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Spiritual Psychology by
"While considering what I should do I thought of studying medicine but woke up one morning with the clear decision to become a priest in The Christian Community". Read more of the history of the founding of the congregation in Johannesburg by clicking here >> 
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Protocols for Sunday Services
from the Trustees
Level 1 of Covid-19 Lockdown requires that we continue to adhere to the protocols as set down by Government. These have been relaxed slightly in terms of the numbers that may attend. We will feel our way into some of the activities that are now permitted. The fine for our church and the criminal record for offending individuals should not be overlooked.
We are offering coffee, tea and cake after the services. We ask that everyone who uses this offered facility takes careful cognisance of their own health and the health of others. We ask that you use the sanitiser provided and that you DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CUP STANDING AROUND but hold onto it until it is empty and then place it in the basin of hot, soapy water to soak.
We ask that everyone embrace these precautions as we have many older members in our Community who are at risk. If you feel sick or run a fever, please refrain from coming to the Sunday Service or Community Gathering for at least 10 days or until you feel healthy again.
- Chairs remain apart to comply with social distancing regulations.
- All congregants are asked to sanitise their hands prior to entering the church.
- Everyone who enters and exits the church should remember to wear a mask.
- We ask that congregants fill in a Register of Attendance with their contact details and temperature.
We are offering coffee, tea and cake after the services. We ask that everyone who uses this offered facility takes careful cognisance of their own health and the health of others. We ask that you use the sanitiser provided and that you DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CUP STANDING AROUND but hold onto it until it is empty and then place it in the basin of hot, soapy water to soak.
We ask that everyone embrace these precautions as we have many older members in our Community who are at risk. If you feel sick or run a fever, please refrain from coming to the Sunday Service or Community Gathering for at least 10 days or until you feel healthy again.
The inauguration of the new Erzoberlenker
The inauguration of the new Erzoberlenker will happen within an Act of Consecration of Man at 09h00 on Thursday 3 June in Berlin.
Vicke von Behr will hand over his collar (of responsibility of office) to João Torunsky.
Vicke von Behr will hand over his collar (of responsibility of office) to João Torunsky.
Vicke von Behr
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João Torunsky
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The Act of Consecration of Man will be celebrated in Johannesburg at 09h00 on Thursday to unite with this event.
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These forms are to be completed and posted on the Notice Board in the Community Room by 12h00 on 2 June 2021.
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The Movie Mindwalk on Youth Day, Wednesday 16 June from 08h30 – 13h30 as a continuation of the 2020 Michaelmas Conference and a community-building event
Our Youth Day film screening and conversation is a continuation of the work and ideas we were exploring at our Michaelmas Conference of 2020. Even if you were not able to join our Conference last year, you are heartily welcome to join us on 16 June, and discover a new and significant dynamic in our conversations and interactions.
The film Mindwalk was made in 1990 by Bernt Amadeus Capra, adapted from his short story which was based on The Turning Point, a nonfiction book by his brother Fritjof Capra. Friitjof is well known for writing the book The Toa of Physics.
The movie portrays a wide-ranging conversation among three characters: Sonia, Jack and Tom.
Sonia (played by actress Liv Ullman) is a Norwegian physicist who abandoned a lucrative career after discovering that elements of her work were being applied to weapons development.
Jack (played by Sam Waterston) is an American politician attempting to make sense of his recent defeat as a presidential candidate.
Tom (played by John Heard) is a former political speechwriter and poet.
While they wander around Mont Saint-Michel, France the three characters engage in a conversation that ranges from systems theory and systems thinking, with insights into modern physical theories such as quantum mechanics and particle physics to political and social problems, and alternative solutions. The focus of the film (for our purposes) is not so much on what the conversations are about (interesting and challenging as those are) but rather how they speak and share with one another. The film displays a way of conversing that we began to explore at our Michaelmas Conference of last year. Here we have an opportunity to consider a new way of speaking and the essential role of the “third element’’: the observer.
The movie was filmed on site at Mont Saint-Michel in northern France and has views of (and scenes conceptually based around) many structures and features there, including the approach over the tidal flats, the cathedral, the walkways, a torture chamber, and a giant, ancient clock mechanism. This setting adds another important dimension to the film. Here the environment in which our conversation takes place can be seen as having real value. This aspect along with several others will form part of our film analysis and discussion before and after the viewing.
Refreshments included in a suggested price of R70, however, no one will be denied entrance.
The film Mindwalk was made in 1990 by Bernt Amadeus Capra, adapted from his short story which was based on The Turning Point, a nonfiction book by his brother Fritjof Capra. Friitjof is well known for writing the book The Toa of Physics.
The movie portrays a wide-ranging conversation among three characters: Sonia, Jack and Tom.
Sonia (played by actress Liv Ullman) is a Norwegian physicist who abandoned a lucrative career after discovering that elements of her work were being applied to weapons development.
Jack (played by Sam Waterston) is an American politician attempting to make sense of his recent defeat as a presidential candidate.
Tom (played by John Heard) is a former political speechwriter and poet.
While they wander around Mont Saint-Michel, France the three characters engage in a conversation that ranges from systems theory and systems thinking, with insights into modern physical theories such as quantum mechanics and particle physics to political and social problems, and alternative solutions. The focus of the film (for our purposes) is not so much on what the conversations are about (interesting and challenging as those are) but rather how they speak and share with one another. The film displays a way of conversing that we began to explore at our Michaelmas Conference of last year. Here we have an opportunity to consider a new way of speaking and the essential role of the “third element’’: the observer.
The movie was filmed on site at Mont Saint-Michel in northern France and has views of (and scenes conceptually based around) many structures and features there, including the approach over the tidal flats, the cathedral, the walkways, a torture chamber, and a giant, ancient clock mechanism. This setting adds another important dimension to the film. Here the environment in which our conversation takes place can be seen as having real value. This aspect along with several others will form part of our film analysis and discussion before and after the viewing.
Refreshments included in a suggested price of R70, however, no one will be denied entrance.
Regional Council Meeting in Johannesburgy 9-11 July
Regional Council Meeting in Johannesburg from 9-11 July preceded by a Priest Synod. The Act of Consecration of Man will not be celebrated on the Wednesday and Friday of the week preceding the Council Meeting.
From the Lenker Letter: At the Regional Council, we will be looking forward to how to support each other and towards next year, 2022, as one where we intensify our common spiritual focus together: that we may become a strong movement from the inside-out to magnify movement from outside-in. Please send your representatives energised with your intentions.
From the Lenker Letter: At the Regional Council, we will be looking forward to how to support each other and towards next year, 2022, as one where we intensify our common spiritual focus together: that we may become a strong movement from the inside-out to magnify movement from outside-in. Please send your representatives energised with your intentions.
Perspectives – news
by John-Peter Gernaat
The distribution and management of subscriptions for Perspectives, the quarterly publication of The Christian Community in the English language published in the UK, has followed Rev. Michaël Merle to Johannesburg. John-Peter Gernaat will assist Michaël in all the logistics and management matters related to the Perspectives for the southern Africa Region. As the edition reviewed in the January newsletter is the first edition for the year 2021, we will be starting with a clean slate for subscriptions. We will print full colour copies of Perspectives and have sourced a printer whose costs are very reasonable. However, the previous annual subscription was costed on black and white printing. There will therefore be an increase in the subscription price. As soon as the Regional Council approves the new proposals, previous subscribers will receive an email and an invoice for this year’s subscription. Because of the increase in costs each subscriber will in future also receive a digital copy that will be available, without the inserted pages from the Region, as soon as the new edition is circulated from the UK.
The new subscription price will be widely circulated because we dearly wish to increase our subscription base. The content of this publication is well worth reading and may be reread for years. The reviews that have been published in the newsletter in the last couple of years should attest to that. Increasing the subscription base also incrementally decreases the printing costs. The new subscription price will have two options: a price without postage for anyone who can collect their copy from the Church of Lazarus or arrange their own mailing and a price that includes tracked mailing via FastMail through the Post Office.
The distribution and management of subscriptions for Perspectives, the quarterly publication of The Christian Community in the English language published in the UK, has followed Rev. Michaël Merle to Johannesburg. John-Peter Gernaat will assist Michaël in all the logistics and management matters related to the Perspectives for the southern Africa Region. As the edition reviewed in the January newsletter is the first edition for the year 2021, we will be starting with a clean slate for subscriptions. We will print full colour copies of Perspectives and have sourced a printer whose costs are very reasonable. However, the previous annual subscription was costed on black and white printing. There will therefore be an increase in the subscription price. As soon as the Regional Council approves the new proposals, previous subscribers will receive an email and an invoice for this year’s subscription. Because of the increase in costs each subscriber will in future also receive a digital copy that will be available, without the inserted pages from the Region, as soon as the new edition is circulated from the UK.
The new subscription price will be widely circulated because we dearly wish to increase our subscription base. The content of this publication is well worth reading and may be reread for years. The reviews that have been published in the newsletter in the last couple of years should attest to that. Increasing the subscription base also incrementally decreases the printing costs. The new subscription price will have two options: a price without postage for anyone who can collect their copy from the Church of Lazarus or arrange their own mailing and a price that includes tracked mailing via FastMail through the Post Office.
Perspectives
Perspectives magazine (which comes out quarterly) is the only English Language publication of its kind in The Christian Community world-wide. It is a source of very interesting, pertinent and thought-provoking articles.
The Editors are offering a one-year free digital subscription to become better acquainted with this valuable publication. After a year the subscription will commute to a paid subscription with the option of a digital or a physical copy of the publication. Please let a priest know should you wish to take up this offer.
The Editors are offering a one-year free digital subscription to become better acquainted with this valuable publication. After a year the subscription will commute to a paid subscription with the option of a digital or a physical copy of the publication. Please let a priest know should you wish to take up this offer.
Gospel Study
The Gospel Study occurs on Tuesdays at 17h30 is taking a winter break. The resumption will be announced.
Old Testament Study with Rev. Michaël Merle – Saturdays between 15h45 and 16h45 – next: 12 June 2021
The Old Testament Stud takes place weekly on Saturdays at 15h45 except on Saturdays when Michaël is involved in another church activity.
Old Testament Study will happen on Saturday 12 and 19 June starting at 15h45.
Old Testament Study will happen on Saturday 12 and 19 June starting at 15h45.
Fund for Training
The Africa Seminary is well underway with the training of Andreas van Breda on the path towards priesthood, through the guidance of the Regional priests and the Africa Seminary impulse.
In March the job that sustained Andreas and his family came to an end. This had been anticipated for some time. It was thought that then Andreas would look for some part-time work, so as to also have the time needed to focus on his studies and hence not prolong his training even further. With the Covid-19 situation, finding such part-time work has become much more difficult. So, in order to give him the time he requires for his studies, it is now advisable that Andreas devout his full attention to the path of priestly preparation. This requires that, as part of supporting priestly training, funds be made available to support him and his family.
The Africa Seminary has therefore set up a dedicated fund for this purpose. If Andreas is able to concentrate on his studies now, we hope that the completion of his priestly training can happen all the sooner.
Any regular contribution or donation to this fund is very welcome and will make a big difference to sustaining the future of our communities.
We appreciate if you share this request with others who might have a heart for this impulse. Thank you.
For the bank account fontanct the church office on joburg@thechristiancommunity.org.za or +27 11 789 3083.
For the Africa Seminary, Rev Reingard Knausenberger and Rev Michaël Merle.
In March the job that sustained Andreas and his family came to an end. This had been anticipated for some time. It was thought that then Andreas would look for some part-time work, so as to also have the time needed to focus on his studies and hence not prolong his training even further. With the Covid-19 situation, finding such part-time work has become much more difficult. So, in order to give him the time he requires for his studies, it is now advisable that Andreas devout his full attention to the path of priestly preparation. This requires that, as part of supporting priestly training, funds be made available to support him and his family.
The Africa Seminary has therefore set up a dedicated fund for this purpose. If Andreas is able to concentrate on his studies now, we hope that the completion of his priestly training can happen all the sooner.
Any regular contribution or donation to this fund is very welcome and will make a big difference to sustaining the future of our communities.
We appreciate if you share this request with others who might have a heart for this impulse. Thank you.
For the bank account fontanct the church office on joburg@thechristiancommunity.org.za or +27 11 789 3083.
For the Africa Seminary, Rev Reingard Knausenberger and Rev Michaël Merle.
UnEarth Your Essence. A Guide to Your Personal Becoming
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by Adam Botha
I wrote and published this book as a means to facilitate a journey to re-enliven and awaken the spirit. Written out of a deep reverence for God and gratitude for Rudolph Steiner’s work, you could say that the result is a means for a sort of “spiritual geology” of the self. The times we find ourselves in ask for a strengthening of our individual centre and will, in accordance with God’s will. But if we do not truly know who we are, why we are here, and where we are going then we risk missing our moment to step in and fully stand in our essence. “We are Originals holding an essential place in space and time, never again to be replicated or repeated in the entire Story of Creation. When the world is ready to receive your gifts and you are ready to give them, you will feel the asking as a tug within your Soul, calling you to an authentic existence full of meaning, love and purpose. Within this context there is no room for the superficial and inauthentic to exist any longer.” My deep hope is that this book will take you on a journey into self to unearth the essence of what, where and who you are. The book is available as an ebook (in pdf format) and as physical book. The ebook is available through the webmaster at R50 while the physical book is available through the author at adam@iwalkawake.com for R220. |
Psychotherapy as a Spiritual PathEva Knausenberger has written a remarkable book that explores modern day trauma through the lens of Anthroposophy and specifically Rudolph Steiner’s Samaritan Course that he gave at the onset of the First World War. The book is available for R150 and all proceeds will be donated to the church. Contact Jan or Celia in the office to order your copy.
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