Confirmation and A Farewell to Vicar Moritz

Confirmation on Pentecost 2016

On Sunday May 15th 2016 Ida, Noah, Sebastian and Yannick will be confirmed during the joint service at Pentecost. Please come in large numbers to the Pentecost service and let the confirmands experience being part of a joyous faith community.

A Farewell to Vicar Moritz Menacher
Last summer, we welcomed with great joy our Vicar Moritz Menacher and his wife Hanna Reichel into our congregation. Since then, the months have gone by very quickly. Now it is soon time to say goodbye.Therefore we invite you (after congratulating the Confirmands in the foyer) to join a reception in the basement to say goodbye to Vicar Moritz Menacher and his family. Have some food and chat. On behalf of the whole congregation, a big thank you to Moritz and his family!

“One Year in Review –

Just about one year ago I arrived at the Martin Luther Church. It was one year full of experiences and changes. Now looking back at this year from Germany, I would summarize my experience as a year of fruitful growing.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

I believe the image of the vine to be a fitting image for the Martin Luther Church. Like a vine, a community needs caring hands and loving hearts to make it prosper and bear fruit. The Martin Luther Congregation cultivates fellowship and community with care and love, so that it is and stays a place where people abide in Christ through their faith and thus grow and prosper. I experienced the fellowship of the Martin Luther Church at summer camp, at coffee and cake after worship service, with church council, with the choir and in so many other ways.

While I was at Martin Luther Church, the church grew. People became members of the church and were welcomed at worship services. A growing congregation is something special nowadays, so it shows what a lively and welcoming community the Martin Luther Congregation is. On a personal level as well, I think of my year in Canada as a year of growth. The many encounters with you as well as my experiences in the congregation and in Canada over all prepared me for my future ministry. I was encouraged in my decision to serve as a pastor. For this I am very thankful to you, people of the Martin Luther Church, and I hope and pray that God will bless my ministry being a pastor who brings much fruit.

During our year in Canada, even my family grew by one member. Hanna and I became parents. You helped us with your generosity and support, such that we felt surrounded by family. We, and Joshua Jacob as well, want to say “Thank You!” for your love and care! We pray that God’s invigorating spirit continue to bless the Martin Luther Church, so that it stays a fertile place of faith and belief, where everyone cares for their neighbour.
Greetings from Germany! We hope to see you soon!” – Moritz Menacher with Hanna and Joshua Jacob “JJ”, May-June Congregational Newsletter