Br Gert Zenker writes from Nain...
Dear Brethren, dear Sisters and Brothers in our Lord,
I'm Brother Gert Zenker, a minister. Born in October 1953, I?' now 55 years old. I am a Protestant theologian and also a member of the Moravian church in Germany. During five weeks I will stay with you in Nain, assisting all congregational work till 26th of Mai. I come from Saxony in Germany, from Herrnhut, this little town precisely, from where the first Moravian missionaries came over to Labrador in the 18th century and founded Nain in 1771. Herrnhut was founded in 1722 on the property, the land of the famous Count Zinzendorf. He is buried on the cemetery there, on the Hutberg. The Moravian Daily Texts (The Daily Watchwords) also come from Herrnhut; they are translated in many languages all over the world.
As to my education and my professional work: From 1973 - 1978 (during five years) I attended the University of Leipzig as a student of theology. In 1978 I got my Diploma. In the years after I did a doctorate. 1986 I finished my thesis for the doctorate degree of Systematic Theology. During 10 years I worked as an ordained Protestant Pastor in two large rural parishes near Leipzig. In the last three month (January till March 2009) I helped with the ministry of the Moravian congregation of Herrnhut in order to prepare spiritually my journey to Labrador.
I'm married. My wife's name is Hannelore (short form: Henny, like Hanny Hettasch). My family and I live in a village of nearly 1000 inhabitants not far from Herrnhut (about 12 kilometers). Two years ago we became members of the Moravian congregation in Herrnhut. We have got three children: five years, three years, and the baby of the family: seven months old. To say the truth, I have also some grown-up sons and daughters; the eldest son, Armin, is 35 years old. In the midst of May I will show you and all interested people in Nain, some pictures of my family and of the region where we live, the so called Upper Lusatia in Saxony, Germany. A beautiful landscape, too.
Now I'm here in Nain / Labrador, to stay with you and doing all work of a Moravian minister: the Sunday Service (step by step), Sunday school, visits, spiritual care, and studies in the school library etc. On Mothers Day 11.15, after the Inuktitut Sunday Service, we will start the Sunday- School, by the help of Sue Webb and others. The time of my assistance in Nain will last exactly five weeks, two are already gone. On Easter Monday I started in Germany, on 21st April I came to Nain, on 26th Mai (after five weeks exactly) I will leave Nain for Goose Bay and turn back to Germany on 3rd of June, 2009.
Why am I here, what's the purpose? There was, last year (and the year before) an interchange of letters between me and the Provincial Board of the Moravian church in NFLD and Labrador. Finally the Provincial Board invited me with the purpose to learn to know each other. To say it short: we try to find out whether we can work together in Nain or not. It will be a mutual decision; the result is yet open on both sides. In case of a good understanding (in case of a call) I could imagine coming back to Labrador next year, with my family, in order to work as a Moravian minister, living with you in Nain for five years and more.
It's not so easy for us to leave Germany for Labrador. In Germany is now full springtime, this means: we have blooming cherry-trees in our garden, children playing on green meadows, a blue sky and warm, summery weather (about 20 degree and more), as now in Vancouver / BC, maybe. Anyway, I like winter and snow. And I like people in Nain, I feel not as a stranger, indeed. Thank your for welcoming me in Labrador, in the Moravian congregation, in your beautiful church, in your town! Thanks to all people here, to the children, to young people I chanced to meet on the road, to the Moravian church elders (to Davis, Gordon and others), thanks to the chapel servants, thanks last but not least to Sister Tabea Murphy for all her kindness introducing me in the English Sunday Service.
Learning to know each other is very important among Christians and other people. We will like the other better when we understand him more. Most important, the main purpose is: that we can hear and understand God's Word, the Gospel of His Grace together (I underline also this together). Understanding the Gospel of Grace would be the best way, I think, in order to understand one another. I'm sure God will show us His way. - Such is the confidence that we have through Christ towards God (2 Cor 3 : 4, the second text of the Moravian Daily Texts at 3rd Mai, 2000).
To make it short: I came to Nain not by my own, not as a tourist. I'm a minister. - For you, for all people in Nain, I bring over the kindest regards and Blessings from the Moravian congregation in Herrnhut / Saxony, and also from the Moravian Provincial Board of the European Continental Province in Bad Boll / Germany. The Brethren in Germany support my journey and pray for us.
We all are human beings, creatures of the One Almighty God. And there is One Moravian Church all over the world. - What might be the foundation? In the Bible, 1 Corinthian 13:13 is written down: ?And now FAITH, HOPE, LOVE abide, these three; and the greatest of them is LOVE. Translated in Inuktitut: Ma'nale makkoa pingasut: okpernerlo, nerriungnerlo, naglingnerlo sokKoserniangilat. Naglingnerlo tamakkonangat anginerpauvok.
Let's praise our Lord! Amen.
Brother Gert in Nain
3rd / 4th Mai, 2009
Summer Youth Camp 2013 - Our Future
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Labrador welcomes a visiting minister
Dr.Gert Zenker arrived in Labrador on April 16th. He travelled to Nain on April 21, and is serving the congregation there for five weeks. He comes from Germany, leaving behind his wife and three young children, while he realizes a personal call to serve in Labrador. If the work term proves to be beneficial to him as well as to the Nain congregation, Dr. Gert Zenker would like to return (with his family) to serve on a full-time basis.
He speaks English admirably, and is now making an effort to learn Inuktitut. We are pleased to welcome such a dedicated person into our province. We trust that he will benefit from the experience in Nain and that members of the congregation will be inspired by his faith and ministry.
He speaks English admirably, and is now making an effort to learn Inuktitut. We are pleased to welcome such a dedicated person into our province. We trust that he will benefit from the experience in Nain and that members of the congregation will be inspired by his faith and ministry.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Happy Valley Youth Sunday
It was a cold snowy morning, . . . is there any other kind in Labrador during February? . . . and 16 Moravian youth began to assemble in the sanctuary, preparing last minute preparations for their very own youth worship service. Behind them, slowly forming were 2-3 dozen Girl Guides, anxious to take their vows during worship, and lining up with their handchimes to play for the service. With a team of 7 adults, the Moravian youth gathered for 3 weeks prior, to fellowship and plan their own worship service for regular worship time of the Happy Valley Moravian church congregation. The support of the congregation was strong, and the beauty of the worship on Sunday, February 22nd reflected all things coming together for the good of the Body of Christ and to God's glory.
The youth sang songs, shared their message about Christ-the light of the world, reading scripture, and sharing a drama to music, reflecting the abundance of gifts they possessed and their willingness to share those gifts. The Girl Guides brought a beautiful benediction to the service through handchime and organ music. This service was special to all attending, and the pews were full to the balcony. It was a joyful Sunday indeed and we will hopefully explore and use the gifts of our children for years to come.
Sr Glenna Tasedan
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Official launch of the Inuktitut Bible (part 2)
The second half of the celebration was held in the church annex. Hilda Lyall started things off by lighting the kudlik, a traditional Inuit stone lamp, which in the past would have contained seal oil for burning.
Sabina Hunter, coordinator for the Inuktitut Bible Project, introduced and thanked members of the Canadian Bible Society: Hart Wiens, Ed Peters, and national director Ted Seres.
A box of Bibles was presented to a representative from each of the four Moravian congregations.
Sr Joan Andersen
Chair person of the Labrador Province
Sabina Hunter, coordinator for the Inuktitut Bible Project, introduced and thanked members of the Canadian Bible Society: Hart Wiens, Ed Peters, and national director Ted Seres.
A box of Bibles was presented to a representative from each of the four Moravian congregations.
Sr Joan Andersen
Chair person of the Labrador Province
Official Launch of the Inuktitut Bible (part 1)
On January 20, 2009, the Inuktitut Bible "Gudib UKausingit" was officially launched at a ceremony in Happy Valley. An Inuktitut Bible has existed in the past, but in ten volumes. They had been printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society. Now the Bible is contained in one book. The publication was made possible thanks to funding received from the Tasiujatsoak Trust.
Hart Wiens of the Canadian Bible Society told of their involvement in the project. A video was made during the Launch, and it can be seen at www.biblesociety.ca
Julius Ikkusek of Nain expressed his appreciation for having the Inuktitut Bible under one cover.
The translators expressed their joy at seeing the completed Bible under one cover.
Rev. Brian Burrows (Hopedale) and Bishop Paul Graf (Wisconsin) conducted the bilingual service at the Moravian Church in Happy Valley.
Hart Wiens of the Canadian Bible Society told of their involvement in the project. A video was made during the Launch, and it can be seen at www.biblesociety.ca
Julius Ikkusek of Nain expressed his appreciation for having the Inuktitut Bible under one cover.
The translators expressed their joy at seeing the completed Bible under one cover.
Rev. Brian Burrows (Hopedale) and Bishop Paul Graf (Wisconsin) conducted the bilingual service at the Moravian Church in Happy Valley.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Canadian Bible Society
Hilda Lyall, Sophie Tuglavina, Sarah Townley, Andrea Webb, K. Naeme Tuglavina and Amos Onalik, along with the Director of Translations Hart Wiens and technical expert Ed Peters from the Canadian Bible Society are working on the second book of the "Walking with Jesus" series.
The translators are all working hard and providing their expertise to this continuing work. There are six books in the series and the first one was translated, completed, and printed before Christmas 2008.
Sophie Tuglavina has said that in Makkovik, the primary teachers are using that first book in their class. The books are geared toward children 0-3 years old.
Hopefully once the series is completed the incredibly gifted translators will work on a more contemporary version of the Bible.
Thank you to them for their dedication and expertise.
Sr Sabina Hunter
The translators are all working hard and providing their expertise to this continuing work. There are six books in the series and the first one was translated, completed, and printed before Christmas 2008.
Sophie Tuglavina has said that in Makkovik, the primary teachers are using that first book in their class. The books are geared toward children 0-3 years old.
Hopefully once the series is completed the incredibly gifted translators will work on a more contemporary version of the Bible.
Thank you to them for their dedication and expertise.
Sr Sabina Hunter
Monday, 19 January 2009
News from India...
Br Russell Winfield writes with news from his latest placing...
Dear All,
I have exchanged the South African Rand for the Indian Rupee and I write to you from my new home in Rajpur, Dehra Dun, which is about 250km north of Delhi, in the foothills of the Himalayas.
I hope you have had a good Christmas and New Year, and are your winter, i hear that after an unusally warm spell of weather you have recently faced a lot of snow and it has got very cold. I have had a hectic few months, from finishing my work in South Africa, spending time at home in England with friends and family, and then travelling round the world to get to India. Leaving Cape Town was very difficult, not least saying goodbye to the street boys I had grown very close to, and the congregation (Moravian Hill) and friends I made during my year.
On my way to India(!) I was able to visit Vancouver and took in a hockey game - the Flames v Canucks, and here is a picture of me in the arena:
The Flames won which I was very happy about, although I could not find any Flames jerseys for a photograph with, so opted for a Canucks one, but my allegiances have definitely not changed. I had a look at the recent NHL standings and Calgary continue to do well, I note that Montreal are going strong, poor old Maple Leafs seem to be suffering!
I flew into India after Vancouver but then had to return home to England as my Grandma passed away. So I actually began my work here on 29th December. Thankfully my train stop was the final stop as I had fallen fast asleep and it was only when the minister of the Church here where I am working boarded the train looking for me that I woke up and was able to introduce myself! Not my best first impression. Dehra Dun is nice, much quieter than Delhi although still quite a bustling place, and the place where I am staying is about 10km outside in an area called Rajpur, which is beautiful.
I am based in a school called the Moravian Institute (MI) which has about 400 K-12 pupils, aged 4-18, and of these 180 or so are boarders. The MI is a free hostel and education facility established in 1963 for underprivileged children from varying backgrounds, be it street children, Tibetan refugees, poorer families, etc. The MI is led by a minister called Revd Thsespal Kundan, who is Principal of the School, and co-leads the local Church. I am staying with Thsespal and his family, in my own room, but share all my meals with them and report to him directly each day. They have truly welcomed me and I feel a really part of their family which has made settling so much easier, and they were very kind and considerate when my Grandma died. The Church is quite a spectacular building, which is separate from the MI although many of the pupils attend (it is their free choice).
My work is twofold, although it may become ‘more-fold’ I figure. Firstly it is in the school helping them with their administration and finances. Dehra Dun as an area is very famous for its education (Doon School is known as the Eton of India), but the cost of these places is very high for most Indians. The school I am based at is a more affordable, in fact free for vast majority of the students, and was started firstly to serve refugees from Tibet who could not afford or access education. The school is well organised and run but they just need some assistance in future planning. I am helping investigate and plan with the aim of improving the conditions and number of pupils that can study here.
Secondly my work is in the Church, helping out the pastors, and will include preaching. The main language here is Hindi, which I have yet to master, but English is widely spoken and understood and so with patience and some translation I am hopeful to be able to get my message across. I also am getting to know a lot of the younger people and I will be working with them as well.
Finally, the food. I wasn’t sure what to expect...being English our national meal is the supposedly Indian inspired Chicken Tikka Massala and our most popular restaurants are Indian, but I have tasted here nothing like what is served in them. Rice makes up the staple part of any meal, with daal and usually some curried vegetables and a rooti (a type of small chipati). Excuse my spellings on all these words. The food is delicious, my portions are always very large. I can easily judge how hot something is going to be by the number of eyes watching me eat...the hotter the more people expectantly wait for me to react, but so far so good.
I should get back to work now, the electricity here tends to breathe, as the lights brighten and dim in some strange rhythmic pattern.
It is no exaggeration to say I miss Labrador greatly, all the people, especially at this time of year.
My prayer is that you are all well, and continue to see God at work in your lives.
God Bless,
Br Russell
Dear All,
I have exchanged the South African Rand for the Indian Rupee and I write to you from my new home in Rajpur, Dehra Dun, which is about 250km north of Delhi, in the foothills of the Himalayas.
I hope you have had a good Christmas and New Year, and are your winter, i hear that after an unusally warm spell of weather you have recently faced a lot of snow and it has got very cold. I have had a hectic few months, from finishing my work in South Africa, spending time at home in England with friends and family, and then travelling round the world to get to India. Leaving Cape Town was very difficult, not least saying goodbye to the street boys I had grown very close to, and the congregation (Moravian Hill) and friends I made during my year.
On my way to India(!) I was able to visit Vancouver and took in a hockey game - the Flames v Canucks, and here is a picture of me in the arena:
The Flames won which I was very happy about, although I could not find any Flames jerseys for a photograph with, so opted for a Canucks one, but my allegiances have definitely not changed. I had a look at the recent NHL standings and Calgary continue to do well, I note that Montreal are going strong, poor old Maple Leafs seem to be suffering!
I flew into India after Vancouver but then had to return home to England as my Grandma passed away. So I actually began my work here on 29th December. Thankfully my train stop was the final stop as I had fallen fast asleep and it was only when the minister of the Church here where I am working boarded the train looking for me that I woke up and was able to introduce myself! Not my best first impression. Dehra Dun is nice, much quieter than Delhi although still quite a bustling place, and the place where I am staying is about 10km outside in an area called Rajpur, which is beautiful.
I am based in a school called the Moravian Institute (MI) which has about 400 K-12 pupils, aged 4-18, and of these 180 or so are boarders. The MI is a free hostel and education facility established in 1963 for underprivileged children from varying backgrounds, be it street children, Tibetan refugees, poorer families, etc. The MI is led by a minister called Revd Thsespal Kundan, who is Principal of the School, and co-leads the local Church. I am staying with Thsespal and his family, in my own room, but share all my meals with them and report to him directly each day. They have truly welcomed me and I feel a really part of their family which has made settling so much easier, and they were very kind and considerate when my Grandma died. The Church is quite a spectacular building, which is separate from the MI although many of the pupils attend (it is their free choice).
My work is twofold, although it may become ‘more-fold’ I figure. Firstly it is in the school helping them with their administration and finances. Dehra Dun as an area is very famous for its education (Doon School is known as the Eton of India), but the cost of these places is very high for most Indians. The school I am based at is a more affordable, in fact free for vast majority of the students, and was started firstly to serve refugees from Tibet who could not afford or access education. The school is well organised and run but they just need some assistance in future planning. I am helping investigate and plan with the aim of improving the conditions and number of pupils that can study here.
Secondly my work is in the Church, helping out the pastors, and will include preaching. The main language here is Hindi, which I have yet to master, but English is widely spoken and understood and so with patience and some translation I am hopeful to be able to get my message across. I also am getting to know a lot of the younger people and I will be working with them as well.
Finally, the food. I wasn’t sure what to expect...being English our national meal is the supposedly Indian inspired Chicken Tikka Massala and our most popular restaurants are Indian, but I have tasted here nothing like what is served in them. Rice makes up the staple part of any meal, with daal and usually some curried vegetables and a rooti (a type of small chipati). Excuse my spellings on all these words. The food is delicious, my portions are always very large. I can easily judge how hot something is going to be by the number of eyes watching me eat...the hotter the more people expectantly wait for me to react, but so far so good.
I should get back to work now, the electricity here tends to breathe, as the lights brighten and dim in some strange rhythmic pattern.
It is no exaggeration to say I miss Labrador greatly, all the people, especially at this time of year.
My prayer is that you are all well, and continue to see God at work in your lives.
God Bless,
Br Russell
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Welcome to Labrador!
The Moravian Church in Labrador warmly welcomes Glenna Tasedan from North Carolina. She has come to serve for six months as Labrador lay minister. This is part of her course work, the final stint towards her Master of Divinity. She currently holds an M.Ed.
Glenna will serve the congregation in the Happy Valley Moravian Church for January and February. She heads to Makkovik for March and April, and if all goes as planned, to Nain for May and June.
Glenna is no stranger to Labrador. She has served at the Moravian Youth Camp held at Gosling Lake for the past two summers. She was also one of the organizers of the Moravian Music Workshop held in Hopedale, July 2008. She sings and plays the organ and it will be a treat to have a trained minister serve our congregations again.
Glenna will serve the congregation in the Happy Valley Moravian Church for January and February. She heads to Makkovik for March and April, and if all goes as planned, to Nain for May and June.
Glenna is no stranger to Labrador. She has served at the Moravian Youth Camp held at Gosling Lake for the past two summers. She was also one of the organizers of the Moravian Music Workshop held in Hopedale, July 2008. She sings and plays the organ and it will be a treat to have a trained minister serve our congregations again.
Glenna pictured in 2007 at Gosling Lake
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Official Launch of the Inuktitut Bible
The Bible has existed in the Inuktitut language for a long time, but in seven separate books. The Bible is now under one cover, and the official launch of the newly printed “Gûdib oKausingit” will take place on January 20, 2009 at the Moravian Church in Happy Valley.
This project was made possible by the Canadian Bible Society (CBS)and funding from the Tasiujatsoak Trust, as well as private donors.
Hart Wiens and Ed Peters from the CBS will be there. They did the training in the Paratext program with the translators, Sarah Townley, Hilda Lyall, Sophie Tuglavina, Amos Onalik, and Andrea Webb, along with Coordinator Sabina Hunter. After the launch, they will continue work on the second book in the “Walking with Jesus” series of children’s books.
Rev. John Duff, from St. John’s, will represent the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the CBS.
Two elders from each coastal congregation (Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik) are invited to attend. All will take part in a service conducted largely in Inuktitut.
We look forward also to the visit of Bishop Paul Graf from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. He is coming to commission Glenna Tasedan for her work term as lay pastor in Labrador, and will stay for the Launch.
This project was made possible by the Canadian Bible Society (CBS)and funding from the Tasiujatsoak Trust, as well as private donors.
Hart Wiens and Ed Peters from the CBS will be there. They did the training in the Paratext program with the translators, Sarah Townley, Hilda Lyall, Sophie Tuglavina, Amos Onalik, and Andrea Webb, along with Coordinator Sabina Hunter. After the launch, they will continue work on the second book in the “Walking with Jesus” series of children’s books.
Rev. John Duff, from St. John’s, will represent the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the CBS.
Two elders from each coastal congregation (Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik) are invited to attend. All will take part in a service conducted largely in Inuktitut.
We look forward also to the visit of Bishop Paul Graf from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. He is coming to commission Glenna Tasedan for her work term as lay pastor in Labrador, and will stay for the Launch.
Welcome Rev Brian Burrows
The Moravian Church in NL is pleased to welcome Rev. Brian Burrows to Hopedale. He arrived on November 21, 2008, and held services that Sunday.
Rev. Burrows is originally from England, but came to Canada in 1962. He served in Canada’s north as an Anglican minister for thirteen years. That is where he learned Inuktitut. He speaks the northern Quebec and Baffin Island dialects, and is keen to learn the differences found in the Labrador dialect.
Rev. Burrows was retired, but felt the call to Hopedale, and we thank him for his decision to share his Christian faith with the people of Labrador. This calling means he will spend time away from his family at Christmas time. Such devotion is an inspiration. Welcome!
Rev. Burrows is originally from England, but came to Canada in 1962. He served in Canada’s north as an Anglican minister for thirteen years. That is where he learned Inuktitut. He speaks the northern Quebec and Baffin Island dialects, and is keen to learn the differences found in the Labrador dialect.
Rev. Burrows was retired, but felt the call to Hopedale, and we thank him for his decision to share his Christian faith with the people of Labrador. This calling means he will spend time away from his family at Christmas time. Such devotion is an inspiration. Welcome!
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
A historic day...
October 23, 2008 was a historic day for the Moravian Church in Labrador. That is when a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Moravian Church in NL and the Anglican Church (Eastern Diocese of Newfoundland and Labrador).
As Chair of MCNL, I was invited to attend the Anglican Synod (Labrador portion) in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and at the closing service in St. Andrew's Church on October 23, Bishop Pitman (head of the Eastern Diocese) and I signed the Memorandum.
The Memorandum of Agreement paves the way for an Anglican minister to serve the Moravian congregation at Hopedale. It is hoped that a minister will arrive there before December of this year.
Sr Joan Andersen
Sunday, 28 September 2008
MUN Brass Ensemble
What a treat! Thanks to Dr. Tom Gordon, Director of the School of Music at Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Moravian churches in Labrador get to hear a genuine brass band once again!
This is because the MUN Brass Ensemble is on tour…2008 Labrador Tour. Directed by Dr. Karen Bulmer, the students include:
On Trumpets...
Aaron Hodgson
Jill Dawe
Jennifer Murphy
Heidi Adams
On horn...
Kjellrun Hestekin
On trombone...
Chris Miller
Stephen Ivany
Phillip Holloway
Aiden Hartery
On tuba...
Celina Barry
They give a concert of various tunes and music styles, including some Moravian anthems such as the Hosanna, which sounds very stirring. After the intermission, they play a selection of Moravian hymns to which the audience can sing along.
The Brass Ensemble will be performing at the Labrador Interpretation Center in North West River and in the Moravian Churches at Happy Valley, Makkovik, Nain, and Hopedale, September 21 – 24.
Thank you to the Brass Ensemble for giving an impromptu concert at the Paddon Home for Senior Citizens. Although the request was given at short notice, the group readily complied, and perhaps this audience was the most appreciative!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)