Autoren-Archive: Eckhard Eilers

Ernst-August Gausmann died yesterday,

After a long fight against illness, our friend and member of „friends of partnership“, Mr. Ernst-August Gausmann, died yesterday in an age of 71 years. We are mourning together with the Gausmann family.

DSC_8985Ernst-August was very much engaged in our lutheran church. Since long time he was a voluntary worker in his home parish Barkhausen-Rabber. He was a member of the parish council and represented his parish in the synods of the former Melle-circuit and in Bramsche circuit. Since 2013, he has been the chairman of the Bramsche circuit synod. The last five years, he was additionally a member of the Lutheran Church of Hanover to represent the Osnabrück reagion.

Ernst-August got an education as a lay preacher in our church and helped the pastors with services in many parishes and old-age-homes. His very interest was on the history of „his“ home church, St. Kathrine in Barkhausen, which is one of the oldest churches in the region with roots which are more than 1000 years old.

Ernst-August Gausmann had (not only) a special view on the partnership relation between Barkhausen-Rabber parish and Chatsworth parish in Durban circuit. He was a member of the Melle circuit partnership committee from 2007 till 2012 and the same in the circuit partnership committee of Bramsche from 2013 till yesterday and he represented his parish in the membership meetings of „friends of partnership“ with high engagement.

When he visited Chatsworth in 2012, he was fully “enlighted“ for the churches partnership and helped to revive this parish relation and made it (together with the friends in Chatsworth) a living relation. He was in the parish team to prepare the delegation visit from Chatsworth in June 2014. He planned to visit Chatsworth again early this year, but had to cancel he trip shortly before the start because of his illness.

We have lost a brave and strong co-worker for Gods work in this one-world.

From South Africa Nathi Myka, Dean of Umngeni circuit, wrote: “Condolences to the bereaved family and to all who moarn his death. May he rest in peace.”

The chairman of the Durban circuit partnership committee and the co-ordinating partnership committee of Durban and Umngeni circuit, Mr. Khumalo wrote: “Condolences to the family friends and the church especially the Bramsche circuit. May he rest in peace.”

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Good news in September: Our newest Friends-of-Partnership-newsletter No. 17 is online now. On 19 pages we tell what happened in matters of lutheran church partnerships of Bramsche circuit, Durban circuit, Melle-Georgsmarienhütte circuit, Pirna circuit and Umngeni circuit. Your can download the pdf-file just here: FOP_Newsletter_17

Enjoy this new edition and send your comment to elke(at)eilers-media.de or h.h.duscha(at)gmx.de or eckhard.eilers(at)eilers-media.de.

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The week from June 10th till yesterday (June 16th) had many different and informative topics for the delegation from Christianenburg parish visiting its partner parish Bad Essen till 21st of June.

Saturday, June 10th: Sightseeing in Osnabrück
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In the town hall of Osnabrück, where the peace contract has been signed 1648.

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Together with Dr. Werner Kröger, Ulrich Höfelmeier, Carola Wientke and Elke Eilers the delegation had a sightseeing walk in the city of Osnabrück. They saw and got information:
Townhall with the hall where the Westphalian peace contract was signed 1648 to end the 30-years-war in the mids of Europe.
St. Marys church (Lutheran)
Dome (rom.-kath.)
and some more places.

Sunday, June 11th: Trombone choirs rally
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The delegation took part in the circuits trombone choir rally in Rabber (next parish to the East of Bad Essen). Choirs mainly from the Melle area and the parishes in the Eastern part of Bramsche circuit had invited to this Sunday service happening in a brand new hall owned by the regional water supplier.

Monday, June 12th to Tuesday, June 13th: Visit to the Wartburg and Wittenberg
At the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, where (aus the legend says) Martin Luther "posted" the 95 themes.

At the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, where (aus the legend says) Martin Luther "posted" the 95 themes.

Together with Rev. Elfriede Siemens the three ladies drove to the Wartburg, where Martin Luther had to spend about one year and did the main parts of translation of the bible to the German language.
Thereafter, the delegation visited Wittenberg, where the reformation started 500 years ago. The Castle Church, the Town Church, the Luther House (where Luther lived together with his wife Katharina, their children and many temporary guests) were shown and explained to the guests from the South.
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Wednesday, June 14th: circuit conference and Friends of Partnership annual membership meeting

Parish secretary Carola Wientke, the house ceeper of the parish hall and Lungile Majozi preparing the meal to have after die annual meeting meeting of Friends of Partnership.
Parish secretary Carola Wientke, the house ceeper of the parish hall and Lungile Majozi preparing the meal to have after die annual meeting meeting of Friends of Partnership.

In the morning the guests were invited to the conference of Pastors and Deacon working in Bramsche circuit. The meeting took place in the Bad Essen parish hall. They had the opportunity to speak with the pastors and Dean Hans Hentschel.
The Friends of Partnership association (regional welfare organisation to support the churches partnerships) met in the evening again in the parish hall of Bad Essen. Chairlady Elke Eilers welcomed the guests, who were involved in the discussions about the Bishopstowe Project (Agape food) and the general aims and the future of the free association. Many members were thankful to have the opportunity to greet the guests had to have some private words with them.

 

Thursday, June 15th: Visit to a college for social and old age health care in Bad Essen, One-World-Shop and weaver museum in Bramsche and information for the partnership committee of Bad Essen parish.

After a visit to a college for social and old age health care in Bad Essen in the morning and a trip to Bramsche to see the One-World-Shop and weaver museum, in the evening, the delegation informed the Bad Essen parish partnership committee about the usage of the donations for the bursary fond which were distributed to children and students in Christianenburg parish in the years 2015 and 2016.

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Thereafter the ladies followed an invitation to the St. Nikolai church where the church choir had its weekly rehearsal hour (see above). Singing together was very enjoyable for both sides.

Meike Wolter, Rhosta Gcaba and Elke Eilers (from left)
Meike Wolter, Rhosta Gcaba and Elke Eilers (from left)

At the very end of this long day a surprise was arranged for Rhosta Gcaba: Meike Wolter, who had been in South Africa as a volunteer worker for half a year in 2003, popped in. She had some weeks in Rhostas home that time and both enjoyed meeting after that long time.

 

Friday, June 16th: Kindergarten and confirmation class

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In the late morning the delegation visited the Wehrendorf kindergarten accompanied by Eckhard Eilers. They got information about the number of children and stuff members, day and learning structures and the basics of support and control by the municipality and county authorities. The children were singing for the guests, the same the guests did for the children.
On the afternoon program the delegation took part in the confirmation class of the first year of three, which is for children in an age around 10 years. After a break of three years the confirmation class continues for two year with the confirmation serve at the end in an age of about 14 years.

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At the end: Friends have asked me to install a possibility to comment on the text. This is possible, but I fear that this might be misused by all those people in the world, who want to advertise or those who do not show any respect to the visitors of this page or even want to send bad news or to distribute racism into the world. This is indeed not the wish of Friends of Partnership.
So: If you have any comment – positive or negative – or if you have news about the partnership of Melle-Georgsmarienhütte, Bramsche, Umngeni, Umvoti, Durban and Pirna circuit: Please fell free to send photo(s) and text to me: eckhard.eilers@eilers-media.de

Thank you for understanding!

Eckhard Eilers

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30 years of North-South-parish partnership: Delegation from South Africa in Bad Essen

Presents from the major: (from left) Dr. Werner Kröger, chairman of the Bad Essen parish partnership committee, Rev. Zodwa Cele, Rhosta Gcaba, Lungile Majozi und major Timo Natemeyer.
Presents from the major: (from left) Dr. Werner Kröger, chairman of the Bad Essen parish partnership committee, Rev. Zodwa Cele, Rhosta Gcaba, Lungile Majozi und major Timo Natemeyer.

Since Thursday, 8th of June 2017 three women from Christianenburg parish (Durban circuit, ELCSA SED) are visiting St. Nikolai parish in Bad Essen as their partner parish for two weeks.

At the beginning of the visit, the delegation was welcomed by the major of Bad Essen municipality, Timo Natemeyer, in the town hall of Bad Essen. Natemeyer highlighted, that he is always enjoying to welcome guests from other continents and countries. In the reception he showed a large presentation, which was held in English. So the guests and the accompanying chairman of the parish partnership committee, Dr. Werner Kröger and Rev. Elfriede Siemens, were able to follow up without any translation. The three ladies were specially interested in the social offers like Kindergartens and schools at the one side, but also in the democratic procedures which include the citizens of Bad Essen.

Rev. Zodwa Cele thanked for the delegation with Rhosta Gcaba and Lungile Majozi: “Thank you for the warm reception, which surprized us, and for the impressive information“.

There is something special with the delegation: Mrs. Rhosta Gcaba has been a member of a circuit delegation in 1986 from that time Durban circuit to that time Melle circuit, which started the partnerships between the parishes in the circuits, also between Bad Essen and Christianenburg.

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Before year's end, the second newsletter of Friends of Partnership has been published. It contains again a lot of information about the association and meetings of circuits and parishes in the second half of 2016. Further on you find reports about  events in all the circuits Bramsche, Durban, Melle-Georgsamrienhütte, Osnabrück, Pirna and Umngeni.

If you like you can download this new edition right here. You find it also under documents.

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Consult_RefugueesParents_e_Seite_01The German chamber of psychotherapist (BPtK) has edited a booklet to help refugees parents, having traumatized children.

It contains answers and tips under the following toppics:

  • How can I help my traumatised child?
  • Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers after Disasters
  • Parent Tips for Helping Preschool-Age Children after Disasters
  • Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children after Disasters
  • Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents after Disasters

Please download the booklet here.

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Good news: The Friends of Partnership Newsletter No 15 is online. It contains news about the Partnership in the circuits Durban, Umgeni and Umvoti in South Africa and Bramsche, Melle-Georgsmarienhütte, Pirna and Osnabrück in Germany - and very new - the circuit Hamburg West/South Holstein. On 14 pages we show with informative texts and photos what happenend in the first half of 2016. Have o look at documents in the navigation!

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Ecumenical partnership weeks in Osnabrück region to prepare the reformation jubilee in the year 2017

Partners of the Evangelical Lutheran Circuit in the region of Osnabrück (Bramsche, Melle-Georgsmarienhütte and Osnabrück circuits) are invited for about 3 week to come together in Mai 2016 in Osnabrück region. The partners are coming from Südafrika, Estonia, Litvia, Hungary, England – and from the Lutheran Church in Saxony (Germany).

The coordinating partnership committee of the circuits in Osnabrück-town and county under the leadership of Anke Meckfessel has prepared a (public) program under the main theme

“Fight against Global Reasons of Flight”.

There will be many festive and enjoyable events to meet the partners. The following date may be very interesting:

Welcome party of all worldwide partners
Wednesday, May 11th, 2016, 18.00 h in the Luther-Church in Old-Georgsmarienhütte

Discussion on the topic “world-wide flight”
Thursday, May 19th, 2016 and Friday, May 20th, both meeting will be in the morning hours.

Main Partnership Service with musical and culinary main topics
Sunday, May 22nd, 2016, St. Martin Church in Bramsche

Days of introduction and appreciation of the partner countries
Monday, May 23rd, until Wednesday, May 25th, 2016

Farewell party in St. Petri parish Melle
Thursday, May 26th, parish hall, 16.00 h

Inauguration of the Nelson-Mandela-Place in Osnabrück
Saturday, May 28th, 15.00 h

Service in St. Mary’s Church Osnabrück at the kick-off of the Africa Festival Osnabrück
Sunday, May 29th, 2016, 10.00 h

Parishes will send out invitations for these and other events. If you are willed to take part in one or more events: Please contact your circuit partnership chairperson or Anke Meckfessel: anke.meckfessel@kkmgmh.de

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Logo_ReiseElke Eilers, chairlady of Friends of Partnership, and her husband Eckhard Eilers will start a South Africa blog to report about experiences during their holidays in South Africa from 7th to 18th of April 2016.

The blog will be hosted on the homepage of EILERS-Media. Cklick here for the direct link.

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