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.

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!