The Moravian Church in Alaska will be holding a Women’s Conference (Feb 2) and Synod (Feb 4-8) in Bethel. Joan Andersen, Chair of MCNL, will be attending, along with a youth, Tracy Evans from Makkovik. Tracy is Nunatsiavut’s Coordinator for the Status of Women, and will give a presentation at the Feb 2 Conference. Joan has a two-fold purpose for going: to spread the word to a wider audience that Labrador has sent out a call for ministers, and to further the Moravian First Nations Outreach partnership that was formed after last year’s Synod in Alaska.
The Provincial Conference of the Moravian Church in Newfoundland and Labrador will take place in Nain from March 4-6. Board members, lay ministers, and delegates from each congregation will attend. Loren Jendro, Labrador’s representative on the Board of World Mission, as well as Bishop Paul Graf will be there. Some of the agenda items include ratifying the revised Book of Order; drawing up the process to follow for ordination; ministry in Labrador and how to move our present situation forward; Moravian Youth Camp; Moravian Music Workshop; launch of the Inuktitut Bible; reports from each congregation; and more.
Bishop Graf will visit each church while in Labrador. One of his aims is to put together a profile of the minister each congregation would like to have, so that when we do get inquiries, we can better match a person to a place.
Sr Joan Andersen
MCNL Chair
Summer Youth Camp 2013 - Our Future
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Monday, 21 January 2008
Children's Day at Happy Valley
On Sunday, January 20, 2008 the Happy Valley Moravian Church held its Children's Day.
The celebrations began with a Lovefeast at the 11 a.m. service. There was enough buns and juice for everyone!
After lunch we held activities in the afternoon beginning at 1:30 p.m. with a sing a long with camp director for the Labrador Christian YOuth Camp, Vicki Roeder-Martin and her helper from Katimavik Samantha. After singing the kids played games outside in the parking lot with capture the flag the favourite.
We then came in for a warm up playing Skip Bo with Simone Daniels being the Skip Bo champion. We had a snack of juice, hot chocolate, potato chips and cup cakes thanks to Regula Schule! Thank you Regula and yum!
Then we played another game of capture the flag and concluded with a movie. Joining in the celebration at the end of the day was a potluck with the congregation.
Thank you to all who helped, Beatrice Hunter, Justine Obed, Elias Daniels, Vicki and Samantha, Regula and the choir, Amos Lyall, Beatrice Hope, Rose Pamak, and Sue Felsberg. What a blessed and truly enjoyable day for all.
Sr Sabina Hunter
Friday, 4 January 2008
Sunday School Christmas celebration in Makkovik
Here are some pictures taken during this year's Sunday School Christmas service.
Caroline Groves and her assistant Cathy Semigak led the Sunday School children in a version of the "Friendly Beasts" at this year's children's Christmas pageant.
It is good to see aspects of the Christmas story reenacted by children. Even 2 year-old Lucas Lane took part as an angel!
The children would like to wish everyone much happiness in the New Year.
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Eulogy and Remembrance Tribute
Following the passing of Revd Siegfried Hettasch please find the eulogy given by his daughter, Hannie (Hettasch) Fitzgerald, along with the remembrance tribute given by Revd Olaf Andersen.
Eulogy
Dad first saw the light of day on February 1st, 1915, in Nain, Labrador where he was the youngest of 6. As was the custom for Missionary children in those days, he was sent to a boarding school in Kleinwelke, which was near Bautzen in Germany. During holidays, he stayed with his Uncle Hans (who was a friendly person), and his aunt Tante Lottie who apparently was extremely strict! However, maybe Dad needed some discipline when you hear him tell of his escapades while at the boarding school….
There was a teacher who was not liked very much, and one day while the teacher was absent from the school, some of the boys, including Dad got his bed out of his room and hoisted it up a tree in the school’s garden! Needless to say, when the teacher came back late in the evening, he was not happy!
Another time, Dad and his pals got up to other mischief for which they had to pay a fine to the local municipality….when it came time to pay up the boys came in and one by one, each put their share of the fine, penny by penny, on the desk……
At the age of 16, he left school and went to Herrnhut, Germany to become an apprentice and learned wall-papering, upholstery, carpeting and saddlery over a period of 4 years. He traveled everywhere by bicycle, once cycling from central Germany to the west of Holland to visit relatives! After his apprenticeship, he went to England for 3 years of Theology, and 9 months of medical training (which was required of missionaries), where he also learned to speak English.
He was ordained as a Deacon in the Moravian Church on August 14th, 1938 after which he returned to Labrador. Missionaries in those days had to be a “jack-of-all-trades” and Dad was no exception. He was a doctor, a dentist, a teacher, a mechanic, a justice of the peace, a hunter, a fisherman and sometimes a referee in local family fights!
While stationed at Nain, he met and fell in love with a Dutch teacher whom he married August 18th, 1940 and they had 4 children, the first of whom died at the tender age of 9 months when a bad flu epidemic took over the whole village of Hopedale in 1942.
The only way to travel within Northern Labrador in the 1940’s and 1950’s was by boat, dog team or plane depending on the season. In the summer Dad’s Inuit church members went to their fishing camps spread out across the region, so Dad needed a boat if he was to visit them. While stationed at Hebron, he saw an unused 40’ lobster boat hauled up on shore at Saglek, (a US Airbase) some miles north of Hebron, and asked if he could buy it. He was told it was not for sale, but later when the boat had been dragged over the rocks to the water’s edge and had a hole punched into her side, Dad was told he could have her for free. He patched her up, built on a bigger cabin, and the “Hebron” was born and used by Dad for many years. We all have many happy memories of trips on the “Hebron”.
When skidoos came on the market, he bought one for his own use. While on a hunting trip one winter, his skidoo blew a gasket. Unfortunately no-one had spares, so being the jack of all trades that he was… he cut a new one out of the bottom of his frying pan and left the holey remains of the frying pan suspended over a dead tree!
Dad had dentures from the age of 12 years when he developed rickets which caused all his teeth to fall out. Out of necessity, he learned to make his own dentures. This was a good thing because of the time he was checking a trout net, then had a coughing fit which resulted in his teeth falling into the harbour!! He often joked that perhaps one day he would catch a fish wearing his false teeth!
Dad was fluent in 4 languages; English, German, Dutch, and Inuktitut. He often acted as translator for visiting VIP’s. In 1976 at the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Moravian Church in Nain, he was translating into Inuktitut what the Church VIP members were saying, and vice versa when the locals spoke. At one point, he got a bit mixed up and started paraphrasing one English speaker’s words, instead of translating into Inuktitut!
Dad was always full of stories and loved to talk to outside churches about his life and work. He would tell them about the time he was conducting a burial in the graveyard when the ground was wet; he stood too close to the edge which caved in. He had to keep a straight face as he climbed out and carried on with the service as if nothing had happened.
Dad always loved having children around him. When he retired in 1980, after 42 years of service, it was natural for him to want to be near his grandsons, Paul and Tim; who were living in Aylmer, Quebec at that time. Because of this he built a house in Perkins, Quebec where they lived for 16 years.
In 1996 he and Mom moved into Sarsfield nursing home, where they were given the best of care and became part of the family. He was always a gentleman, and will be missed by all.
In finishing, I would like to say the Lord’s Prayer in Inuktitut:
Nalegak Gude, atatavut Kilangme, attit nertortaule,
nalegaunet Kailaule; pijomajat piniartaule nuname sorlo Kilangme;
uvlome piksaptingnik tunitsivigitigut; idluinivut issumagijungnaikkit, sorlo uvagut idluitulivigijivut issumagijungnairvigigaptigit oktortaulungnermut pitinata; piulitigulle ajortumit;
Nalegaunek pitsartunerlo, ananaunerlo, pigigangne issoKangitomut,
Amen.
Remembrance Tribute
As a child, teen, and adult, the name “Hettasch” has always been synonymous with the Moravian Church in Labrador. I remember my parents talking of Rev. Paul “Pa” Hettasch. I also had the honour of working for 2 years with one of Siegfried’s sisters, known to everyone as “Auntie Kate”. She was certainly ahead of her time as far as women in ministry go. Then there was Siegfried…..young Hettasch ….. as many of the older people referred to him.
While serving the Church in Labrador for a few years and struggling with the Inuit language, I worked with an elderly gentleman who was very patient and understanding. He encouraged me by saying that I pronounced the Inuktitut words very well, especially when reading them. The problem was, understanding what I was reading! I asked this man about previous Ministers and how they were understood by the Inuit people. He made the following reply;
“If you want to hear the Inuit language spoken grammatically correct, listen to Rev. Peacock. If you want to hear it spoken as the Inuit speak it, listen to Rev. Siegfried Hettasch”.
Siegfried was a very practical man and therefore was understood by the Inuit people. If you wanted something done, you learned to do it yourself. If you wanted something fixed, you learned to fix it yourself. I believe that this was something all of the people in Labrador appreciated about him. I remember the many hours he spent in the engine house, which was the village power plant, getting the lights to go on again. I remember someone telling the story of a caribou hunt when Siegfried’s snowmobile got a broken piston….he fashioned a new piston head from a tin cup. The engine started, and even though there was not much power, he managed to bring the caribou to the nearest community where spare engine parts were available.
Traveling by open boat with family and friends, or on a mission trip for the church, Siegfried was the captain, first mate, and engineer. He knew the land, respected nature and was very knowledgeable about directions. All this was in the days of compass and common sense….there was no GPS then.
I believe that the greatest compliment I could pay Siegfried would be to say that he was a “people-pastor”. He made time for people, he tried to understand them and how they lived. He knew their strengths and their weaknesses, and worked to the best of his ability with what he had.
From someone who knew Siegfried Hettasch and who wishes he could have known him better, “Servant of God, well done
Rest from your loved employ.
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter your Master’s joy!”
Eulogy
Dad first saw the light of day on February 1st, 1915, in Nain, Labrador where he was the youngest of 6. As was the custom for Missionary children in those days, he was sent to a boarding school in Kleinwelke, which was near Bautzen in Germany. During holidays, he stayed with his Uncle Hans (who was a friendly person), and his aunt Tante Lottie who apparently was extremely strict! However, maybe Dad needed some discipline when you hear him tell of his escapades while at the boarding school….
There was a teacher who was not liked very much, and one day while the teacher was absent from the school, some of the boys, including Dad got his bed out of his room and hoisted it up a tree in the school’s garden! Needless to say, when the teacher came back late in the evening, he was not happy!
Another time, Dad and his pals got up to other mischief for which they had to pay a fine to the local municipality….when it came time to pay up the boys came in and one by one, each put their share of the fine, penny by penny, on the desk……
At the age of 16, he left school and went to Herrnhut, Germany to become an apprentice and learned wall-papering, upholstery, carpeting and saddlery over a period of 4 years. He traveled everywhere by bicycle, once cycling from central Germany to the west of Holland to visit relatives! After his apprenticeship, he went to England for 3 years of Theology, and 9 months of medical training (which was required of missionaries), where he also learned to speak English.
He was ordained as a Deacon in the Moravian Church on August 14th, 1938 after which he returned to Labrador. Missionaries in those days had to be a “jack-of-all-trades” and Dad was no exception. He was a doctor, a dentist, a teacher, a mechanic, a justice of the peace, a hunter, a fisherman and sometimes a referee in local family fights!
While stationed at Nain, he met and fell in love with a Dutch teacher whom he married August 18th, 1940 and they had 4 children, the first of whom died at the tender age of 9 months when a bad flu epidemic took over the whole village of Hopedale in 1942.
The only way to travel within Northern Labrador in the 1940’s and 1950’s was by boat, dog team or plane depending on the season. In the summer Dad’s Inuit church members went to their fishing camps spread out across the region, so Dad needed a boat if he was to visit them. While stationed at Hebron, he saw an unused 40’ lobster boat hauled up on shore at Saglek, (a US Airbase) some miles north of Hebron, and asked if he could buy it. He was told it was not for sale, but later when the boat had been dragged over the rocks to the water’s edge and had a hole punched into her side, Dad was told he could have her for free. He patched her up, built on a bigger cabin, and the “Hebron” was born and used by Dad for many years. We all have many happy memories of trips on the “Hebron”.
When skidoos came on the market, he bought one for his own use. While on a hunting trip one winter, his skidoo blew a gasket. Unfortunately no-one had spares, so being the jack of all trades that he was… he cut a new one out of the bottom of his frying pan and left the holey remains of the frying pan suspended over a dead tree!
Dad had dentures from the age of 12 years when he developed rickets which caused all his teeth to fall out. Out of necessity, he learned to make his own dentures. This was a good thing because of the time he was checking a trout net, then had a coughing fit which resulted in his teeth falling into the harbour!! He often joked that perhaps one day he would catch a fish wearing his false teeth!
Dad was fluent in 4 languages; English, German, Dutch, and Inuktitut. He often acted as translator for visiting VIP’s. In 1976 at the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Moravian Church in Nain, he was translating into Inuktitut what the Church VIP members were saying, and vice versa when the locals spoke. At one point, he got a bit mixed up and started paraphrasing one English speaker’s words, instead of translating into Inuktitut!
Dad was always full of stories and loved to talk to outside churches about his life and work. He would tell them about the time he was conducting a burial in the graveyard when the ground was wet; he stood too close to the edge which caved in. He had to keep a straight face as he climbed out and carried on with the service as if nothing had happened.
Dad always loved having children around him. When he retired in 1980, after 42 years of service, it was natural for him to want to be near his grandsons, Paul and Tim; who were living in Aylmer, Quebec at that time. Because of this he built a house in Perkins, Quebec where they lived for 16 years.
In 1996 he and Mom moved into Sarsfield nursing home, where they were given the best of care and became part of the family. He was always a gentleman, and will be missed by all.
In finishing, I would like to say the Lord’s Prayer in Inuktitut:
Nalegak Gude, atatavut Kilangme, attit nertortaule,
nalegaunet Kailaule; pijomajat piniartaule nuname sorlo Kilangme;
uvlome piksaptingnik tunitsivigitigut; idluinivut issumagijungnaikkit, sorlo uvagut idluitulivigijivut issumagijungnairvigigaptigit oktortaulungnermut pitinata; piulitigulle ajortumit;
Nalegaunek pitsartunerlo, ananaunerlo, pigigangne issoKangitomut,
Amen.
Remembrance Tribute
As a child, teen, and adult, the name “Hettasch” has always been synonymous with the Moravian Church in Labrador. I remember my parents talking of Rev. Paul “Pa” Hettasch. I also had the honour of working for 2 years with one of Siegfried’s sisters, known to everyone as “Auntie Kate”. She was certainly ahead of her time as far as women in ministry go. Then there was Siegfried…..young Hettasch ….. as many of the older people referred to him.
While serving the Church in Labrador for a few years and struggling with the Inuit language, I worked with an elderly gentleman who was very patient and understanding. He encouraged me by saying that I pronounced the Inuktitut words very well, especially when reading them. The problem was, understanding what I was reading! I asked this man about previous Ministers and how they were understood by the Inuit people. He made the following reply;
“If you want to hear the Inuit language spoken grammatically correct, listen to Rev. Peacock. If you want to hear it spoken as the Inuit speak it, listen to Rev. Siegfried Hettasch”.
Siegfried was a very practical man and therefore was understood by the Inuit people. If you wanted something done, you learned to do it yourself. If you wanted something fixed, you learned to fix it yourself. I believe that this was something all of the people in Labrador appreciated about him. I remember the many hours he spent in the engine house, which was the village power plant, getting the lights to go on again. I remember someone telling the story of a caribou hunt when Siegfried’s snowmobile got a broken piston….he fashioned a new piston head from a tin cup. The engine started, and even though there was not much power, he managed to bring the caribou to the nearest community where spare engine parts were available.
Traveling by open boat with family and friends, or on a mission trip for the church, Siegfried was the captain, first mate, and engineer. He knew the land, respected nature and was very knowledgeable about directions. All this was in the days of compass and common sense….there was no GPS then.
I believe that the greatest compliment I could pay Siegfried would be to say that he was a “people-pastor”. He made time for people, he tried to understand them and how they lived. He knew their strengths and their weaknesses, and worked to the best of his ability with what he had.
From someone who knew Siegfried Hettasch and who wishes he could have known him better, “Servant of God, well done
Rest from your loved employ.
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter your Master’s joy!”
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Rev. Siegfried Hettasch, 1915-2007
Rev. Siegfried Hettasch passed away on November 25. The Moravian Church in Labrador would like to express condolences to his family members.
He was born in Nain, the son of Rev. Paul Hettasch; ordained in 1938, and began his ministry in Nain. His mother tongue was German, but he was fluent in Inuktitut and English. Rev. Hettasch was serving in Hebron at the time of relocation and followed his flock to Makkovik, where his language ability helped ease the transition for some.
Many people speak highly of his being a jack-of-all-trades. A church record book at Makkovik lists the following as his profession: saddler, upholsterer, decorator, paperhanger, missionary……no doubt his own humor coming through there. Add to that the other duties he is known to have had in Makkovik: taking care of things medical when the nurse was away; maintaining the mission boat; doing carpentry work; hen keeper and gardener; and the list goes on. Caribou hunters tell the story of how Rev. Hettasch’s snowmobile broke down while hunting inside of Davis Inlet. He made a packing for a cylinder head from a cast-iron frying pan, using an axe and a chisel!
Rev. Hettasch was predeceased by his wife Frieda (1913-2001).
Here are the funeral arrangements as provided by his daughter, Hannah:
Visitation on Monday, Dec.3rd, 2-4 and 7-9pm, at Kelly's Funeral Home on
Carling Ave, Ottawa.
Funeral on Tuesday, Dec 4th, at 10am in the Chapel at Kelly's with interment
of Mom AND Dad together in Capital Memorial Gardens following.
Rev. Olaf Andersen will be officiating.
Sr Joan Andersen
Chairperson, MCNL
He was born in Nain, the son of Rev. Paul Hettasch; ordained in 1938, and began his ministry in Nain. His mother tongue was German, but he was fluent in Inuktitut and English. Rev. Hettasch was serving in Hebron at the time of relocation and followed his flock to Makkovik, where his language ability helped ease the transition for some.
Many people speak highly of his being a jack-of-all-trades. A church record book at Makkovik lists the following as his profession: saddler, upholsterer, decorator, paperhanger, missionary……no doubt his own humor coming through there. Add to that the other duties he is known to have had in Makkovik: taking care of things medical when the nurse was away; maintaining the mission boat; doing carpentry work; hen keeper and gardener; and the list goes on. Caribou hunters tell the story of how Rev. Hettasch’s snowmobile broke down while hunting inside of Davis Inlet. He made a packing for a cylinder head from a cast-iron frying pan, using an axe and a chisel!
Rev. Hettasch was predeceased by his wife Frieda (1913-2001).
Here are the funeral arrangements as provided by his daughter, Hannah:
Visitation on Monday, Dec.3rd, 2-4 and 7-9pm, at Kelly's Funeral Home on
Carling Ave, Ottawa.
Funeral on Tuesday, Dec 4th, at 10am in the Chapel at Kelly's with interment
of Mom AND Dad together in Capital Memorial Gardens following.
Rev. Olaf Andersen will be officiating.
Sr Joan Andersen
Chairperson, MCNL
Sunday, 28 October 2007
News from abroad...
Brother Russell Winfield was with us for a year from last September, and as he continues his work for the Moravian Church overseas, we hear from him on his arrival in Cape Town, South Africa…
Dear Labrador Friends,
Hello from Cape Town, my home for the next twelve months!
I miss being in Labrador a lot – it doesn’t seem long ago that I was just settling in Makkovik and dressing as a pumpkin for Halloween parties. It will seem strange this winter not having the snow, in fact we are just moving into summer here, and not getting to spend Christmas in Makkovik, Easter in Hopedale or seeing the ice break up in Nain will be sad, I do terribly miss being there with you all.
Below I have tried to outline a little bit of what has been happening over the last few weeks…
District Six, Cape Town
Cape Town is beautiful – I am living in an area called District Six, which has had a tumultuous history following the forced relocation of non-whites during apartheid into townships, and now is undergoing the slow process of land being returned to the people who were forcibly removed, and homes rebuilt. No homes survived as they were all bulldozed, and indeed one of the few original building that remains is the Church that I am working for. The Church is on the left of the picture, and then on the right is the house I am staying in, that was formally a Church manse, but is now used as a B&B, it is a lovely place for me to stay.
District Six as an area is itself somewhat of a paradox. During the day all is relatively calm and peaceful, however I am unable to go outside in an evening. This I guess is true of many parts of Cape Town, but there is an element of danger here that I have not experienced before. Travelling on the trains is also not to be done, nor are the buses particularly safe! What this means is that I am now exploring the option of purchasing a car, which will help with my own travels but also with the youth and the older people in the Church.
My work
My work here is varied but my role here for the next twelve months is threefold:
1. Provide pastoral leadership for the District Six Church
2. Develop a vision for outreach with the Technical College (situated next door)
3. Explore and develop the concept to use the facilities in District Six as a training centre to learn about mission and missional imagination in the context of Cape Town.
Well that’s what they tell me anyway. It all seems quite daunting to be honest!
What it has meant in the first few weeks is that I have begun to try and establish links with the young people in the area, attending youth groups and events, to evaluate what work is already taking place. I have also begun the process of identify what other organisations and work is ongoing so that we can support that and not duplicate anyone else’s work. I am keen to get involved with social justice related projects, such as homelessness, as I feel this is important for both the Church to be active in and also for the wider community to be passionate about. It will be interesting to see how things develop and I am very much in God’s service as I do not have a clue!
On Saturday the Church suggested it would be beneficial to attend the Women’s Conference about 90 minutes drive outside of Cape Town, so off I went. The clue was in the title of the conference really – I arrived to be the only man but they seemed pleased enough to see me, all 212 (two hundred and twelve!!) of them, and I had an enjoyable time learning about the work they have been doing. One of the challenges that I face the world over is introducing myself – my pronunciation of R’s is obviously not what it should be and so invariably I become “Wilson” or “Whistle” or “Roger”! As I vaguely attempt saying my name a third or fourth time to some confused person I can see them begin to glaze over and so they opt for just using my surname – which is usually adapted to “Winfred” or “Wilford”. All in all it means I have to be pretty alert to anyone calling my name as I have a number of pseudonyms!
Cooking
The weather is hot here, well after 12 months in Labrador most things seem hot I guess, and not to be outdone – I have begun cooking somewhat disastrously ‘hot’ meals. Now I am not the next masterchef by any stretch of the imagination but I have begun branching out slightly. I started with a simple beef stir fry which was nice but a bit plain, until I discovered something called Chilli Atchar – which sounded like it would do the trick, so I bought a jar and chucked about a quarter in with my stir fry. Reading the ingredients told me the main ingredient was green chilli’s, and for any accomplished chef this may have set the alarm bells ringing. Sadly I am no accomplished chef. I tucked in and it seemed to have a bit of oomph to begin with, and then it just went downhill. My mouth felt like it had just exploded and my eyes began to water, I persisted though as I had made it myself, and that was not a good idea either. Come half way through the plate I could no longer see due to tears, my nose had well and truly joined the party, and my mouth was now seriously in danger of giving up the fight completely. In a blind panic I managed to find my way to the bathroom and grabbed the first thing that I could – mouthwash. Now I don’t know what goes in a mouthwash, but “Never mix with Chilli Atchar” should be on the label! It basically just became some sort of nuclear event in my mouth. After about 2 hours of a near death experience (for my mouth at least) things began to calm down and I was able to bring a bit of balance back to my day, and a few days and I can begin to taste things again. Still, a lesson learnt at least.
Until I am more settled that is about all the news for now, it doesn’t seem much at all but I think people thought I had disappeared completely and so wanted to put something in writing.
I shall write again before Christmas when I will have a lot more news about the work I am doing and a lot less about cooking disasters!
God Bless,
Russell
What it has meant in the first few weeks is that I have begun to try and establish links with the young people in the area, attending youth groups and events, to evaluate what work is already taking place. I have also begun the process of identify what other organisations and work is ongoing so that we can support that and not duplicate anyone else’s work. I am keen to get involved with social justice related projects, such as homelessness, as I feel this is important for both the Church to be active in and also for the wider community to be passionate about. It will be interesting to see how things develop and I am very much in God’s service as I do not have a clue!
On Saturday the Church suggested it would be beneficial to attend the Women’s Conference about 90 minutes drive outside of Cape Town, so off I went. The clue was in the title of the conference really – I arrived to be the only man but they seemed pleased enough to see me, all 212 (two hundred and twelve!!) of them, and I had an enjoyable time learning about the work they have been doing. One of the challenges that I face the world over is introducing myself – my pronunciation of R’s is obviously not what it should be and so invariably I become “Wilson” or “Whistle” or “Roger”! As I vaguely attempt saying my name a third or fourth time to some confused person I can see them begin to glaze over and so they opt for just using my surname – which is usually adapted to “Winfred” or “Wilford”. All in all it means I have to be pretty alert to anyone calling my name as I have a number of pseudonyms!
Cooking
The weather is hot here, well after 12 months in Labrador most things seem hot I guess, and not to be outdone – I have begun cooking somewhat disastrously ‘hot’ meals. Now I am not the next masterchef by any stretch of the imagination but I have begun branching out slightly. I started with a simple beef stir fry which was nice but a bit plain, until I discovered something called Chilli Atchar – which sounded like it would do the trick, so I bought a jar and chucked about a quarter in with my stir fry. Reading the ingredients told me the main ingredient was green chilli’s, and for any accomplished chef this may have set the alarm bells ringing. Sadly I am no accomplished chef. I tucked in and it seemed to have a bit of oomph to begin with, and then it just went downhill. My mouth felt like it had just exploded and my eyes began to water, I persisted though as I had made it myself, and that was not a good idea either. Come half way through the plate I could no longer see due to tears, my nose had well and truly joined the party, and my mouth was now seriously in danger of giving up the fight completely. In a blind panic I managed to find my way to the bathroom and grabbed the first thing that I could – mouthwash. Now I don’t know what goes in a mouthwash, but “Never mix with Chilli Atchar” should be on the label! It basically just became some sort of nuclear event in my mouth. After about 2 hours of a near death experience (for my mouth at least) things began to calm down and I was able to bring a bit of balance back to my day, and a few days and I can begin to taste things again. Still, a lesson learnt at least.
Until I am more settled that is about all the news for now, it doesn’t seem much at all but I think people thought I had disappeared completely and so wanted to put something in writing.
I shall write again before Christmas when I will have a lot more news about the work I am doing and a lot less about cooking disasters!
God Bless,
Russell
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Inuktitut Bible Project Update
On October 23-24, 2007 Hart Wiens, Director of Translations with the Canadian Bible Society and Sarah Townley, Hilda Lyall, and Sophie Tuglavina, Inuktitut translators, met for two full days and completed the translation of the first book of the ‘Walking with Jesus’ children’s series. The title for the first book is called "The Birth/Childhood of Jesus".
The completed translation continues in the process of being typeset, where the format of the Inuktitut text is prepared for printing. Hopefully once the typesetting is done a print of the first book will be available for use by Christmas.
The team plans to meet again after Christmas to continue to work on two more of the six book series. The text will be made available to the Lay Ministers for reading during the Christingle services on Christmas Eve.
Sr Sabina Hunter
The completed translation continues in the process of being typeset, where the format of the Inuktitut text is prepared for printing. Hopefully once the typesetting is done a print of the first book will be available for use by Christmas.
The team plans to meet again after Christmas to continue to work on two more of the six book series. The text will be made available to the Lay Ministers for reading during the Christingle services on Christmas Eve.
Sr Sabina Hunter
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Birthday greetings to...
Happy Birthday, Brigitte Schloss!
October 3, 2007, Rev. Dr. Brigitte Schloss turns 80! And she is just a growing girl…..in knowledge, wisdom, and spirituality. She has her PhD but says that academics in itself don’t necessarily make you a good human being…..you have to listen, and learn, and keep on growing. And, she says, Labrador has taught her most of what she knows. This is where her heart really is, even though her health now keeps her from traveling north.
She came to Labrador as a missionary teacher in 1950, arriving in Makkovik on her birthday, where she taught for two years. Then three years in Nain. In 1955 “They made me leave Labrador to go on furlough!” but she couldn’t wait to get back. And in 1956 when she returned to Nain on the Winnifred Lee, as she rounded the bend, small boats were heading out to meet the ship. People in the small boats began calling her name and she knew she was back in “heaven”.
After Nain, she taught in Happy Valley (1959-1971) with time away to complete her B.A.(Ed.), and later her M.A. After that she went to Toronto/London, Ontario, to obtain her PhD in Language Teaching and Learning. Upon completion she became a Professor at MUN, and Co-ordinator of the TEPL Program. This position (1981-1988) got her straight back to Labrador where she always longs to be.
By this time she was interested in doing full time church work and obtained a terminal sabbatical.
In 1988 the Provincial Board of the Moravian Church in Labrador asked if she would do chaplaincy in St. John’s.
In 1988 also, she lost sight in one eye. This helped her decide to retire and devote more time to her church work. In 1995 she was ordained, in Nain, on her birthday!
Brigitte Schloss still visits in-patients at hospitals in St. John’s. She has had to give up pastoral visits to the penitentiary and Waterford Hospital, but enjoys meeting with Labradorians whenever they come to visit.
Just this weekend, she sent down a bag of knitted goods, her own handiwork, to contribute to the Ladies’ Sewing Circle sale here in Makkovik, but I know we are not the only community she does this for.
She continues to support lay ministers in each of the four churches in Labrador, and that is very highly appreciated.
If you are in St. John’s, you can catch her service the last Sunday of each month, at the chapel in the Health Science Center.
So it is with great pleasure that we wish Brigitte many blessings on her 80th birthday, from all her friends in Labrador!
Sr Joan Andersen
Chairperson, MCNL
October 3, 2007, Rev. Dr. Brigitte Schloss turns 80! And she is just a growing girl…..in knowledge, wisdom, and spirituality. She has her PhD but says that academics in itself don’t necessarily make you a good human being…..you have to listen, and learn, and keep on growing. And, she says, Labrador has taught her most of what she knows. This is where her heart really is, even though her health now keeps her from traveling north.
She came to Labrador as a missionary teacher in 1950, arriving in Makkovik on her birthday, where she taught for two years. Then three years in Nain. In 1955 “They made me leave Labrador to go on furlough!” but she couldn’t wait to get back. And in 1956 when she returned to Nain on the Winnifred Lee, as she rounded the bend, small boats were heading out to meet the ship. People in the small boats began calling her name and she knew she was back in “heaven”.
After Nain, she taught in Happy Valley (1959-1971) with time away to complete her B.A.(Ed.), and later her M.A. After that she went to Toronto/London, Ontario, to obtain her PhD in Language Teaching and Learning. Upon completion she became a Professor at MUN, and Co-ordinator of the TEPL Program. This position (1981-1988) got her straight back to Labrador where she always longs to be.
By this time she was interested in doing full time church work and obtained a terminal sabbatical.
In 1988 the Provincial Board of the Moravian Church in Labrador asked if she would do chaplaincy in St. John’s.
In 1988 also, she lost sight in one eye. This helped her decide to retire and devote more time to her church work. In 1995 she was ordained, in Nain, on her birthday!
Brigitte Schloss still visits in-patients at hospitals in St. John’s. She has had to give up pastoral visits to the penitentiary and Waterford Hospital, but enjoys meeting with Labradorians whenever they come to visit.
Just this weekend, she sent down a bag of knitted goods, her own handiwork, to contribute to the Ladies’ Sewing Circle sale here in Makkovik, but I know we are not the only community she does this for.
She continues to support lay ministers in each of the four churches in Labrador, and that is very highly appreciated.
If you are in St. John’s, you can catch her service the last Sunday of each month, at the chapel in the Health Science Center.
So it is with great pleasure that we wish Brigitte many blessings on her 80th birthday, from all her friends in Labrador!
Sr Joan Andersen
Chairperson, MCNL
Monday, 24 September 2007
Pastor Olie Andersen reaches 40
Pastor Olie Andersen has reached 40 years of ministry, and we have recieved the following note from his congregation:
"Hello to our Labrador Friends! Pastor Olie Andersen has reached his 40th Anniversary as an ordained minister serving our Lord and Savior. The Saratoga Moravian Church in Wisconsin is having a special celebration Sunday, Sept. 23rd. We would love to include any special greetings from his family and friends in Labrador. I know this is late getting to you, but maybe you could pass the word around and/or forward this to the appropriate people. Please email any greetings you may have and we will share them during the worship service. If anyone would like to send a card later it would be more than welcome too. Please give thanks during you worship for this servant of God and his witness to Jesus word.
Serving Christ,
Jeanne Eggebrecht
smoravch@wctc.net
Saratoga Moravian Church"
And Sr Joan Anderson has sent back the following message on behalf of the MCNL:
"Dear Olie,
Congratulations on your 40th anniversary of ministry. What about the stamina and endurance of these Labradorians, eh?!
Labrador is proud to have one of our own serving God and others for the many years that you have answered the call.
We wish you joy on your special day of celebration, and as you reflect back on your years of ministry, may they bring you a strong sense of accomplishment.
May God bless you and Rita, who has worked beside you through it all.
Sincerely,
Joan Andersen
Chair, Moravian Church in Labrador"
"Hello to our Labrador Friends! Pastor Olie Andersen has reached his 40th Anniversary as an ordained minister serving our Lord and Savior. The Saratoga Moravian Church in Wisconsin is having a special celebration Sunday, Sept. 23rd. We would love to include any special greetings from his family and friends in Labrador. I know this is late getting to you, but maybe you could pass the word around and/or forward this to the appropriate people. Please email any greetings you may have and we will share them during the worship service. If anyone would like to send a card later it would be more than welcome too. Please give thanks during you worship for this servant of God and his witness to Jesus word.
Serving Christ,
Jeanne Eggebrecht
smoravch@wctc.net
Saratoga Moravian Church"
And Sr Joan Anderson has sent back the following message on behalf of the MCNL:
"Dear Olie,
Congratulations on your 40th anniversary of ministry. What about the stamina and endurance of these Labradorians, eh?!
Labrador is proud to have one of our own serving God and others for the many years that you have answered the call.
We wish you joy on your special day of celebration, and as you reflect back on your years of ministry, may they bring you a strong sense of accomplishment.
May God bless you and Rita, who has worked beside you through it all.
Sincerely,
Joan Andersen
Chair, Moravian Church in Labrador"
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
FASD Awareness Day
Sunday 9th September was the International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder awareness day (ninth day of the ninth month, related to the nine months of pregnancy).
The Department of Health & Social Development (DHSD) here in Makkovik partnered in the afternoon service.
At four intervals duringthe service, Elsie Evans, Community Health Worker, read out facts about FASD.
Afterwards a meal, prepared by DHSD, was shared in church.
More information on the day can be found at: http://www.fasday.com/
The Department of Health & Social Development (DHSD) here in Makkovik partnered in the afternoon service.
At four intervals duringthe service, Elsie Evans, Community Health Worker, read out facts about FASD.
Afterwards a meal, prepared by DHSD, was shared in church.
More information on the day can be found at: http://www.fasday.com/
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
A Belated Thank You
I realised I had not written a note on the blog about the conclusion of my time in Labrador other than the postings about the Summer Camp we ran in July, and to pass on my sincere thanks for the truly wonderful time I enjoyed in Labrador.
The end of camp also sadly signalled the end of my time in Labrador (for now), and I departed home for England via Vancouver. I have had an enjoyable month back home catching up with friends and family and it has been a real privilege to be able to speak about the wonderful experiences and people I met in Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik and Happy Valley Goose Bay.
My 11 months in Labrador was a truly life changing experience and I genuinely loved every moment, from getting used to the cold weather, to trying new foods, to being involved in Church and community life.
I wish I could write every single persons name from every community as way of thanks but that would take far too long, but my thanks and prayers are with you all.
I can be personally contacted on russjw@hotmail.com. One day I do hope to return to Labrador and spend more time with you all, God willing, I will just have to be patient and see what the future holds.
The Moravian Church in Britain & Ireland are now sending me to South Africa to help work with a Church in District 6 of Cape Town, a different type of challenge, and this winter won’t feel the same without the snow, skidoo, and seal skin gloves!
I miss you all,
Yours in Christ,
Br Russell Winfield
The end of camp also sadly signalled the end of my time in Labrador (for now), and I departed home for England via Vancouver. I have had an enjoyable month back home catching up with friends and family and it has been a real privilege to be able to speak about the wonderful experiences and people I met in Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik and Happy Valley Goose Bay.
My 11 months in Labrador was a truly life changing experience and I genuinely loved every moment, from getting used to the cold weather, to trying new foods, to being involved in Church and community life.
I wish I could write every single persons name from every community as way of thanks but that would take far too long, but my thanks and prayers are with you all.
I can be personally contacted on russjw@hotmail.com. One day I do hope to return to Labrador and spend more time with you all, God willing, I will just have to be patient and see what the future holds.
The Moravian Church in Britain & Ireland are now sending me to South Africa to help work with a Church in District 6 of Cape Town, a different type of challenge, and this winter won’t feel the same without the snow, skidoo, and seal skin gloves!
I miss you all,
Yours in Christ,
Br Russell Winfield
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Moravian First Nations Outreach
The first meeting of the Moravian First Nations Outreach will be held in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on October 5.
This is the same time and place as the meeting of the Board of World Mission.
Loren Jendro, Will Sibert, Bishop Paul Graf and Sabina Hunter will be there.
This is the same time and place as the meeting of the Board of World Mission.
Loren Jendro, Will Sibert, Bishop Paul Graf and Sabina Hunter will be there.
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