Summer Camp
For 13 to 15 year olds
June 29th – July 6th 2008
Deadline for applications: June 16th
Registration fee is $75.00 per camper
Labrador Christian Youth Camp
Gosling Lake, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
The Labrador Christian Youth Camp offers a wide range of outdoor activities in the wild beauty of Labrador. The week will be a great opportunity for young people to canoe, hike, swim, play games, learn about God, and many things besides. Participants (5) from Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, and HVGB are invited to attend, along with Moravian leaders from the United States. Bishop Sam Gray will accompany the two returning leaders, Glenna Tasedan and Rev. Tim Byerly. Each community will also send a leader/chaperone.
Bring: Bible, sleeping bag, toiletries, swim suit, rain gear, warm coat, bug repellent, snacks, musical instrument, flashlight.
Summer Youth Camp 2013 - Our Future
Friday, 30 May 2008
Monday, 5 May 2008
Anglican / Moravian - is a shared ministry possible?
On April 28, 2008, Archdeacon Geoff Peddle of the Anglican Church, Eastern Diocese of NL, traveled to Makkovik to meet with the MCNL Chair, Joan Andersen. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the possibility of working with the Moravian Church to help deliver the Christian message.
The Anglican Church has received numerous requests to enhance their ministry in Labrador, and in particular northern Labrador. They want to know if there is any way to work alongside the Moravian Church and provide an ordained person to live on a permanent and full-time basis in one of the communities and work with both Moravians and Anglicans to build up the Christian Church in those communities.
As Chair, I find this a very exciting offer. Since I took on this role in January of 2007, my goal, and that of the MCNL Board, is to staff each of our four churches with an ordained minister. We have put the call out to the Moravian Unity worldwide. We have also written to the Arctic Diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada, as well as to the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission. What prospects do we have? One person in training in the United States has expressed an interest in coming to Labrador in 2009. We have one Labradorian who will begin study at Queen’s College in September towards a Bachelor of Theology. This offer from the Anglican Church to staff one of our churches by this fall is very encouraging.
The Provincial Board of MCNL, in the preliminary stages, is open to the idea, for these reasons:
The Anglican Church has received numerous requests to enhance their ministry in Labrador, and in particular northern Labrador. They want to know if there is any way to work alongside the Moravian Church and provide an ordained person to live on a permanent and full-time basis in one of the communities and work with both Moravians and Anglicans to build up the Christian Church in those communities.
As Chair, I find this a very exciting offer. Since I took on this role in January of 2007, my goal, and that of the MCNL Board, is to staff each of our four churches with an ordained minister. We have put the call out to the Moravian Unity worldwide. We have also written to the Arctic Diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada, as well as to the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission. What prospects do we have? One person in training in the United States has expressed an interest in coming to Labrador in 2009. We have one Labradorian who will begin study at Queen’s College in September towards a Bachelor of Theology. This offer from the Anglican Church to staff one of our churches by this fall is very encouraging.
The Provincial Board of MCNL, in the preliminary stages, is open to the idea, for these reasons:
- We are both CHRISTIAN churches. The label you put on a church is not as important as its ability to communicate the Christian message.
- Our service formats differ, but not all that much.
- A person from our own province or country would perhaps adapt more easily to our lifestyle and culture because he/she already shares so much in common.
These questions were put forward to Archdeacon Peddle:
Question: Will our church still be called a Moravian Church if there is an Anglican minister?
Answer: Yes, it will be a Moravian Church. It will simply have a minister who has been trained in Anglican theology. The Anglican Church does not plan to convert members of a congregation, but to minister to them.
It is important to note that Rev. Dr. Brigitte Schloss received her theological training at Queen’s College which is an Anglican School of Theology. Rev. Ray Hunter (deceased) was trained at an Anglican Seminary. His daughter, Sabina Hunter, received her Associate in Theology diploma from Queen’s College. Other Moravian lay persons have taken courses from Queen’s College. Beatrice Hope, our candidate for ministry, plans to study at Queen’s College.
Question: If a person seeks confirmation, will he/she be confirmed as a Moravian or an Anglican?
Answer: If he/she chooses to be confirmed as a Moravian, that is what he/she will be. However, if an Anglican asks to be confirmed as an Anglican, that is possible also.
Question: Would we still use our Moravian hymnals and liturgies?
Answer: Yes. We would not seek to change the way anything is done.
Question: What about our traditions…our festival days, such as Children’s Day, Young People’s Day, Married People’s Day, our lovefeasts, Advent and Christmas traditions? Would we still keep them?
Answer: Yes. The Anglican Church will work alongside the Chapel Servants.
Moravian traditions will continue.
That is not to say that the Moravian Church is a stagnant church and does not want to change. We do like to learn new hymns, for example. As one Board member put it, “It is always very enriching to be exposed to and to share in the differing traditions of our brothers and sisters in Christ.” However, many staunch churchgoers would feel threatened if their institution no longer did the things that they hold dear. The Archdeacon assured us that the Anglican Church wants to work with us.
The MCNL Board will discuss how such a partnership would work. What responsibilities would we have, and what would we expect of the other church. A Memorandum of Agreement would need to be drawn up.
In the meantime, consultation will have to take place at the community level to see if a congregation is open to the idea of a shared ministry. The MCNL Board will decide how to go about this.
The Anglican Church has made it clear that they will only come if they are invited by MCNL. They would only come if there was a chance for the ministry to be a success.
Sr Joan Andersen
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Happy Birthday Regula...
On April 27, 2008, the friends and church family of Regula Schule gathered together after the service to celebrate with Regula her 80th birthday.
There were many who came to honor Regula in the years that God has given to her. It was a privilege, for me personally, to take part in this joyous occasion.
From 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m., most of the time revolved around eating and mingling with others. A 10 minute presentation was shown twice during the 2 hours which was created by Greg Matthews. It included pictures of Regula in her very early years on up until the present day, and the various places she has been and her life of ministry to others.
We are truly thankful for the choices Regula has made in her years to serve the Lord. She has been such a blessing to many people and continues to be even to this day.
A big thanks to Evelyn, Wilma and Darla for heading up this celebration and setting everything up for the occasion, as well as to Pearl for her special cake-making skills.
God bless you. Regula, for blessing us with your life and God with your service!
Carl Sonnichsen
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Employment Opportunity
THE APPLICATION DATE FOR THIS POST HAS NOW CLOSED
============================================
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
TEMPORARY, PART-TIME
The Moravian Church in Newfoundland and Labrador (MCNL) requires an:
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Qualifications
Possess a minimum of two years of post secondary education in office administration or related field;
Have excellent administrative abilities and experience, and be self-motivated;
Be able to work with a minimum of supervision;
Have excellent oral/written skills;
Be proficient with computer applications and office equipment;
Be prepared to work with volunteer leaders from four communities;
Knowledge of Inuktitut an asset.
Duties
Responsibilities will include preparing correspondence, minutes (and getting translation done), arranging meetings/travel/accommodation, filing, record keeping, preparing written reports, and delivering all invoices and receipts to the bookkeeper. Some research as time permits, on ongoing projects, along with typing. Some sorting and filing of archival materials. Practice good office organization and procedures.
Communicate with Provincial Chair, MCNL Board members, the Board of World Mission, Moravian Unity (worldwide organization), congregations and members. Office administrator is the contact for all incoming communication.
Duration of employment: May 12, 2008 to March 27, 2009
Hours of work: 15 hours per week
Wages: $15.00 per hour, plus 4% vacation pay
Workplace: Office located in the Happy Valley Moravian Church annex.
Deadline for application: May 8, 2008, at 4:00 p.m
Please send resume to this address:
MCNL, Hiring Committee, P O. Box 220, Station B, Happy Valley, Labrador, A0P 1E0.
Or email: joanders@nf.sympatico.ca
============================================
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
TEMPORARY, PART-TIME
The Moravian Church in Newfoundland and Labrador (MCNL) requires an:
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Qualifications
Possess a minimum of two years of post secondary education in office administration or related field;
Have excellent administrative abilities and experience, and be self-motivated;
Be able to work with a minimum of supervision;
Have excellent oral/written skills;
Be proficient with computer applications and office equipment;
Be prepared to work with volunteer leaders from four communities;
Knowledge of Inuktitut an asset.
Duties
Responsibilities will include preparing correspondence, minutes (and getting translation done), arranging meetings/travel/accommodation, filing, record keeping, preparing written reports, and delivering all invoices and receipts to the bookkeeper. Some research as time permits, on ongoing projects, along with typing. Some sorting and filing of archival materials. Practice good office organization and procedures.
Communicate with Provincial Chair, MCNL Board members, the Board of World Mission, Moravian Unity (worldwide organization), congregations and members. Office administrator is the contact for all incoming communication.
Duration of employment: May 12, 2008 to March 27, 2009
Hours of work: 15 hours per week
Wages: $15.00 per hour, plus 4% vacation pay
Workplace: Office located in the Happy Valley Moravian Church annex.
Deadline for application: May 8, 2008, at 4:00 p.m
Please send resume to this address:
MCNL, Hiring Committee, P O. Box 220, Station B, Happy Valley, Labrador, A0P 1E0.
Or email: joanders@nf.sympatico.ca
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Conference Highlights
Here are some highlights from the Provincial Conference of the Moravian Church in NL that was held in Nain, March 4-6, 2008.
* It was great to have Bishop Paul Graf attend our conference. He held the devotionals each day, and could speak to spiritual issues as they came up, with much wisdom.
* Bishop Graf was able to hold congregational meetings in Makkovik, Nain, and Happy Valley. Bad weather kept us from getting to Hopedale on Thursday. However, Bishop Sam Gray will be visiting Hopedale the week of July 7th, so that will hopefully make up for it.
* The conference went very well in Nain. We are especially grateful to the translators/interpreters, Katie Winters and K. Naeme Tuglavina, who did the simultaneous translation. This made the conference flow very smoothly. It was also great to have the use of the Nunatsiavut Government board room, so aesthetically pleasing, spacious and comfortable. And equipped with the microphones and headphones for translation.
* We got to meet representatives from each community, and to share reports from each congregation. We share similar concerns: small attendance, no ordained ministers, not much support for the few volunteers who keep the churches going. Hopedale has great involvement from youth on the last Sunday in each month. The school concert band, under the direction of Nicole Burt-Shuglo, accompany all the hymns at these services. Happy Valley has outreach with the Correctional Center, the Pine Lodge residence, and the Paddon Home for Senior Citizens.
* We had a presentation from Heather Angnatok about programs offered by Nunatsiavut Government’s Youth Division. We are impressed with how the programs bring youth and elders together. We put forward the request that if we do get a minister to serve the congregation, he or she could partner with the Nunatsiavut Youth programs as a way of reaching out to youth, and strengthening the spiritual focus.
* We had a presentation from Gary Baikie impressing upon the church representatives the need to preserve the old church properties in Nain, since they are historical icons, and with Nain becoming the gateway to the Torngat National Park, it will be important to keep these heritage buildings, and be able to tell their story.
* We talked about the need for congregations to become more supportive financially. Each congregation is expected to pay an annual fee ($5000) (4500 for Makkovik) to the provincial treasury of the Moravian Church in NL.
* Each church brought their financial statements, and while they are all in good standing at present, if we ever do get ministers and have salaries to pay, each congregation will need to raise part of that expense. The overall aim is that the Labrador Moravian Church will become self-sufficient and be able to meet all its expenses. Right now, we still get a hefty sum from the American Board of World Mission, but they are decreasing it each year, in hopes that we can become independent of them.
* We accepted in principle the revised Book of Order. It was revised by Rev. Sam Propsom, and we have since added some amendments and inserts. Dr. Hans Rollmann revised the section on the early history of the Moravian Church.
* The Book of Order will include in its appendices the process that one would follow if he/she wishes to become a lay minister, or an ordained minister.
* We talked about the need for church repairs in at least three communities. Loren Jendro, Labrador’s representative on the Board of World Mission, hopes to get some work crews from the U.S. to help local congregation groups get repair work done during the summer.
* The Inuktitut Bible will be printed under one cover, and we hope to hold the launch at some time this year. Plans will be made for a launch to be held in Nain.
* The Coordinator position was extended for one more year, to be reassessed again before March 31, 2009.
* It was great to have Bishop Paul Graf attend our conference. He held the devotionals each day, and could speak to spiritual issues as they came up, with much wisdom.
* Bishop Graf was able to hold congregational meetings in Makkovik, Nain, and Happy Valley. Bad weather kept us from getting to Hopedale on Thursday. However, Bishop Sam Gray will be visiting Hopedale the week of July 7th, so that will hopefully make up for it.
* The conference went very well in Nain. We are especially grateful to the translators/interpreters, Katie Winters and K. Naeme Tuglavina, who did the simultaneous translation. This made the conference flow very smoothly. It was also great to have the use of the Nunatsiavut Government board room, so aesthetically pleasing, spacious and comfortable. And equipped with the microphones and headphones for translation.
* We got to meet representatives from each community, and to share reports from each congregation. We share similar concerns: small attendance, no ordained ministers, not much support for the few volunteers who keep the churches going. Hopedale has great involvement from youth on the last Sunday in each month. The school concert band, under the direction of Nicole Burt-Shuglo, accompany all the hymns at these services. Happy Valley has outreach with the Correctional Center, the Pine Lodge residence, and the Paddon Home for Senior Citizens.
* We had a presentation from Heather Angnatok about programs offered by Nunatsiavut Government’s Youth Division. We are impressed with how the programs bring youth and elders together. We put forward the request that if we do get a minister to serve the congregation, he or she could partner with the Nunatsiavut Youth programs as a way of reaching out to youth, and strengthening the spiritual focus.
* We had a presentation from Gary Baikie impressing upon the church representatives the need to preserve the old church properties in Nain, since they are historical icons, and with Nain becoming the gateway to the Torngat National Park, it will be important to keep these heritage buildings, and be able to tell their story.
* We talked about the need for congregations to become more supportive financially. Each congregation is expected to pay an annual fee ($5000) (4500 for Makkovik) to the provincial treasury of the Moravian Church in NL.
* Each church brought their financial statements, and while they are all in good standing at present, if we ever do get ministers and have salaries to pay, each congregation will need to raise part of that expense. The overall aim is that the Labrador Moravian Church will become self-sufficient and be able to meet all its expenses. Right now, we still get a hefty sum from the American Board of World Mission, but they are decreasing it each year, in hopes that we can become independent of them.
* We accepted in principle the revised Book of Order. It was revised by Rev. Sam Propsom, and we have since added some amendments and inserts. Dr. Hans Rollmann revised the section on the early history of the Moravian Church.
* The Book of Order will include in its appendices the process that one would follow if he/she wishes to become a lay minister, or an ordained minister.
* We talked about the need for church repairs in at least three communities. Loren Jendro, Labrador’s representative on the Board of World Mission, hopes to get some work crews from the U.S. to help local congregation groups get repair work done during the summer.
* The Inuktitut Bible will be printed under one cover, and we hope to hold the launch at some time this year. Plans will be made for a launch to be held in Nain.
* The Coordinator position was extended for one more year, to be reassessed again before March 31, 2009.
Sr Joan Andersen
Monday, 18 February 2008
Provincial Conference
The Moravian Church in Newfoundland and Labrador will be holding a Provincial Conference in Nain, March 4-6 2008.
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:
March 3- Makkovik
March 4 – Nain
March 6- Hopedale
March 7 – Happy Valley
At that time he will help each congregation assess themselves, to gauge how each church is growing in various areas, and to draw up a profile of the minister they want to serve them. This will help MCNL to better match a person to a place should inquiries from ordained ministers come in.
Sr Joan Andersen
Chair, MCNL
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:
March 3- Makkovik
March 4 – Nain
March 6- Hopedale
March 7 – Happy Valley
At that time he will help each congregation assess themselves, to gauge how each church is growing in various areas, and to draw up a profile of the minister they want to serve them. This will help MCNL to better match a person to a place should inquiries from ordained ministers come in.
Sr Joan Andersen
Chair, MCNL
Alaska Conference
I went as a youth representative of the Labrador Moravian Church to Bethel, Alaska. The first day we attended the Provincial Women’s Meeting. There were woman from each church to discuss things such as projects their church ran during the past year, projects for the coming year, planning a Singspiration.
As well, the President Mary Gregory gave a special speech which I found inspiring. It was titled Walking the Talk and Faith. An important meeting that I participated in was the between the members of the First Nations Outreach. First Nations Outreach is a joint partnership between the Labrador Church, Alaska Province and the Morongo Church in California. It was developed to build capacity of each entity to be a more powerful force in protecting its youth from social problems, as each Church face similar social situations.
At the Synod myself, Joan, Loren Jendro (member of the Board of World Mission) and Arthur Coolidge (Lay Minister in Alaska) met to discuss how to better communicate with each other. As the distance between each church is extensive with the cost of travel expensive, it was suggested to form an online working group. This working group could include things such as a calendar to post events of each church, a place to post documents, and a discussion page. Each member of the First Nations outreach could have an access code to this online working group and add things to it, see what other members have added. This should be a great way to keep up to date on what is happening with each church with First Nation outreach initiatives.
Overall, this was an interesting trip, I have met some really inspiring people, and I hope to work with the First Nations Outreach in the future.
Tracy Evans
Makkovik
Alaska Synod
I had the privilege of visiting our Moravian brothers and sisters in Bethel, Alaska. We attended the Women’s Conference on February 2 and took part in the Sunday evening service on February 3, which was conducted by participants at the Women’s Conference. On Feb 4 the Synod began. Representatives from 23 congregations were present.
I gave a presentation with the message that Labrador has put out a call for ordained ministers to serve in our congregations. I also extended an invitation for some youth along with a leader to attend the Moravian Music Workshop to be held in Hopedale beginning July 7. (We have also invited a representative to attend our Provincial Conference being held in Nain.)
Our impressions of the whole experience were extremely good. Alaska Moravian Church is self-supportive. They are an independent province. Attendance at Bethel Moravian Church is high. The use of their native language is dominant, but most people we met were entirely bilingual. Their church services have a more evangelistic tone than ours. The singing was beautiful. A lot of four-part harmony, and about three different organists took part in one service.
On the last evening there, I attended a three-hour memorial service for pastors who had passed away during 2007. David Nanalook, who had visited Nain a few years ago, was one.
Overall, it is good that the lines of communication are open between Alaska and Labrador, since we have much that can be learned from each other, and shared.
Sr Joan Andersen
Chair, MCNL
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Upcoming Events...
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
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
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!”
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