Editorials
Editorial
" For everything there is a season"
Dear Friends,
It all seemed to happen at the wrong time. At the end of June I was informed that my niece was coming to Munich to work for a year starting on 1. August and could I find her accommodation and put her up until she found somewhere to live. Furthermore, two family members would come out with her to see her settled in, but they could only stay for a few days because they were going on holiday. All very well, but I was going on holiday myself at the beginning of August, after which my niece would be on her own.
I found myself thinking that this couldn't have come at a worse time. I was landed with what seemed like a big responsibility and I yet was going off and leaving a 20 year old on her own in a strange city.
But I need not have worried since in the end it all worked out well. We found her accommodation without too much trouble and she settled happily into her job. Looking back I suppose it did all happen at the right time. My niece seemed to have no problem with being left to fend for herself - I had obviously underestimated the capabilities of a 20 year old! But, on a more serious note, I think it is true to say that it was God's timing and not mine. I just needed to trust that it would turn out all right. The old phrase "God says yes, no, or wait" still rings true whether it
relates to the timing of events or to an answer to a prayer. There is a time and a place for everything.
From the Rector
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
"Wahn, Wahn, überall Wahn" These words sung by Hans Sachs in Wagner's masterpiece, "Die Meistersinger" are ringing in my ears. It has something to do with having spent over a week at the Wagner festival in Bayreuth this summer. My stay began with the opening night performance in a new production of Meistersinger which was both misguided and offensive. Sach's words described the experience all too well. But that is not what is on my mind. The world does seem crazy at this point but in ways much more sinister then those sung about in Wagner's opera.
The environment is in a mess. Supposedly religious people, God's Warriors, kill others in the name of their religion. Shi'a against Sunni, Shi'a against Shi'a (does anyone realize how little separates these two group theologically?), Palestinian against Jew (they are at least cousins if not bothers and sisters ethnically), Protestant and Catholic in Northern Ireland (they both claim to be Christians, for God's sake!). The media have forgotten Afghanistan and its troubles with the Taliban. They have forgotten the genocide in Darfour and never even acknowledged the war in the Congo where up to 4 million people have died in the last three years. In the middle of this craziness, we rather watch news about Paris Hilton (Paris who?). The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney will not attend the Lambeth Conference, the every 10 year family party thrown by the Archbishop of Canterbury, because there is still a gay Bishop in New Hampshire (who by the way has served brilliantly his people who after all had elected him to the post). Chinese toys are lethal to our children. Greece is on fire and the war in Iraq seems to know no end. Those who seek power for power's sake go unchecked. After sitting through the whole of Wagner's "Ring des Nibelungen" (over 20 hours of Teutonic Gods romping over the stage) whose main theme is the destructive power of greed and arrogance and the obsession with power, perhaps I am a bit oversensitive to this theme. But believe it or not, Jesus never talked about Gay Bishops. He never talked about Paris Hilton. He abhorred violence and war in God's Name, and he begged us to take care of our environment, the poor, the prisoner, the homeless and the hungry. He came to us to give us hope in the ever present battle of good against evil. Wagner was hardly a Christian, but the theme of the Ring, the evil seeking of power for power's sake, Jesus understood. We are, after all, God's hands. If evil and the power of Satan are to be confronted, we are the ones to do it, with Jesus and the Holy Spirit at our sides.
This summer I also read the last of the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling's “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is a very satisfying work. It is far more concerned with Christian themes then the previous books in the series. Redeeming love and resurrection undergird the devotion and faithfulness of Harry as he confronts evil in the form of Lord Voldemort. It is a very inspiring book. Hopeful and faithful in its own way, and it has helped me through this summer that has not been a summer.
How can we be inspired to be hopeful and engaged in a world gone crazy, a world seemingly dominated by all that we hold as evil? The most important thing is to accept the fact that any change for the better can come from no one else but us. We need to learn more about Islam. We need to know more of how we can be better stewards of the environment. We need to tell our feckless leaders in Church and State that we are fed up with getting priorities wrong. We need to be clear what those priorities are. As people of faith, when others who claim the same faithfulness act judgmentally to demonize another, to act violently or selfishly, to divide and exclude, we have to stand up and say something and confront the evil as Harry Potter does. Religion is not a private matter. Politics has everything to do with religion. To think otherwise in either case is heresy and goes directly against the model we have in Jesus Christ. There is no better way to counteract fear then to act. To act boldly. Christ is the same today and always. He is always with us as we seek justice, mercy, peace and a glimpse of His Kingdom. Craziness may seem to rule the day, but the Kingdom of God is still possible. Will you help bring it about? We have some ideas how to do this. Stay tuned!
Your Rector,
Tom+
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Did you ever think about where the passing of the peace comes in the service? Recently I preached on this and was invited to share my thoughts in the Icon. If we look at The Holy Eucharist, we can see the flow of each part of the service into the next. The first part of the service is concerned with calling us together to be present to God’s Presence with us. We give glory to God, we hear God’s word in Scripture, we hear the sermon and follow with the Creed. Throughout we praise God in prayer and hymn. After the Creed where we affirm our faith, we pray for the world, including the universal church and our common mission, our local concerns, for our loved ones, and for the departed.
From our outward focus, we turn inward to our own confession of our sins against God and our neighbor. This section is concluded with the absolution said over us by the priest.
It is at this time that we are invited to share the peace of the Lord. This is sandwiched between the Word and absolution of our sins and Holy Communion. Before we offer back to God our thanksgiving of all we are and all we have in the offering plate and before we receive from God all God is and all God gives through the Eucharist, we offer to one another the peace of the Lord.
Like in most if not all churches I have been part of, the peace normally becomes a time of greeting old friends and meeting new ones, it becomes a time of making plans for a meeting after the service or sharing a bit of news. We have forgotten in our worldliness what this time of peace passing is really about. In its essence, it is about passing God’s peace. It is about us being adopted children of God and greeting one another as such. It is about recognizing the Christ in the other. It is a precious moment of being in that space of pure grace and God’s love.
Now I know that passing the peace also encompasses the greetings and chatting that goes along at this time. That is surely an extension of God’s love and grace. And I am sure this short reflection will not change the world. Hopefully, however, one time when you pass the peace, you may remember it is the peace of the Lord that you are passing, the peace of the Lord that connects with that peace in the other and gives us a glimpse of God’s kingdom on earth. We are so blessed to be part of such a faith community of caring, loving people and this is just one way of reminding ourselves that we are so because of God’s indwelling in each of us.
The peace of the Lord be always with you,
Clair+
DID YOU KNOW THAT….
there is a new group at the Ascension, the Golden Girls? For more information about this group see page 8.
we very urgently need more people to consider the ministry of Lay Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte? Contact the Curate, the Rev. Dorothee Hahn if you are interested.
the Rt.Rev. Richard Chang, retired Bishop of Hawaii will be visiting us during the Convocation Convention? “Dick” + Chang has visited us on at least two other occasions, which some of you might remember. We look forward to seeing him and his wife Dee again. This is the “other Dick and Dee” couple in the Episcopal Church, our own Dick and Dee Pattee being the most famous in Munich.
the Taize Meditation group will begin meeting earlier then anticipated and will begin their meditation in the new Chapel on Thursday evening, September 20 at 8pm? For more information contact the Church
PARISH HOUSE BLESSING SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9
Anglicans like to bless things like ships and houses, dedicating them to special use. In that tradition we will do a house blessing of the new Parish House, immediately after the service on September 9. Following the Blessing we will have refreshments. Come join this special occasion.
PARISH HOUSE APPEAL GREAT SUCCESS
The Fundraising Appeal for the expenses of moving into our new space here at the Emmaus Kirche has been a great success to date. While these figures are a bit dated, as our Treasurer is away on vacation, when last seen showed 10,000 Euros and 4,000 US dollars pledged or contributed to the Appeal. This is considerably more then we had anticipated or hoped for. There has been great support coming from our friends in the US and the UK. There has been heart warming support in the parish. While we have exceeded our goal of 9,000 Euros, we will have some additional expenses and the ongoing extra cost of rent and maintenance. There is still need for those of you who have not contributed to the Appeal, to do so. For late contributors there will be a raffle to see who takes home the Rector’s old office chair, the famous “one armed bandit”.
KICK OFF SUNDAY SETEMBER 16
It has become a tradition here at the Ascension that on the third Sunday in September we hold an Activities Fair to inform both newcomers and to remind those who have a longer tenure at the Ascension of the wide variety of ministries that take place here. It is a time for some personal reflection as we hope all of us will consider what they might do for the ministry of the Church in its proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Can we participate in the corporate worship of the church in some special way? Can we work with Prisoners or Refugees? Help at the Soup Kitchen? Teach Sunday School? Help with Hospitality? Commit to Bible Study or theological inquiry (EFM)? Please take time to consider your ministry and your gifts that may be shared with the community and with those who may be in need.
This year there will be something new at the Activities Fair. The Outreach and Social Concerns Committee will unveil the ANT Program (Action not Talk). There is information about this program in the Sunday Bulletin but it will include coming up with ideas on how we individually and as a community can be better stewards of the environment. There will also be a proposed Advent Discipline as part of this project. Just how good or bad you have personally been or as is now commonly called mapping your “carbon footprint”, can be done online. Look for the information in this issue of the IKON. God calls us to be Stewards of His Creation. May we be good stewards!
Accepting an award, Jack Benny observed, “I really don’t deserve this. But I have arthritis too and I don’t deserve that either.”
SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES SEPTEMBER 23
Sunday School resumes September 23. However, registration for Sunday School will begin on Kick Off Sunday. Please take the time to register your children for what promises to be a very exciting year for the Ascension Sunday School.
COFFE HOUR MUSICALE RETURNS SUNDAY OCTOBER 14
Lise Cribbin, who is preparing a recital for a Diploma she is working towards, will be offering a short recital as part of our Coffee Hour Musicale on the 14th of October, beginning at 1.30pm. Please stay after the Coffee Hour and be charmed by the beauty of her playing.
YOUTH SUNDAY AND FAMILY SERVICE OCTOBER 21
With special music by our Youth Band and with readings and reflection by the Youth Group, we will celebrate a youth Sunday and Family Service on October 21, at 11.45. This service has proven to be very special and inspiring. Please join us with the whole family.
GOD’S GREEN EARTH: CREATION, FAITH, CRISIS
This year, in response to the crisis that seems to be gathering about the state of the environment and our part in this crisis as people who have mistreated the environment for far to long, the Rector will be leading two after church forums on the theology of “Green Discipleship”. Based on a series of essays compiled by Yale Divinity School and published in Reflections, the Yale Divinity School Journal, the forums will take place on Sunday October 21 and Sunday November 11, beginning at 1.30pm in the Parish Library. Two short essays will be available the Sunday before each forum. It is important to react as appropriately as possible to the ecological crisis, but as Christians we are encouraged to understand why we react and how this reflects our responsibilities to God and to each other. Please join us for these discussions.
Golden Girls
This supportive and inspirational group of women meet bi- monthly in the church library spending a day together to discuss and learn about important issues pertinent to their lives within their life style here in a different culture. The group is lead by the Rev Clair Ullmann with additional contributions and expertise from participants. In July we discussed issues relating to living in a different culture with the ever changing nature of our modern society. We also talked about the contributions we can make to help support those in the younger generation in our church community. We share worship together. Refreshments and lunch are provided by the group. If you have not been to this group yet and would like to be involved then please contact the Church.
A.N.T.
Dear friends,
Over the last few months the Outreach Committee has been considering if we as a congregation are contributing 0.7% of our budget towards the achievement of the millennium development goals - hopefully you read the inserts in bulletins explaining these goals. It is now, however, time for ACTION NOT TALK. In Advent and again in Lent we will be focussing on the goal of ensuring environmental sustainability. No, we are not asking you for money, so please read on. We are asking for your ideas as to how we can, as a congregation and as individuals, contribute to the achievement of this goal. Ants work together, ants are industrious so get that formic acid working and put your suggestions in the box that will soon be on the usher’s desk or talk to someone on the committee on Kick Off Sunday. Two suggestions so far: bike to work and bath with a friend.
CONVOCATION CONVENTION THIS YEAR IN MUNICH!
OCTOBER 24-28
The weekend of Thursday, Oct. 24, through Sunday October 28, is a very important one in the life of our church. This is when all eight Episcopal congregations in Europe - and a few mission churches - get together for business, sharing of experiences, and fellowship. The convention will be held at Schloss Fürstenried, the retreat house of the Catholic Diocese of München-Freising. A special event, to which all our parishioners are invited, is the Friday evening Bishop’s Dinner and Awards ceremony at the Hofbräukeller on Wienerplatz. Another memorable occasion is the festival Eucharist at our church on Sunday, October 28, with all the visiting churches participating. At this time our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Pierre W. Whalon, and the various visiting clergy process to the altar for the closing service. We will also be turning over the Canterbury Cross, which has been gracing our services for a year, to Holy Trinity Church in Nice.
The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe consists of eight congregations in Paris, Brussels/Waterloo, Florence, Rome, Geneva, Wiesbaden and Frankfurt, and of course, Munich. (For more contact details about these churches, see the back of our parish directory). These churches meet once a year - in their various locations - to do the business of the convocation. This includes financial and other reports, as well as election of members to the Council of Advice, of which George Battrick is the president. Of special interest is a Friday afternoon presentation by the Rev. Jayne Oasin, Social Justice Officer of the Episcopal Church in New York, on future antiracism training in the convocation. Coffee breaks and lunches give plenty of opportunity to renew old ties and make new friends, as this convocation is at heart a time for the various churches and their members to get to know each other.
The last time the Church of Ascension hosted the convention was in 1998 at the U.S. Armed Forces recreation area on Chiemsee. This year we are fortunate to have the use of Schloss Fürstenried, which is located south of the city along the Garmisch Autobahn. We hope that many of our parishioners will participate in the events, and get to know our fellow Episcopalians scattered across the continent.
CALLING ALL (TALENTED) PEOPLE!
Can you sew a seam? Walk a dog? Bake a cake? Paint? Teach a language? Every one of us has a skill, some rare (Alpine climbing, yodeling) some more everyday (gardening, babysitting.) You’re invited to offer your particular skill at the Auction of Talents, to be held after services on Sunday, October 7th. In past years vacation homes in the Alps have been offered, along with ski lessons, computer help, city and museum tours, gourmet and ethnic meals and wine tastings. This event is A. Fun, B. Useful (you might find someone to iron for you, or clean out your attic.), C. Profitable, for the church, D. Fun. Contact the Church. Forms are available at the Ushers’ table.
Grand Auction of Eccentric and Unusual Talents
Summary of the Rules of the Auction
Bring your friends!
All proceeds from the auction go to church funds. No individual will be paid money, other than the reimbursement of expenses as stated in the catalogue and offered during the auction.
Entry fee to the auction entitles the purchaser to a paddle with a number on it and a catalogue. The paddle number serves to identify the bidder to the auctioneers.
Auction participants are requested to keep track of all item numbers corresponding to their own winning bids. Forms are available for this purpose.
Bidding for "Offerings" will proceed as at any auction. The highest bidder wins the item.
Bidding for "Wanted" items will be different; the first person to raise a hand in response to a request wins the bid.Both "Offerings" and "Wanted" items may occasionally be shared amongst various bidders if everyone involved is willing.
If by chance you have submitted a "Wanted" request for a service which is also provided as an "Offering" and are the winning bidder for that "Offering", please inform the auctioneer at the time you win the bid in order to avoid confusion.
Unless otherwise stated, performance of Talent is at a time mutually agreeable to both the person offering the Talent and the Winning Bidder.
Baby sitters may be available to look after small children, if requested in advance.
When you are ready to pay you should proceed to the cash point appropriate to the number on your paddle; this should be at the end of the auction or earlier if desired. Likewise, those who have submitted a "Wanted" request should pay the fixed price they offered. Receipts will be given accordingly.
Checks or cash are acceptable forms of payment. Payment should be made in Euros where possible. Dollar checks can also be accepted. At the cash point you may also arrange to pay by direct transfer to the church bank account:
the Church of the Ascension at Deutsche Bank BLZ 700 700 24, Konto-Nr. 459 870 200
Any items remaining "unsold" at the end of the evening will be available on a first come/first served basis until the end of October.
The Church of the Ascension cannot take responsibility for any events which take place off the Church premises. All participants take personal responsibility for their actions and any consequences thereof. Unless specified otherwise, Winning Bidders are responsible for arranging for performance of talent within one year. After October 2008, performance is at the discretion of the Person making the Offering.
Version of this page: 11/30/2007