Dear colleagues, dear friends,
greetings on behalf of the Praesidium of the Conference of European Clergy. You won’t find in this mailing a sketch for a sermon on Sunday Trinitatis as was for long years the case. At our congress in Bad Urach the participants made it clear that the sermon was hardly used. So we decided to stop sending it. From this year on, you will receive a presentation of one of our member-unions instead. We are very grateful to the Danish Pastors Union, which at our request ist he first to make this fresh start. We do hope these new presentations will contribute to a better mutual understanding of the pastoral unions in Europe.
For the CEC, last year’s highlight was without any doubt the CEC-congress at Bad Urach in October. For the participants this opportunity to meet with colleagues from other European countries was an inspiring and exciting experience. We joined the pastoral union of Württemberg at its celebration of its 125th anniversary in Stuttgart. Thanks are due to the pastoral union for its generous support, both material and spiritual, to make our congress the success it has been. The praesidium has already started preparations fort he next congress, which at the invitation of the Austrian union will be held in Austria, June 2019.
Last year, two new members joined the Praesidium. The Danish union sent Christen Staghøj Sinding, to replace Thomas Rasmussen, who could not combine his new job as a dean in the Danish church with his membership of the Praesidium. Christen will be, as was Thomas, responsable for the finances of the CEC. Daniel Midriak came to us from the Slovakian union. His membership has become possible by the financial support from the union of Thüringen. We are very glad to have two representatives from unions in Eastern Europe (the other being Géza Sógor from Romania).
We had to say goodbye to Valerie Bunse, who for many years with great engagement served as our secretary on behalf of the union of Württemberg. We do thank her for her contribution to the work of the CEC.
Finally, like every year, I ask you to send this year’s finacial contribution tot he CEC.
On behalf of the Praesidium I wish that the blessing of God will be with the pastoral unions and all colleagues.
The peace of God, which is beyond our utmost understanding, will keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus (Phil.4,7).
Rinze Marten Witteveen, President