January to December 2017
Index
List of articles
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Advent Fair report
by John-Peter Gernaat
On Saturday, 18th November we held our annual Advent Fair. It takes a lot of people to make it happen - people who carry the impulse all year long, people who work for months in advance preparing an aspect of the Advent Fair, people who work hard to bring it all together and people who come to enjoy the day with us and support the effort.
The team that coordinated the Advent Fair for 2017 want to thank you all.
Sharing some of the delights of the Advent Fair:
One aim of the Advent Fair is to create a special experience for children. A family who saw the banner and decided to stop were immensely impressed with the activities and crafting opportunities available for their children. They have been to many different fairs and our Advent Fair is unique for children.
The Mother Goose, Light Boats, and Puppet Shows were a perennial favorite with delighted and wide-eyed children exiting these activities. The table performance stories were a delightful return and the treasure hunt and children's games had their tribe of repeat customers. The candle dipping, candle decorating, cookie decorating, beading, Advent Gardens, fairy-wool angels and the new activity of chute-rope bracelet weaving had a steady stream of participants.
The quantity and quality of items for sale as gifts were large this year with our own craft stalls, crafts from Peru brought to us by our visiting priest, Paul Corman, craft curated from the Organic Market, four stallholders with their own crafted goods from decoupage containers to aprons.
The deli stall was well stocked by many different bakers and food makers and there were vegan and gluten-free products as well.
The White Elephant stall and second-hand books did a roaring trade and there were new books from Steiner bookshop on sale.
The Food Court was a major gathering place from the time the Advent Fair opened with breakfast rolls, barista coffee, tea and cakes, Frankfurter rolls and pancakes on sale. The lunch buffet received particularly favourable comments this year and a new addition was a buffet of food for little people.
On Saturday, 18th November we held our annual Advent Fair. It takes a lot of people to make it happen - people who carry the impulse all year long, people who work for months in advance preparing an aspect of the Advent Fair, people who work hard to bring it all together and people who come to enjoy the day with us and support the effort.
The team that coordinated the Advent Fair for 2017 want to thank you all.
Sharing some of the delights of the Advent Fair:
One aim of the Advent Fair is to create a special experience for children. A family who saw the banner and decided to stop were immensely impressed with the activities and crafting opportunities available for their children. They have been to many different fairs and our Advent Fair is unique for children.
The Mother Goose, Light Boats, and Puppet Shows were a perennial favorite with delighted and wide-eyed children exiting these activities. The table performance stories were a delightful return and the treasure hunt and children's games had their tribe of repeat customers. The candle dipping, candle decorating, cookie decorating, beading, Advent Gardens, fairy-wool angels and the new activity of chute-rope bracelet weaving had a steady stream of participants.
The quantity and quality of items for sale as gifts were large this year with our own craft stalls, crafts from Peru brought to us by our visiting priest, Paul Corman, craft curated from the Organic Market, four stallholders with their own crafted goods from decoupage containers to aprons.
The deli stall was well stocked by many different bakers and food makers and there were vegan and gluten-free products as well.
The White Elephant stall and second-hand books did a roaring trade and there were new books from Steiner bookshop on sale.
The Food Court was a major gathering place from the time the Advent Fair opened with breakfast rolls, barista coffee, tea and cakes, Frankfurter rolls and pancakes on sale. The lunch buffet received particularly favourable comments this year and a new addition was a buffet of food for little people.
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The youth of the church were in full force this year and besides having made Advent Wreaths and hand-made soaps for the craft stall, they were responsible for forty litres of pancake batter being tuned into pancakes and sold, the candle dipping, fairy-wool angels, lucky dip and they sang for the diners and helped out wherever they were called upon.
A few musicians helped create a festive atmosphere for the diners throughout the day. A team of helping hands was available at the information desk, directing parking, serving and clearing, relieving at stalls and clearing up everything at the end of the day. The total income from the Advent Fair is estimated at R62 000 from which expenses must still be deducted. The final income and breakdown will be made available soon. |
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Letter from Vienna
by Rev. Malcolm Allsop
Dear Johannesburg Friends,
A rollercoaster month on four suitcases, (one without wheels), since our farewell from Dover Street. From old haunts to pastures new and some still barely known (particularly for Christine who was only briefly here in Vienna before returning to Germany - she should be back for her birthday!).
A few highlights along the way: In the first days – Michaelmas - we experienced an unforgettable, jam-packed, club appearance of a ninety plus, concentration camp survivor who, having read excerpts from her autobiography, was joined by her son on electric bass and a rap singer who together struck up a programme of social-political-critical songs for a better world. A unique and very moving meeting of worlds.
Two weeks in Norway were altogether a highlight - unknown territory with perhaps few parallels; a strong, carved, beautiful landscape, rich but not opulent, mirrored in the people and their culture. Little excess, little flimsiness and between the two a special "inner warmth" seemed thus very real.
A first touchdown in Vienna followed - 104 steps up to our future flat could be described as a highlight? (fourth floor and light-filled rooms where the old parquet flooring is being restored and the walls repainted as I write).
Certainly worth a mention is a globe museum, tucked away behind the bigger tourist attractions. Exhibits from over five hundred years, as the globe was re-discovered. All shapes and sizes - shapes included inflatable and umbrella constructions, sizes ranged from 2cm to almost 2m. Moon and terrestrial globes and the fascinating history from pre-Christian times, as Mankind's awareness for its surroundings expanded. Fascinating - a must when you come and visit!
We whirlwinded back to Germany, partly for the wedding of my god daughter - there was certainly a parental feeling of letting go after twenty eight years accompanying her path.
The highlight throughout proved to be a remarkable Autumn, even by European standards, where the gradual changing of the colours can continue often for a month or more, before the November weather accelerates its decline. This year, said many locals, was extraordinary in its radiance and duration.
Meanwhile snow creeps closer - in Norway we saw it at 1,200m on the train from Oslo to Bergen. In the last days its moved closer and down to 500m....
....and the gift of this transition period draws to a close. (e.g. the monthly Vorstand's meeting this evening - equivalent of the Trustees).
The initial welcome from the Congregation has been very warm, my official induction will be on the 1st Advent. Optimistic into a new chapter!
For you all too, our very best wishes for what also seemed to be a new chapter developing, and surely the passing of our friend Bryan will be felt by many in this context. A time of reflection and looking ahead together as a community. Our four years with you were a time which neither of us would have missed.
"Go Well" and surely our paths will cross.
Malcolm and Christine
Dear Johannesburg Friends,
A rollercoaster month on four suitcases, (one without wheels), since our farewell from Dover Street. From old haunts to pastures new and some still barely known (particularly for Christine who was only briefly here in Vienna before returning to Germany - she should be back for her birthday!).
A few highlights along the way: In the first days – Michaelmas - we experienced an unforgettable, jam-packed, club appearance of a ninety plus, concentration camp survivor who, having read excerpts from her autobiography, was joined by her son on electric bass and a rap singer who together struck up a programme of social-political-critical songs for a better world. A unique and very moving meeting of worlds.
Two weeks in Norway were altogether a highlight - unknown territory with perhaps few parallels; a strong, carved, beautiful landscape, rich but not opulent, mirrored in the people and their culture. Little excess, little flimsiness and between the two a special "inner warmth" seemed thus very real.
A first touchdown in Vienna followed - 104 steps up to our future flat could be described as a highlight? (fourth floor and light-filled rooms where the old parquet flooring is being restored and the walls repainted as I write).
Certainly worth a mention is a globe museum, tucked away behind the bigger tourist attractions. Exhibits from over five hundred years, as the globe was re-discovered. All shapes and sizes - shapes included inflatable and umbrella constructions, sizes ranged from 2cm to almost 2m. Moon and terrestrial globes and the fascinating history from pre-Christian times, as Mankind's awareness for its surroundings expanded. Fascinating - a must when you come and visit!
We whirlwinded back to Germany, partly for the wedding of my god daughter - there was certainly a parental feeling of letting go after twenty eight years accompanying her path.
The highlight throughout proved to be a remarkable Autumn, even by European standards, where the gradual changing of the colours can continue often for a month or more, before the November weather accelerates its decline. This year, said many locals, was extraordinary in its radiance and duration.
Meanwhile snow creeps closer - in Norway we saw it at 1,200m on the train from Oslo to Bergen. In the last days its moved closer and down to 500m....
....and the gift of this transition period draws to a close. (e.g. the monthly Vorstand's meeting this evening - equivalent of the Trustees).
The initial welcome from the Congregation has been very warm, my official induction will be on the 1st Advent. Optimistic into a new chapter!
For you all too, our very best wishes for what also seemed to be a new chapter developing, and surely the passing of our friend Bryan will be felt by many in this context. A time of reflection and looking ahead together as a community. Our four years with you were a time which neither of us would have missed.
"Go Well" and surely our paths will cross.
Malcolm and Christine
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The Michaelmas Conference and Workshops (2 perspectives)
by Ana Lampen
This year’s Michaelmas weekend started on Friday evening with a riveting talk by Dr. Sebastian Lorenz. He spoke about how we cannot avoid what is coming to us from the future, such as increasing technology, robotics and artificial intelligence. Since we need to live and work in this world, we need to increase our spiritual self by developing a parallel consciousness alongside our worldly one. Saturday was divided into 3 workshops. A poetry workshop led by Shirley Marais where we had to think of someone who we are angry with and then intuitively write down feelings associated with that. And later on, arrange and transform what we had written into an artistic piece that other people could read and relate to. A second workshop was led by Reingard, where she read the current epistle and we had to describe the images evoked in us through the listening of the words. Michaël Merle led the third workshop and it involved a series of movement exercises. These illustrated encounters between individuals, what strengthens or weakens a community and how difficult it is for individuals to meet in the same space – (not necessarily physical), at the same time.
All in all, it had to do with being awake, having courage, the strengthening of our “I” and spiritual armour and being able to relate to other individuals and work in the world.
This year’s Michaelmas weekend started on Friday evening with a riveting talk by Dr. Sebastian Lorenz. He spoke about how we cannot avoid what is coming to us from the future, such as increasing technology, robotics and artificial intelligence. Since we need to live and work in this world, we need to increase our spiritual self by developing a parallel consciousness alongside our worldly one. Saturday was divided into 3 workshops. A poetry workshop led by Shirley Marais where we had to think of someone who we are angry with and then intuitively write down feelings associated with that. And later on, arrange and transform what we had written into an artistic piece that other people could read and relate to. A second workshop was led by Reingard, where she read the current epistle and we had to describe the images evoked in us through the listening of the words. Michaël Merle led the third workshop and it involved a series of movement exercises. These illustrated encounters between individuals, what strengthens or weakens a community and how difficult it is for individuals to meet in the same space – (not necessarily physical), at the same time.
All in all, it had to do with being awake, having courage, the strengthening of our “I” and spiritual armour and being able to relate to other individuals and work in the world.
by Sonnya Holtz
Still basking in the glow of the wonderful gift to and the renewed call to the community that was our first ordination in South Africa, we joyfully and in great numbers, attended this year’s Michaelmas conference. We began with a talk from a German visitor, Sebastian Lorenz, about all kinds of things, including the “I” and technology, and their development side by side in the age we live in.
Where in us is our ‘I”, and what happens at the inevitable interface between us and technology?
We had a reading from Mark 8, with Christ asking Peter “Who do you say I am?” and an interpretation of his answer as being: “The I, thus understood, that we recognize it in its spirituality as you, that is the Christ.”
On Saturday we began all together, and then split up into groups to work with Reingard on the Michaelmas epistle, or with Shirley Higgins on poetry writing. Everyone got a chance to do both. Working through the Michaelmas reading word for word gave it a new depth for me the following days when hearing it in the service.
With Shirley we did a brief exercise in three parts, designed to engage with someone in our writing from both our side, and the other’s side. Through reading some poetry out loud to begin with we actively tried to find our shadow side, and be then able to look at a particular person or incident with a fuller understanding.
To end the day’s activities we gathered for an interesting movement exercise facilitated by Michaël Merle on the stage area of the church. Differing directives were given as we moved around the space at varying speeds, including greeting one another warmly, or coldly walking past the other. We learned a lot and had very immediate experiences of community dynamics that made us think.
It was a very enriching weekend for all who attended, and I strongly felt the earnestness and also the wings of the angels around us.
Still basking in the glow of the wonderful gift to and the renewed call to the community that was our first ordination in South Africa, we joyfully and in great numbers, attended this year’s Michaelmas conference. We began with a talk from a German visitor, Sebastian Lorenz, about all kinds of things, including the “I” and technology, and their development side by side in the age we live in.
Where in us is our ‘I”, and what happens at the inevitable interface between us and technology?
We had a reading from Mark 8, with Christ asking Peter “Who do you say I am?” and an interpretation of his answer as being: “The I, thus understood, that we recognize it in its spirituality as you, that is the Christ.”
On Saturday we began all together, and then split up into groups to work with Reingard on the Michaelmas epistle, or with Shirley Higgins on poetry writing. Everyone got a chance to do both. Working through the Michaelmas reading word for word gave it a new depth for me the following days when hearing it in the service.
With Shirley we did a brief exercise in three parts, designed to engage with someone in our writing from both our side, and the other’s side. Through reading some poetry out loud to begin with we actively tried to find our shadow side, and be then able to look at a particular person or incident with a fuller understanding.
To end the day’s activities we gathered for an interesting movement exercise facilitated by Michaël Merle on the stage area of the church. Differing directives were given as we moved around the space at varying speeds, including greeting one another warmly, or coldly walking past the other. We learned a lot and had very immediate experiences of community dynamics that made us think.
It was a very enriching weekend for all who attended, and I strongly felt the earnestness and also the wings of the angels around us.
Oslo to Bergen to Vienna
Myrdal (by Stig Holm)
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The defining image by Wikipedia
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Looks good in the dining car
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The pictures are from the mountain train journey between Oslo and Bergen, a breathtaking journey. First the long haul up into the mountains at 1,200 metres then down through the west coast fjord landscape and the beautiful city of Bergen. Six very special hours on our journey from Jo'burg to Vienna. We are in Vienna since Wednesday, 25th October and 'safe and sound'.
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The Christian Community in South Africa
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thoughts by Rev. Malcolm Allsop curated by John-Peter Gernaat
Before Malcolm and Christine Allsop left Johannesburg, Malcolm wrote an article that was inserted into the fourth quarter edition of Perspectives. It bears the title: Three Weeks, Three Years, Thirty Years. In it Malcolm shares some of his experiences in South Africa, three weeks in 1982, three years (actually, almost 4 years) from 2013-2017 and, more interestingly, looking forward 30 years to see what The Christian Community might become. Malcolm compares what he has seen regarding Christianity in South Africa with Protestantism in Southern Ireland, where he spent some time before coming to South Africa. Christianity was forcibly introduced into Africa and has taken root among the local population. Malcolm sees this manifested in the numerous mega-churches that draw many hundreds of people on Sundays and in the churches that meet in parks and along rivers in smaller groups. Among these mega-churches are many other persuasions, as Malcolm refers to them, and The Christian Community is one of them. Like the protestant church in Southern Ireland, which is Catholic, the question arises whether these persuasions will be accepted by the local population or remain the home of only the outsiders who brought them in originally. Something that riled Malcolm was whenever something was done “because we have always done it this way”. This relates strongly to a statement Malcolm makes in his article that The Christian Community has prided itself on being non-dogmatic. It is this stance of being non-dogmatic that Malcolm sees as the opening for other people to come in and become interested in our Movement. I take the liberty to share what Malcolm sees as a possibility for thirty years hence. |
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Could it be that in thirty years, two generations from now, The Christian Community has really arrived in South Africa and can contribute to a greater cross section of this southernmost country of the African continent?
One further aspect regarding our work is worthy of note, for South Africa and the wider Movement too: that is the mixing and matching of religious/spiritual streams and our individual paths. From its earliest beginnings The Christian Community has prided itself on being non-dogmatic, open and interested in other world religions, in the content and practices of the nature religions, of spiritual leaders who were not necessarily affiliated to a particular religion at all. Within the daily life of the Movement this openness has also become more apparent: that there are members and friends who practice Yoga — one of the first examples — Tai Chi, or who alternate between our Services and those of the Quakers, for example, to find their balance of spiritual expression. In Celtic-influenced areas there will be an overlap with Wicca and related practices through some members. In the case of a mixed marriage there are likely to be two ceremonies (e.g. one Christian and one Hindu), at a Baptism the Sacrament and a blessing or naming ceremony out of another background.
On the one hand many people grow up with no specific religious or spiritual background and feel free to look around and choose their particular direction, which is often a combination of persuasions. On the other hand people are accommodating that with which they have grown up with a new religious/spiritual focus, not unlike some of the early Christians keeping up and integrating some of their Jewish customs from their past.
This applies very much here in South Africa where many of the traditional customs are still practiced, often alongside the new. The continuing relevance of the Sangomas is a classic example — Church on Sunday, faith healer on Monday!
These are added factors which will influence the future of The Christian Community here and its becoming part of the fabric of the spiritual/religious life. In other countries, outside of its place of origin, The Christian Community has united with that people’s folk-soul — often helped by the local language — in the course of the years. (As I write, Norway is celebrating its 90th Anniversary! It would be interesting to hear their comments on the theme.)
The challenge here in South Africa is above average in this regard, given the almost unique social-political circumstances, past and present. But, I believe, not insurmountable. Yes, within 30 years, two generations only, our Movement for Religious Renewal could have united with the country and its peoples in such a way that its spiritual substance bears fruit, that it becomes The African Christian Community.
One further aspect regarding our work is worthy of note, for South Africa and the wider Movement too: that is the mixing and matching of religious/spiritual streams and our individual paths. From its earliest beginnings The Christian Community has prided itself on being non-dogmatic, open and interested in other world religions, in the content and practices of the nature religions, of spiritual leaders who were not necessarily affiliated to a particular religion at all. Within the daily life of the Movement this openness has also become more apparent: that there are members and friends who practice Yoga — one of the first examples — Tai Chi, or who alternate between our Services and those of the Quakers, for example, to find their balance of spiritual expression. In Celtic-influenced areas there will be an overlap with Wicca and related practices through some members. In the case of a mixed marriage there are likely to be two ceremonies (e.g. one Christian and one Hindu), at a Baptism the Sacrament and a blessing or naming ceremony out of another background.
On the one hand many people grow up with no specific religious or spiritual background and feel free to look around and choose their particular direction, which is often a combination of persuasions. On the other hand people are accommodating that with which they have grown up with a new religious/spiritual focus, not unlike some of the early Christians keeping up and integrating some of their Jewish customs from their past.
This applies very much here in South Africa where many of the traditional customs are still practiced, often alongside the new. The continuing relevance of the Sangomas is a classic example — Church on Sunday, faith healer on Monday!
These are added factors which will influence the future of The Christian Community here and its becoming part of the fabric of the spiritual/religious life. In other countries, outside of its place of origin, The Christian Community has united with that people’s folk-soul — often helped by the local language — in the course of the years. (As I write, Norway is celebrating its 90th Anniversary! It would be interesting to hear their comments on the theme.)
The challenge here in South Africa is above average in this regard, given the almost unique social-political circumstances, past and present. But, I believe, not insurmountable. Yes, within 30 years, two generations only, our Movement for Religious Renewal could have united with the country and its peoples in such a way that its spiritual substance bears fruit, that it becomes The African Christian Community.
Shock as an aid to our development
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by David Wertheim Aymes
In pre-Christian times, people were initiated in a process of near death that loosened their etheric from their physical. (A complete separation happens at death.) In this way, they were able to go into the world of spirit for a few days while in this state, and, while being 'managed' by others around them. They were then brought back by the carers into a normal state of consciousness. Because of the preparation before this event and the support during it, the person would come back knowing the quality and reality of the world of spirit and would be permanently changed as a consequence. They would know why patience, clarity, compassion, objectivity, diligence, ownership of self, openness, positivity, courage, skill, experience were so important. They could then be this. This process and possibility slowly left mankind as our constitutions changed. Christianity requires of us that we loosen our etheric ourselves, without carers, and find the world of spirit ourselves. Shock however has a similar effect on us as the old way of separation did. It shakes our etheric loose and in the immediate aftermath of this, we can have feelings of deep devotion as a consequence of very briefly being in touch with the good and the true of the spirit. Our challenge as modern people is to invite the qualities of the spirit into our souls voluntarily, with our own designed effort, and not to rely on the shocks of life for this. If one can, we are in the right place, and, better people. |
The raising of Lazarus by William Blake
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Farewell to the Allsops
Gifts
from Jane Abrahams, with love. 12/9/17
For Malcolm and Christine as they leave Johannesburg. Go joyfully, dear people back to the source whence flowed all our gifts of language, music, art. But take with you in a small corner of your luggage a bit of our roughness: the way the red earth shouts at the sky, the way the crowd toyi-toyis like waves of the sea. Take with you the memory of swarming taxis and ugly downtown buildings, of makeshift shabby homes and the quiet green garden spaces where you laid to rest some of our friends. When you are cradled in the culture of centuries remember us who perch on such a thin veneer of history who drank so eagerly of what you had to give. Just two of you – but your modest hands poured out an abundance: a river of gifts for our thirsty soil and always the greatest gift of all – the caring, listening ear. |
Grumpy and Malvoy
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by Jan Lampen
Curtain up. Two dwarfs, Grumpy and Malvoy, carry a large log. Priest and Liebling stroll on. Liebling: But aren’t you getting tired? It looks like a real heavy load. Grumpy: Of course it is heavy load! I don’t know where you come from, but here EVERYTHING is heavy. This is AFRICA. Everything is heavy! Priest: Oh Dear. Does it have to be so? Grumpy: And where if we may ask do you come from? Priest: I am from ENGLAND. Grumpy: ENGLAND! Malvoy: ENGLAND! Grumpy: No wonder. ENGLAND … NKANDLA … he he he … After getting to know each other a little. Priest: Well, we must be off. It was very nice meeting you. Liebling: Yes, Auf Wedersehn. Malvoy: Wait! Where are you going? Priest: We’re off to Vienna. Grumpy: VIENNA! Malvoy: VIENNA! Grumpy: How absurd! Singing and dancing: Heigh-ho, heigh-ho It’s off to Vienna they go We love them both We’ll miss them too They’ve lessened our load. This is a short excerpt from the Puppet Theatre Play written by Jan Lampen and performed for the Allsop farewell festivities. |
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The Ordination of Michaël Merle
During the weekend a couple of people took photographs of some of the events.
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A poem for Peter
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by David Wertheim Aymes (written after the talk Peter van Breda gave on the Friday before the Ordination of Michaël Merle)
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Rev. Peter van Breda
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‘Communities of Initiative’
Click on the image for a link to the Perspectives website.
a précis by John-Peter Gernaat
During the Ordination weekend our Erzoberlenker, Rev. Vicke von Behr, spoke about the kind of communities we, as The Christian Community, can strive to become. What he said he also discussed in a conversation that was printed in Perspectives. I am taking the liberty to reprint what is in Perspectives, here, but having read the entire conversation I see the benefit of giving some context from the full conversation, so I am taking even greater liberties in extracting pieces I think help paint a fuller picture.
Rev. Ulrich Meier, priest in Hamburg and one of the directors of the Hamburg Seminary, initiated this conversation in thinking about the 100th anniversary of The Christian Community in five years time. Vicke von Behr spoke about the founding of The Christian Community, which takes its form from the Catholic Church and a way of being a congregation that is peculiar to the Lutheran church. “How do we move from this traditional image of the church into a concept of the church or of church life, which opens up new possibilities for the future? When we visit communities in other countries, we see how something quite independent has developed there.” An example is the youth work in Buenos Aires. Ulrich Meier asked whether the need for ‘free congregations’, spoken of by Rudolf Steiner, meant more diversity in the form and life of our congregations. Vicke von Behr: “I believe this will be more and more important in the future: the congregations need to develop in their own ways, rather than conforming to a general idea of how Christianity should be lived. This also applies to the priests. When Rudolf Steiner said we should take hold of our priesthood from the ego, it means that there are as many different ways to be a priest as there are human beings who try to live this profession. This can be applied to the congregations, too. There should be as many congregations as there are people who share the impulse to lead a free religious life and to create communities together and keep them alive.”
Vicke von Behr also spoke during the weekend of how The Christian Community is a church that “stands in the stream of exoteric church history, but at the same time we also have the task of developing an esoteric Christianity. For me this means that the proclamation in the future will need to be far more focused on this esoteric Christianity. The members would need to understand ever more deeply what the rituals mean. Out of this understanding, a completely different inner activity in co-celebrating the sacraments can develop. From this feeling of co-responsibility for the celebration of the sacraments, the impulses for the formation of the congregation could arise. Every congregation has to find out for itself at its altar: What kind of congregation are we? What kind of social life wants to unfold out of our common religious life? Not out of tradition, but out of the wishes, the possibilities, the needs of the people who live together. We could put this another way: our social life around the altar gives Christ, who is reappearing in our time, the possibility to be at work in the destinies of individuals and to accompany them.” When asked what that meant in terms of outer work in the wider community, Vicke van Behr cautioned a need for balance to not become either a sect through emphasis on the esoteric or loose the substance of our community in the outer work. “If we manage to develop initiatives that arise from this substance, which we offer to our neighbours, this need not be done in an outer missionary spirit. It could however lead people to experience that something is being cultivated here which has its roots not in the wider culture but in an active religious life.”
As to the kind of congregation we could become Vicke von Behr said: “We must become ‘communities of initiative’. I experience this with the young people: they do not have a strong need to get together and listen to talks or be served in some way; they come together and want to do something with each other. This is something that can be inspiring for the adults too, that we become communities of initiative in which projects come about which on the one hand enliven and inspire the life of the community and, at the same time, radiate into the world so that people can perceive that something is happening in this community of people which touches us, which perhaps even concerns us and makes us wonder whether we might want to take part.”
In summary: initiatives or projects can help involve a larger part of the congregation and involve our congregation in the wider community at the same time we should find ways to deepen our understanding of what the rituals mean, to form a congregation that is unique to the impulses that live in our congregation through the religious life.
During the Ordination weekend our Erzoberlenker, Rev. Vicke von Behr, spoke about the kind of communities we, as The Christian Community, can strive to become. What he said he also discussed in a conversation that was printed in Perspectives. I am taking the liberty to reprint what is in Perspectives, here, but having read the entire conversation I see the benefit of giving some context from the full conversation, so I am taking even greater liberties in extracting pieces I think help paint a fuller picture.
Rev. Ulrich Meier, priest in Hamburg and one of the directors of the Hamburg Seminary, initiated this conversation in thinking about the 100th anniversary of The Christian Community in five years time. Vicke von Behr spoke about the founding of The Christian Community, which takes its form from the Catholic Church and a way of being a congregation that is peculiar to the Lutheran church. “How do we move from this traditional image of the church into a concept of the church or of church life, which opens up new possibilities for the future? When we visit communities in other countries, we see how something quite independent has developed there.” An example is the youth work in Buenos Aires. Ulrich Meier asked whether the need for ‘free congregations’, spoken of by Rudolf Steiner, meant more diversity in the form and life of our congregations. Vicke von Behr: “I believe this will be more and more important in the future: the congregations need to develop in their own ways, rather than conforming to a general idea of how Christianity should be lived. This also applies to the priests. When Rudolf Steiner said we should take hold of our priesthood from the ego, it means that there are as many different ways to be a priest as there are human beings who try to live this profession. This can be applied to the congregations, too. There should be as many congregations as there are people who share the impulse to lead a free religious life and to create communities together and keep them alive.”
Vicke von Behr also spoke during the weekend of how The Christian Community is a church that “stands in the stream of exoteric church history, but at the same time we also have the task of developing an esoteric Christianity. For me this means that the proclamation in the future will need to be far more focused on this esoteric Christianity. The members would need to understand ever more deeply what the rituals mean. Out of this understanding, a completely different inner activity in co-celebrating the sacraments can develop. From this feeling of co-responsibility for the celebration of the sacraments, the impulses for the formation of the congregation could arise. Every congregation has to find out for itself at its altar: What kind of congregation are we? What kind of social life wants to unfold out of our common religious life? Not out of tradition, but out of the wishes, the possibilities, the needs of the people who live together. We could put this another way: our social life around the altar gives Christ, who is reappearing in our time, the possibility to be at work in the destinies of individuals and to accompany them.” When asked what that meant in terms of outer work in the wider community, Vicke van Behr cautioned a need for balance to not become either a sect through emphasis on the esoteric or loose the substance of our community in the outer work. “If we manage to develop initiatives that arise from this substance, which we offer to our neighbours, this need not be done in an outer missionary spirit. It could however lead people to experience that something is being cultivated here which has its roots not in the wider culture but in an active religious life.”
As to the kind of congregation we could become Vicke von Behr said: “We must become ‘communities of initiative’. I experience this with the young people: they do not have a strong need to get together and listen to talks or be served in some way; they come together and want to do something with each other. This is something that can be inspiring for the adults too, that we become communities of initiative in which projects come about which on the one hand enliven and inspire the life of the community and, at the same time, radiate into the world so that people can perceive that something is happening in this community of people which touches us, which perhaps even concerns us and makes us wonder whether we might want to take part.”
In summary: initiatives or projects can help involve a larger part of the congregation and involve our congregation in the wider community at the same time we should find ways to deepen our understanding of what the rituals mean, to form a congregation that is unique to the impulses that live in our congregation through the religious life.
Signage
by Rev. Malcolm Allsop
A big compliment to K.G.D. Signage for getting our new signs so close to our specifications, not least of all with regard to the delicate issue of colour. And they were here just in time for the Ordination weekend to welcome the many visitors from further afield. Equally, thanks to Adam’s expertise in the design phase and to the various donors who footed the bill. (In the end it turned out cheaper than the original estimate! - see Sept. Newsletter.) May the signs inspire and enthuse the Congregation in the time ahead.
A big compliment to K.G.D. Signage for getting our new signs so close to our specifications, not least of all with regard to the delicate issue of colour. And they were here just in time for the Ordination weekend to welcome the many visitors from further afield. Equally, thanks to Adam’s expertise in the design phase and to the various donors who footed the bill. (In the end it turned out cheaper than the original estimate! - see Sept. Newsletter.) May the signs inspire and enthuse the Congregation in the time ahead.
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Ordination Weekend 22nd to 25th September
Theme
Angel, Priest and Congregation at the Altar of the Christ
(Picture: Nietta Sombart)
"Christ is the Morning Star, who,
when the night of this world is past,
gives to his saints the promise
of the light of life,
and opens everlasting day."
(Meditation on Apocalypse 2:28 by Venerable Bede)
when the night of this world is past,
gives to his saints the promise
of the light of life,
and opens everlasting day."
(Meditation on Apocalypse 2:28 by Venerable Bede)
The Sacrament of Ordination to a Priest
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger, Lenker, Southern African Region
On Sunday, 24th September, our community will be hosting this first celebration of the Priest Ordination in South Africa. The weekend from the evening of Friday, 22nd September to midday on Monday, 25th September will be a very festive one, where we will be seeing guests coming from the whole Southern African Region and Europe. It will be a rare opportunity to experience this sacrament, which is intricately interwoven with the Act of Consecration of Man. Reverend Vicke von Behr, our Erzoberlenker, will come to celebrate this sacrament.
Every ordination is in itself a kind of birth, both in the life of the one who is ordained and in that of the whole Community. The Christian Community's building stones are the hearts of those men and women who have found faith in the Deed on Golgotha as it works into life on earth and in Christ as a cosmic reality. Each time that another one makes the weighty decision to give his life to work as priest, Christian Community comes on to earth a little further. This is true in a general sense, but in a particular sense, too, it is a festival of hope and promise as it touches the heart of our human purpose.
To come to stand at the altar as an ordinand, a journey of intense preparation goes before. The story of Michaël Merle’s life is that of a preparation begun long before he himself could be aware of it already as a boy. He did not know why as a young man he had to go to a theological seminary and then after some years, finding his seeking not fulfilled, turn to other work. In the last twelve years the seed which was planted then, began to germinate with the encounter of the Act of Consecration of Man. May it grow like the grain of mustard seed into a goodly tree. This ordination leads us to Michaelmas and puts the symbol of hope over the whole work of our Christian Community and can strengthen our conscious resolve to serve Christ, individually and together.
On Sunday, 24th September, our community will be hosting this first celebration of the Priest Ordination in South Africa. The weekend from the evening of Friday, 22nd September to midday on Monday, 25th September will be a very festive one, where we will be seeing guests coming from the whole Southern African Region and Europe. It will be a rare opportunity to experience this sacrament, which is intricately interwoven with the Act of Consecration of Man. Reverend Vicke von Behr, our Erzoberlenker, will come to celebrate this sacrament.
Every ordination is in itself a kind of birth, both in the life of the one who is ordained and in that of the whole Community. The Christian Community's building stones are the hearts of those men and women who have found faith in the Deed on Golgotha as it works into life on earth and in Christ as a cosmic reality. Each time that another one makes the weighty decision to give his life to work as priest, Christian Community comes on to earth a little further. This is true in a general sense, but in a particular sense, too, it is a festival of hope and promise as it touches the heart of our human purpose.
To come to stand at the altar as an ordinand, a journey of intense preparation goes before. The story of Michaël Merle’s life is that of a preparation begun long before he himself could be aware of it already as a boy. He did not know why as a young man he had to go to a theological seminary and then after some years, finding his seeking not fulfilled, turn to other work. In the last twelve years the seed which was planted then, began to germinate with the encounter of the Act of Consecration of Man. May it grow like the grain of mustard seed into a goodly tree. This ordination leads us to Michaelmas and puts the symbol of hope over the whole work of our Christian Community and can strengthen our conscious resolve to serve Christ, individually and together.
A Christ imbued hope
by Rev. Peter van Breda
Since the turn of the century all over the world and in so many ways humanity finds itself confronting events and happenings which challenge us to the core of our being. Ecologically the earth is in desperate straits; vast changes are afoot in technology, the robotic age has dawned, artificial intelligence and altogether everything connected to this digital world is already having a massive influence. Politically and socially there are conflicts; uncertainty abounds in all walks of life and so this list can go on with an overwhelming intensity. Into this chaos and uncertainty though we will in the city of Johannesburg, which carries this apocalyptical name, be celebrating an Ordination. With this sacrament a new priest will emerge who will be empowered through the Sacrament of Ordination to stand at the altar of Christ and celebrate with the support of a congregation, that which the world and all its many peoples so desperately need: ‘The Act of Consecration of Man.’ Through our faithful pledge to come together at the hallowing altar not only is a sure new hope born but also the knowledge that the grace that flows from this altar penetrates and permeates the earth in a deed of ongoing renewal. The hearts and minds of all who recognise Christ’s healing power will one day stand together united in a church there for the purpose of the healing of all mankind. A community of Christians who gather together and resolve to work for the future redemption of the earth will become stewards of a hope-filled future so needed in our time.
It is about this Christ imbued hope that I shared with you on Friday, 22nd September.
Since the turn of the century all over the world and in so many ways humanity finds itself confronting events and happenings which challenge us to the core of our being. Ecologically the earth is in desperate straits; vast changes are afoot in technology, the robotic age has dawned, artificial intelligence and altogether everything connected to this digital world is already having a massive influence. Politically and socially there are conflicts; uncertainty abounds in all walks of life and so this list can go on with an overwhelming intensity. Into this chaos and uncertainty though we will in the city of Johannesburg, which carries this apocalyptical name, be celebrating an Ordination. With this sacrament a new priest will emerge who will be empowered through the Sacrament of Ordination to stand at the altar of Christ and celebrate with the support of a congregation, that which the world and all its many peoples so desperately need: ‘The Act of Consecration of Man.’ Through our faithful pledge to come together at the hallowing altar not only is a sure new hope born but also the knowledge that the grace that flows from this altar penetrates and permeates the earth in a deed of ongoing renewal. The hearts and minds of all who recognise Christ’s healing power will one day stand together united in a church there for the purpose of the healing of all mankind. A community of Christians who gather together and resolve to work for the future redemption of the earth will become stewards of a hope-filled future so needed in our time.
It is about this Christ imbued hope that I shared with you on Friday, 22nd September.
The priests present in the congregation for the Ordination: lt to rt Rev. Reingard Knausenberger (lenker for the Southern African Region), Rev. Vicke von Behr (Erzoberlenker, Berlin); Rev. Michaël Merle; Rev. Richard Goodall; Rev. Peter van Breda (Temple Lodge, London); Rev. Malcolm Allsop (moved to Vienna); Rev. Kine Voigts; Rev. Peter Holman; Rev. Selina Horn (Stroud, UK)
Three sets of photographs were taken during the weekend that may be accesses by clicking the picture-buttons below. Please be aware that these are all high resolution photos that will consume data which may be important to note when viewing these on a mobile devise using mobile data.
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People of the Great Sand Face
by John-Peter Gernaat
On Saturday, 12th August a group of people sat down to watch the documentary made by Paul Myburgh “People of the Great Sand Face”. Although Paul speaks of living in the bushman band from the perspective of having lived that life himself, he does not appear on camera in this film. The film is about the daily life of the bushmen and spans the four seasons of a year. The commentary is very objective on what life is like hunting and gathering in the ultra-dry Kalahari. It was made for ITV in 1985 and Paul does not yet speak of the many ideas that he includes in his more recent book “The Bushman Winter has Come”; ideas that resonate strongly with him, that he encountered in reading Anthroposophy.
In the discussion that followed the film a lot was said about Paul and how he came to live with this band of bushmen. For most of the people the ability to live the lifestyle of the bushmen is completely foreign and beyond their grasp. I encountered the life of the bushmen early in my schooling through a film and a discussion from someone (or a group of film makers) at school. Later in my childhood I read a story by Laurens van der Post of a boy who is forced to flee into the Kalahari and meets up with a band of bushmen who help him survive until he is able to return to his own life. The existence and the life of the bushmen has been for me as though they are close neighbours that I have sadly failed to meet. I have always been envious of their ability to walk and run long distances after an animal without showing any clear athleticism, it is just a part of their natural ability.
It is also interesting to reflect on the community life in a bushman band. In this band there were several families with their own separate lives and then there was the daily community life, the communal gathering of the women and the communal hunting of the men. Even though the meat from a hunt was shared there was a clear etiquette as to what the hunter who had shot the animal received. There were other customs around the slaughtering of an animal that were strictly adhered to. And then there was the communal decision making when there was strife in a family, such a hunter who had been unsuccessful for several weeks, and the need for communal healing performed through dance and a the band’s healer raising himself into a trance.
On Saturday, 12th August a group of people sat down to watch the documentary made by Paul Myburgh “People of the Great Sand Face”. Although Paul speaks of living in the bushman band from the perspective of having lived that life himself, he does not appear on camera in this film. The film is about the daily life of the bushmen and spans the four seasons of a year. The commentary is very objective on what life is like hunting and gathering in the ultra-dry Kalahari. It was made for ITV in 1985 and Paul does not yet speak of the many ideas that he includes in his more recent book “The Bushman Winter has Come”; ideas that resonate strongly with him, that he encountered in reading Anthroposophy.
In the discussion that followed the film a lot was said about Paul and how he came to live with this band of bushmen. For most of the people the ability to live the lifestyle of the bushmen is completely foreign and beyond their grasp. I encountered the life of the bushmen early in my schooling through a film and a discussion from someone (or a group of film makers) at school. Later in my childhood I read a story by Laurens van der Post of a boy who is forced to flee into the Kalahari and meets up with a band of bushmen who help him survive until he is able to return to his own life. The existence and the life of the bushmen has been for me as though they are close neighbours that I have sadly failed to meet. I have always been envious of their ability to walk and run long distances after an animal without showing any clear athleticism, it is just a part of their natural ability.
It is also interesting to reflect on the community life in a bushman band. In this band there were several families with their own separate lives and then there was the daily community life, the communal gathering of the women and the communal hunting of the men. Even though the meat from a hunt was shared there was a clear etiquette as to what the hunter who had shot the animal received. There were other customs around the slaughtering of an animal that were strictly adhered to. And then there was the communal decision making when there was strife in a family, such a hunter who had been unsuccessful for several weeks, and the need for communal healing performed through dance and a the band’s healer raising himself into a trance.
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My first year to miss a camp…
by Reabetswe Modise (22 yrs)
Some of my fondest memories of being a Michael Mount student (and I have many) are my memories of The Christian Community Children’s Camp. I loved the camps so much as a child, that I even returned as a helper until I finished my B.Sc. Physiology and Sociology. Now I am too far away, studying medicine in China, to come this year. How do I prepare for Christmas?!
I think I loved them because I was allowed, and even encouraged, to be a child, where technology, getting in out of cars and ‘time’ were things that I did not have to concern myself with; and spending extra time with friends was just a bonus! Camp was a place where I could be outside with a group of friends, and just be, where the only time that mattered, and I had to be concerned with, was the time to be with friends, eat a meal and do things in community, the time for playing and fun and interesting adventures. I often ask myself why it is that I go back to camp every year, and start after camp, planning for the next year, and don’t mind the effort of preparation for being a helper. Where does this sense of deep joy come from? Yes, I go back to immerse myself in community and companionship, to hear the stories and riddles, the songs, to laugh a lot and experience precious moments of awe and reverence together; but I know now that it is really because I would like to, in some way, be part of something meaningful, that holds Childhood as something special and important for giving a source of strength for a lifetime.
Some of my fondest memories of being a Michael Mount student (and I have many) are my memories of The Christian Community Children’s Camp. I loved the camps so much as a child, that I even returned as a helper until I finished my B.Sc. Physiology and Sociology. Now I am too far away, studying medicine in China, to come this year. How do I prepare for Christmas?!
I think I loved them because I was allowed, and even encouraged, to be a child, where technology, getting in out of cars and ‘time’ were things that I did not have to concern myself with; and spending extra time with friends was just a bonus! Camp was a place where I could be outside with a group of friends, and just be, where the only time that mattered, and I had to be concerned with, was the time to be with friends, eat a meal and do things in community, the time for playing and fun and interesting adventures. I often ask myself why it is that I go back to camp every year, and start after camp, planning for the next year, and don’t mind the effort of preparation for being a helper. Where does this sense of deep joy come from? Yes, I go back to immerse myself in community and companionship, to hear the stories and riddles, the songs, to laugh a lot and experience precious moments of awe and reverence together; but I know now that it is really because I would like to, in some way, be part of something meaningful, that holds Childhood as something special and important for giving a source of strength for a lifetime.
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Playing With Fire – review of the International Whitsun Conference
by David Wertheim Aymes
The conference started on Friday, 2nd June. Chandré and I flew into Schiphol airport near Amsterdam on that morning. We caught the train to ’s-Hertogenbosch. We asked a helpful official where the venue was. She directed us to follow the railway line for about a kilometre and a half. There were conference signs along the way to keep us confident. The venue was a series of halls subdivided into smaller units and meeting rooms. All meals were served in the open areas. The youth camped in cardboard tents set up in the outside areas on tar paving and used other parts of this outside area for their activities. We registered and attended activities from 16h00 on Friday until the close on Tuesday the 6th at 13h00. We were all dispatched with a nice lunch pack at this point. We stayed at a hotel within a wooded park, 12kms away. We rented bikes and rode in each day and returned at night after nine, still in the light. The weather was generous to us.
The conference started on Friday, 2nd June. Chandré and I flew into Schiphol airport near Amsterdam on that morning. We caught the train to ’s-Hertogenbosch. We asked a helpful official where the venue was. She directed us to follow the railway line for about a kilometre and a half. There were conference signs along the way to keep us confident. The venue was a series of halls subdivided into smaller units and meeting rooms. All meals were served in the open areas. The youth camped in cardboard tents set up in the outside areas on tar paving and used other parts of this outside area for their activities. We registered and attended activities from 16h00 on Friday until the close on Tuesday the 6th at 13h00. We were all dispatched with a nice lunch pack at this point. We stayed at a hotel within a wooded park, 12kms away. We rented bikes and rode in each day and returned at night after nine, still in the light. The weather was generous to us.
There were 1200 delegates from about 50 Countries. There were essentially four activities each day. The day started at nine with the Act of Consecration of Man in at least four venues and an assortment of languages. There was a pause for tea and then a second activity or lecture until 12h30. Another pause and lunch until 16h00. The third activity went on until 17h30 when dinner was served. At 18h45 the final session of the day, all delegates in the big hall for updates and a lecture followed immediately by the Close of Day.
I went there to find out where The Christian Community, and people associated with it, were in themselves, what their thinking was, what they were hoping for, offering, and/or doing. I chose activities in the economic and practical spheres where they were offered. I also attended a discussion session with the Circle of Seven who wanted to hear where we thought the movement needed to go.
In summary, this is what I experienced:
The booklet that they sent us away with, that has something written by the Circle of Seven, is really worth a read. We brought a copy with us for the Community.
Around the Globe that we call Earth – there are a few, 100 000 Christian Community members, together with many more from other environments and those from humble communities – there are human souls sensitive to the Christ in them. The Angelic sphere finds out where this Earth is as they gaze out and see the light within these souls and there they place their interest.
I went there to find out where The Christian Community, and people associated with it, were in themselves, what their thinking was, what they were hoping for, offering, and/or doing. I chose activities in the economic and practical spheres where they were offered. I also attended a discussion session with the Circle of Seven who wanted to hear where we thought the movement needed to go.
In summary, this is what I experienced:
- World Class clear thinking, equanimity, reverence and adoration for various good things.
- World Class skills in some artists like the violinist. Just superb.
- Good organisation.
- The surfers with their coloured hair and plaited beards and mauve clothing riding the wave of the above. They are always there, but they were few, positively few.
- There was excellent analysis of why things were bad or wrong and some great imaginations about what the future will be, but very few down to earth practical steps of how to get there, other than the safe bet of prayer.
- A huge theme for me was that people giving the talks were using Goetheanistic observation to get to their views on things. This for me is justified and correct. I do believe that this is a very valid step but there are now next steps.
- There was an Anthroposophical humour show. It was very good and very funny. People left regularly during this presentation, either as they boiled over or as they discovered it was in English. The clown was an American. I went up to meet him afterwards. He was a very soft skinned sensitive man just trying to get us to see ourselves. It hurt me that people left the show.
- I went there to meet and interact with people, to discover that which I mentioned above and my purpose of being there. People were very slow on meeting new people and many a sought after eye contact was avoided. It was definitely a very prevalent state of soul. People were difficult to meet. Something unusual had to happen for one to make contact, even at the lunch benches where we sat next to each other; but a few contacts were made.
- The talk given by the member of the Anthroposophical Society Vorstand was intellectual in my view. The talk by Otto Sharmer was as good as a sleeping pill. Many people fell asleep or left. It was way below other contributions; for me, embarrassing.
- I was joyous and deeply ‘glad’ that the Christ impulse is showing itself in the ‘shadow’ of Mankind and that ‘humanity’ in us is alive, even if it seems so hidden.
The booklet that they sent us away with, that has something written by the Circle of Seven, is really worth a read. We brought a copy with us for the Community.
Around the Globe that we call Earth – there are a few, 100 000 Christian Community members, together with many more from other environments and those from humble communities – there are human souls sensitive to the Christ in them. The Angelic sphere finds out where this Earth is as they gaze out and see the light within these souls and there they place their interest.
In The Library
by Rev. Malcolm Allsop
The Circle of Seven has produced a very fine publication about themselves and aspects of The Christian Community. Simply titled “Circle of Seven. Executive Committee”, each member of this central body introduces themselves and shares some of their involvements, hopes and observations (See opening contemplation). Other central organs, e.g. the Foundation, the Seminaries, etc. are also introduced. That it has been immediately published in English as well is particularly welcome and two copies are in the library for general reading. NB. As with the quarterly journal “Perspectives”, library copies are library copies and preferably stay in the library. Please, if you do borrow such booklets or journals, i.e. take them out of the library, leave a note to that effect. Thanks, and fruitful reading.
The Circle of Seven has produced a very fine publication about themselves and aspects of The Christian Community. Simply titled “Circle of Seven. Executive Committee”, each member of this central body introduces themselves and shares some of their involvements, hopes and observations (See opening contemplation). Other central organs, e.g. the Foundation, the Seminaries, etc. are also introduced. That it has been immediately published in English as well is particularly welcome and two copies are in the library for general reading. NB. As with the quarterly journal “Perspectives”, library copies are library copies and preferably stay in the library. Please, if you do borrow such booklets or journals, i.e. take them out of the library, leave a note to that effect. Thanks, and fruitful reading.
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Confirmations
Photographs of the Confirmation in Johannesburg can be seen here. There were five children from our congregation who were prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation; four were confirmed in Johannesburg and one was confirmed in Cape Town because of family circumstances.
A photo of the five confirmands in Hillcrest KZN is their web page at the bottom.
Reingard also travelled to Windhoek where three confirmands went with her on a retreat before the Sacrament of Confirmation. A photo taken at the retreat is on their website.
A photo of the five confirmands in Hillcrest KZN is their web page at the bottom.
Reingard also travelled to Windhoek where three confirmands went with her on a retreat before the Sacrament of Confirmation. A photo taken at the retreat is on their website.
The Car Boot Sale
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by Rev. Malcolm Allsop
Amazing how many Rands come together even by a fairly modest stream of people! But the weather supported us (unlike the previous Saturday when it had rained all day), the mood was very positive with barely a hiccough ‘back stage’, lots of flute music! good food served by our young conference goers and an almost completely new set of traders, most of whom were also content with their day’s takings. Some of our Ferndale neighbours were there, (the local community for whom we hold it, in part) and others who had seen it advertised in one of the numerous places where it had had a mention – schools, newspapers, community Whatsapp groups, telegraph poles, radio stations, you name it, it was there! Thank you to the many helpers, which enabled us, after costs, to give R15,850 to the Youth Group – ‘Bon Voyage’ and we look forward to hearing of their travels on Sunday, 25th June after the Service. What could be an inspiring and worthy cause next year? |
Click for photos
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Library Corner
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Our library has a substantial collection of books written by Christian Community priests who explore this, such as: Free from Dogma Theological Reflections in The Christian Community by Tom Ravetz.
In the first half, Tom Ravetz addresses questions about God, the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit and evil. In the second half, he traces humanity’s journey from oneness, to multiplicity, and to a new oneness through community. |
Remembering Bobby MacIntosh
In the eulogies at his funeral we leaned of Bobby's fascination with capturing small birds and releasing them. This is reflected in some of his poetry, such as the this poem from page 34 of The Wendy Moment, A Story of Dreams, Songs, Love and Poetry by Robert Alexander MacIntosh.
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Taking possession of bird thoughts.
Fallen thoughts, fallen birds, thoughts held momentarily shaken and captive. What else is a fallen thought but a fallen bird, perhaps with broken wings - held captive for a time in earthbound circumstances - waiting for death, waiting for a regeneration, a resurrection - that through fiery furnaces, it may recover its broken wings, recover its wings - and into aethereal regions, heavenly regions, spread its wings and more truly, O, ever more truly heavenwards fly? |
A 2011 photo of Bobby on his birthday with a friend, Claudia, wish whom he share a birthday.
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Movie Saturday: “Rise of the Guardians”
by Elmarie Vuren
On Saturday, 18th Kerry Audouin kindly facilitated the viewing of this delightful movie filled with laughter, beautiful animated characters and a story line that tugged at the heart of the child in all of us. A story about good versus evil starring Jack Frost, Nicholas St. North (Santa Claus), Easter Bunny, Mr. Sandman and the Tooth Fairy against Pitch Black (the bad guy) - each brought to life in an entertaining and thought provoking way. And don’t forget Jamie, his sister Sophie and their friend Cup Cake.
In the story, Pitch threatens to destroy children’s belief in the existence of these characters through clouding them over with black fear. Jack Frost is chosen to be the new Guardian of children’s beliefs and to fulfill his duty he has to take on Pitch to eliminate his impact on children all over the world whose dreams, shining like lights across the globe, are fast being extinguished by Pitch.
The movie was both intriguing for it asks us to question what we believe in, and how that shapes our experience of life.
On Saturday, 18th Kerry Audouin kindly facilitated the viewing of this delightful movie filled with laughter, beautiful animated characters and a story line that tugged at the heart of the child in all of us. A story about good versus evil starring Jack Frost, Nicholas St. North (Santa Claus), Easter Bunny, Mr. Sandman and the Tooth Fairy against Pitch Black (the bad guy) - each brought to life in an entertaining and thought provoking way. And don’t forget Jamie, his sister Sophie and their friend Cup Cake.
In the story, Pitch threatens to destroy children’s belief in the existence of these characters through clouding them over with black fear. Jack Frost is chosen to be the new Guardian of children’s beliefs and to fulfill his duty he has to take on Pitch to eliminate his impact on children all over the world whose dreams, shining like lights across the globe, are fast being extinguished by Pitch.
The movie was both intriguing for it asks us to question what we believe in, and how that shapes our experience of life.
"Congregation in the Time of Individualisation" by Karin van Schilling
by John-Peter Gernaat
On Sunday, 12th March Karin von Schilling shared an idea with the congregation to help strengthen us as a congregation. The idea is very simple but bear with me as I lay the foundation in the way that Karin did.
First, Karin showed us a painting of the disciples of Christ in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. She reminded us that we (as Christians) are all in that boat. It may seem as if the sea is calm, but it could become stormy at any time. Where will we turn when it does?
Secondly, she reminded us to take some time to read the letters of St Paul which are all written to congregations (Specifically look at Ephesians 4:15 and Corinthians 1:4-12) and also to read the Revelation of St John to the Angels on the Seven Congregations (Revelation 1 & 2). Paul describes, among other things, that the individuality and specific skills of the members of a congregation make up the congregation. St John paints a picture that the Congregations are Lamp stands – lights shining out into the world – and the Angels of the Congregations are Stars – Heavenly lights for all to see. This is a powerful image when you picture yourself as a member of a congregation.
On Sunday, 12th March Karin von Schilling shared an idea with the congregation to help strengthen us as a congregation. The idea is very simple but bear with me as I lay the foundation in the way that Karin did.
First, Karin showed us a painting of the disciples of Christ in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. She reminded us that we (as Christians) are all in that boat. It may seem as if the sea is calm, but it could become stormy at any time. Where will we turn when it does?
Secondly, she reminded us to take some time to read the letters of St Paul which are all written to congregations (Specifically look at Ephesians 4:15 and Corinthians 1:4-12) and also to read the Revelation of St John to the Angels on the Seven Congregations (Revelation 1 & 2). Paul describes, among other things, that the individuality and specific skills of the members of a congregation make up the congregation. St John paints a picture that the Congregations are Lamp stands – lights shining out into the world – and the Angels of the Congregations are Stars – Heavenly lights for all to see. This is a powerful image when you picture yourself as a member of a congregation.
Thirdly, she asked us to picture ourselves sitting in the church; we all face the same way, look in the same direction. Yet, after the service we all become personalities again (“every one in his own way, not like sheep”). In the February 2017 newsletter there was a article with the title “String Theory according to Karin von Schilling”. This recorded a game played at Karin’s house where a ball of string was unravelled and passed across a circle until everyone was holding the string. Two people connected by the string then had the opportunity to ask each other a question. A person Karin knew very well asked her: “Who is Karin von Schilling?”. In our congregation we are pretty much closed books to each other. We greet each other on Sundays but know very little of each other.
Fourthly, Karin reminded us that after death the soul passes through a place where we meet those who were in a congregation with us. She asked whether we would recognise the people we encountered when we passed on our journey after this life.
Then she shared a story. ‘A congregation was dwindling in size and the members were getting older. They were worried and decided to approach a wise man. One member of the congregation went to visit the wise man. The wise man heard his story but said he had no solution for them. In a parting remark, he said, that one of them was the Christ. The member went back and shared with the congregation what he had learned. At first the members of the congregation stared at each other and convinced themselves that there were faults in everyone that precluded them from being the Christ. In time they started seeing the good in each other and began seeing how this one or that one could possibly be the Christ. This change in attitude within the congregation changed the way they appeared to others in the world. Although they did not share the message of the wise man with newcomers, these newcomers experienced something interesting in the congregation and stayed because the experience was meaningful. The congregation grew to be a strong congregation.”
Fourthly, Karin reminded us that after death the soul passes through a place where we meet those who were in a congregation with us. She asked whether we would recognise the people we encountered when we passed on our journey after this life.
Then she shared a story. ‘A congregation was dwindling in size and the members were getting older. They were worried and decided to approach a wise man. One member of the congregation went to visit the wise man. The wise man heard his story but said he had no solution for them. In a parting remark, he said, that one of them was the Christ. The member went back and shared with the congregation what he had learned. At first the members of the congregation stared at each other and convinced themselves that there were faults in everyone that precluded them from being the Christ. In time they started seeing the good in each other and began seeing how this one or that one could possibly be the Christ. This change in attitude within the congregation changed the way they appeared to others in the world. Although they did not share the message of the wise man with newcomers, these newcomers experienced something interesting in the congregation and stayed because the experience was meaningful. The congregation grew to be a strong congregation.”
Karin’s idea for our congregation is that each member choose two other members, without telling them, and for a period of one month sends those two members good thoughts. After the month select two other members and continue sending good thoughts. It may happen that a member is sent good thoughts by a number of people, this may be because they need those good thoughts. Trust the process. The good thoughts we have towards each other will become silver treads connecting us and help to strengthen and grow our congregation.
Becoming the Son of Man – the talk given by Reingard
by John-Peter Gernaat and Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
On Sunday, 19th March Reingard gave a talk at the start of Passiontide. We think of Christ Jesus as the ‘Son of God’ and yet throughout the Gospels He refers to Himself as the ‘Son of Man’. This was what Reingard explored. I do not hope to repeat everything Reingard shared but would like to try and bring across a few main ideas.
Jesus is 30 years old when he is baptised by John in the River Jordan. We know from the research of Dr Rudolf Steiner (The Fifth Gospel) that Jesus had led a full life, travelled extensively and experienced a lot of humanity. Before the baptism Jesus sits down with his mother and shares with her his life’s experiences. But he does more than share, he passes over to her all that he has experienced and learned. He empties himself. At this point the ego-being that has been present in the man Jesus withdraws and we have a very unique picture: of a man consisting only of a body and soul and no ego – an empty vessel. In this state Jesus is baptised. As Jesus emerges from the water the “heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him” (Luke 3) in the shape of a dove, i.e. alive and in earthly form.
Going back to the beginning of Creation we can picture God creating by conceiving an idea and bringing this idea into being. At the baptism of Jesus the idea that God had conceived of uniting with that which he had created: the human being or Man, comes into being. This conception is the birth of the Son of God on earth and the voice from heaven confirms this. We can picture this as a part of God having a separate experience from God Himself, as it is with any father and son. This newly separated part of God, the Son of God, enters into the 30 years old man Jesus as his I Am ego consciousness, and begins a human journey. Now the Son of God has to learn what it is to be human. We all have a similar experience when we enter life as a new-born baby. We come from the ‘fields of light’ and enter a confining human body. The physical world and its laws are a new discovery and we go through a process of becoming human as we grow up.
The Christ had a similar experience in entering into Jesus. Reingard pointed to the Gospel readings particularly of the period from Epiphany and Passiontide to Easter, highlighting the experiences that awakened very human inner soul experiences in Christ, thereby justifying the expression: ‘the Son of Man’. These experiences were true discoveries for the Son of God. He didn’t know what it was like to feel the freedom and risk of being separated from God from inside a human soul. It begins with the Temptation of Christ in the desert. Temptation is part of earthly life, but how such an experience is handled, understood and penetrated makes all the difference. The Son of God in Jesus, we could say, ‘unpacked’ the full human potential and then translated that potential into new, creative deeds, even into the experience of death and overcoming death. He did this with the powers He discovered which were invested in every human being. When He says: ‘follow me’, we could hear that today as meaning: follow the God-power in you, awaken, activate it and act out of that source.
This was the main theme of Reingard’s talk with many of the stories providing a lot of richness and new understanding of the Gospels.
On Sunday, 19th March Reingard gave a talk at the start of Passiontide. We think of Christ Jesus as the ‘Son of God’ and yet throughout the Gospels He refers to Himself as the ‘Son of Man’. This was what Reingard explored. I do not hope to repeat everything Reingard shared but would like to try and bring across a few main ideas.
Jesus is 30 years old when he is baptised by John in the River Jordan. We know from the research of Dr Rudolf Steiner (The Fifth Gospel) that Jesus had led a full life, travelled extensively and experienced a lot of humanity. Before the baptism Jesus sits down with his mother and shares with her his life’s experiences. But he does more than share, he passes over to her all that he has experienced and learned. He empties himself. At this point the ego-being that has been present in the man Jesus withdraws and we have a very unique picture: of a man consisting only of a body and soul and no ego – an empty vessel. In this state Jesus is baptised. As Jesus emerges from the water the “heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him” (Luke 3) in the shape of a dove, i.e. alive and in earthly form.
Going back to the beginning of Creation we can picture God creating by conceiving an idea and bringing this idea into being. At the baptism of Jesus the idea that God had conceived of uniting with that which he had created: the human being or Man, comes into being. This conception is the birth of the Son of God on earth and the voice from heaven confirms this. We can picture this as a part of God having a separate experience from God Himself, as it is with any father and son. This newly separated part of God, the Son of God, enters into the 30 years old man Jesus as his I Am ego consciousness, and begins a human journey. Now the Son of God has to learn what it is to be human. We all have a similar experience when we enter life as a new-born baby. We come from the ‘fields of light’ and enter a confining human body. The physical world and its laws are a new discovery and we go through a process of becoming human as we grow up.
The Christ had a similar experience in entering into Jesus. Reingard pointed to the Gospel readings particularly of the period from Epiphany and Passiontide to Easter, highlighting the experiences that awakened very human inner soul experiences in Christ, thereby justifying the expression: ‘the Son of Man’. These experiences were true discoveries for the Son of God. He didn’t know what it was like to feel the freedom and risk of being separated from God from inside a human soul. It begins with the Temptation of Christ in the desert. Temptation is part of earthly life, but how such an experience is handled, understood and penetrated makes all the difference. The Son of God in Jesus, we could say, ‘unpacked’ the full human potential and then translated that potential into new, creative deeds, even into the experience of death and overcoming death. He did this with the powers He discovered which were invested in every human being. When He says: ‘follow me’, we could hear that today as meaning: follow the God-power in you, awaken, activate it and act out of that source.
This was the main theme of Reingard’s talk with many of the stories providing a lot of richness and new understanding of the Gospels.
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Children’s Summer Camp 2016 Review
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
The site of our annual Summer Children’s Camp is called ‘Goodlands’. A very fitting and appropriate description for the place and for the quality of life experienced on camp. The course of our hectic lives can initially make something like the Children’s Summer Camp of the Christian Community seem frivolous – like a luxury is to one who can afford it, or a holiday to someone who does not need to work for a living. This could not be further from the reality which is ‘Camp’ as it is created every summer, this year by 138 campers and helpers in the lush bushveld and hills just an hour and a half from Randburg, northwest of Pretoria. The Christian Community children’s camp is suffused and carried by a strength of enthusiasm and energy that belies its humble circumstances. Many children and youth look forward to camp all year long. For some of our children, camp is the only place in the course of the year where they are truly held in the consciousness of a group of adults, from the moment the morning singing rouses them from slumber, until the evening when the reading of the evening story and verse settles them back into their beds. A camp day is a day created entirely for the children, and helpers accompany their groups through the day with crafts and play, with singing and storytelling, with challenges that awaken their faculties for creativity and collaboration. One child, speaking with their parents after camp ended complained: “Why does camp always have to end? The whole year should be like camp!” The state of our world all but ensures that these children will be saddled with challenges and trials soon enough. Camp is a space where we can truly say: Here we prepare the children for life in the most playful, meaningful, rhythmic and healthy setting that adults living in our world can conceive of. Here, for 10 days is a ‘Children’s Reserve’ where children can be children 24 hours a day. There are many photos to view of the camp on our website; just click here for 2016 and click here and scroll through the list for previous years. |
by Tamryn Gilder
The 2016 Children’s Camp was my first camp experience, and the first time I had been a helper on camp. Together with Chantal Kuhlmann, I took a group of twelve 10-12 year old girls for the 11 days of the camp. The experience of caring for these girls was both exhilarating, challenging and enlightening – their liveliness, quirky attitudes and individual temperaments ensured that things were always kept… interesting. I now have a whole new appreciation for parents and teachers. Although presenting us with many varied challenges and situations throughout each day, I, and we, really grew to love our group and to cherish their personalities, as well as work with them to overcome challenges. It was lovely to get to know each child and to share their enjoyment in the camp activities and the camp experience. The camp, as a whole children-helper community, was something wonderful to behold and to be a part of. Each moment of every day was imbued with a strength and a sense of fun and community in what could only be described as “camp spirit” – a strength and holding given by rhythm in the daily routine, and a support and comfort given by sharing and enjoying a common experience with others. Without the distractions of our modern-day lifestyle – such as technology and the busyness of our daily lives –on camp one is provided with the opportunity to re-establish and to work on pure human connection with those around us, as well as to look inward and experience a stillness within ourselves. Seeing the children go through this experience was wonderful. By the end of the camp the children were rejuvenated, happy, carefree and energised – having arrived appearing tired, stressed and run down. They had a moment in their year, over these 11 days, to experience pure childhood and to be free of the weight of day to day life. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience on the Children’s Camp, and am glad I now have a reference as to what to expect for my next camp – this was my first but definitely not my last experience of Camp, and I look so forward to returning. |
Fifteen Years of Paper Recycling and Eleven Years of Partnership
Multotech offices - where the paper for recycling is generated
by Sophia Turner
There is a good reason to celebrate. After fifteen years of collecting waste paper, we can feel satisfaction that the initiative has never faded away and keeps providing additional income for our church. Since we began in 2002, the sum of R85 394 has been raised for the church. That is a lot of money generated from waste.
Multotec joined our recycling in 2006. Looking back over the eleven years of partnership, it is clear that more than half of the total income has come as a result of the sustained effort and dependability of Multotec staff members. On behalf of the Community, I wish to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for their loyalty and constant support.
There is a good reason to celebrate. After fifteen years of collecting waste paper, we can feel satisfaction that the initiative has never faded away and keeps providing additional income for our church. Since we began in 2002, the sum of R85 394 has been raised for the church. That is a lot of money generated from waste.
Multotec joined our recycling in 2006. Looking back over the eleven years of partnership, it is clear that more than half of the total income has come as a result of the sustained effort and dependability of Multotec staff members. On behalf of the Community, I wish to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for their loyalty and constant support.
The year 2016 produced mixed success. On the positive side, our 22 collections are definitely an improvement on the 17 of the year before, so we are moving in the right direction. The magazine drive during August and September generated a good response from many, although the deadline came too soon for some who only brought their magazines in October when it was too late for the higher price… Another wave of enthusiasm was shown by the uptake of the Ronnie office boxes. When full, the contents should be placed in our church paper bank. Please don’t forget to keep emptying those boxes regularly. Many thanks go to all who take part in our recycling, especially to those who do it consistently throughout the year, as well as to Daniel for his help.
We could learn a lot for the future from Multotec. While their collections fell significantly during the first six months while the lady supervising their recycling was on maternity leave, they quickly made up for it in the second half of the year. Let’s try and do the same from our side!
The table below shows the weights and values for the church and for our partner Multotec. The figures for 2015 are there for comparison.
We could learn a lot for the future from Multotec. While their collections fell significantly during the first six months while the lady supervising their recycling was on maternity leave, they quickly made up for it in the second half of the year. Let’s try and do the same from our side!
The table below shows the weights and values for the church and for our partner Multotec. The figures for 2015 are there for comparison.
We could learn a lot for the future from Multotec. While their collections fell significantly during the first six months while the lady supervising their recycling was on maternity leave, they quickly made up for it in the second half of the year. Let’s try and do the same from our side!
The table below shows the weights and values for the church and for our partner Multotec. The figures for 2015 are there for comparison.
We could learn a lot for the future from Multotec. While their collections fell significantly during the first six months while the lady supervising their recycling was on maternity leave, they quickly made up for it in the second half of the year. Let’s try and do the same from our side!
The table below shows the weights and values for the church and for our partner Multotec. The figures for 2015 are there for comparison.
Plus magazines 663 kg R567
Plus extras (for Multotec - paid at a higher price per tonne) R153 Grand Total for 12 months 31 166 kg R11 152 |
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String Theory According to Karin von Schilling
by Jan Lampen
The 12 Holy Nights is a special time when the heavens open up and for a brief period, the future streams in and we get a feeling of our own becoming. In Africa, as 2016 drew to a close and under a starlit southern hemisphere, we grappled with the understanding of forces of the zodiac and what they bring to us individually, but also as a community.
Africa is a tough place to live in. Unlike Europe, our soil is hard and uncultivated, our predators fierce and deadly. Our community is stressed, over-taxed and exhausted. Building a Christian Community in an increasingly materialistic world is a daunting task, but Karin von Schilling, one of our longstanding members, took up the challenge. On the 29th of December, she invited a small group of church congregants to her apartment in a retirement village in Johannesburg.
Karin knows all about communities, having lived in the Therapeutic Camphill Community for 50 years. Of course in Camphill, the shared space, shared meals, communal religious life, rhythms and objectives create the communal form. It is different in a society struggling to keep up with modern demands and a hectic pace. We see each other perhaps once a week.
Personally, I’m a bit sceptical about community building as I’ve witnessed a declining membership and a lacklustre attitude to fundraising efforts. The same people seem to carry the community impulse and they are getting fewer by the day!
Once we were seated around a small table laden with refreshments, Karin produced a ball of string. Holding the loose end firmly in one hand, she passed the ball of string to a random person in the circle who in turn, grabbed hold of the string before rolling it out to a person he or she would freely select.
The 12 Holy Nights is a special time when the heavens open up and for a brief period, the future streams in and we get a feeling of our own becoming. In Africa, as 2016 drew to a close and under a starlit southern hemisphere, we grappled with the understanding of forces of the zodiac and what they bring to us individually, but also as a community.
Africa is a tough place to live in. Unlike Europe, our soil is hard and uncultivated, our predators fierce and deadly. Our community is stressed, over-taxed and exhausted. Building a Christian Community in an increasingly materialistic world is a daunting task, but Karin von Schilling, one of our longstanding members, took up the challenge. On the 29th of December, she invited a small group of church congregants to her apartment in a retirement village in Johannesburg.
Karin knows all about communities, having lived in the Therapeutic Camphill Community for 50 years. Of course in Camphill, the shared space, shared meals, communal religious life, rhythms and objectives create the communal form. It is different in a society struggling to keep up with modern demands and a hectic pace. We see each other perhaps once a week.
Personally, I’m a bit sceptical about community building as I’ve witnessed a declining membership and a lacklustre attitude to fundraising efforts. The same people seem to carry the community impulse and they are getting fewer by the day!
Once we were seated around a small table laden with refreshments, Karin produced a ball of string. Holding the loose end firmly in one hand, she passed the ball of string to a random person in the circle who in turn, grabbed hold of the string before rolling it out to a person he or she would freely select.
Soon, we were all holding a piece of string between our thumbs and forefingers, amazed at a wonderful geometrical pattern that emerged between us. We were now all connected, bound by a thin piece of string, - a circle of brothers. A tiny tuck would solicit a response from the person holding the opposite end of your string.
And now the clincher: Karin explained that all of us could ask one question to the person whom we passed the ball of string to. It had to be a pertinent question, a question you would ask if you really wanted to know or learn something about the person. Questions like: If you had an opportunity to relive your life, what would you do differently, or who was the person that inspired you most and why? Or what is the achievement you are most proud of. What is your biggest worry? What are you most grateful for?
I realised that I hardly knew anyone in that room. Within seconds, that circle in Karin’s living room, bound by thin string, became a sacred space. And we listened. Holding that piece of string gave us courage to speak truthfully. It was the safety net for our insecurities, a spider web that connected us all. In one round, which lasted less than an hour, I learnt more about people whom I have known for years. And I cared.
A few weeks later, I revisited Karin and asked her to explain the impulse for the string game. According to Karin, community begins with sharpening our capacity to listen with real interest. It is an art that is sorely lacking in modern society. Really listening to someone is an undeveloped skill, hampered by our own fears, assumptions and judgments. It is a skill subverted by haste and selfishness. I didn’t know that “Christ in You” translated in German is “Christ in all of you.”
This slight shift in emphasis binds us to a community with a shared striving and a shared purpose. It also forces us to really see the other with an open heart, devoid of judgment or preconceived ideas. Community building then, begins with Listening with Interest. Listening leads to empathy and empathy says Karin, kindles love.
And now the clincher: Karin explained that all of us could ask one question to the person whom we passed the ball of string to. It had to be a pertinent question, a question you would ask if you really wanted to know or learn something about the person. Questions like: If you had an opportunity to relive your life, what would you do differently, or who was the person that inspired you most and why? Or what is the achievement you are most proud of. What is your biggest worry? What are you most grateful for?
I realised that I hardly knew anyone in that room. Within seconds, that circle in Karin’s living room, bound by thin string, became a sacred space. And we listened. Holding that piece of string gave us courage to speak truthfully. It was the safety net for our insecurities, a spider web that connected us all. In one round, which lasted less than an hour, I learnt more about people whom I have known for years. And I cared.
A few weeks later, I revisited Karin and asked her to explain the impulse for the string game. According to Karin, community begins with sharpening our capacity to listen with real interest. It is an art that is sorely lacking in modern society. Really listening to someone is an undeveloped skill, hampered by our own fears, assumptions and judgments. It is a skill subverted by haste and selfishness. I didn’t know that “Christ in You” translated in German is “Christ in all of you.”
This slight shift in emphasis binds us to a community with a shared striving and a shared purpose. It also forces us to really see the other with an open heart, devoid of judgment or preconceived ideas. Community building then, begins with Listening with Interest. Listening leads to empathy and empathy says Karin, kindles love.
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A Word of Gratitude
by Rev. Malcolm Allsop
At the end of 2016 one of the things which stands out was the AGM and the related Community Forums, back in the Autumn. More so than in previous years a call was heard, very strongly, to consider what The Christian Community actually means to us as individuals and thereby as a community too. I say ‘consider’: more accurate for most of us would be to ‘re-consider’, to make conscious again … and again what we are prepared to do to ensure that the Johannesburg community, as we recognize and value it, continues to flourish. Equally, where are aspects where we see the need for change, and how can we help enable that change?
It was being suggested that a healthy community is dependent on just that; its members’ inner commitment, which then almost inevitably leads to an outer expression of that commitment. Through such renewals of one’s relationship, the community as it manifests today, reflects more the will of its present membership and less the impulses of the past, which are maybe no longer understood, relevant, appreciated. Altogether a potentially healthy process!
In this context a very warm “Thank You!” to all those who have supported, co-carried initiatives to pursue and strengthen this direction-for-the-future-now, and to all those many friends and members who have started or continued to support the Community in whatever way that might be. Many of those people will no doubt have been inspired to do this with refreshed conviction as a result of the process triggered back in the Autumn. Even a sense of duty can grow tired and ask for renewal!
There are still many things in and around the Community which beg for reappraisal, for us to go forward in a conscious and healthy way, but a start has been made and for that, and for the continuing support, a word of gratitude is called for! Johannesburg, Paris, San Paolo, need The Christian Community as a piece in the mosaic of Christianity today.
At the end of 2016 one of the things which stands out was the AGM and the related Community Forums, back in the Autumn. More so than in previous years a call was heard, very strongly, to consider what The Christian Community actually means to us as individuals and thereby as a community too. I say ‘consider’: more accurate for most of us would be to ‘re-consider’, to make conscious again … and again what we are prepared to do to ensure that the Johannesburg community, as we recognize and value it, continues to flourish. Equally, where are aspects where we see the need for change, and how can we help enable that change?
It was being suggested that a healthy community is dependent on just that; its members’ inner commitment, which then almost inevitably leads to an outer expression of that commitment. Through such renewals of one’s relationship, the community as it manifests today, reflects more the will of its present membership and less the impulses of the past, which are maybe no longer understood, relevant, appreciated. Altogether a potentially healthy process!
In this context a very warm “Thank You!” to all those who have supported, co-carried initiatives to pursue and strengthen this direction-for-the-future-now, and to all those many friends and members who have started or continued to support the Community in whatever way that might be. Many of those people will no doubt have been inspired to do this with refreshed conviction as a result of the process triggered back in the Autumn. Even a sense of duty can grow tired and ask for renewal!
There are still many things in and around the Community which beg for reappraisal, for us to go forward in a conscious and healthy way, but a start has been made and for that, and for the continuing support, a word of gratitude is called for! Johannesburg, Paris, San Paolo, need The Christian Community as a piece in the mosaic of Christianity today.
The Zodiac
by John-Peter Gernaat
The theme of this Christmas Season is the Zodiac. In the daily sermons we hear something of the quality of each of the sign of the Zodiac and in her talks, three following on from Christmas and a final talk at Epiphany, Reingard has been sharing something of importance of the Zodiac. Zodiac means “circle of life”. So what is the Zodiac? The earth rotates around the sun. From our perspective the sun travels through the sky. The line that the sun traces through the sky is called the ecliptic. The planets and the moon also move along this same path, from our perspective. The Zodiac are groupings of stars or constellations that lie on the ecliptic. Pictures have been given to these constellations that express the energy or power that rays in towards the earth and solar system from these signs. Reingard explained how this is possible. From the research of Dr Rudolf Steiner we know that the first tier of the nine Hierarchies – the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones – were responsible for the creating of our solar system, the place where we can grow and develop through seven major planetary cycles to reach, hopefully, the next stage of evolution: that which the Angels now experience. These mighty Beings have themselves experienced very many of these evolutionary stages and have developed from Beings who receive to Beings who produce (or create). In this evolutionary process they have also outgrown a single solar system and live and therefore hold together many solar systems. This “holding together” provides the sign that we call a constellation of stars. Far back in our evolution when our consciousness was more closely connected with our dream state, rather than full day-time consciousness, we experienced these mighty Beings as a reality working inward from these starry constellations. So, in reality, the Zodiac, as the twelve Zodiac constellations are markers for the different creative powers on which our life depends.
The theme of this Christmas Season is the Zodiac. In the daily sermons we hear something of the quality of each of the sign of the Zodiac and in her talks, three following on from Christmas and a final talk at Epiphany, Reingard has been sharing something of importance of the Zodiac. Zodiac means “circle of life”. So what is the Zodiac? The earth rotates around the sun. From our perspective the sun travels through the sky. The line that the sun traces through the sky is called the ecliptic. The planets and the moon also move along this same path, from our perspective. The Zodiac are groupings of stars or constellations that lie on the ecliptic. Pictures have been given to these constellations that express the energy or power that rays in towards the earth and solar system from these signs. Reingard explained how this is possible. From the research of Dr Rudolf Steiner we know that the first tier of the nine Hierarchies – the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones – were responsible for the creating of our solar system, the place where we can grow and develop through seven major planetary cycles to reach, hopefully, the next stage of evolution: that which the Angels now experience. These mighty Beings have themselves experienced very many of these evolutionary stages and have developed from Beings who receive to Beings who produce (or create). In this evolutionary process they have also outgrown a single solar system and live and therefore hold together many solar systems. This “holding together” provides the sign that we call a constellation of stars. Far back in our evolution when our consciousness was more closely connected with our dream state, rather than full day-time consciousness, we experienced these mighty Beings as a reality working inward from these starry constellations. So, in reality, the Zodiac, as the twelve Zodiac constellations are markers for the different creative powers on which our life depends.
Because of this reality it is worth building a relationship to the Zodiac. This would go beyond merely being able to identify the stars that make up the constellations, but allowing them to speak in our inner being, to bring about a response of thoughts. This is no easy task. Firstly, looking up at the stars is not very comfortable and secondly, some of the constellations are almost impossible to see. They are not all clear pictures like Orion’s belt. Pisces, for instance, can only be seen once the surrounding constellations (not in the Zodiac) have been identified, then the pale stars that tie the two fish together may be discerned and the clusters that represent the fish. But, a relationship to the Zodiac can provide a certainty that we are held within the womb of heaven with mighty Beings holding us secure. Our daily concerns also take on a new perspective when seen against the immense evolutionary cycles that have gone before and lie ahead of us as the aspiring tenth Hierarchy.
In tandem with the information about the Zodiac, we experienced the power of these signs through Eurythmy with Christine Allsop, which makes real what would otherwise be only abstract thought. Each sign has a definite gesture accompanied by a colour and a consonant sound. The sign can be experienced in Eurythmic form as can the sound and the colour. These forms, gestures and experience can provide a taste of the power of each Zodiacal sign with which we can live through the coming year.
In tandem with the information about the Zodiac, we experienced the power of these signs through Eurythmy with Christine Allsop, which makes real what would otherwise be only abstract thought. Each sign has a definite gesture accompanied by a colour and a consonant sound. The sign can be experienced in Eurythmic form as can the sound and the colour. These forms, gestures and experience can provide a taste of the power of each Zodiacal sign with which we can live through the coming year.