Music speaks to the soul—in joy as well as in sorrow. Our review this week looks at a choral competition, a choir practice, a memorial service, and a wedding anniversary.

Joy and sorrow are never far apart. Remembering the departed bridges the gap between this life and the afterlife. News from around the New Apostolic world about premières and farewells.

Ten years ago today, Norberto Rubén Batista was ordained a District Apostle. Only two years later he passed away suddenly due to heart failure. He was liked and admired by many in the Church in South America. A retrospective.

All interested parties are invited: the New Apostolic congregations in the German-speaking regions of the world will be open to the public for a service for the departed on Sunday, 6 November 2016. The preparations are already underway.

He wanted no monument: New Apostolic Christians in Indonesia paid their last respects to their former District Apostle Alfons Tansahtikno. Following is a look back on the life of a man of God who was as strong as he was independent.

In principle, anyone can help a person who is coping with grief: the important thing is to be there, listen, and empathize. But there are also specially mandated grief counsellors with appropriate training for this task. In the District Churches of Germany there are now corresponding certification courses.

The world knows both: joy and sorrow. Following the mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, with fifty dead, the Church has expressed shock and deep sadness. We also take a look at a training programme for correspondents that took place in South America and at the national youth convention in Ukraine.

Three days after the terror attacks, Apostle Clément Haeck celebrated the Easter divine service with his brothers and sisters in Brussels: comfort and gratitude inside the church, police sirens outside on the street.

Three days after the terror attacks, Apostle Clément Haeck celebrated the Easter divine service with his brothers and sisters in Brussels: comfort and gratitude inside the church, police sirens outside on the street.

What is a logo? It is a graphic sign that represents an organization or individuals—making them unmistakable. A logo is part of the identity that is carried outside. But what does a logo contain? We asked.

Working with the talents one has received, and not burying them. This also applies to the many years of experience of retired ministers. An initiative was started by the Church in South Africa on how retired ministers can coach active ministers.

Pastoral care should not just remain a concept. It has to be practised in order to be experienced. Pastoral care goes to heart and it takes an active interest especially in the bad moments of peoples’ lives. Such as in Taiwan after the earthquake or when congregations are scattered and regular divine services are not possible.

What do church districts and cars have in common? Both need a motor. This is something the Chief Apostle illustrated on his recent trip to Africa where he ordained a total of eleven new Apostles.

“The stranger is your neighbour!” This was one of the core messages from Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider over the past year. And—even in times of terrorism and war, waves of immigration, and xenophobia—this also remains our mission for the new year.

Grief is a process, also in Paris. In the wake of the bloody attacks, people continue to come to the sites of the attacks to pay their respects to the victims. The central congregation of the New Apostolic Church in Paris is close to one of the locations. How are our brothers and sisters coping?

“It can never be said that the Apostle was a coward. I risked everything to help in the quick movement and furtherance of the Church work.” These words were written by the Chief Apostle’s right hand: Apostle Heinrich Franz Schlaphoff. Fifty years ago today he passed away.

Lit tea-lights in the shape of a heart in Luxembourg, flowers and a “Pray for Paris” banner in Germany: the terror attacks last Friday in Paris have left people in shock, especially in Europe. But the District Apostles are also directing attention beyond Europe’s borders, to other parts of the world.

He was a wise master builder in a double sense. He was also one of the first Apostles to be appointed as a District Apostle Helper. Apostle (ret.) Leonard Ernest Kolb (USA) has passed away. He was 82 years of age.