Of course all of you have solved the rebus puzzle first, the word picture puzzle, before starting to read... Well yes, initially I wanted to write some-thing about the puzzle’s answer, about talents („Begabungen“), because I was so thrilled about our benefit concert for the Miss Stone Center. What wonderful talents we have in our congrega-tion here in Graz. Truly! But then I read up on the definition of the term talent. What does it mean in general language usage? According to the dictionary being talented refers to a natural ability, a certain innate capacity for achievements. Is that so? Is that why I was so thrilled at the concert? No. Because on the one hand the won-derful music, w h i c h w e heard is not or not only the result of innate ability. It takes hard work. Di-scipl ine and effort. No one is born a mas-ter. The first sounds created on a fiddle are p a r t i c u l a r l y dreadful. No, w h a t r e a l l y

thrilled me at the concert, was the sum of all parts. The whole lot. That we had beautiful invitations and concert tickets. That the choir was able to per-form at its best. That there was a PowerPoint presen-tation about the Miss Sto-ne Center. That everything was clean and tidy. That we had beautiful plant decoration. A delicious buffet. Well-thought-out planning. People behind t h e co u n t e r s e r v i n g drinks. People who clea-ned everything up beauti-fully after the concert, so that we could celebrate the church service on Sunday. A privately ow-ned sound booster sys-

tem, which had been placed at our disposal free of charge. People who invited to the concert. People who came and were pleased. The sum of money taken. Everything. It is really the whole lot that is responsible for the great delight. A delight, which sees with gratitude, what we can achieve together. When everyone contributes. So it’s not so much the talents, but rather the contri-butions from many different people. Well, it can’t be helped. I have to add another rebus puzzle at the end of this article. One, which explains what church and real community is all about.. Frank Moritz-Jauk

NEWSUnited-Methodist-Church Graz july - sept 2018

Anual Conference 7.-10. June

Building bridges in multicultural congregations The theme, „Building Bridges“offers a lot of to-pics to talk about. This was emphasized during the four day confe-rence. For example, when it is about the many good and growing relationships amongst the Pro-testant churches in the country. Or when the dis-pute was recalled about the issues of human se-xuality, which threatened the unity of churches globally. But also, when concrete questions are on the agenda: for example, the roll of the church in so-cial and other media and the challenges this brings or a newly developed training series focu-sing on pastoral care and communication. The basic module of this training series with the title, „Accompanying People Well“ deals with the to-pics communications, attitude, I as a helping per-son, age and sickness as well as dying, death, grief and life. In addition, in the Fall 2018 there will be three study sessions about planning worship. Here the-re is also a potential for bridge building. The image of bridge building not only has chances but also has its limits. This is shown in the fact that a bridge also implies trenches that actually do not exist. According to Superintendent Stefan Schröcken-fuchs, there is no question but a vigilant and careful engagement of the church where enemy images are sought and produced and solidarity with the weaker in society is under scrutiny.

Michael Chalupka, the departing director of the Diaconie, took these thoughts and thanked not only for the many years of cooperation but also

that the United Methodist Church is not a nation-al church and that in it’s congregations a pleasing diversity is apparent. What does it mean for person with different cul-tural roots and characteristics to find a new home? What does it mean to really remember „that nothing and no one can prevent us from becoming a part of the family of God”, as Super-intendent Stefan Schröckenfuchs expressed in his sermon? And what shows what Pastor Helmut Nausner formulated in his thoughts about Romans 12, 1-2 so clearly, „Whoever gives his heart and life to God, his thinking changes”? The grateful remem-brance about Ingegerd Nausner as well as Will-helm and Helen Nausner, showed what a changed way of thinking can do. Above all, however, practical bridges were built. This was shown through the songs which were sung and danced from different countries from Europe, Asia, Africa as well as South America and North America. Different forms of praying were practiced. And naturally, there was time to enjoy an interna-tional buffet or an evening BBQ in the church garden in which any warm encounters and enga-ged conversations took place.

The conference was concluded with a celebrated Sunday church service. Different instruments, a multi-national and an African choir as well as Bishop Patrick Streiff’s sermon held in English, all clearly enhanced the conference theme. And not only the newly appointed local pastor, Frank Moritz-Jauk, were sent out to build bridges but also all the members and friends of the Unit-ed Methodist congregations in Austria.

Secretary to the Bishop, Urs Schweizer

Sunday servicesSo 01.07. Congregational Lunch

10:00 Sunday Service Sermon: Frank Moritz-Jauk

2. Samuel 1,1 u 17-27 2. Corinthians 8, 7-15 Mark 5, 21-43

So 08.07. Baptism End of school

10:00 Sunday Service with Holy Communion Sermon: Frank Moritz-Jauk

2. Samuel 5, 1-5 und 9-10 2. Corinthians 12, 2-10 Mark 6, 1-13

So 15.07. 10:00 Sunday Servive Sermon: Gerhard Weissenbrunner

2. Samuel 6, 1-6 und 12b-19 Ephesians 1, 3-14 Mark 6, 14-29

So 22.07. 10:00 Sunday Servive Sermon: Christoph Petau

2. Samuel 7, 1-14a Ephesians 2, 11-22 Mark 6, 30-34 und 53-56

So 29.07. 10:00 Sunday Service with Holy Communion Sermon: Frank Moritz-Jauk

2. Samuel 11, 1-15 Ephesians 3, 14-21 John 6, 1-21

So 05.08. Congregational Lunch

10:00 Sunday Service Sermon: Frank Moritz-Jauk

2. Samuel 11, 26 - 12, 13a Ephesians 4, 1-16 John 6, 24-35

So 12.08. 10:00 Sunday service Sermon: Sonja Herler

2. Samuel 18, 5-9 u 15 u 31-33 Ephesians 4, 25 - 5, 2 John 6, 35 und 41-51

So 19.08 10:00 Sunday Service with Holy Communion Sermon: Frank Moritz-Jauk

1. Könige 2, 10-12 und 3, 3-14 Ephesians 5, 15-20 John 6, 51-58

So 26.08. 10:00 Sunday Servive Sermon: Gerhard Weissenbrunner

1. Könige 8, 22-30 und 41-43 Ephesians 6, 10-20 John 6, 56-69

So 02.09. Congregational Lunch

10:00 Sunday Servive Sermon: Christoph Petau

Psalm 72 Jakobusbrief 1, 17-27 Mark 7, 1-8 u 14-15 u 21-23

So 09.09. 10:00 Sunday Service with Holy Communion Sermon: Frank Moritz-Jauk

Sprüche 22, 1-2 u 8-9 u 22-23 Jakobusbrief 2, 1-10 und 14-17 Mark 7, 24-37

So 16.09. Beginn of school

10:00 Sunday Servive Sermon: Christine Walzer

Sprüche 1, 20-33 Jakobusbrief 3, 1-12 Mark 8, 27-38

So 23.09. 10:00 Sunday Servive Sermon: Esther Handschin

Sprüche 31, 10-31 Jakobusbrief 3, 13 - 4, 3 Markus 9, 30-37

So 30.09. 10:00 Sunday Service with Holy Communion Sermon: Frank Moritz-Jauk

Esther 7, 1-6 u 9-10 u 9, 20-22 Jakobusbrief 5, 13-20 Markus 9, 38-50

picture references: page 2 and 3, above: Bernhard Pöll, page 3 right side down below: County OÖ, all pictures on page 6: Gerhard Gross, all other pictures: Frank Moritz-Jauk

United Methodist Church in Graz, Wielandgasse 10, A-8010 Graz Localpastor Frank Moritz-Jauk Tel: 0316-822225 // +43 664-73750431 // frank.moritz-jauk@emk.at Congregation´s Bankaccount: IBAN AT73 2081 5000 0990 8245 BIC STSPAT2GXXX http://www.emk-graz.at

AUT - Events

20.-25. August 2018 UMC - Childrenscamp (7-12 years)LJH Losenstein, Kirchenberg 17, 4460 Losenstein Pastor Martin Obermeir-Siegrist

Save the date: 25. - 28. Oktober 2018, Graz Taizé Regionalmeeting (15-30 years) Localpastor Frank Moritz-Jauk

Events

Wichtige InformationenUnterkunftChandlerhaus, Dorf 21

4853 Steinbach am Attersee

Kosten für Unterbringung und Verpflegung(Freitagabend bis Sonntagmittag)

Kategorie A: Doppelzimmer mit WC/Dusche 100,– €

Kategorie B: Mehrbettzimmer mit WC/Dusche 91,– €

Kategorie C: Doppelzimmer ohne WC/Dusche 91,– €

Kategorie D: Matratzenlager/Kellerwohnung 76,– €

Einzelzimmer nur außerhalb in Pensionen, Preis auf Anfrage

zuzüglich Seminarbeitrag: 10,– €

zuzüglich Tourismusabgabe (1,02 € pro Nächtigung): 2,04 €

Mit der Überweisung des Betrags auf das Konto der Superintendentur der EmK

Österreich gilt die Anmeldung als verbindlich.

IBAN: AT48 2011 1828 2113 7111

BIC: GIBAATWWXXX

Anmeldungbis zum 30. September 2018 an:

Esther Handschin, Sechshauserstr. 56/I/7-8, 1150 Wien

0676 720 91 46, esther.handschin@emk.at

Bitte Zimmerkategorie und Essenswunsch (vegetarisch) angeben.

„Und Gott schuf sie als Mann und Frau“

Rollenbilder gestern, heute, morgen

Evangelisch-methodistischeKirche inÖsterreich

Herbsttagung , 19.–21. Oktober 2018im Chandlerhaus, Steinbach am Attersee

Theological Talk Every 1st Tuesday of the month but now there is summer break till september

German speaking Bible Study

Every Tuesday but the 1st of the month (s.a.) but now there is summer break till september

Prayer Group in the Devotion Room Every Friday and Sunday 9:30 am

Youth Group Alternating between Friday and Saturday with their own Program Contact: Kilian Petau

Choir Every 2nd Sunday at 11:30 am

Wesley Groups If you are interested in joining one, please contact the Localpastor Frank Moritz-Jauk +43 664 73750431 frank.moritz-jauk@emk.at

Women Every 1st Wednesday of the month but now there is summer break till september

Conversation Group Christianity Islam On demand, please ask the Localpastor.

Korean speaking Bible Study Every Sunday at 12:30 pm

Chinese speaking Bible Study Every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 3:30 pm

Wednesday Circle Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month but now there is summer break till september

Appointment as local pastor Dear congregation! The committee for ordained services of our church put forward a proposal at the annual con-ference to appoint lay pastor Frank Moritz-Jauk as local pastor. The pastor’s association agreed unanimously to support the proposal and Frank got the official assignment from the bishop. For Frank it means that in addition to sermons, pastoral care and leadership of the congregation he can perform all pastoral duties (Lord’s Supper, baptisms, weddings and funerals). These pastoral duties are limited to the congregation in Graz and for one year only. Thereafter a new appoint-ment is made. Frank commits to continuing edu-cation and pastor Esther Handschin remains su-pervising pastor until the next annual confe-rence. I would like to thank Frank for his service in the congregation and ask God for his blessings for him.. Regional lay representative Ute Frühwirth

Birthdays We no longer publish names and dates, but we wish all of our members and friends, who have their birthday in July, August, and September, God's abundant blessings.

Obituary for Helene and Willhelm Nausner On April 29, Helene at the age of 89, died after a long illness. One day later, on April 30, her Will-helm, aged 88 followed. Roland Sigrist composed the following obituary: Wilhelm Nausner was Rector of Servitas, 1968-1994, Managing Director Vice President of the Austrian Diaconie, 1978-1989, Director of Property Management of the United Methodist Church Austria, 1964-1994, Member of the Church Advisory Board of the United Methodist Church Austria, 1958–1996, Superintendent of the United Methodist Church in Macedonia, 1997–2008, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Diakonie Center Spattstraße, 1990–2011. Wilhelm Nausner was a mastermind, committed co-designer, organizer and bridge builder of the United Methodist church in Middle and South Europe and beyond this in the ecumenical movement, in the conference of European Churches (KEK). His never tiring service, his will-ingness to help and his love for people were ex-pressions of his Christian faith. Helene Nausner supported not only actively supported her husband but was also volunteered her voluntary services in the social sector. She was President of the Women Service of the Unit-ed Methodist Church and in the framework of the World Prayer Day of Women she was very active. The funeral was held amongst the immediate family.

Church Service on June 22 There was a Service of Thanks on June 22 in the United Methodist Church in Linz. This service il-luminated especially the thankfulness that we associate with Helene and Willhelm. A harmo-nious celebration and a big reunion with many familar faces. This is a great way to part from people.

Benefit concert 16. june The concert visitors were enthusiastic. Piano, vio-lin, vocal solos and choir delivered a terrific per-formance, which was rewarded with extra money and loud applause. The repertoire included clas-sical music, gospel and modern music. From

Brahms to Verdi, John Lennon, to Southern state spiritual rituals. A colorful program that was wel-comed by the audience. The joy expressed itself financially. Our intention was to conduct the concert as a charity concert and to support the Miss Stone Center in Macedo-nia. Kerstin presented this relief project of our church in Macedonia in words and pictures parti-cularly impressively. In addition, we spoiled the guests during the break culinary with Macedoni-an specialties, such as spreads with Ajvar and Malidjano, Shopska, pickled grape leaves, Zaziki, olives and much more.

The net income of € 894.21 can let itself be seen and has already been transferred to Macedonia. Many thanks to all interpreters and helping hands, who contributed to this successful eve-ning. God bless you!

Gerhard Weissenbrunner

Summercollection This year's women's network summer collection is dedicated to a project that provides out-of-school care in Liepa (Latvia). In a poor village with many social challenged families are given the opportunity to spend their free time after school in a safe and sheltered place.

Absence Localpastor Frank Moritz-Jauk is on vacation in the time from 20. august - 2. september. In ur-gent cases please contact Ute Frühwirth.