echoes - faith evangelical lutheran church · scouting. beavers did their part for earth . day and...

echoesFaith Evangelical Lutheran church

05/14

Bi-Monthly congregational news magazine Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 57 Brant Avenue, Brantford, On N3T 3G9 (519)753-3833

CONFIRMATION EUCHARISTLiving Our Christian

Witness Through Refugee Resettlement

Faith EvangElical luthEran church

EastEr gardEn

ContentsM AY / J U N E / J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

4 5 6 7 8 9 101112

Pastor’s Desk with Confirmands...

Scouting Report Beavers do Earth Day / LAMB Award...

Living Our Christian Witness Through Refugee Resettlement ...

Living Our Christian Witness ... continued ...

Youth Group: 10,000 Villages ...

Youth Group: CLAY request ...

Bulletin Board notes and thanks ...

Events Calendar, 39’ERS Bus Trip ...

Musical Interlude: By Bill Neeb ...

is published quarterly byFaith Evangelical Lutheran Church

Publisher

We want to feature the news and events of the Family of Faith at Faith Lutheran Brantford

Contact us if you would like to be in future editions, have an article you’d like

to submit or an event you want to promote.Submitted manuscripts accepted but

may not be returned. Authors of selected materials only

will be contacted. No portion of the magazine,

including advertisements, pictures or editorial content may be reproduced without permission.

CONTACT US AT:FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH

Editor Sandra Arndt

Writersthe Family of Faith

GraphicsSandra Arndt Advertising Sandra Arndt

Content submissions for the next issue are due on August 15, 2014

Send content submissions to [email protected]

Contact us at:Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church

57 Brant AvenueBrantford, Ontario N3T 3G9

Phone: 519-753-3833 / Fax: 519-753-3228www.faithlutheranbrantford.com

email: [email protected]: The Rev. Stephen Scheidt

Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Calvin DiegelParish Musician: E. Shawn Lemp

Office Manager: Judy ClarkeCouncil Chair: Art Oswald

VOLUME 35 ISSUE 2

Member of ELCIC

May / June / July / August 2014 / Echoes 3

thE nExt issuE oF EchoEs comEs out First sunday oF sEptEmbEr. plEasE submit your matErials by august 1, 2014 so thE publication can bE prEparEd bEtwEEn august 15th and 21st. sEnd your submissions to [email protected]

From the Pastor’s desk:

Confirmation Class

Stephen ScheidtPastor

pastor

Four Confirmands receive Confirmation Eucharist

4 May / June / July / August 2014 / Echoes

The Confirmands are Katherine Finkbeiner, Jason McKay, Julia Hilgendag, Markus Kunej and Pastor Stephen.

April 2014Cubs have been busy working on their Black Star requirements. This will help the 3 senior Cubs to finish off before going up to Scouts at Faith Camp.

3 Cubs participated in Flex Training for Sixer/Seconds within the Cub Pack. This is a type of leadership training to help them better understand their roles and responsibilities within the Cub Pack.

2 Scouts participated in Fast Training for Patrol Leader & Assistant Patrol Leaders within the Troop. This is a type of leadership training to help them better understand their roles and responsibilities within their Patrols.

We had 8 representatives at the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards ceremony held at Hungarian hall. There were 3 Youth, Rebecca Garrison, Eric McNeil and Isaac Wivell along with Scouters George Slote, Barb Farquhar, Christine Merriam, Adrian McNeil, and Jane Redin. A total of 125 years of volunteering service to Scouting. Congratulations to ‘all’ of you.

Everyone is excited in preparation of the ‘ ‘ Faith Camp weekend the end of April. This is an all section camp linking activities and finishing the weekend off by our Swim-Up and Going-Up ceremonies to their new sections.

Very proud to announce the highest ‘youth awards’ being presented for 20th Faith Scouting. Two Chief Scouts – Eric McNeil and Isaac Wivell along with 1 Queen’s Venturer being recognized at the Battlefield Youth Awards Ceremony in Cayuga may 4th. Our Venturer Company will also receive their Blue/Gold Award. Great job and honour!

‘All sections’ are maintaining their section size. Registrations are still being accepted for the 2014-2015 Scouting Year. This will assist the Leadership team to know the number of youth returning and where they still have room to accept youth and Adult volunteers.

They will also be participating in Area activities and camp until June.

We continue to collect returnable bottles and cans to help raise funds for the Troop attending Great Lakes Jamboree in July at Camp Bel in Dorchester. Contact Jane for pick-up.

To keep the youth interested, we are enticing and offering summer activities with each of our sections. This will help keeps the friendship connected over the summer and help with retention for the next Scouting season.

Yours in Scouting,Jane Redin - Group Commissioner

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Jane Redin receives LAMB AwardThe LAMB Award is a National Adult Award made available for the purpose of recognizing Lutheran laypersons and pastors who have given noteworthy service of exceptional character to the physical, mental, moral and spiritual development of young persons through or in the Scouting program.

Any adult who is an active member

of a Lutheran Congregation and who has given a minimum of 10 years of distinguished service as a leader to young people through Scouting is eligible.

Jane has been working with the Scouts for at least 35 years.

Jane has been instrumental in helping our parish support the Scouting program which is vibrant and thriving at Faith Lutheran Church.

Her regular articles in our parish newsletter keep us up to date on Scouting projects and activities. This helps the people in our parish to remain connected to the Scouting program and encourages them to be gracious and generous in their support.

Jane also encourages fellowship opportunities between the parish community and the Scouts who gather here at Faith Lutheran Church. One example is the parish Shrove Tuesday Dinner, hosted by our parish youth, which was well attended by the various Scouting groups and their families. Their participation in this event fostered fellowship between the congregation and the Scouting community. Jane also organizes Scout Sunday in the parish and helps the various groups take visible roles in the service. She also encourages the Scouts to earn their ‘Religion in Life’ badges. “Pastor Scheidt”

Congratulations Jane!

scouting

Beavers did their part for Earth Day and cleaned up garbage from around the church, the block and Thom Thumb Park. The Beaver Promise - Promise to Love God and Help take care of the world!

SCOUTING REPORT



refugee

L i v i n g O u r C h r i s t i a n W i t n e s s T h r o u g h R e f u g e e R e s e t t l e m e n t

Our Faith family, on April 27, wholeheartedly supported the intention to sponsor an Ethiopian family living in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Thanks be to God.

The Sero family consists of father Jacob, mother Jamila, son Dewole, son Leelisa, daughter Nadhi, daughter Quxube, son Elemo, and son Qufa. Another daughter is one of our own Brantford neighbours, Dammee, a student at Laurier who arrived in Canada in September 2012 as a permanent resident. She has been participating in some of Faith's youth activities. The Seros have experienced severe ethnic and political persecution, having already lost first born son, Roba, and Jacob's brother Eda'o to killings by Ethiopian police. The remaining family fled to the Kakuma Camp in 2000, so they have been in the camp for close to 14 years. Their 14-year-old

youngest knows no other life. In camp, there is no opportunity for integration into Kenya (they are not allowed to leave the camp) and no option to return to Ethiopia. Their fervent desire is to be resettled and to be reunited with daughter Dammee. Dammee expresses, "I am so happy beyond words by the good news and am touched by all your kindness to help." The Seros have various levels of higher education gained both in Ethiopia and in the camp. They have varying levels of English and have been very work-active in the camp. For example, Jacob has been teaching, counselling, and acting as interpreter. Dewole has been working as a patient attendant caring for the elderly.

The entire family has United Nations Convention Refugee status, which means their stories have been verified by the United Nations. To us, it means the UNCR status is a complete level cleared and should shorten the sponsorship process. That having been said, it still could take up to five years to bring this family to us as the Nairobi Visa office is so backlogged with cases. To this reality, Dammee responds, "My family has had much patience, which is why they have been able to endure for so long." Faith's Refugee Committee is working through the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) agency to guide us in the sponsorship process. Bringing eight family members to us and


refugeesupporting them for up to one full year will take our prayers and financial support. Working under the CLWR budget, we have an approximate, realistic balance to raise of $19,000, after we have considered our current Refugee Fund of $12,458. The Clothing Depot and Sewing Group have together also added $2,000 And, an old ELW account (currently Women of Faith) has been utilized to use $1,000. Although we may have up to five years to raise this $19,000, we have recent indications from CLWR that our family could arrive much sooner. So, our fundraising efforts must be focused on the first two to three years.

We are confident that our Faith family, as proven in the past, will help and participate as is possible for each of us. The Clothing Depot and Sewing Group will contribute annually as funds become available, an estimated $1,500 total. Are there other groups that can help? For those members contributing to CLWR directly to Winnipeg, could you consider designating your support to the Refugee Fund until this initiative is complete? Anyone wishing to make a contribution to our

Refugee Fund can do so using the "Other" line on their offering envelope. Just indicate the amount and write in "Refugee Sponsorship." We will apply for Faith Life Financial funding of up to $500 annually. And the hope is that the Sauble Beach Christ the King Church becomes involved. More ideas are needed. Could you come up with an event and/or take the lead? Or, could you help with a planned fundraiser? Dammee is anxious to help her family in this process and will want to participate in any way she can. You will certainly have the opportunity to meet her. Of course, much later, we will need to rent housing for the family and set it up with the basics of life. Storage for donations is not arranged yet, but you may indicate to the Committee that you are holding items. Talk to us. Let's get to work! Our Refugee Committee thanks you in anticipation of your help: Janaki Bandara, Cal Diegel, Petra and Wilhelm Hilgendag, Liz Mongeon, Lis Orf, Pastor Scheidt, Inge and Uwe Storjohann

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Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder within the Canadian government's Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. Through this program, CLWR assists congregations and groups in submitting refugee applications and preparing for the arrival of newcomers to Canada. This aid is intended for all people in need, regardless of their religion or other personal factors. The need for refugee sponsorship remains great. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates the number of persons currently displaced from their homelands stands at over 10 million.

youth


Youth Group10,000 Villages and more

We’ve had a couple of great Youth Group meetings: Thursday February 13th / 10,000 Villages in Hamilton, and here on the home-front in our Youth Room on March 20th were the most recent ones.

10,000 Villages: We took an excursion out to Hamilton to see what this Free Trade store was all about. This store is located on 162 Locke Street in Hamilton. We got to experi-ence the sights, sounds, and smells of far-away places, and the gorgeous handmade fairly traded products. Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee. Its’ founder is Edna Ruth Byler in 1946. Ten Thousand Villages creates opportu-nities for ar-tisans in Developing Countries to earn income by bringing their prod-ucts and stories to our markets t h r o u g h long-term, fair trading relationship. At the end of our visit the manager gave everyone a taste of Free Trade Chocolate ... yummy. Thanks to Janaki who organized this outing! This experience was later discussed in confirmation class with Janaki where they played a Fair Trade Game. The kids had a great time with this.

March 20th was our most recent meeting where we got together and learned about life in an orphanage in East India from Heidi Nanda. She had been an intern in this place a couple of years ago. She talked about how the people lived there and what it was like in

this close knit community; how to contend with the youngsters and the few possessions they owned. She showed us a beautiful slide-show of her photo collage. Heidi brought some samples of East Indian Cuisine which were absolutely delicious. At the end of her presentation, she gave everyone a wooden toy (dradle) - what young boys played with in India. The youth were excited that they were given a gift like this. Thank you Heidi for coming out and sharing your experience with us, and all those goodies you brought along. This was truly an eye-opener for all of us - young or old.

Daphne Clark was also at the youth meeting and warmed us up to our u p c o m i n g visit to 2014 C a n a d i a n L u t h e r a n A n g l i c a n Youth Gath-ering with her guitar, and guided us through some great g o s p e l

songs. Thank you Daphne for giving us a glimpse of what’s in store for us.

In all, we were a group of 15 people including a few guests that joined us as well. Thanks everyone for coming out to this.

On another quick note: We have now regis-tered 10 youth and 2 Leaders for CLAY. Please keep supporting this youth group by spon-soring them to go on this trip.

Petra Hilgendag, Youth Leader

FAITH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHA congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

57 Brant Avenue, Brantford, Ontario N3T 3G9, Telephone (519) 753-3833 • Fax (519) 753-3228

www.faithlutheranbrantford.ca; e-mail: [email protected] The Reverend Stephen Scheidt, Pastor

April 2014

Dear Parishioners:

This summer, a group of twelve from our Parish will attend the Canadian Lutheran and Anglican Youth Gathering in Kamloops, B.C. For four Youth Gatherings over the last eight years, our Parish has taken a group of youth to experience these wonderful opportunities for growth in faith and fellowship with Lutheran and Anglican youth from all across Canada.

The guest speakers, workshops, singing, drama and worship inspire our youth in their lives of faith and connect them to Christ and his Church in profound and meaningful ways. The Youth Gatherings are not conventions and we do not send delegates. They are events intended for education, fellowship, spiritual growth, worship and, of course, fun. We who live in the Gospel know the joy of gathering together as people of faith and it is so very important that our youth have the opportunity to do this.

We have been busily preparing for this summer’s Youth Gathering. We have started to learn some of the songs that will be sung at the gathering. We have also hosted events in the Parish such as the LutherFest Dinner and the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper to foster community and to help raise funds. The parents and families of the youth have made contributions to the Youth Gathering Fund and will continue to do so. However, youth ministry belongs to the congregation and your support is needed to help us take our youth to this year’s gathering. It will cost about $20,000.00 to attend this year’s gathering and we have raised approximately $12,000.00 so far.

You can support the youth of our Parish through your offering envelope by writing “Youth Gathering Fund” on the blank line and including your gift with your regular offering. Your gift will be greatly appreciated and will bless the youth of our Parish not only now, but in the years to come as they reflect upon this experience as mature Christians.

Yours in Christ,Petra Hilgendag, Pastor Stephen and the Parish Council of Faith Lutheran Church

youth

CLAY Youth Gathering


board


Faith bullEtin boardOn behalf of the Worship Committee I would like to thank Kaye & Bill Clarke, Klaus & Nelly Seewald, the 39’ers and Pastor Scheidt for their work in preparing and serving the lunches following the Lenten Services. Those who attended expressed their gratitude for this time of fellowship. FaithLife kindly provided the funding for these lunches.Sincerely, Isabel Neeb, Chairperson.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Note of Thanks from Pastor Scheidt:A special thank you to the twelve youth from our parish who served Easter breakfast this year. Thanks, Petra, for all your organizing and leadership, and thanks also to the youth families for providing all the delicious breakfast food. Make sure to see the picture of our youth, taken at the Easter breakfast, on the bulletin board in the entry of the Church.I also wish to commend our first and second year confirmation students for their excellent assistance with the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies, as well as our 10:30 A.M. Easter Celebration. Your dedication and commitment was greatly appreciated.

39’ers TheaTre Bus Trip

Wednesday June 18Th, 2014 aT 2 pm

play: les miseraBles

dunfield TheaTre CamBridge (parT of drayTon fesTival)CosT: $40.00 (inCludes Tip)Bus free (CourTesy of faiThlife #76018)supper To Be deCided in may

seaTing is limiTed

ConTaCT: Karen KovaCs aT 519-756-9604 shirley noBes aT 519-753-7568 BeTTy deigel aT 519-753-5472regisTer Today – all are WelCome

Sewing Group Receives Help

A small, but very welcome City of Brantford grant has been awarded to Faith’s Sewing Group in the amount of $2,263.20. The cheque will be presented on May 15 at a community recognition event at the Sanderson Centre. The Group plans to purchase batting, backing fabric, fleece, and flannelette to keep the ladies sewing blankets for Canadian Lutheran World Relief. Unbelievably, the number of blankets packed and ready to go for this year’s Baling Days is at 459. On any given Tuesday, at least a dozen ladies can be seen working for several hours or all day in the spirit of giving – giving of their time to help those in need. The Group is grateful for the support of our Faith family and others in the community to make this work possible.

Events


Events CalendarCongregational Picnic

UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS:

MAYMAy 1 ClOThING DEPOT 9:30 AM

MAy 4 CONfIrMATION 10:30 AM

MAy 7 PArISh COUNCIl 7 PM

MAy 17 MEN’S BrEAkfAST 8:30 AM

MAy 21 39’ErS 12:15 NOON

MAy 26 WOrShIP COMMITTEE 7 PM MAy 28 lAST WEDNESDAy fEllOWShIP 1:30 PM

JUNEJUNE 4 PArISh COUNCIl 7 PM

JUNE 5 ClOThING DEPOT 9:30 AM

JUNE 8 PArISh PICNIC 11 AM

JUNE 19 39’ErS BUS TrIP 12:15 NOON

JUNE 21 MEN’S BrEAkfAST 8:30 AM

JUNE 23 MUTUAl MINISTry 10 AM

JUNE 30 INTErN COMMITTEE 1 PM

JUlyJUly 3 ClOThING DEPOT 9:30 AM

AUGUSTAUGUST 7 ClOThING DEPOT 9:30 AM

AUGUST 30 INTErN’S fArEWEll - ChIEfSWOOD 10:30 AM

BIBlE STUDy IS hElD MONDAyS AT 7:00 PM.SEWING GrOUP MEETS TUESDAyS 8:00 AM TO 3:00 PM APPrOxIMATEly.ChOIr PrACTICES ON ThUrSDAyS AT 7:00 PM.SCOUTING GrOUPS MEET MONDAy, TUESDAy, WEDNESDAy AND ThUrSDAy EVENINGS.

The Last Wednesday Fellowship Group

Our next meetings will be on Wednesday, April 30th and May 28th starting at 1:30. We have a lot of fun playing euchre and enjoying fellowship time. After this we will have our summer break and start up again on Sept. 24th. Come and join us. Florence Smith

Our Intern, Janaki will be leaving us in September.

A gathering is being prepared to thank her for

her contribution to our family of Faith and the

Anglican Parishes of Six Nations. We want to wish her well on the next part of her

journey.

Please consider attending this event on August 31,

2014 at Chiefswood Park in Ohsweken, ON.

The celebration will begin tentatively at 10:00 am with a joint Lutheran / Anglican worship service, followed

by a Potluck lunch and presentation.

Look for more news about this event in your Sunday

Bulletin as details are completed.

David Haas (b. 1957)…. Michael Joncas (b. 1951)…. Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957) … by Bill Neeb Here are three of many musicians who compose contemporary Catholic Liturgical music. Their sacred texts are sung in English as a result of the liturgical reforms initiated by Vatican II. Starting in 1967, R.C. churches could celebrate their Masses in their own languages. A large number of R.C. musicians wrote hymns and settings for Mass in English. Many denominations have added a number of these well-known contemporary hymns to their traditional hymns that appear in many late 20th century denominational hymnals.

David Haas resides in Eagan, Minnesota. We use some of his musical responses when our pastor sings from the psalms during Sunday and Lenten Services. We have four of his songs in our Lutheran Worship Book: 1. “Now We Remain”, is on page 500 and is in the Holy Communion section. Refrain: We hold the death of the Lord deep in our hearts. Living, we now remain with Jesus the Christ. 2. “We Are Called,” is on page 720 and is in the Justice, Peace section. Refrain: We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly; we are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God. 3. “Blest Are They,” is on page 728 and is in the Justice, Peace section. Refrain: Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God. 4. “You Are Mine,” is on page 581 and is in the Vocation, Ministry section. Refrain: Be not afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me. I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine. David Haas has produced over fifty original collections and recordings of liturgical music and authored over twenty books on the topics of liturgy, music ministry etc. Haas is also known for his early collaborations with Michael Joncas and Marty Haugen, and for many years the three of them were an important influence on liturgical music in the English-speaking world, and together they traveled throughout the United States and beyond for many years, presenting concerts and workshops. They remain friends to this day

Michael Joncas resides in St. Paul, Minnesota. Father Jan Michael Joncas has composed more than 300 liturgical songs, but his name is widely known for the one that tops a list of favorites. “On Eagle’s Wings,” was written in1976, and is found on page 787 of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book in the Trust, Guidance section. It is based on Psalm 19. Its Lyrics include the lines “You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” and “For to his angels he has given a command to guard you in all of your ways.” This hymn is now sung in churches of many denominations and was performed at many of the 9/11 Memorial services. Father Joncas said the song came about when he was visiting a friend at the major seminary in Washington. One evening, Father Joncas’ friend got word that his father had suffered a fatal heart attack. Father Joncas wrote “On Eagle’s Wings” in the days that followed and it was sung for the first time publicly at the friend’s father’s wake service. Michael has published three books. Over 100 of his articles have appeared in publications such as Worship and Pastoral Music. He also has over 20 collections of liturgical music. He was named by hundreds of voters as their No.1 liturgical hymn writer in a 2006 poll sponsored by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

Bernadette Farrell is a British hymn writer whose works have gained popularity from other denominations. We have one of her songs in our Lutheran Worship Book: “Christ, Be Our Light” found in the Justice, Peace section, on page 715. Refrain: Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered to day.

musical intErludE

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