December Newsletter - St. Peters Lutheran Church

St. Peter’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
65 Walnut St. Winnipeg, MB R3G 1N9
Phone: 204 775-6477
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: stpeterslutheran.ca
NEWSLETTER
March 2015
Pastor: Rev. Bjoern Meinhardt ~ 204-792-3346
Associate Pastor: Rev. Peter Lurvey
Lay Minister: Teresa Peters ~ 204-338-2440
December 2016
Wunder der Schönhe
parents. Martin went to the train station, and
when the clerk handed him the ticket to
Hermsdorf he wanted to know why he was
smiling, to which Martin responded, “Because it
is Christmas.”
In the next scene, we are in the living
room of Martin's parents in Hermsdorf. While all
the other houses in the neighbourhood were lit up
by Christmas lights, theirs was the only home that
remained dark. In their thoughts they were with
their son, wondering what he might be doing all
by himself at the school. All of a sudden, there
was a knock on the door. They were confused
because they didn't expect any visitors.
Hesitantly, they went to the door and opened it;
they couldn't believe their eyes, in front of them
stood their son, Martin. Even his father, Mr.
Thaler, “was moved to tears.” And, the first thing
that Martin could say, in his joy, was, “I also have
the money for the return ticket.”
The author summarized this family's
unanticipated Christmas bliss in these words, “It
was, to be precise, a Christmas Eve one could not
have thought of as more beautiful.”
Christmas and Family
Christmas is supposed to be a joyful time, time
spent with family. But not everybody feels this
way. Quite often, the time leading to Christmas
(that is: the season of Advent) can be a very tense
time: There are disagreements in the family.
Maybe one mourns the death of a loved one
(“blue Christmas”). Or economic concerns get in
the way of buying a “proper” gift.
German author Erich Kästner deals with
Christmas blues in a very sensitive way in his
children's book The Flying Classroom (published
in 1933), a story about courage and friendship
among high school students in a boarding school.
At the end of the story, all the students got
excited in anticipation of the impending
Christmas break, which allowed them to go back
home and visit their parents. All but two. One
student, Johnny Trotz, usually stayed at the
school because his (adoptive) father was a sailor
and often out at sea.
The other student was Martin Thaler, best
in his class, whose parents were unemployed (due
to the economic situation in the 1930s) and
therefore could not afford to purchase their son's
train ticket. Naturally, Martin got sad and
withdrew from the company of his fellow
students.
When the much-respected teacher Dr.
Bökh (nicknamed Justus, “the Just”) found
Martin, he wanted to know the reason for his
sadness. He then gave him some money – enough
to buy a round trip ticket and small gifts for his
It seems that Christmas and family go inseparably
together. It seems there is no other holy day that
is so closely tied to family as Christmas.
But … you have known me long enough
by now to know that I tend to distinguish between
our biological family, with whose members we
are connected by blood (and on occasion by
adoption), and our family of faith, with whose
members we are connected through Baptism.
Worship is our opportunity to come
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together as and to celebrate with your family of
faith. You are invited to join us for our mid-week
Advent services (November 30, December 7, 14,
and 21; they all begin at 7 PM), in which we will
meditate and reflect on the coming of Christ, and
for our services on Christmas Eve (December 24:
bilingual at 3:30, and in English at 7 PM).
Many will spend Christmas Day with
family. December 25 is a Sunday this year – the
doors to the church will be open so that you can
spend the day with your family of faith as well.
We'll gather at the regular times of 9:15 (German)
and 11 (English).
Technology by itself does not make our worship
services better but it will allow us to support our
worship experience and participation in new, and
hopefully inspiring, ways.
Weihnachten und Familie
Weihnachten soll eine freudige Zeit sein; eine
Zeit, die man mit der Familie verbringt. Aber
nicht jeder teilt diese Ansicht. Ziemlich oft kann
die Vorweihnachtszeit – richtiger und besser Advent genannt – eine sehr stressvolle Angelegenheit sein. Wer zudem einen Angehörigen verloren
hat, fühlt vielleicht etwas Wehmut (Stichwort
blue Christmas). Und wer einen wirtschaftlichen
Engpass durchmacht, kann sich wohl nicht das
passende Geschenk für jemand anderen leisten.
Wishing you a blessed season of Advent and
Christmas,
Bjoern E. Meinhardt, Pastor
A New Projector for the Sanctuary
Auf eine sehr einfühlsame Weise behandelt auch
der Autor Erich Kästner Weihnachtssorgen in dem
Kinderbuch „Das fliegende
Klassenzimmer“ (1933 veröffentlicht) – ein Buch,
das die Themen Mut und Freundschaft von Schülern in einem Internat behandelt.
Am Ende der Erzählung bekommen wir
mit, wie sich die Schüler auf die bevorstehenden
Weihnachtsferien freuen. Bis auf zwei Schüler
würden alle nach Hause fahren. Der eine war
Johnny Trotz, dessen Adoptivvater sich als Kapitän auf der See aufhielt und folglich oft nicht zu
Hause war.
Der andere war Martin Thaler, der Klassenprimus, dessen Eltern arbeitslos waren – wohl
als Folge der Depression – und ihm die Zugfahrt
nach Hause nicht bezahlen konnten. Natürlich
war er darüber traurig und zog sich in seinem
Kummer zurück.
Der unter den Schülern sehr beliebte Lehrer Dr. Bökh (sein Spitzname war Justus, „der
Gerechte“) fand Martin und wollte wissen, warum er so traurig war. Er gab ihm dann etwas
Geld, genug, um auch die Rückreise bezahlen zu
können, und ein paar kleine Geschenke für seine
Eltern zu kaufen. Als Martin dann am Bahnhof
seine Fahrkarte nach Hermsdorf kaufte, wollte
der Beamte wissen, warum er sich denn so freute,
woraufhin er antwortete: „Weil Weihnachten ist.“
So, we have acquired a new projector and moved
the screen to a new location in the sanctuary. Was
this necessary? Was the old equipment not good
enough?
The previous projector is quite a few years
old. It shows in the quality of the pictures, the
contrast, and the crispness of the colours. In
addition, it had to be set up and taken down
whenever it was used. The new projector is in a
permanent position. This ensures that nobody will
be stumbling into it (during Communion) or walk
through the projection, which then throws a dark
shadow on the screen. (The old projector will still
serve as a mobile unit that can be used, for
instance for events in the basement.)
Speaking of the screen: the former
location to the far right side forced people to turn
away from the altar as they were following the
liturgy. The new position of the screen keeps the
attention centered in the space around the altar; it
does not obscure the centrality of the cross.
I would like to take these descriptions a
step further and see the new investment also as an
outreach tool. It will make it easier for outside
groups and organizations to consider our church
for their events, as they often look for venues that
have these technological tools in place.
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In der nächsten Szene befinden wir uns
dann im Wohnzimmer von Martins Eltern in
Hermsdorf. Alle Häuser in der Nachbarschaft sind
mit Weihnachtsbeleuchtung ausgestattet. Nur
nicht das Haus der Thalers; es blieb dunkel. In
ihren Gedanken waren die Eltern bei ihrem Sohn
und fragten sich, was er denn so alleine in der
Schule machte. Doch plötzlich klopfte es an der
Tür. Sie waren etwas verwirrt, denn sie erwarteten niemand zu Besuch. Zögerlich gingen sie zur
Tür, öffneten sie und konnten ihren Augen nicht
trauen: vor ihnen stand ihr Sohn Martin! Selbst
Herr Thaler war so gerührt, dass seine „Augen …
je eine Träne (riskierten)“. Und in seiner Freude
konnte Martin nur ein „Das Geld für die Rückfahrkarte hab ich auch“ herausbringen.
Erich Kästner fasst das unverhoffte Weihnachtsglück folgendermaßen zusammenfassen:
„Es war, genau genommen, ein Heiliger Abend,
wie er sich schöner gar nicht ausdenken läßt.“
ses Jahr auf einen Sonntag. Daher werden die Türen zur Kirche offen sein, damit ihr auch mit eurer Glaubensfamilie feiern könnt. Wir versammeln uns zum Gottesdienst zu den gewohnten
Zeiten: 9:15 Uhr auf Deutsch und um 11 Uhr auf
Englisch.
Mit meinen besten Wünschen für die Adventsund Weihnachtszeit, euer
Björn E. Meinhardt, Pfarrer
Ein neuer Projektor in der Kirche
Wir haben uns also einen neuen Projektor angeschafft und die Leinwand an einer anderen
Stelle montiert. War das nötig? Waren die alten
Geräte nicht mehr gut genug?
Der vorherige Projektor ist in der Tat
schon einige Jahre alt. Das zeigt sich an der
mangelnden Bildqualitiät, Schärfeneinstellung
und Frische der Farben. Darüber hinaus mußte er
immer erst auf- und dann wieder abgebaut werden. Der neue Projektor ist dagegen permanent
angebracht. Das verhindert auch, dass jemand aus
ihn Versehen – etwa beim Abendmahl – umstößt
oder durch den Lichtstrahl läuft und dann einen
schwarzen Schatten auf die Leinwand wirft. (Wir
können den alten Projektor immer noch einsetzen,
etwa für Veranstaltungen im Gemeinderaum.)
Ich möchte die Vorteile der Anschaffung
noch einen Schritt weiter ausdehnen, die unsere
Kirche für andere Gruppen oder Organisationen
als Veranstaltungsort in Betracht kommen lassen,
die danach schauen, ob diese technologischen
Mittel vor Ort vorhanden sind. Technologie allein
macht den Gottesdienst nicht besser, aber sie
kann uns auf neue und hoffentlich inspirierende
Weise helfen, unsere Gottesdiensterfahrung und beteiligung zu vertiefen.
Es hat also allen Anschein, dass Weihnachten und
Familie untrennbar zusammen gehören. Es
scheint, dass es keinen anderen Feiertag gibt, der
so eng mit Familie verbunden ist.
Aber … ihr kennt mich wohl in der
Zwischenzeit schon lange genug, dass ihr wißt,
dass ich dazu neige, zwischen der biologischen
Familie, mit deren Angehörigen wir durch Blut
(und gelegentlich auch durch Adoption) verbunden sind, und der Glaubensfamilie zu unterscheiden, mit der wir durch die Taufe verbunden sind.
Gottesdienst gibt uns die Gelegenheit, mit
unserer Glaubensfamilie zusammenzukommen
und miteinander zu feiern. Ich möchte euch zu
den folgenden Gottesdienst- und Andachtsveranstaltungen einladen. Da sind zum einen die Adventsandachten am Mittwoch Abend um 19 Uhr
(am 30. November, am 7., 14. und 21. Dezember), in denen wir über das Kommen Christi
nachdenken. Dann haben wir unsere Gottesdienste am Heilig Abend: zweisprachig um 15:30 Uhr
und auf Englisch um 19 Uhr.
Viele werden den Weihnachtstag im Kreis
der Familie begehen. Der 25. Dezember fällt die-
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St. Peter’s Christmas Hampers
Throughout the holiday season some families get hit with the emotional and financial strains of purchasing
presents, food or other holiday essentials. To alleviate some of those strains, we would like to reach out to
some families in need directly by providing of them each with a Christmas Hamper. Donating to theses
hampers give us an opportunity to celebrate the holiday season by gathering donations and Christmas gifts
for those families who might not otherwise experience the joys of the Christmas season. This year with your
help we will be making hampers for three families. These three families have a total of 7 children:
1.
2.
3.
Girl age 17
Boy age 12
Girl age 11
4.
5.
6.
Girl age 9
Boy age 9
Boy age 6
7.
Girl age 3
If you wish to donate please bring your items to the church and leave them in Teresa’s office, on or before
December 18th.
Non-perishable food items, gifts and money is always welcome.
Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will
have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
All women are invited!!!
The Women’s Circle would like to invite ALL WOMEN to come out on January 22th, 2016 for an
afternoon full of fun, fellowship and laughter!! Following the 11:00 am we will have a Pot Luck and
then enjoy the movie, “War Room.”
We even offer free babysitting, available upon request for all attendees!!
Mark the date on your Calendar!!
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Treasurer’s 2 cents on Mission.
Der Schatzmeister hat wieder
etwas zu sagen.
By Jerry Roehr
Von Gerhard Roehr
Einige von uns werden sich erinnern dass wir im
letzten Februar auf der Jahersversammlung beschlossen haben folgende Projekte zu unterstützen:
Some of you will remember
that we approved the funding for the following
Mission projects at our annual meeting last
February:
•
$ 6,000.00 zur Unterstützung unserer
National Lutheran Church in America.
•
$ 1,000.00 zur Unterstützung der Canada
Section, North America Lutheran Church.
•
$ 1,000.00 zur Unterstützung des North
American Lutheran Seminary at Trinity School
for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.
•
$ 2,000.00 zur Unterstützung des
Onesimus Nesib Seminary in Aira, Äthiopien, um
Frauen zu helfen, die als Pastoren ausgebildet
werden.
•
$ 5,000.00 zur Unterstützung unseres Malawi Orphan Mission Project, im Zusammenhang
mit Joy Lutheran Church, Winnipeg und anderen
NALC Gemeinden.
•
$ 4,000.00 zur Unterstützung von Teresa
Peters mit ihrem Studium Diakonissin zu werden
und später vielleicht Pastor.
•
Wir unterstützen auch die Canadian Lutheran Bible Translators mit $ 1,000.00
•
Und wir helfen einer Flüchtlings Familie.
Viele von uns haben die Kesete Familie kennen
•
$ 6,000.00 to support our National
Lutheran Church in America.
•
$ 1,000.00 to support the Canada Section
of the North America Lutheran Church.
•
$ 1,000.00 to support the North American
Lutheran Seminary at Trinity School
for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.
•
$ 2,000.00 to support the Onesimus Nesib
Seminary in Aira, Ethiopia to house women
studying to be pastors a Canada Mission District
Program
•
$ 5,000.00 to support the Malawi Orphan
Mission Project, in cooperation with Joy Lutheran
Church, Winnipeg and other NALC partners.
•
$ 4,000.00 to continue to assist Teresa
Peters with her tuition fee to become a certified
deaconess and eventually, in a few years later, a
pastor.
•
We also supported the Canadian Lutheran
Bible Translators with a gift of $ 1,000.00
•
And we announced to support a refugee
family. Many of us have now met the Kesete
family and our financial aid to date has been
$ 7,721.62.
gelernt und unsere finanzielle Unterstützung bis jetzt
ist $ 7,721.62.
These commitments and payments in the amount
of $ 27,721.62 were made in anticipation of the
budgeted $ 30,000.00 income. Unfortunately,
while donations to pay our congregation expenses
are adequate, our Mission income as of October
was only $ 19,401.50.
Diese Verpflichtungen und Zahlungen in Höhe
von $ 27.721,62 wurden im Einvernehmen des
2016 Haushaltsplans von $ 30.000,00 für Mission
gemacht. Während Spenden für unsere Gemeinde Ausgaben angemessen sind, ist unser Missions- Einkommen bis Ende Oktober leider nur
$19.401,50.
As friends and members of St. Peter’s consider
their December (Christmas) offering, we
encourage and recommend that you consider
making an extra gift specifically to “Mission” so
that we may continue to support, what we
consider, Christ’s mission beyond our
congregation.
Wenn Freunde und Mitglieder unserer St. Petri
Gemeinde ihre Dezember (Weihnachten) Gaben
in Betracht ziehen, bitten wir Alle ein zusätzliches Geschenk speziell für "Mission" einzubeschließen. So können wir gemeinsam Gottes
Mission auch außerhalb unserer Gemeinde fördern.
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Watch where you park
The Ladies Aid invites to their
annual German
Advents- und Weihnachtsfeier
on Tuesday, December 13 at 1 PM.
During the time of their construction, we
have agreed with Westgate Mennonite
Collegiate to allow parking of the school bus
during evening hours. Their designated
parking spot is at the back of the church
parallel to the back lane taking up about
three spaces where the furnace exhaust is.
Please do not park there between the hours
of 5:30 pm to 7:30 am.
WOMEN'S ADVENT ARTS AFTERNOON
Women from 9 to 109 years’ young
Save The Date!
Saturday, December 10, 2016
1:00 - 3:00 pm
St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church
Please join us for an afternoon of
FRIENDSHIP, FOOD, FUN and CRAFTS
Car Pooling and Child Care Available
Sign up in the Narthex
Mid-Week Advent Services,
English
Maranatha – Our Lord Comes
Wednesday 7:00pm
December 7th
December 14th
December 21st
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ATTENTION ALL COMMITTEES AND
ALL GROUPS!!
The year is coming to an end (way to quickly).
Your completed reports for the Annual General Meeting Yearbook need to be in the office by
December 11, 2016. For reports in both languages you will be responsible for the translation.
If you wish to send the report by email the address is [email protected]
Written copies of course will also be accepted. Thank you.
December 4th, Sunday - Family Sunday Service & Lunch
December 9th, Christmas Party 7pm
December 18th, Christmas Play / Bake Sale
December 30th, Pre-New Years Party 7pm
January 7th, 2017, Sledding at Kings Park, Time TBA
January 14th, 10am-1pm Confirmation
January 15th, Family Sunday Service & Lunch
January 20th, 7pm CLWR We Care Night
December 18th!!!!
In between the 9:15 am and the 11:00 am
Look for AMAZING BAKING in the Narthex!!!
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Advent - A Time for Teaching the Faith
Written by Bishop John Bradosky of the North American Lutheran Church
Dear Followers of Christ in the North American Lutheran Church:
During my recent trip to China to meet with church leaders and “church workers” or missionaries, I was able to
engage in conversations regarding the Word, the Sacraments, and worship. I raised these concerns because there are no
denominations in China. There is only the CCC — the Chinese Christian Church. However, Lutherans were among the
first and the strongest missionary presence in China beginning in the 19th Century. The Lutheran confessional
understandings are deeply embedded in the faith of Christians in China. In addition, the Church is continuing to grow and
expand both in the congregations that are registered with the government and those that are not. The number of young
adults coming to faith in Jesus Christ is astounding. The entire church throughout China is highly committed to Life-to-Life
Discipleship.
Since there is little opportunity for overt evangelism and witnessing, people share their faith through every
possible relationship. It begins in homes and spreads to extended families, neighborhoods, work and business
associations, and especially on college campuses. In the midst of the constraining regulations of the government,
Christian faith is being shared in the privacy of these personal conversations. The congregational leaders focus on
teaching the faith, preparing adults and entire families for Baptism, insuring their continued growth in the faith in the
context of the Christian community in the life of the local congregation, and equipping them for sharing their faith in Jesus
Christ with others.
Preparation for Baptism is a major priority for the congregation. It is clearly focused on the grace of Jesus Christ
and the primacy of Christ’s presence and promises. The work and the power of Baptism are from the Holy Spirit conferred
through the water and the Word. There are two times in the Church year specifically reserved for Baptism. Easter is
obvious. During the course of my ministry I always tried to ensure we had baptisms to celebrate on the Eve of Easter.
I only wish I had taken as much time in preparing those individuals and families as the CCC does. They devote the entire
season of Lent for that preparation. I confess that in my own ministry I was often more concerned with finding some
innovative plan or program to give our own people a compelling reason to attend a midweek worship opportunity. Often
there was more time spent on menus than the mission of teaching the faith, preparing and equipping people for life in
Christ, life in the community of faith and a life of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Historically, the Body of
Christ took seriously these responsibilities of discipling those who came to faith in Jesus Christ. Their commitment to this
mission kept the Church growing numerically and maturing spiritually. The second major opportunity for Baptisms in the
Church year for the Chinese Christian Church is Christmas, and the season of preparation is Advent.
As the Chinese Christians described this to me, I was ashamed that throughout my ministry I was often
overwhelmed with fitting in all the special celebrations and fellowship events, cantatas and concerts, Sunday School
programs and events for staff and lay leaders, designing midweek worship and Christmas Eve services focused on
interesting themes. The mayhem of this season overshadowed any sense of mission in teaching the faith. It was a very
rare occurrence that I ever celebrated a Baptism on Christmas Day. If there was a season when preparation for Baptism
was “shortchanged,” it was Advent and Christmas. Yet, when I returned and researched the history of Advent, I
discovered that the focus of the CCC was more historically faithful to the mission of the Church than the focus of my
ministry for many years.
Advent is the beginning of the Church Year. The word “Advent” means coming or arrival. The entire focus of the
season is one of preparation. We prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, His incarnation, His arrival into our world. The texts
also force us to deal with the reality of His return in power and glory. In this season of preparation and anticipation, filled
with hope, we also encounter themes of accountability, faithfulness, judgment regarding sin and the promises of
forgiveness and eternal life. This double focus on past and future is symbolic of the spiritual journey of both the
individual and the congregation. We affirm that Christ has come, Christ is present, and Christ will return. From the
Incarnation to the consummation of history, we live in this reality focused on mission — celebrating and proclaiming the
truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ through His reconciling life, death and resurrection. We are not mere
passive observers but active participants in this reality. We participate as we faithfully follow Christ, living in a community
of mutually-accountable relationships, and participating in Christ’s mission by sharing our faith and discipling others. The
Messiah, the One who reigns in our life, will one day bring His righteousness, justice and peace to His entire kingdom.
This is our hope and the hope we have to share with the entire world, life in Christ Jesus.
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It is my prayer as you prepare for Advent and Christmas that you will not miss a precious opportunity to teach the
faith, focused on the mission of the Church, to not only have hope, but to bear witness to the hope that is ours in Christ
Jesus in word and deed through every relationship. Rather than finding some creative plan or innovative program for
Advent, I encourage you to focus on teaching the faith, preparing people for Baptism, helping the the baptized to mature
in faith, and equipping them to share their faith in Christ in every relationship this Christmas. I am convinced that this is
the heritage that we must reclaim as we move forward in mission and ministry. It is a heritage that is still alive and well in
China. The Lord is blessing their faithful focus. As millions continue to come to faith in Christ, it is obvious their witness is
bearing fruit abundantly. May our hope and commitment to the mission of making disciples be renewed and strengthened
this Advent.
DECEMBER 18th 11:00AM
You are Invited!!!
Come
Lord
Jesus
Sunday Evening Worship
St. Peter’s offers a monthly evening Family Worship Service
The last Sunday of each month!!
Future Service Dates:
Pot Luck at 5:30pm followed Installation Service January 29th 7:00pm
February 26th at 6:00pm
March 26th at 6:00pm
Invite your friends and family! Everyone welcome!
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Since 1946, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has sent aid to people
experiencing need around the world. CLWR’s We Care program continues to ship
thousands of urgently needed supplies every year through the donations of
dedicated congregations, service groups and individuals like you. Your gifts of
love are received by people affected by poverty or displaced by war, hunger or
natural disaster, and are vital to the operation of hospitals, schools, refugee camps
and development programs. Your support changes lives.
St. Peter’s youth put together 27 kits for the “We Care” program.
Members, Friends, and Guests
of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
are invited to attend the
Graduation
and
Service of Installation
of Teresa E. Peters
into the Diaconal Ministry
 The Rev. Timothy J. Swenson (Institute of Lutheran Theology; Brookings, SD)
to preside over Graduation Order of Service.
 The Rev. Philip Gagnon (Dean of the Canada Section of the North American
Lutheran Church; St. Albert, AB) as the Officiating Minister
 The Rev. Bjoern Meinhardt (St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church; Winnipeg, MB)
as the Presiding Minister.
On Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 7 P.M.
A Meal, beginning at 5:30 P.M., precedes the ceremony.
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paper work as fast as possible to get in line. It was
totally amazing to see this in action! All the
professional dentists, hygenists, dental assistants etc.
giving freely of their time! I stayed with Denait. She
was a trooper! Shawit had an Arabic speaking female
dentist. Very nice! It was fun to converse with other
caregivers too.
It’s a Small World After All
The Kesete family, refugees from Eritrea on the Horn
of Africa, is settling in to life in Winnipeg! This week
we sent daughter Furtona an email welcoming them
all to “Winterpeg”! Ten year old Denait was thrilled
to be making giant snow balls at recess. She loves
school!
After Furtona and Geytome were finished, we sat in
the waiting room. Furtona noticed a man and went
over to greet him. Turns out he was her geography
teacher in Port Sudan! It's a small world after all!
He came at the end of June, sponsored by his
brother-in-law. He's working at the Salvation Army.
Hopefully, he'll be teaching in Manitoba someday.
After completing the four week Manitoba Entry
Program and waiting two weeks for an opening,
parents Geytome and Shawit started their half day
beginner English classes at the Winnipeg Adult
Education Centre. Furtona is enrolled in full day
English classes and hopes to eventually take high
school courses. They are all eager and highly
motivated to learn!
The family is registered at St. Bartholomew Anglican
Church food bank which is in their neighbourhood.
So good they have an opportunity to receive some
lovely fresh produce and dry goods every couple of
weeks.
Our congregational caregiving group has been doing
an amazing job helping orient the family to life in
Canada the past three months. Countless
appointments, meetings, and shopping trips have
been done with tireless energy by our team! We’ve
experienced Eritrean hospitality. We’ve enjoyed
many coffee ceremonies and delicious food cooked
by Shawit. They are so thankful and happy to share a
taste of their homeland.
Our province is doing an amazing job with Manitoba
Start, Entry Program and English classes for
newcomers! I'm proud to live in Canada! Even so,
there is a waiting list to get into the classes. The
adult education schools follow the public school
schedule with Christmas and March breaks and
ending in June for summer holidays. At this point
Geytome and Shawit are at a benchmark 1. Furtona
is at a benchmark 3 or 4 depending on the four
areas—reading, writing, speaking and listening. In
order to get a good job, benchmark 5 is the goal. In
order to take high school diploma courses a 6 or 7 is
recommended, so it's good that Furtona has this
opportunity to improve her English. We’re thankful
she had studied English in high school in Port Sudan
as this has given her a head start. It has also helped
our caregiving committee communicate with the
family.
We think the family is doing very well. They are very
grateful to be in Canada. So good that, in addition to
our caregiving group, the family has a network of
Eritrean people willing to help. As one of them said
when I thanked him, "We are to be imitators (of
Jesus)."
One of our goals is to help the family become
independent. As much as possible, we are trying to
equip and encourage the family to do things on their
own, rather than doing things for them. We feel they
are well on their way.
We’re grateful one of the interpreters working with
the family told us about a free dental clinic for
refugee families at the University of Manitoba
Dental College on Saturday, Nov. 5th. (The Interim
Federal Health Program only allows for emergency
dental work for the first year.) We arrived at the
clinic at 8:00 a.m. and filled out four clipboards of
Thank you, St. Peter’s congregation, for your support.
God bless all,
Linda Lurvey
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CHRISTMAS SERVICE SCHEDULE
December 24, Christmas Eve
Candle light Services
3:30 PM Bilingual Service
7:00 PM English Service
December 25, Christmas Day
9:15 AM German Service
11:00 AM English Service
December 31
19:00 Uhr Jahresendgottesdienst
January 1
9:15 AM German Service
11:00 AM English Service
May the love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
surround you all the days of your live.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Blessings,
Bjoern E. Meinhardt, Pastor
&
Teresa Peters, Lay Minister
12

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