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Editorial 2President Letter 3Farewell to the Faithful 3

DIAKONIA WORLDWIDEDIAKONIA World 4DOTAC 4DOVE 4DRAE 5

News Around The WorldDAP 6Prayer for Japan 10DOTAC 12DRAE 15

From Ecumenical PartnersWCC 17EKD Conference 17New diaconal journal 18Eurodiaconia 18

Theological ReflectionsDiakonia and Churches 19Diaconal Minister Co 20Protest in Phillipines 20

StoriesExploring alternative calls 21Journeyings 22Prayer for Japan 23Prayer for Christchurch 24Ash Wednesday 24

DIAKONIANews

NewsletterofFOUNDATION DIAKONIAWORLD FEDERATIONofDIACONALASSOCIATIONSandDIACONAL COMMUNITIES

Editors:Sandy BoycePO Box 506Marleston SA 5033South AustraliaPhone/Fax: ++61-409 283 004english.editor@diakonia-world.org

Ulrike KellnerPressburger Str. 8581377 MünchenGERMANYPhone: ++49-89-7105 6814deutsch.editor@diakonia-world.org

No. 96, April 2011

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FROM YOUR EDITORSIntroducing our new co-editorRev Sandy Boyce, Deacon in the UnitingChurch in Australia (UCA), has beenappointed co-editor of DIAKONIA News.Sandy is in a ministry placement in PilgrimUniting Church, a large city congregationin Adelaide. She has a particular focus onlife in the city, public theology, andconnecting the church and the community,as well as sharing in responsibilities forministry in the church.

Sandy has had a background ineducation, and ministry with children,youth and young adults, including workingin youth ministry for 8 years at a state andnational level in the church. In more recentyears, Sandy had a role as the NationalCoordinator for UCA volunteers offering toserve in placements in the Pacific, Asia,and southern Africa. Her role includingrecruitment, training, preparing resourcesand programs for people preparing forcross-cultural placements, pastoral andpractical support people in placements,debriefing on their return, and assistanceto integrate into the life of the churchfollowing their placement. In this role,Sandy had the opportunity to travel toUCA partner churches to visit volunteersand meet with partner church personnel inthe Pacific, Asia and Africa.

Since 2009 Sandy Boyce has beenan alternate member of the Executive

Board of DIAKONIA and Vice President ofthe DIAKONIA Region Asia – Pacific.Sandy also serves as Convener of DUCA(Deacons in the UCA).

She writes: ‘I feel very privileged tobe able to serve as co-editor forDIAKONIA News. Already, it has providedopportunities to learn of the breadth anddiversity of diaconal ministry representedamongst members, and to be able tocelebrate the joys and pray for thechallenges faced by the members ofDIAKONIA World Federation. I lookforward to the growing of relationships andsharing the journey with brothers andsisters serving in diaconal ministry aroundthe world’.

Sandy may be contacted directedby email, english.editor@diakonia-world.org

Sandy Boyce, English Editor

Fortunately, my English co-editor for manyyears, Jane Martin, is not vanished outsight. Being connected with DIAKONIA forso many years she will continue to workwithin our ecumenical network andeventually write an article, like formerDIAKONIA News editor Sr. Teresa did inthis issue. So, no “farewell” to Janie, but awarm “God bless you” and a very happy“Welcome” to my new colleague Sandy!

Ulrike Kellner, German Editor

Important Internet and E-mail AdressesWEBSITESDIAKONIA World Federation http://www.diakonia-world.orgDAP http://www.dap.infoDRAE http://www.drae.infoDOTAC http://www.dotac.info

WORLD “OFFICERS” REGIONALpresident@diakonia-world.org dap.president@diakonia-world.orgsecretary@diakonia-world.org dotac.president@diakonia-world.orgdiakoniatreasurer@gmail.com drae.president@diakonia-world.orgdeutsch.editor@diakonia-world.org drae.secretary@diakonia-world.orgenglish.editor@diakonia-world.org drae.treasurer@diakonia-world.orgwebmaster@diakonia-world.org

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FROM THE PRESIDENTDear Brothers and Sisters in DIAKONIA,As I am looking out my window I see somuch new live: colourful flowers, sunshine,and the joyful voices of birds. I love thisawakening of nature after a long, darkwinter very much. So many signs of hopethat are needed in our lives!

But then, before my inner eye, Isee pictures that are full of suffering andfear that seem to be taking my breathaway: pictures of destruction throughnatural disasters in Australia, NewZealand and Japan, pictures of despair,helplessness and violence in morecountries like Egypt, Libya, Yemen. Thefear of a nuclear disaster is ever present.Into our fear, suffering and despair therisen Christ speaks these words: “I let youknow, that I will be with you, every day,until the end of time!“ Mt. 28.20

One sister from Indonesiareminded us in view of all the devastationin Japan that in Psalm 46 we read thefollowing consoling and uplifting words:God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we willnot fear, though the earth give way andthe mountains fall into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam and themountains quake with their surging. Bestill, and know that I am God; I will beexalted among the nations, I will beexalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty iswith us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

At this time, it is even moreimportant for us to keep our vision that led

to the foundation of DIAKONIA in 1947:We are called as people of God for serviceand reconciliation in our world through theword of faith and deeds of love.

New life, hope and trust begin,where we depend on God’s presence andGod’s grace. Let us support andencourage our brothers and sisters andeach other through prayer, incommunication, in sharing our gifts

In this edition of DIAKONIA Newswe will have a mixture of articles;encouraging, future oriented or somerather sad ones. Some examples: theVDW (Vereinigte Diakonale Werkers) inthe Netherlands dissolved, and a newmember wants to join DIAKONIA: theOrder of Deacons Faraja, Tanzania. In2011. We will have two regionalconferences: DRAE conference in Moshi,Tanzania with the theme: “Help frombeyond the mountain) and the DOTACconference in Oklahoma, USA with thetheme: “Chairs at the feet of God“.

We welcome the new DIAKONIANews editor, Sandy Boyce (Australia) whois taking over from Deacon Jane Martin,Scotland.

I am greeting you with all my heart,and hope and pray that we will continue tofeel God´s love and grace around us. Letus celebrate life, as we celebrate the risenChrist!

Doris HornDIAKONIA President

Farewell To The FaithfulSister Steve (Bafut / Cameroon)Some DIAKONIA members will rememberSister Steve from the DRAE conference inBeni Sueff, Egypt in 2003. She died in herhome community on July 11, 2010, after along and painful battle with tuberculosis.

Sister Elisabeth Schmid (Belgium)Sr Elisabeth was among the foundingmembers of KAIRE and worked as theSecretary for KAIRE for many years. Shepassed away in February 2011. May the

Lord show her what she believed all herlife long.

Oberin i.R. Helga Funk (Germany)The Frauenhilfs-Diakonieschwesternschaftis mourning the loss of their former leadingsister Helga Funk who passed away onDecember 20, 2010. From 1981-2001 Sr.Helga was leading the large sisterhoodwithin the Zehlendorfer Verband.

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DIAKONIA WORLDWIDEDIAKONIA’s main web address: www.diakonia-world.org

DIAKONIA World ExecutiveAt the DIAKONIA Executive Committeemeeting held in 2010 in Finland, it wasagreed that Migration and HumanTrafficking should be given priority forstudy by the current Committee. A full daywill be set aside to discuss the topic at thenext Executive meeting in July inTanzania. The Executive would beparticularly interested to learn about howthis issue impacts upon countriesrepresented in the DIAKONIA WorldFederation by members, and whatinitiatives and responses are emerging or

being considered. Please contact ourPresident, Doris Horn, if you are able tocontribute to this banner issue.

DIAKONIA 31st World AssemblyThe next DIAKONIA World Assembly willtake place in July 2013 (July 1st-8th) inBerlin, Germany. The planning group isalready working. A website has been setup to provide information about theAssembly, www.diakonia-2013.de.DIAKONIA member organisations areencouraged to inform their membershipearly so that plans may be made to attend.

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DOTAC 2011 Regional Assembly (see:www.dotac.diakonia-world.org)Theme: Chairs – at the Feet of GodDate: July 10-14, 2011Venue: Oklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City, Oklahoma, USADOTAC Regional Conferences are heldevery four years, as planned by theCentral Committee. They provideopportunities for fellowship, learning,celebration, and decision making. Thetheme this conference will be framedaround ‘Chairs’ - Worshipping Chair,Listening Chair, Working Chair, RestingChair and Sending Chair. Deacons,deaconesses and diaconal ministers fromthe DOTAC region will gather for worship,singing, workshops and reflection on thecall to be diaconal people, and will enjoythe experience of community with otherswho understand and appreciate andnurture a call to diaconal ministry.

DOTAC Executive

There will also be visits to local ministrysites. A short promotional video and the

conference schedule is available here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e0wLUcrrXw)

DOVE -- DOTAC Overcoming ViolenceExperienceThe DOTAC Overcoming ViolenceExperience (DOVE) is designed to buildan international team that will participate ina multicultural, hands-on, action-reflectionexperience, related to overcomingviolence in the world. The first event washeld in 2007 in New York City (USA).

DOVE Participants in New York

For the next event in 2012, DOTACwill assemble a team of 12 persons, threefrom Canada, three from the Caribbean,three from Brazil, and three from theUnited States. The team will gather inRecife, Olinda, and Gravata (site of theHip Hop DIAKAID Project), Brazil. Theevent is being hosted by CECOSNE(Centro de Comunicacao Social doNordeste).

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Participants will be expected to:Find ways to initiate action /reflection experiences in their owncountry.Write reflections to share with thegroup, their own community, andDOTAC.Seek ways to provide leadershipand develop networks to assistothers in addressing the Decade toOvercome Violence.

Some important components of this eventwill include community building, culturalexchange, and Biblical and theologicalreflection. It will reflect a holistic approachto violence. It will include a balancebetween the theoretical and the practicalas well as enable participants to gain abetter understanding of the problems andconsequences of violence and to exploresome things they can do to overcomeviolence.

Deaconess Lisa Scherzer PolitoDOTAC President

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DRAE 2011 Regional AssemblyTheme: Help from beyond the MountainsDate: July 21-26, 2011Venue: Moshi, Tansania, Uhuru HotelThe sisters of Ushirika Wa Neema and alocal planning group have prepared adiverse programme including devotions,keynote speakers, visits to churches andprojects, and a ‘tourist’ visit. If you havenot registered yet – do so now!

DRAE Executive MeetingIn February, the DRAE ExecutiveCommittee met in Wuppertal, Germany.This time, alternates could attend. Two ofthem took the opportunity: Eliaika Oworufrom Kenya and Kathryn Fitzsimons fromthe UK.

DRAE ExecutiveOne of the oldest members of DIAKONIA, theDutch “Vereniging van Diakonale Werkers”,has ceased to exist. As a consequence, theirrepresentative, Peter Geene, could no longerbe the alternate on the DRAE Executive. SrMargrit Muther, the representative forSwitzerland, France, Austria, Hungary andNetherlands, will search for a new alternate.

On the other hand, there was avacancy for an alternate in Germany. The

“VEED”, the community of deacons inGermany, will take this place.

Out of the discussions in Atlanta,there have been discussions about the re-organisation of the regions withinDIAKONIA and especially theirrepresentation in the World Executive. TheDRAE Executive has prepared somesuggestions that will be discussed at theRegional Assembly in Moshi, Tanzania, inJuly.

At Kaiserswerth

A new member category, a Friendof DRAE exists within DRAE, and a smallgroup of the Executive Committee workedon the details of the membership as aFriend of DRAE including the definitionand criteria for a Friend of DRAE, criteriaand expectations of DRAE, responsibilitiesof the Friend and DRAE, as well aslogistics such as application, membership,fees and forms. Already, there are fourapplications of people to be Friends ofDRAE.

The meeting ended with a visit toKaiserswerth, the cradle of motherhousediaconia. The Executive met with severalsisters of the Sisterhood there and visited thehistoric site.

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NEWS AROUND THE WORLDFrom the Region DIAKONIA ASIA PACIFIC (DAP)

Australia: The Australian NationalAnglican Deacons (AADA) held theirbiennial conference in Canberra inOctober, 2010. About 45 Deaconsattended from many dioceses acrossAustralia, and a great time of gatheringand fellowship was shared by all. Thetheme of the conference was “Telling thestory”, and Deacons were encouraged totell stories of their ministry and the peoplethey reach out to on the margins. Therewere also workshops on writing the storiesin preparation for a publication onDeacons’ ministries in Australia.

The Uniting Church in Australia (DUCA)this year celebrates 20 years since therenewal of the diaconate in 1991. Deaconshave since been placed in a wide varietyof placements including congregationalsettings with a diaconal focus; aged carefacilities; children’s, youth and familyministry; community outreach; chaplaincyin hospitals, schools, universities andprisons; working with refugees and asylumseekers; working with homelessness andpeople with mental health problems;mission placements with partner churchesoverseas; community or governmentorganisations; pioneering ministries;ecumenical placements; Uniting Churchagencies such as Frontier Services(serving remote Australia) and with theUniting Aboriginal and Islander ChristianCongress.

‘While Deacons preach andcelebrate the sacraments regularly withintheir placement their ministry is focused onreaching out to people in the generalcommunity, especially the poor andoppressed’, said Rev Tim Hodgson,Deacon in Brisbane. “In the UnitingChurch, Deacons are Ministers of Word,Sacrament and Service, who have astrong emphasis on service”.

While a Deacon student at TrinityTheological College in Brisbane, RevTanya Richards ran a Band Ministry atWesley Mission on a part-time basis.Every Saturday night Tanya would seehundreds of youth from the hardcore punk

and gothic scene come into the Lion’s DenCafé to listen to punk rock bands play.

Rev Ann Hewson has been achurch planter in Brisbane’s northernsuburbs and leads a team developing aunique church approach. “We are soconscious that we need to be where thepulse of the community is and engage atevery opportunity. We are an outwardfocused group and as a Deacon I find thisexciting, challenging and invigorating.”

Also serving out on the edge is RevMichelle Cook, who has worked for severalyears in remote Cape York Peninsula as aFrontier Services Patrol Minister. “I amfocused on connecting people from remotestations to other people on the Cape, whileat the same time connecting Indigenouswith non-Indigenous people,” said Michellewho travels around the Cape visitingremote townships and stations as well asministering with the congregation of StLuke’s in Weipa.

Rev Dianne Bos has worked as acounsellor at Lifeline Ipswich in the area ofchild protection, developing programs torespond to the needs of abused children.“In such situations, I am just so aware thatI work with some of the most traumatisedand vulnerable people in our community,those children and adults who have nothad the single most basic necessity in life– at least one person who has been ableto act in a protective and loving waytowards them. To offer people the capacityand time to listen to them, to enter into thepain they feel, and to stand with them asthey try to regain their lives is to participatein God’s healing and restoring work in thelives of others.”

Another specialist Deacon, RevJan Chalmers, has worked in the area oftraining aged-care chaplains in a range ofareas such as palliative care, spiritual careof people with dementia and Alzheimer’s,and the spiritual needs of the ageing.“Statistics indicate that the number ofpeople over 65 years of age will almostdouble by 2024 so equipping people forministry with ageing and aged persons iscritical for the Church and the widercommunity,” she said.

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At a time when the church isstruggling to build a bridge between itselfand the community, Uniting ChurchDeacons are reaching out to the generalcommunity in many unique ways.

Some recent news from the UCA ison the UCA Deacons blogsite,http://ucadiakonia.blogspot.com/

(adapted from an article Journey,http://www.journeyonline.com.au/showArti

cle.php?categoryId=1&articleId=309)

Church thanks community for FloodRelief HelpAfter the waters subsided, KenmoreUniting Church offered their premises as adistribution and sorting centre for floodrelief.

Flood damage in the Kenmore District(The cleanup at Kenny St. Fig Tree Pocket.

Pic. Paul Guy U5822036 – photo from Westside News)

Congregation members shared theirSunday morning services with ever-growing piles of clothes, small furniture,toys, linen and other needed items. Therewas also a register of larger items that putpeople in direct contact with what theyneeded.

Within two days of a request beingadvertised on the church sign, over 30people from the community had offered tostaff the centre and help church memberswith sorting and packing, along with localRotary members. Trainee minister David

Nix (a deacon candidate), one of thecoordinators of the relief effort, said thechurch was grateful for the support.

Volunteers pack personal items,ready for distribution to flood affected areas.

(Photo H den Houting)

Many areas in the Kenmore district wereflooded, including Fig Tree Pocket,Kenmore, Bellbowrie and Moggill. Whilemost volunteers were from the areassurrounding the church, others fromflooded regions such as Jindalee andIndooroopilly helped too. Most volunteerssaid they were grateful for the chance topitch in and help, but they were unable todo the back breaking work of cleaning upthe mess, sludge and devastation causedby the floods.

The church helped those fromwithin the local area, but was also able tosend significant supplies of aid to otherflood affected areas such as Emerald,Ipswich, Goodna and Grantham.

Rev. Heather den Houting (Deac.)said that requests were still coming in fromoutlying areas, and good were continuingto be delivered in small trucks, utes andcars. “Sharing our worship space withdonated aid has meant Sunday worshiphas been cosy, but it is a wonderfulreminder that congregations are still verymuch part of their community.”

Fees, donations and contributions you may send to the following accounts:Bank account 38 81 759 DIAKONIA World Federation

1081 KL Amsterdam, Netherlands/NiederlandeIBAN: NL92 INGB 0003 8817 59 BIC: INGBNL2A

OrKonto Nr. 4002199 Stiftung DIAKONIAEv. Kreditgenossenschaft, BLZ 520 604 10

IBAN: DE23 5206 0410 0004 0021 99 BIC: GENODEF1EK1

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Indonesia: Sisterhood JubileeRistua Sirait from Indonesia and memberof the DAP Executive is pleased toannounce the date for celebrations of thesisterhood jubilee, to be held on August 27- 28, 2011.

Jubilee Committee Meeting

She will be planning for the event withSister Serepina Sitanggang, Director ofthe Deaconess School (LPD) of theChristian Protestant Batak Church (HKBP)in Indonesia. LPD was started on May17th, 1971 by the General Synod of theHKBP as a means of training women fordiaconal ministry in the community, and towork with the poor, and those who areweak, ill, suffering, isolated, homeless,outcast and hopeless, by providing socialservices and programs which promoteawareness, provide education, worktoward righting injustices and providingphysical, emotional and spiritual care.

Founding Sisters Nuria Gultom and Bonaria Hutabarat

To date, around 400 have graduated towork as deaconesses in many areaswithin the church and society includingsocial institutions, orphanages, hospitals,

schools, kindergartens and colleges, eachwith a special emphasis in women’sleadership, promotion of gender balance,overcoming violence against women andteaching English. Some deaconesseswork in local villages and rural areas, withprograms to promote women’s andchildren’s health, education, awarenesseducation in areas such as hygiene,herbal medication, HIV/AIDS preventionand cure, and gender balance, as well assupporting the elderly.

IKADIWA Meeting

Especially pertinent in this time of tragedyand natural disasters is the practical andchallenging work deaconesses undertaketo support people affected by naturaldisasters by providing physical, emotionaland spiritual care.Congratulations to the sisterhood on theoccasion of the jubilee celebrations thisyear!

Ristua Sirait

Lunchtime at IKADIWA

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Philippines: Diakonia Philippines 14thNational Biennial AssemblyTheme: Diakonia – Crossroads of Grace:Revive and Reconcile104 deaconesses and church womenworkers attended the Assembly, includingsome women clergy. The keynote addresswas presented by Deaconess EmmaCantor-Orate, President of Diakonia AsiaPacific region (DAP). The Bible Studyreflection was led by Deaconess DorcasGrace SP Bringul. She has the honour ofbeing the first Deaconess elected to thehighest governing body of the IEMELIFConsistorio of Elders. She is also theDirector of Christian Education, andteaches at the IEMELIF Bible School. Aconcert was held on the last night of theAssembly. The repertoire was touching tothe soul, lifting hearts to the Source ofMusic, none other than our God. Theclosing worship and installation of newlyelected officers was beautifully ethnic,inspired with the igorotas dancing incelebration with their national costume.

Three women – three songs – threestories ‘…cheering on the faithful,encouraging the weary – their lives astirring testament to God’s sustaininggrace…’

Emma Cantor-Orate, President, DiakoniaAsia-Pacific (DAP): I am the Ibanag child. Iam sure they have given me the song ofkindness, of courage, independence andself-reliance. Songs of needing help…ofchildren’s laughter and sighs…of the richsouls of the poor…the faith of thedeprived…of the blessings and purehearts of those who have nothing…ofsongs of sovereignty. My song is eternal. Iwant my song to be heard elsewhere inthe world. As president of DAP, I will singmy song by giving my best ability toensure that the life of women are heard,felt and lived. It will inspire women in thewhole of Asia and the world.Dorcas Grace Bringula, President,Diakonia Philippines: We are called toemulate Jesus’ exemplary life and ministryas he lived as a humble servant(Philippians 2.7). He spent his earthlyministry in helping those who are weary,

marginalized, and those who were in needof affection, attention, emotional supportand physical care. Men and women arecalled to serve God embracing theindispensable undertaking of diakonia, forthe life of service is a long-lasting andunchanging global mission of all deaconsand deaconesses.

Humanity cries for help…diakoniais the instrument of God that wipes thetears of fear and discomfort. Humanitylongs for security and love…diakonia isthe Lord’s agent of security and love.Humanity needs salvation. Diakonia is themessenger of God’s redemptive actthrough his son, Jesus Christ, who is theway, the truth and the life (John 14.6).Chita R Framo, Executive Director,Diakonia Philippines. ‘O may all who comebehind us find us faithful!’May the fire of our devotion light their wayMay the footprints that we leave, leadthem to believeAnd the lives we live inspire them to obey.

Whenever the song ‘Faithful’ issung, I feel it is time to pack up my bagsand venture to the next chapter of myjourney in life – retirement. I have mixedfeelings of joy and sadness, excitementand apprehension to move on. I am happyto enter the life of retirement and excitedto do what I have been thinking, of aginggracefully. In the meantime, the desk ofthe Executive Director of DiakoniaPhilippines is expectantly waiting for a newoccupant. Let us continue to pray that Godwill send us someone who has the heart,mind and soul to carry on the ministry ofthe deaconesses and strengthen theDeaconess movement.

The Deaconess/Diaconal Ministerin the movement is in full force. Itbroadens and inspires the ministry ofservant leadership in many different ways.We are called to be transforming ministersof service, compassion, care, education,witness and justice. The churches wherewe are connected need the service of‘diakonia’ ministry which we are called andcommitted to do in the name of Christ. Weare to bridge the word and the world. Thisis our sacred partnership with Christ whosummons us to be faithful witnesses.

Emma Cantor-Orate

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A prayer in response to the earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan.

God we come before you,longing for words of comfort and hope.Our heads and hearts are full of images ofdevastation,we feel small and insignificantin the face of this tragedy.Of mother earth turning against herchildren,of creation wreaking havoc anddestructionThere are no words for what needs to beexpressed,life coverage brings us closeand shocks usas we see the lives of others turned upsidedownin a matter of mere seconds,and left with knees buckling under the loadof sorrow and grief.

There were people in those cars,There were people trying to outrun thewaves,There were people in those buildingsThere were people going about their dailybusinessJust like us,suddenly cut shorttaken by surprise

We come to lay at your feet what is too bigfor us,what is beyond our comprehension

what our minds refuse to deal withand we ask for your compassion –to take what is too big for usand lift it into your healing presence

God we come before you,wondering how can we help, what we cando.Support us and guide us, load our prayerswith powerReach out with your hands to those inneedand give courage and strength at this time,

Help the people who are helpingto bring order in the chaos of destructionand devastation,support those who have the skills to makea difference,We bring before the insecurity of aheaving earthand the terror of loved ones lost,

God we come before you,we lift our heads to seek your face.Come to us with your presence,and calm us with your peace.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Rev Anneke Oppewal, Uniting Church inAustralia

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South Korea: Mother House and Houseof Spirituality and Peace in Cheon-An –2010 highlights“Throughout the year 2010 we have heardnews of conflicts and wars in KoreanPeninsula and around the world. If we asChristians want to be the peacemaker –spreading the Good News and Peace –,Christians and Churches must, first of all,give glory to God instead of claiming gloryfor ourselves. ‘Glory to God’ precedes‘Peace on Earth’. Not the other wayaround. ‘Peace’ was declared on earthwhen ‘Glory’ was attributed to God first.Only when we give ‘Glory’ to God, we canachieve Peace on Earth.” This is a quoteout of Rev. Kim Sung Jae’s Adventsermon December 2010

Sr. Young-Sook Ree and Kyu-SookAhn attended an International Conferenceorganised by Mission 21 in Basel,Switzerland from 13th to 20th May.Participants from different parts of theworld shared stories of their work anddiscussed possibilities to form aninternational sisterhood. We wereespecially moved by the stories shared bythe sisters from Peru and Cameroon. Afterthis conference, Sr. Ree and Ahn visitedEMS (Evangelisches Missionswerk inSüdwestdeutschland) in Germany whichhas supported us from the start. They alsovisited individuals, churches, and bodies ofinternational Diakonia sisterhood such asLazarus Mother Centre that havesponsored us so far. We give glory to God

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as we witness the good works of theservants of God in different parts of theworld.

Every month on the third and fourthweek, we have held Spiritual LeadershipMeetings for Diakonia family members andother individuals who wish to lead adiaconal life. Sharing our own experiencesin God gives us much encouragement byopening our eyes to the work of the HolySpirit through different individuals indifferent places.

We continue to participate in ‘SamSoh Hui’ - an interdenominational networkProtestant, Catholic, Anglican, Buddhist,and Won Buddhists female monks. Wehave been raising funds for the UNinitiatives helping women and children inEthiopia and we have held several publicactivities including music concerts.

The Diakonia Family Communitywas founded 7 years ago and regularservices are held at Dan-Bi every month inaddition to special services at Easter,Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dan-Bimeans ‘Sweet Rain’ which symbolizes thedownpour of the Holy Spirit thatregenerates us as rain sweetly falls tobring new life to barren earth. About 80%of the Dan-Bi Church buildings have beencompleted. In the meantime, we continueto provide home schooling for the villagechildren and promote organic farming inthe village.

At the House of Spirituality andPeace, we have continued to hold prayersessions every month, where participantsare able to meditate and pray in silence tofocus on the love of God. This in turn givesus the directions, courage and renewedenthusiasm to carry on our diaconal work.

The Diakonia Sisterhood in Koreacontinues to respond to the needs ofpeople of all ages in the communitythrough the Social Welfare Corporation inMok-Po. The Diakonia Elderly NursingHome helps elderly people regain internalpeace and physical health through variousprogrammes.

The Cohabitation Family Program is afacility for patients with chronic illnessincluding tuberculosis, and for elderlypersons on their own. There are currently8 people living in the facility, all withchronic illness. Activities here focus onhealth care as well as social relationshipsand leisure, as well as cultural andspiritual needs.Education - we provided full tuition fees in2010 for 33 students (including 10 middleschool and 23 high school students). Manyof them have been labelled as problemstudents from a young age and have hadto move to a number of schools, excludingthem from developing normal friendships.But we see unlimited potential in them andwhen we reach out to them and waitpatiently, we from time to time see themable to stand on their own feet.The Household Support Project aims toprovide services for single parents,parentless households, and senior citizenswithout support, by channelling thegoodwill of the community to those whoneed help. This year, we were particularlyconcerned about the growing violenceagainst children amongst poor families.With the support of a local communityorganisation, we travelled the area withpuppet performances to raise awarenessand to prevent sexual violence againstchildren.

We thank you all for supporting us,through active interests, materials andprayers. All these enabled us to continueto work in the spirit of Diakonia and madeus rich in sharing. At this point of the year,we reflect on the message of “Glory toGod and Peace on Earth”. We hope andpray that our works and our life glorify thename of God rather than our own, so thatwe can continue to serve our neighboursand work as bringers of peace on earth.The Peace of the Lord be on Earth.

Sr. Young-Sook Ree, Directorof Diakonia Sisterhood in Korea

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From the Region DIAKONIA of the Americas and the Caribbean. (DOTAC)

Brazil: Annual Conference 2010 of theSisterhoodIn July, 2010 the Brazil sisterhood heldtheir annual conference at Casa Matriz inSao Leopoldo, with 49 of the 63 sisters inattendance. Discussions and reflectionsfocussed on the future way of livingcommunity. The younger sisters dependupon earning an income for their livingexpenses, and need to make sure theykeep their regular jobs. This raises thequestion about how much time they candedicate to the community in the futureand what may motivate young women toparticipate in a community.

The sisterhood, which began morethan 70 years ago, has had up to 78members, living in community. But there isnow a rising number of elderly sisters, andthere is a need to think about ways toopen the community to others. We knowthat some pastors are interested in joiningthe community, and we are exploring theregulations that will open up membershipto them.(out of the report of leading sister GiselaBeulke, published in KGK News 3, 2010)

On December 20, 2010, the ChurchCouncil of the Lutheran Church in Brazil(IECLB) decided that the DeaconessIngrit Vogt will be the General Secretaryof IECLB for the next 4 years. Ingrit Vogtis representing DOTAC on the DIAKONIAWorld Executive. Congratulations, Ingrit!

Deaconess Ingrit Vogt

Canada: Association of AnglicanDeacons in Canada (AADC)Conference 2011 Theme: Nourishing theSpirit - Mine, Yours and OthersDate: August 11 - 14, 2011Venue: Huron University College, London,Ontariohttp://www.anglicandeacons.ca/conference%202011.htm

AADA Conference 2010

Deacon Alisdair Smith is the conferencekeynote speaker and will speak on‘Nourishing the Spirit; The Power ofNarrative’. He will explore in an engagingand provocative way the power of story inour lives and ministries as deacons, andas human beings. French theologian andpaleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardinsuggested that we were not so muchhuman beings on a spiritual journey,rather, spiritual beings on a humanjourney. How do the biblical narratives andour own stories weave into and inform ourhuman and spiritual journeys? How canwe use and explore the stories fromScripture to inform our ministries and ourlives in new and surprising ways? Beprepared to look at your diaconal ministryin new and exciting ways!Alisdair will also lead a conferenceworkshop entitled, Nourishing the Spirit,Applying Story in Ministry. There are arange of interesting workshops listed onthe conference website

Margret Robertson

Do not forget to send to us your Newsletters, new and stories you want toshare with our International Sisters and Brothers

– everything is very welcomed!

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Deacons of United Church of Canada(DUCC) – Diakonia 2011 NationalGatheringTheme: Courageous Engagement:Forging new friendships(Exploring ways to build bridges withAboriginal brothers and sisters incommunity)Venue: University of WinnipegDate: June 21-24, 2011

a First Nation ‘pot’ is the symbol on the conference

The conference will explore what it meansto build bridges in the variety ofcommunities in which Deacons serve. Itwill seek to identify and deal withresistance that exists in communities, inorder to forge new relationships. Throughrespectful encounters of cultures andtraditions and theological reflection from aFirst Nation perspective, the conferencewill deepen understandings of Aboriginaland First Nation culture throughstorytelling, history and facts. Followingthese experiences, participants will beencouraged in ways they may integratetheir learning and experiences and buildbridges and forge new relationships intheir local context.

For more information go tohttp://www.ducc.ca/via/Membership/NationalGathering/tabid/69/Default.aspx)

“Stormy Weather”

The Chapter of Deacons for the Diocesemet in December 2010. The Chapter wasformed in 2006 in response torecommendations of the DiocesanCommission on the Diaconate. TheChapter’s membership is comprised of allthe “distinctive” Deacons of the Diocese.

“Distinctive” Deacons follow theirvocation to be Deacons. They are notcalled to become priests. This languagemay seem confusing when a “transitional”Deacon is ordained to the priesthood notlong after they have been ordained to thediaconate. The vocations for those calledto the priesthood and those called to thediaconate are complementary but each isunique in their history and ministry.

The Chapter meets three times ayear with the Bishop and Archdeacon ofthe Diocese. We gather for support,education, planning, and discussion ofdiaconal mission in the diocese andbeyond. Discussions have included suchtopics as the possibility of twinning withDeacons from the Diocese of Olympia ona project for orphans in Haiti, to the workof the newly formed Association forAnglican Deacons in Canada (AADC).

One of the chapter’s projects for2010 was the production and presentationon the Diaconate at our diocesan synod in

March. The positive response has givenbirth to a new project. A DVD is beingdeveloped on the ministry and missionpotential of lay and ordained Anglicans. Itwill be available to be shown in parishesand regions for information and discussiongroups.

Nancy Ford

An instrument for Ministry Developmentand Review which best responds to theunique nature of diaconal ministry and therole of associate clergy was discussed.The decision of the group was to craft ourown instrument based in a formatdeveloped by The Reverend Doctor AnneTomlinson, Deacon and MinistryDevelopment Officer for the Diocese ofGlasgow and Galloway.

Theological reflection is animportant part of our time together. This

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time the movie Babette’s Feast providedan opportunity for reflection anddiscussion. For those who have not seenthe film it is painted with a subtle anddelicate palette. At times the nuances areshattered by the storms in the lives of thekey figures in the story. The movie isbased on a short story by Isak Denison(Karen Blixen). She wrote the story as shewas dying. Her digestive system had beendestroyed by illness; unable to eat shewrote this exquisite story.

Set on the Jutland Peninsula inDenmark the movie begins with anintroduction of a charismatic and powerfulspiritual leader in the tiny Lutherancommunity. The Pastor has two beautifuldaughters who remain faithful to the styleof life worship and service instituted bytheir father. This continues long after hisdeath. One stormy evening a knock attheir door reveals a gaunt, storm-beatenwoman (Babette) who comes to them forsanctuary. They know they must offersanctuary but are perplexed as to how tomanage. Babette offers to be their servantin exchange for a place to live. She subtlyadds gentleness and artistry to their lives.Many years later as she comes into agreat deal of money she decides to thankthe sisters by preparing a magnificentfeast for them and their dwindlingcommunity of the faithful. It is to be doneto celebrate the 100th anniversary of thebirth of their father.

The movie stimulated a good dealof discussion. Stories and images wereshared. One was of bringing two verydifferent faith communities together. Onewas very conservative similar to thecommunity in the film. The other was quite

exuberant and joyful. It had been decidedthey would share in a potluck dinner. Itwas accomplished but was quiteuncomfortable for all and was neverrepeated. The story grew from the scenein the movie where one of the pastor’sdaughters has a nightmare about theupcoming feast Babette is preparing. Shehurriedly meets with the community toshare her fears. The upshot is the linefrom one of the community; “if we eat thefood we will not taste it!” The characterpresents a case for pretence versus givingand receiving generous hospitality.

The sentiment may not be limitedto their community. However the questionremains for each of us; if we invite peopleto come in from the storm what sort ofhospitality do we offer? What sort ofhospitality do we take into the workplace,or onto the street and into the church?

One of the characters in the movie,a general, offers this phrase not only out ofhis own experience and learning but asrecognition of the weaving together of allthat he has experienced in the village andbeyond: “The only things we can takeaway from this life are the ones we havegiven away.” This captures the essence ofministries of hospitality.

The time the Chapter spendstogether is important for nurture,education, and above all for community.We would ask for your prayers for ourministry in this Diocese and requestintentional prayers be offered on the 26thof each month for all Deacons and forDIAKONIA of the Americas andCaribbean.

by Nancy Ford, Director of Deacons,Diocese of British Columbia

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From the Region Africa-Europe (DRAE)

Madagascar, Mamre SistersThe year 2010 has passed very quicklyand they thank God for his love and mercyguiding them through the past months.

In October two Sisters representedthem on an evangelism tour organized bythe Head Office of the FJKM’s evangelismdepartment. The tour was to a remotenorthern part of Madagascar and thejourney was made partly on foot andincluded a 1000m mountain and a rivercrossing. Most people living in this areacalled Mevarano worship the dead and it isnot easy to communicate the gospel ofJesus Christ to them. Work was done withchildren and adults, open meetings withbible study and preaching, and door todoor visiting. On the last day 200 peoplecame to the service and fourteen of themwere new converts. Continue to pray forthese people.

front row from left to right and back to left back row:Chimène, Bertine (Novizin), Sr. Angéline (prioress),Sr. Soa, Pierrette, Sr. Elisabeth, Fara,Razafindrarizy, Mina, Sr. Elienne, Sr. Dani, Sr.Alexandrine, Dina, Sr. Lanto, Sr. Joséphine, Sr.Pelagi

In November there was a visit from Rev.Eleri Edwards, from Wales, the formerprioress. Rev. Eleri stayed for threeweeks and her teaching, prayers, andworship together revitalized theCommunity. During that time four sisterscelebrated their 10th anniversary andthree other sisters celebrated their 5thanniversary.

They have also welcomed theirnew minister to the Parish, Rev. EricChristian Rakotoniera.

The sisters thank everyone for theirsupport both financially and prayerfully.

(edited from their 2010Christmas Newsletter)

GermanyKaiserswerth in Dusseldorf is the cradleof the motherhouse system, and in 2011, anew museum will be opened to celebratethe jubilee year of Kaiserswerth. Dr.Friedrich, head of the Fliedner-Kulturstiftung, said the concept is a‘museum of the culture of helping others’,and will contain history related tomotherhouses, diaconal work and thehistory of nursing, covering the time from1830 up to today. Visitors are verywelcome!For more information seehttp://www.fliedner-kulturstiftung.de.

On August 13, 2010, KaiserswerthDiaconal Institute remembered their mostfamous scholar who received her trainingin Kaiserswerth: Florence Nightingale, whodied 100 years ago in 1910. For 40 years,the hospital at Kaiserswerth has beennamed in her honour. Born in England,Florence Nightingale visited Kaiserswerthagainst the will of her parents and learnedthe basics of nursing there. She graduatedfrom Kaiserswerth and later in her lifevisited Kaiserswerth again. One of hergoals in life was to ensure nursing wasdone in a professional way, and she isrecognized as a pioneer in the training andprofessionalization of nurses. Shemaintained a lifelong friendship with thefounder and long time leader of theKaiserswerth motherhouse system,Theodor Fliedner, and his family.

“Resources we live from“ was thetitle of the third workshop organized by theKaiserswerth sisterhood, together with thesisterhood of United Mission in Wuppertal,Germany and the IKADIWA sisterhood inIndonesia. Together they worked onquestions of identity, forms of mutualacceptance, experiences of spiritual lifeand how to deal with growing older.Speakers (and fabulous translators)enabled an intensive sharing. During thesecond week, the Indonesian sistersvisited various parts of the KaiserswerthDiaconal Institute, which gave them theopportunity to reflect on their own workand to share insights. They wereespecially interested in the work amongpeople with handicaps. Afterwards theyvisited diaconal institutes in Bethel,

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Minden and Wuppertal and parishes inNorth Rhine Westfalia, and made acultural trip to Germany’s capital Berlin.

Kaiserswerther General Confe-rence (KGK) celebrating its 150thanniversary “In diaconal community – theworld for others” will be the theme of thecoming 41st General Assembly of theKGK, to be held October 8-12, 2011,which also celebrates the 150thanniversary of the KGK. The associationof more than 100 deaconess houses,diaconal communities and social welfareinstitutions from Europe, North and SouthAmerica and Asia will meet at theircommon origin, the motherhouse inKaiserswerth. The President of theCommunity of Protestant Churches inEurope (CPCE), Dr. Thomas Wipf fromSwitzerland, will preach and Dr. AnneLeis, from Uppsala, Sweden, will be thekeynote speaker. A seminar will be heldand other accompanying activities forvarious groups will take place.

Zehlendorfer Diakonieverein: TheEvangelischer Diakonie-Verein Berlin-Zehlendorf is one of the oldest and mostimportant associations of diaconal sistersin Germany, dedicated to health, childcare and aged care and committed tocontinuing education and training in thenursing profession. It has a new leadingsister, Oberin Constanze Schlecht whohas taken over from Oberin Ellen Muxfeldt,who served as leading sister for 12 years.Together with CFO Jan Dreher OberinConstanze Schlecht will guide thecommunity of over 200 sisters.

Sr. Constanze Schlecht among other sisters

Evangelical retreat centres websiteEvangelical retreat centres in Germanyhave a new internet portal. The website isdesigned to assist those looking foraccommodation as well as those able to

provide accommodation. The website willenable parishes and groups to find asuitable place to stay for retreats,conferences, and all kind of hospitality forindividuals and groups.

Netherlands: Due to the termination ofmembership of the VDW we received thefollowing letter (edited):In 1946 the Union of Netherlands DeaconessHospitals, together with Deaconess Hospitalsand Associations in other European countries,at a Conference in Utrecht, took the initiative tofound an international federation, DIAKONIA.The Constitution was drawn up in TheNetherlands and since then DIAKONIA hasbeen subject to Netherlands law. The firstPresident was Dr. Riemens, Director of theLutheran Deaconess Hospital in Amsterdam(1946-1956). The first secretaries were alsofrom The Netherlands. From the beginninguntil 2009 treasurers were for practical reasonsDutch as well. The Union of NetherlandsDeaconess Hospitals became a member ofDIAKONIA World Federation in 1946. At thebeginning of the 1980’s the deaconesses inDIAKONIA came under the umbrella of theVDW. As VDW has now terminatedmembership from the DIAKONIA WorldFederation, this also ends the relationship ofthe deaconesses with the DIAKONIA WorldFederation as well.

The Deaconess groups of Bronovo,The Hague and Utrecht Deaconess Hospitalhave become very small, as no women havefelt the call to be consecrated as deaconesssince 1960. As a Deaconess of BronovoDeaconess Hospital, The Hague, I wasmember of the Executive Committee ofDIAKONIA for several years, sharing the seatwith members in France.

It is clear that there always has been avery close relationship between DIAKONIAand The Netherlands. Therefore we very muchregret that this has come to an end, which isnot without pain in our heart. All those whohave been part of the life of DIAKONIA haveexperienced this as a rich time, in fellowshipwith sisters and brothers worldwide. We are, ofcourse, happy that the AmerongenDeaconesses are still member of WorldDIAKONIA and therefore The Netherlands willnot disappear out of the sight of WorldDIAKONIA. On behalf of the few Deaconessesleft in The Netherlands I wish you fruitful andblessed years in service of the Lord

Sr. Johanna Dijk

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FROM OUR ECUMENICAL PARTNERSWorld Council of Churches (WCC):Diakonia, or the diaconal ministry of thechurch, has been defined as “theresponsible service of the gospel by deedsand by words performed by Christians inresponse to the needs of people”. The 9thAssembly of the World Council ofChurches in Porto Alegre, Brazil called fora series of consultations on reorganizingthe coordination of service ministriessponsored by churches and church-relatedagencies. The Utrecht consultation wasthe second in a series that began in May2009 at Bucharest, Romania. In thatmeeting, the diaconal work of the WCCwas re-launched, and there wasopportunity to reflect on a commonunderstanding of diakonia on the basis ofpractical experiences at the local level, aswell as and further facilitated theologicalreflection and common action on thediaconal work of the churches.

Dr Reinerio Arce

The discussion in Utrecht in December2010 was organized in coordination withthe Interchurch Organization forDevelopment Cooperation (ICCO) andKerk in Actie of the Netherlands.Discussion was informed by presentationson “Prophetic Diakonia in the WCC”,“Theological Reflection on Diakonia” fromdifferent perspectives, and ‘Practices andTraining on Diakonia’ at the global,regional and local levels. In thepresentations and discussions, the notionof prophetic diakonia was reaffirmed, bywhich we acknowledge that God sends usout in mission to bring the good news tothe poor and oppressed, in word and indeed. Faithful to this call, we try to servehuman needs, focusing on themarginalized, the “least of these”, not only

by comforting them but also by addressingthe root causes of their pain, sorrow andshortages. This ministry of propheticdiakonia seeks to confront the powers ofthis world that lead to violence, exclusion,death and destruction, and it calls for thetransformation of unjust structures andpractices into God’s kingdom of justice,with fullness of life for all and for creation.

Considerable time was given toconsideration of a “mapping exercise” thathad been conducted among the WCCmember churches to provide a scientificsurvey of involvement in service ministries.On the basis of this data, participantsdiscussed strategies for more effectiveadministration and networking to make thebest use of available ecumenicalresources. A training strategy on propheticdiakonia was designed. Finally, plans weremade to follow up the findings of the twoconsultations.

(from an interview by WCCwith Cuban theologian Reinerio Arce,

a participant in the Global Consultation onProphetic Diakonia in Utrecht, 2010).

Conference for members of diaconaland spiritual communities within theEvangelical Church of Germany (EKD)Diaconal communities in Germany face alot of challenges and therefore have toseek new options and ways. Fortunately,the three big German diaconalassociations (KWV, VEDD andZehlendorfer Verband) are working moreclosely nowadays, and together hosted aconference for members of diaconal andspiritual communities within theEvangelical Church of Germany (EKD). Ittook place in the Zehlendorfer VerbandHeimathaus in Berlin, Germany, inNovember 2011. For the first time, theserelated but different forms of Christiancommunities were able to be in dialoguewith each other. They realised that todaythe diaconal and the spiritual path are nolonger strictly separated. There is a lot of“grey space” in between - diaconalcommunities having a flowering spirituallife and spiritual communities are engagedin diaconal projects. In the presence ofEKD Community-Bishop, Dr. JürgenJohannesdotter, the participants listened

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to a lecture by EKD church official C.Coenen-Marx about the importance ofcommunities for the church, and anotherlecture by Prof P. Zimmerling about thevariety of communities within Germany.There was time in the program to share,connect and get to know each other. In theend, all participants wanted to continuethis shared approach and wished toacknowledge the other way of servingChrist. A full text of the lecture of C.Coenen-Marx can be provided (inGerman)

Participants of Ecumenical ConferenceSource: M. Meisel

Diaconia: Journal for the study ofChristian Social PracticeA new international journal, “Diaconia:Journal for the Study of Christian SocialPractice” has been published for the firsttime in 2010, with 2 editions a year.The journal aims to:* contribute to new research andinterpretations of Christian socialpractice with and among themarginalised* to hear, interpret and communicate thevoices in the field and to analyse theirsocial and political context* feature interdisciplinary research andpractice

The journal will include articles in the areaof biblical, ethical, dogmatic andcontextual theologies, historical, socio-scientific and practical aspects of thediaconia and Christian social practice.Contributions are also welcomed. It will bepublished in English, making it available toa wide audience.

The Editor is Trygve Wyller (Oslo,Norway) in collaboration with an editorialteam from Sweden, Finland and Germany.

If you would like to contribute an article,contact Kaia D. Schultz, Faculty ofTheology, University of Oslo, Pb 1023Blindern, N-0315 Oslo,k.d.schultz@teologi.uio.no

A response to poverty in EuropeEURODIACONIA is a network oforganisations, institutions and churchesproviding social and health services andeducation in Europe. It is similar toDIAKONIA, with a particular focus onsocial needs, and aims to influencepolicies in relation to poverty and socialexclusion. The German DeaconAssociation (VEDD) is a member ofEURODIACONIA and has a respectedvoice within this organisation. VEDD hasbeen working on the theme of poverty andits social impact for several months.

EURODIACONIA held aconference at the European Parliament inBrussels on September 30, 2010. Thetheme of the conference was poverty andthe social impact of the economic crisisand unemployment on people. Christianorganisations fighting against poverty inEurope presented their work includingresearch, projects and strategic directions,and demonstrated a commitment to worktogether with government towards thetarget set by the European Council to take20 million out of poverty by 2020.

The fight against poverty is anessential part of our Christian faith. Up tonow, the churches of Europe, the Christianorganisations Caritas (for the RomanCatholic Church) and Diakonie (forProtestant churches) have been thebiggest non-state organisations offeringsocial services within the EU. They offer awide range of services and are used bypeople who would otherwise fall throughthe social security net. They have workedon the theme of poverty and its socialimpact for the last months.

You may be interested in atheological reflection paper produced byEURODIACONIA with European casestudies, To be and to do: Diaconia and theChurches, available to download athttp://www.eurodiaconia.org/diaconia/diaconia-and-the-churches

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THEOLOGYDiakonia and the churches today

Adapted from an article by Teresa Joan White, this is the entry on diakonia from the revisededition of the Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement published jointly by the World Council

of Churches and the Wm. Eerdmans in 2002

From the 1960s to the 1980s, as governments (in the western world) tended to take on moreresponsibility for social security, some churches left diakonia in the hands of the socialservices and welfare and saw their diaconal role as one of only "plugging the gaps". Anumber of churches established "boards of social responsibility" or similar bodies to influencegovernment policy and thus practise prophetic diakonia.

The restored permanent diaconate of the Roman Catholic Church, the distinctivediaconate in Anglican, and the diaconate in some other protestant churches, became moreactive in advocacy for people in need, working for change which would produce justice forthem, as well as continuing to lead in pastoral and emergency care. There was anexamination of root causes and efforts to try to influence those in power. In England the Faithin the City report (1985) led to an exciting growth in church-based community work projects.But the question remains - can the church’s diakonia keep pace with the changes in thecomplex societies in which they live and work and whose problems and tensions theythemselves share?

By the late 1980s, for reasons of both economic ideology and pragmatism,governmental authorities were increasingly asking voluntary agencies to take on the newtasks, precisely at a time when many churches were facing acute funding difficulties and hadfewer staff and less financial resources for diakonia. But government support for church-related diaconal endeavours typically comes with restrictions, conditions and complicatedreporting requirements, requiring further professionalization of diakonia.

Meanwhile, old problems continue to increase in scope and new ones arise. Whatcan churches do to ease the plight of the millions of refugees, internally displaced personsand other people living as migrants outside their countries of origin? Ad hoc responses toemergencies vie for money and staff with long-term evaluation and remedying of causes. Onthe global scale not only catastrophes but also recognized long-term needs seem to begrowing more rapidly than the capacity to respond either at the national or international level.Countless questions arise: for example, about the relation of aid to dependency, aboutreconciling local grassroots people’s participation with professionalization, about theallocation of church resources to emergency aid, prevention, rehabilitation, development andadvocacy, about diakonia in the face of the special plight of women and children, and so on.

Those involved in diakonia, whether as professionals or volunteers, would viewservice to the neighbour as half of the church’s life, the other half being the worship of God.But in international, national, regional and local church structures diakonia is too oftenmarginalized, and decisions are made by those who give priority to the pastoral care of thegathered church.

"Christian diakonia is not an optional action... but an indispensable expression of thatcommunity, which has its source in the eucharistic and liturgical life of the church. It is a‘liturgy after the Liturgy”(from a 1978 consultation in Crete, which articulated a theologicalapproach linking diakonia with leitourgia).

Fees, donations and contributions you may send to the following accounts:Bank account 38 81 759 DIAKONIA World Federation

1081 KL Amsterdam, Netherlands/NiederlandeIBAN: NL92 INGB 0003 8817 59 BIC: INGBNL2A

OrKonto Nr. 4002199 Stiftung DIAKONIAEv. Kreditgenossenschaft, BLZ 520 604 10

IBAN: DE23 5206 0410 0004 0021 99 BIC: GENODEF1EK1

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Diaconal Minister Co--Authors Award--Winning Bookby Amy Blumenshine

Several years ago, Amy felt a call to pastoral and healing ministry with suffering militaryveterans and their families. Her background was as a social worker, teaching crisisintervention at the university level. She realized that there was no guide for churches andcongregations to encourage them to support war veterans, and figured she would have towrite one. Imagine her mixed feelings when she discovered that John Sippola, a formermilitary chaplain and parish pastor whom she had never met, was writing such a guide.

She writes: ‘A series of dramatic events led to my becoming a co-author with Johnand two others from four cities and three states who didn’t even know each other when theproject began. The result, Welcome Them Home – Help Them Heal: Pastoral care andministry with service members returning from war was a synergistic flower in which weauthors helped to create something much better than the sum of our parts. Thanks be toGod!’

The book drew on the talents of five contributors – Amy Blumenshine and JohnSippola, along with Don Tubesing, an early promoter of holistic wellness ministry; ValYancey, Teacher of the Year at Southern Illinois University and a specialist in parish nursing,and a talented graphic artist Joy Dey. None of the contributors received monetarycompensation for their efforts. Rather, their motivation was to make accessible a subject thatsociety prefers to ignore – the suffering of those we send to war.

The book helps highlight the need to raise awareness about the invisible injuriesexperienced by war veterans, especially moral injury, and to promote pathways topsychological and spiritual healing. “Our congregations have not always done their mostexemplary work in welcoming members back from wars. I believe the reason for most of thatneglect is that pastors and congregations are not sure what to do for returning veterans. Thisvolume is a wonderful primer for understanding the needs of returning veterans to theircommunities and communities of faith”, writes Bishop Craig E. Johnson.

In May, 2010, the book won the Ben Franklin Religious Book of 2009 award by theIndependent Book Publishers’ Association. More information is on the website,www.welcomethemhomebook.com, and materials may be found on the Veterans’ Ministrysite, http://www.mpls-synod.org/programs/vets.

Philippines Church Leaders protest continuing detention of 43 health workersInjustice and oppression continue to dominate the social, political and economic landscape in

the Philippines, and provides the context for diaconal ministry - both local and national.

On November 19, a full paid advertisement signed by Christian leaders in the Philippines,legislators and the international community landed in the pages of a national daily paper,urging President Aquino to order the release of 43 health workers who were entering their10th month in detention.

The ecumenical delegates led by 9 bishops of the United Church of Christ in thePhilippines (UCCP) waited patiently for 45 minutes after the appointed time, hoping to havean audience with President Aquino. The meeting was initiated by Bishop Reuel NormanMarigza (General Secretary, UCCP) to appeal to the President to order the release of thehealth workers.

In the end, the delegation was only able to meet with government officials, and calledfor an immediate review of the case. They cited an earlier comment of the President who,reacting to the arrest of the health workers said: ‘It is a generally accepted principle that whatthe lawyers call the fruit of the poisoned tree (or) evidence wrongly gotten cannot be used’.However, the President has left the matter to be sorted out by the courts.

Bishop Emeritus Jesse Suarez stated that people should always support thePresident as long as he does the right thing and oppose him when he treads the wrong pathin his leadership.

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Mr. Nardy Sabino, General Secretary of the Promotion of Church People’s Responsestated ‘This is the best opportunity to straighten a wrong’ and appealed for the release of theworkers’. ‘We hope to see a speedy resolution of the case if not the unconditional andimmediate release of the health workers as their continued detention has become a constantsource of embarrassment before the international community’, said Fr. Rex Reyes, Jr.,General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, who was with thedelegation.

Commenting on the meeting, Bishop Marigza welcomed the dialogue as anopportunity for the church people to be heard. ‘The ecumenical delegation will monitor andkeep an eye on the case as it strongly believes that justice delayed is justice denied. Thelonger they are in detention, the more the Aquino government is exposed as incapable ofdispensing justice’, Marigza said.

Information supplied by Emma Cantor, DAP President

PERSONAL AND BIBLICAL STORIES AND PRAYERS

Exploring Alternative Calls – part of my journeyedited from an article by Rebecca H. Kolowé

‘As someone who never really felt a call to serve in parish ministry, I became frustrated thatthis seemed to be where I kept ending up!’ writes Rebecca H. Kolowé, a Deacon in theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Perhaps a lament others share – those who have an orientation and sense of callingto diaconal ministry but who may be placed in a parish setting with a focus on the internal lifeof the congregation.

Rebecca is exploring the question of what it means to be bi-vocational. ‘The securitythat the church used to offer its professionals is really no longer available to us in the sameway that it has been for previous generations of leaders. The challenge is not unique todiaconal ministers, but I believe that we bring a unique perspective to the table. DiaconalMinisters could become leaders in helping the church formulate creative calls, simply bynature of who we are called to be through the historic diaconate’.

For Rebecca, the integrity of diaconal ministry on the fringes remains her key focus,irrespective of ministry placement or remuneration.

‘I am still called by God to be in ministry at the fringes, and that is where I continue tofind myself. I know that we all find our own answers to the question of official ‘call’, but myanswer recently has been that sometimes God calls us in ways that the church may not, andthis puts us on the fringes as well. Until the church reaches a point where it can be morecreative concerning calls, I, at least, have come to believe that this may be part of the burdenof engaging in diaconal ministry. It may also mean a greater understanding (a gift?) for us asto what ‘being on the fringes’ is really all about’.

Rebecca’s reflections resonate with many who are seeking to explore what analternative call may look like, and what diaconal ministry may look like in new expressions ofchurch through ministry practice, and mission and service.

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JOURNEYINGSby Kay Ramsay, Scotland

I am a man whom the Lord has blessed most bountifully. In latter years all that I have donehas prospered and I have risen to great heights. Next to Pharaoh the king I am the greatestin the land and all the powers of government are in my hands. But I do not fully understandhow all this came about. Somewhere there is a block in my memory. I remember clearlyJacob my father and how he loved me and I remember Benjamin, my little brother, butbeyond that nothing until I found myself in Egypt.

I am a great dreamer and can interpret dreams. Sometimes I have seen myself at thebottom of a deep pit looking up. I have seen myself living with shepherds, tending sheep.These dreams I do not understand. I owe a great deal to my dreams. I was in prison, falselyaccused by an evil woman. When I was able to interpret the dreams of my friends then camethe great change. Pharaoh dreamed a dream of five lean cattle and five fat ones.

This haunted and troubles him greatly. Then someone told him there was a man inthe prison who understood dreams and I was sent for. Immediately I saw the meaning. Thecountry would have five years of plenty and five years of famine. The Lord showed me alsowhat must be done. During the years of plenty great storehouses must be built andtremendous stocks of supplies built up so that in later years no one need go hungry.

The years of famine had now arrived and many were the supplicants from near andfar who came to beg us for food. We never sent them empty away. As I sat in the audiencechamber I saw a group entering, gaunt, pitiful and abject and my heart warmed to them.

They came nearer and my heart froze, as the block in my memory crumbled away. Iremembered everything. These ten men were my brothers. I could name then every one. Iremembered their hate-filled faces. They had always hated me, jealous of my father’s love. Inthe end they planned to kill me and I would not be here today if Reuben had not pleaded formy life.

Shock and revulsion overwhelmed me but I was in no mood to make myself known. Igave vent to my feelings by speaking harshly to them, accusing them again and again ofbeing spies. They pleaded that they had come from Canaan only to buy food. They were allsons of the one father. One son was dead and the youngest son was still with his father.

I insisted that I could not believe them. They must return home, leaving one behind assurety and then come back, bringing the youngest, Benjamin, with them. How his namelingered on my tongue! They did not look happy about this but went off, laden with suppliesand left Simeon behind.

I did indeed long to see Benjamin, but the thought of my father believing me dead hurtimmeasurably. My brothers must surely pay for that. I waited impatiently for them to return.

In the end, because the famine continued the brothers were compelled to return.They must have remembered my words: “You shall not see my face unless your brother iswith you.” I knew Jacob would be in an agony and grief and foreboding but he would have nooption. Benjamin must go.

So, once again, ten brothers appeared before me. When I saw Benjamin I gaveorders for a feast to be prepared and the men to be offered lodgings in my own house. Igreeted them pleasantly and asked them: “Is this your youngest brother?” Then I laid myhands on Benjamin’s head and blessed him. But as I touched him I was overcome withemotion and excused myself, saying I was unwell. In my own apartments I wept my heart outwith the joy of it. Then I calmed down and went to preside over the feast and the followingday the brothers set off for home with their supplies, little knowing that their punishment wasabout to begin.

I had a trick up my sleeve, a mean trick, I must confess, but I cared nothing about thatwhere they were concerned. My own valuable drinking cup would be planted in the luggageof Benjamin. There would be a hue and cry, a great searching of luggage, and the cup wouldbe discovered, to their horror and dismay, not least of that of the innocent Benjamin. But Iwould make it up to him.

Again they cowered in front of me in a most pitiable state, which I relished, you maybe sure. My aim was to keep Benjamin with me, but I found I could not look him in the face,

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stunned and bewildered as he was. The brothers pleaded that they would all stay and be myslaves if only Benjamin were allowed to go home to his father. Naturally, I refused.

Then Judah spoke up, freely and fearlessly, and began to talk of his father. He saidhe was a very old man who had already known much grief in the death of Joseph and ifBenjamin were to be taken from him it would surely bring his white head down to the grave. Iwas speechless. The Lord spoke to me in my ear. “Enough! Have mercy Joseph. Now isyour moment of truth. Now!”

In a choked and broken voice I said: “Listen to me. I am Joseph your brother.” I couldsee their confusion and disbelief. I said: “I was the boy with the many coloured coat whichyou envied so much.” Now I saw them afraid of me as never before. “Be not afraid,” I said.“It happened that all things turned out well, for the Lord blessed all that I understood andbecause of that Egypt has the stores that have saved your lives. Let us rejoice together.”Then I embraced each one, tears streaming down all our cheeks.

I sent them all to hasten home laden with goods and presents to break the news tomy father that I was alive. They were to tell him that I wanted them all, along with theirwomenfolk, relatives, servants and possessions, herds and flocks to come to Egypt, the landof plenty. Pharaoh, our king, would welcome them warmly and a generous piece of landwould be theirs to dwell in. So it was done and the multitude journeyed south from Canaan toEgypt.

My father and Benjamin would be with me in my own house. Once the firstunforgettable moments were over and all were rested and refreshed, I found myself for thefirst time alone with my father. I knelt at his feet. He laid his hands on my head and blessedme, saying “My son, who was dead and is alive again!” Then both of us blessed and praisedthe Lord for his bountiful goodness in bringing us together at last.

A Prayer for Japan

Hear our prayers, O Christ our God.Arise, O Christ, and help us.

For all who have died in the earthquake and tsunami striking Japan that they may be givenentrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of all your saints,

Arise, O Christ, and help us.For all who grieve the death of family, friends, and fellow citizens that they may not be

overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet thedays to come,

Arise, O Christ, and help us.For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit that they may be comforted, healed, and given

courage and hope,Arise, O Christ, and help us.

For all aid workers, that they may be filled with strength, generosity, and compassionArise, O Christ, and help us.

For the wisdom, resources, and technological skill that a nuclear disaster might be averted,Arise, O Christ, and help us.

For eyes to see that you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and linked ourlives one to another that we may never forget our common life depends on each other’s toil

and that we will always work for the common good,Arise, O Christ, and help us.

Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry ofthose in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in alltheir afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who

suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Source: http://interruptingthesilence.com/2011/03/15/a-litany-for-japan/

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Prayer for Christchurch

Present in the earthquake, as in the fire and the flood,not as cause but as companion,

God of life and love be with those who are sufferingin and around Christchurch.Wrap them around with hope

and fill them with courage for the days ahead.

Give comfort to the grieving,and strengthen those who are waiting,

searching, hoping and helping.

Show us how to be agents of healing,bringing rebuilding and restoration

where there is brokenness,when the time is right.In Jesus' name, Amen.

(Feb '11, Rev Jennie Gordon, Uniting Church in Australia)

***************************************

Ash WednesdayBy Tara L Ulrich

My hands mark the sign of the cross on the foreheads of those near and dear to me, tearsbegin to trickle down my face as I look into each of their eyes and say the words:‘Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust”.And as the ashes trace the sign of the cross on their foreheads, I am reminded of themortality of each of them. Reminded that death does and will come.But also reminded of the love and mercy of the One who promises he will never leave us orforsake us. Christ hung on the cross as he too was faced with his own mortality:Giving the ultimate sacrifice;Dying on the cross for each of us;Again reminding us that God will never leave us or forsake us.And so as we leave with the signs of the cross traced on our foreheads,we again are reminded of our mortality:‘Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. From Dust you came, to Dust you shall return’.

(source DiacoNews Vol 7 Issue 2, March 2011,Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA)

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