months. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">But it did not stop the Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA) from cultivating community during our biggest fundraising campaign! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Ji3By-2hQ/YLvi8HA6ZWI/AAAAAAAAG0o/8YS-dKBsrLct-wmap1-IYQQLD8Pg9iAbACLcBGAsYHQ/s992/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.16.22%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="992" height="119" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Ji3By-2hQ/YLvi8HA6ZWI/AAAAAAAAG0o/8YS-dKBsrLct-wmap1-IYQQLD8Pg9iAbACLcBGAsYHQ/w386-h119/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.16.22%2Bam.png" width="386" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The volunteer caller community for the LDA’s annual Phonathon includes deaconesses and deacons, diaconal students, board members, and supporters from Valparaiso University.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>For more than 30 years, the LDA, based in Valparaiso, Indiana, USA, has held an annual Phonathon to raise funds to prepare our deaconess and deacon students, support our consecrated people, and encourage the laity and the whole people of God in ministry. As the pandemic continued into 2021, we again asked our volunteers to phone donors from their homes, rather than from a common space on the Valparaiso University campus. </div></span></div><p>Even though the group was not physically present to enjoy a meal, receive training, and celebrate campaign milestones, the callers formed community around a common purpose – to tell donors of the LDA’s continuing care for them; to gather their prayer requests; to share how deaconesses and deacons serve God’s people; and to remind them how vital their financial gifts are to our mission. </p><p>As part of their Phonathon training via Zoom, volunteer callers heard Deaconess Lisa Polito, the LDA’s Executive Director, share ministry stories about our deaconesses, deacons, and students who serve those who are suffering. In a spirit of love and compassion, Lisa sent the caller community forth with the charge, “To the phones!” </p><p>More than 40 callers spoke with hundreds of donors across the United States and Canada over three days this spring. Dozens and dozens of prayer requests were received, and those prayers were lifted up during our online worship. </p><p>The Phonathon was wonderfully successful, and the funds raised will help us to continue forming, sending, and nurturing communities of deaconesses and deacons to serve as Christ's hands and feet in our world. </p><p>To learn more about us, <a href="https://thelda.org/explore/#lda-today" target="_blank">read the LDA Today newsletter</a>.</p><div><br /></div>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-280923198943164372021-06-06T06:11:00.002+09:302021-06-06T06:11:21.475+09:30"Abaja ba Kristo" (Rwanda) news<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81svIYwufXw/YLvgOrANtyI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/O76iXyTSDDUv65qyh-XS1KMhfOeSlkkzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s752/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.05.01%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="752" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81svIYwufXw/YLvgOrANtyI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/O76iXyTSDDUv65qyh-XS1KMhfOeSlkkzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.05.01%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Dear friends and partners,</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, our savior. We thank God that we can share with you along this way what the current situation of our country in general is and of our Deaconess community "Abaja ba Kristo" in particular.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are very grateful for what God has done in our community. In December 2020, we held elections for a new community leadership team. Since 1 January 2021, this new team is operational; sr. Marie-Louise Niyonsenga is elected as leader of the community, her replacement is sr. Domithille Uwiragiye. In addition, two secretaries and a treasurer have been appointed; Rev. Vincent Musabyimana is the pastor of the community.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are also grateful for the decline of the Covid 19 pandemic in Rwanda, where many initiatives have been taken to contain this pandemic. According to health officials, Rwanda has so far (May 3) 25,490 corona patients, 337 deaths and 23,442 recovered.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The government has started the vaccinationprogramme, with the goal of vaccinating 30% of our population by the end of 2021, and 60% by the end of 2022. (The population of Rwanda is 13,151,365). </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Rwanda received vaccines to be used to vaccinate a total of 171,480 people identified as priority at-risk groups, including healthcare personnel - people over the age of 65 or with underlying health problems, other frontline workers and people with disabilities.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">In the meantime, quite a few sisters have also been vaccinated.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">At the moment, many activities such as schools, public transport and commercial activities are open again and we continue to take measures to counteract the negative impact of Covid 19.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Some churches, which have met the requirements of the government, are accessible to a limited number of visitors, but a large number of churches are still closed. We hope that the Covid 19 situation will increasingly 'wash away'.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Dear friends and partners, we have celebrated The Passover and are allowed to live from the resurrection of Jesus Christ! </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">He has conquered death! </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">On behalf of the community "Abaja ba Kristo" I wish you God's blessing!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Sr. Marie-Louise Niyonsenga,<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Community manager 'Abaja ba Kristo'</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 35.4px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, He has given us a new birth in a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 35.4px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">(1 Peter 1:3)</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 35.4px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 35.4px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwOh5xfd0Z0/YLvg0WqwmOI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/jZmQmoclORo72pFA3oq7taA7Q1CG-W-twCLcBGAsYHQ/s598/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.06.53%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="598" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwOh5xfd0Z0/YLvg0WqwmOI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/jZmQmoclORo72pFA3oq7taA7Q1CG-W-twCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.06.53%2Bam.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ey9JlA6RChI/YLvfvHvyIhI/AAAAAAAAG0I/XxR3V7wsUbAFQ_JhissPx_Q5mBAPT_nLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s466/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.01.59%2Bam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ey9JlA6RChI/YLvfvHvyIhI/AAAAAAAAG0I/XxR3V7wsUbAFQ_JhissPx_Q5mBAPT_nLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-06%2Bat%2B6.01.59%2Bam.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.4px;"><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10px;">from left to right: zr. Emerthe, </i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><i>secretary; </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.4px;">Ds. Vincent Musabyimana, spiritual caregiver; </i><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.4px;">Sr. Donithille, second manager; </i><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 35.4px;"><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10px;">Sr. Berthe, </i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><i>treasurer; </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.4px;">Sr. Marie-Louise, first manager; </i><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.4px;">Sr. Esperance, second secretary</i></div><p></p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-74116753825571300562021-06-06T06:00:00.002+09:302021-06-06T06:00:44.299+09:30Sisters in Rwanda - newsletter May 2021<p>SISTER COMMUNITY</p><p>We are grateful that it is possible to have regular contact with the sisters via social media. They are doing well, so far none of the sisters have become infected with the coronavirus! However, they notice that there is a lot of need in their environment, because people do not have a job and therefore no income. Because donations came in from various sides, they were able to help many people with food.</p><p>SCHOOLS OPEN AGAIN</p><p>Unfortunately, all schools in Rwanda went into lockdown, also the primaryschool, which opened last year, the kindergarten and technical school,. There was no question of homeschooling, because most pupils at home do not have a computer and often even no electricity. Fortunately, the schools are now open again and work can be done to make up for the backlog.</p><p>EXPANSION SCHOOL</p><p>When primary school opened in February last year, the sisters said that this building did not contain all the necessary spaces and that expansion was therefore urgently needed. Especially the lack of a kitchen and dining room was a problem. Moreover, the former orphan village that serves as a kindergarten no longer meets the requirements. In this way, a plan was made for a new building on the site of the orphan village. Much to the delight of the sisters, the funding soon came to an end, so that hopefully construction can start this year! </p><p>RUBENGERA TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL</p><p>The technical school is also back in full operation. Last year, a dorm for girls could be put into use. For the boys this is also urgently needed, they now live in a house that is far too small. </p><p>Since January, Sr. Emilienne is leader of the school. For the time being, she will continue to take care of the children of the orphan village. With great commitment and ingenuity she combines these tasks: when for a boy from the orphan village was bought a cottage, she had the furniture made by students of the technical school, who earned their school fees in this way!</p><p>BABY PROJECT</p><p>The baby project was also stopped for a while because of the lockdown, but now the mothers can come again, while respecting the rules: face masks and distance. Sr. Marthe is happy to be helping the mothers and their babies again! Especially now that poverty has increased so much, this aid is literally vital for the little ones.</p><p>WATER PROJECT</p><p>Last year, construction began on site of its own water source for the sister community and buildings on site. That was quite difficult, because the ground turned out to be so hard that a few times the drill gave out. Finally a depth of 7 meters could be reached, where – as it stands – there is enough water to be found.</p><p>Now the final phase has yet to be carried out: the construction of 800 meters of pipe from the source to the grounds of the sisters! Once that is done, hopefully enough water will flow to provide the mother house, the guest house and the schools!</p><p>AGRICULTURAL PROJECT</p><p>Improvements have been made to the irrigation system in the field of the agricultural project, so that harvesting can be carried out more frequently. Church in Action regularly calls attention to this project. On their website there is a lot of information about it; <a href="https://kerkinactie.protestantsekerk.nl/projecten/landbouwprogramma-zendingsdiaconessen/" target="_blank">it's worth taking a look at it</a>.</p><p>We would like to draw your attention to the <a href="http://www.zustersinrwanda.nl" target="_blank">website</a>, which is faithfully maintained by volunteer Rachel Pekkeriet. Together we try to keep the site as up-to-date as possible. You can also order postcards made by the sisters via the site.</p><p>On behalf of the board of the St. Friends of Sisters in Rwanda, I warmly greet you and wish you God's blessing!</p><p>Zr. Dorien Peet</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-53621027348093840582021-06-04T07:08:00.005+09:302021-06-04T07:10:32.090+09:30DIAKONIA World Federation Executive and other Committees<p> It's been a busy few months for the DIAKONIA World Executive. </p><p>The DIAKONIA World Federation Executive Committee now meets regularly via Zoom instead of once a year face to face. And a number of new committees have been set up in the last few months. </p><p>Upcoming meetings in June include (the two dates indicate that members of the Committees live in many times zones around the world)</p><p>DIAKONIA Communications Committee on Friday 4/Saturday 5</p><p>Ad hoc meeting of a few of the DIAKONIA Executive Committee to discuss possible timing for the next World Assembly - Monday 7/Tuesday 8</p><p>DIAKONIA Justice Committee 22nd June</p><p>DIAKONIA Membership Committee Friday 25 June/26 June</p><p>DIAKONIA Executive Committee 29 June/30 June</p><p>(there may be meetings of other Committees - these are a few)</p><p>The DIAKAID Committee has been discussing DIAKAIDS grants that may be available in the future. </p><p><i>We appreciate your prayers as we continue to give intentional attention to diverse foci, and to be intentionally inclusive of a wider range of people in our member associations. <span></span></i></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><b>DWF Committees - membership (updated June 2021)</b></p><p><b>Volunteers Committee</b></p><p>Ted Dodd<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex-officio DWF EC</p><p>Lisa Polito <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC</p><p>Sandy Boyce<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DAP (at invitation of DAP President)</p><p>Gwynne Lawlor<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DRAE</p><p><b>Communications Committee membership</b></p><p>Quinton De Beer (chair)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DRAE </p><p>Sophia Agtarap<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC</p><p>Mandy Herriman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DAP</p><p>Sandy Boyce<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio DWF EC, & the President’s Blog</p><p>Jan Cherry, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio DWF EC, & editor of the DWF Enews</p><p>Sara Manning<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio web minder/manager</p><p><b>DIAKAID Committee membership</b></p><p>Joy Prim<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>DOTAC </p><p>Shulamith Nonimba MosheshDRAE</p><p>Dawn Livingston<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC</p><p>Christa Megaw<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio DWF EC</p><p>Ronke Oworu<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio DWF EC</p><p>Thorsten Walter<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio DIAKONEO RLF</p><p><b>Membership Connections Committee membership</b></p><p>Megan Ross<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> USA</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p>Joan Jones<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DRAE<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> South Africa</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p>Meresiana Serata-Kuricava<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio DWF EC<span> Fiji</span></p><p>Sandy Boyce<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ex officio DWF EC<span> </span></p><p><b>Social Justice Committee membership</b></p><p>Eric Tusz-King<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Canada</span></p><p>Megan Hale<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>DOTAC<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span> USA</span></p><p>Sophie Lizares<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>DAP<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span>Australia</p><p>Emma Cantor<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>DAP<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span>Philippines</span></span></p><p>Leah Wandera (Kenya) <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>DRAE<span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span>USA/Kenya</span></p><p>Gwynne Lawlor<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>ex officio, Volunteers Committee (South Africa)</p><p>Dionata Rodrigues de Oliveira <span> <span> </span></span>DOTAC<span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Brazil</span></p><p>Sandy Boyce <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>ex-officio DWF EC<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p><b>Donor Development Committee membership</b></p><p>Martin Vogler<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DRAE<span> </span></p><p>Caryn Douglas<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC</p><p>Lindsay Fertig-Johnson<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC</p><p>Thorsten Walter<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ex officio RFL Diakoneo </p><p><b>Finance Committee membership</b></p><p>Katie Croft Lubock<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>DOTAC</p><p>Sr Elisabeth Meier<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ex officio DWF</p><p>Gordon Pennykid<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ex officio Treasurer</p><p>Thorsten Walter<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ex officio as RFL Diakoneo</p><p><b>Upcoming Committees to be formed later in 2021</b></p><p>Diaconal Formation Committee membership</p><p>New Member Communities membership</p><p>Theology of Diakonia membership</p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-72202554005976360852021-06-04T06:28:00.003+09:302021-06-04T07:23:57.550+09:30UN World Oceans Day - June 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edROmlxzKeo/YLlCrQRGUHI/AAAAAAAAGzA/Gz_GR_rF2WYtWcislzgjq_K42Ngd-oTcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/d457bb05ecf64691e6443837647cf214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Underwater Project, Mark Tipple" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edROmlxzKeo/YLlCrQRGUHI/AAAAAAAAGzA/Gz_GR_rF2WYtWcislzgjq_K42Ngd-oTcQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/d457bb05ecf64691e6443837647cf214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>(photo: Mark Tipple, The Underwater Project)</i></p><p>Sing a new song, for God has done wonderful things! Sing to God all the earth, sing praise and songs of joy! Let the oceans roar and all the creatures that live within it give praise! <i>(Psalm 98 adapted)</i></p><p>The <strong>2021</strong> <strong>theme</strong> for <strong>World</strong> <strong>Oceans</strong> <strong>Day</strong> is <em><strong>The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods</strong></em>. The focus is on how the ocean is our life-source and supports humanity and every other organism on Earth. It reminds every one of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet and a major source of food and medicine and a critical part of the biosphere.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FDQb6sAPxMs" width="320" youtube-src-id="FDQb6sAPxMs"></iframe></div><p>The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.</p><p>The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, it is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Not to mention, the ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.</p><p>Even though all its benefits, the ocean is now in need of support. With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. To protect and preserve the ocean and all it sustains, we must create a new balance, rooted in true understanding of the ocean and how humanity relates to it. We must build a connection to the ocean that is inclusive, innovative, and informed by lessons from the past. 2021 also launches a decade of challenges to get the Sustainable Development Goal 14, “<em>Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources</em>”, by 2030. </p><p>The call extends to all of us to become highly protective of our seas and waterways in order to help ensure a healthy home for all! </p><p>The Pacific region, known also as Oceania, is sometimes referred to as the “Liquid Continent”, acknowledging that the Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean in the world, is not what separates the island communities, often seen on maps as green specks on a large blue background. For Pacific Islanders, the ocean is what connects our islands. It is our highway, where canoes travelled weaving relationship and sharing stories, knowledge, food and gifts and has done for many millennia. It is mother, nurturing, source of life, home to fish and shell and mighty whale. <i>(Rev James Bhagwan, Fiji, reflections for <a href="https://water.oikoumene.org/en/whatwedo/seven-weeks-for-water/reflections-2020/solwara-saltiness-and-the-liquid-continent-an-introduction-to-the-seven-weeks-of-water-from-the-perspective-of-oceania" target="_blank">WCC Ecumenical Water Network</a>). </i>We remember our Deaconess sisters and their communities in Fiji as they deal with rising ocean tides. </p><p data-adtags-visited="true"><b>Prayer</b><br />Swirling God, who at the dawn of creation swept over the face of the waters, hover over our oceans and all waterways with your blessed presence.<br />May each droplet of mist and sea be clean and fresh for all life who come in contact with these holy streams.<br />Bless each cell and molecule of life below the surface of the waters who trust in you and us to create a prosperous world.<br />Continually nudge us to nurture creation, joining together with humans all over this planet to covenant with one another and celebrate the gifts of water, air, fire, and land that you have given us. Amen.<br />(<em>Source: Michelle L. Torigian,<a href="https://michelletorigian.com/2017/06/08/a-world-oceans-day-prayer/"> God goes pop</a></em>)</p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-48398972299189199912021-05-14T08:04:00.004+09:302021-05-14T08:04:00.229+09:30DIAKONIA World Executive Committee<p>The DWF Executive Committee (EC) will be meeting via Zoom on Tuesday 18th/Wednesday 19th May. The EC has met many times via Zoom in the last year during COVID - and in that way COVID has enabled us to be innovative and responsive in ways that were more difficult with an annual meeting. </p><p>The members of the EC are in many different time zones, starting with Fiji at 8am on Wednesday 19th May and Adelaide at 5.30pm, and members in the DRAE (Africa/Europe) region at 9pm and 10pm, and members of DOTAC at 3pm, 2pm, and 1pm (Winnipeg, Boise and Seattle). We have up to 1.5 hours to discuss the agenda items and then schedule another meeting to continue our discussion. </p><p>There is also a great deal of work that happens in between meetings. </p><p>As well, there are now a number of new Committees that have been formed in the last few months. Some more are in the process of being set up, and some will be set up later in the year. Committees already set up include DIAKAID, Donors, Financial, Justice, Member Connections, and Communications. It's tricky scheduling meetings with people in the different regions, but a very worthwhile endeavour. </p><p>Please pray for the DWF Executive Committee and the new Committees that are taking on and developing some of the responsibilities for DIAKONIA World. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1323474674255914247.post-58959152868141643822021-05-05T09:24:00.003+09:302021-05-05T09:24:26.684+09:30Deepening missional relationships <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ePu5umfDQU" width="320" youtube-src-id="2ePu5umfDQU"></iframe></div><br />Rev Mat Harry (Deacon in Uniting Church in Australia): <p></p><p>It is important for #ChristianCommunities to think not just about the number of #missional relationships a church develops, but also to concentrate on the depth of those relationships.</p><p>Melton Op Shop has seized upon the opportDeepunity to deepen relationship with those people they are alongside through the installation of a cafe space. </p><p>This cafe space allows the #OpShop volunteers to listen to the stories of the customers, offering care and support if needed.</p>Sandy Boycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04954390720667770216noreply@blogger.com0