St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
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St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
65 Walnut Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 1N9
Tel: 204-775-6477
Email: stpetersoffice@mymts.net
Website: www.stpeterslutheran.ca.
Pastor: Rev. Bjoern Meinhardt ~ 204-792-3346
February 2021
A Reflection on Epiphany
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
The word “epiphany” has its roots in the Greek language and means “to reveal, to make manifest.” In the season of
Epiphany, which begins on January 6, we learn about the glory of God and how it was made manifest through
Jesus.
God's glory appeared to the pagan Wise Men who were among the first to pay homage to Jesus as “the newborn
King of the Jews” (Matthew 2). Other expressions of this manifestation can be found in Jesus' baptism in the River
Jordan when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and a voice from heaven could be heard, “You are my beloved
Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1).
God also makes his glory known to us through Jesus' miracles (when he turned water into wine at the wedding
at Cana, John 2), his healings (there are several listed in Mark 1), and his teachings in the form of his first public
preaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
During the season of Epiphany we do not only learn about God's glory that came to dwell among us in the person
of Jesus. We also hear Jesus' call to follow him, his call to discipleship. Jesus did not only ask his disciples back
then to follow him. This call still goes out to us today. “Come, Follow Me,” Jesus told his disciples.
As disciples, you are children and servants of God. God has given you your life. God has called you by your
name at your baptism. God has given you a personality to relate to other people. God has equipped you with
talents to go about your work.
Speaking of work. Speaking of vocation. There is still a very antiquated thinking in many people's heads when
it comes to ministry – in particular in the church. In medieval times, there was this two-tier approach which said
that the spiritual tasks of a priest, pastor, monk, or nun were superior to (or of greater value than) what the average
person could do in their respective secular job.
A remnant of this thinking can still be found today in the church. I have heard many times that only those tasks
matter that one can do for the Lord in the church. This becomes problematic in that such a view devalues your
actual profession. As if the job, with which you earn your living, is not good enough in the eyes of God.
In contrast, let us point out how Martin Luther viewed one's profession: You do not have to be “a religious person”
to do God's work. You can be a servant of God in your regular profession!
Of course, we are looking for volunteers in the church. Of course, we are glad when you help out as a volunteer.
But I want to affirm you: What you do – in your regular job – is meaningful in the eyes of God.
With that I want to encourage you to see your work as something with which you give praise and honour to
God. With your daily routines you help build God's Kingdom. This makes you an everyday witness and steward of
God's grace and love. By shining the Light of Christ within your context, may others be intrigued by you – so that
they want to find out more about your faith; so that they want to know more about your God.
Thank you for all that you do as a disciple of Christ and as God's steward – not just in the church but also in the
world. Yours in Christ, Bjoern E. Meinhardt, Pastor
1
Eine Besinnung zur Epiphaniaszeit
Und das Wort ward Fleisch und wohnte unter uns, und wir sahen seine Herrlichkeit,
eine Herrlichkeit als des eingeborenen Sohnes vom Vater, voller Gnade und Wahrheit. (Johannes 1,14)
Das Wort Epiphanias kommt aus der griechischen Sprache und bedeutet „offenbaren, kundmachen.“ In der
Epiphaniaszeit, die am 6. Januar beginnt, lernen wir einiges über die Herrlichkeit Gottes und wie Gott sich in Jesus
zu erkennen gegeben hat.
Zu den ersten, die Gottes Herrlichkeit erkannten, gehörten die heidnischen drei Weisen, die Jesus als „den
neugeborenen König der Juden“ priesen (Matthäus 2). Weitere Belege für die Herrlichkeit Gottes begegnen uns in
der Taufe Jesu, als der Heilige Geist auf Jesus in der Gestalt einer Taube hernieder kam und eine Stimme aus dem
Himmel verkündete: „Du bist mein lieber Sohn, an dir habe ich Wohlgefallen“ (Markus 1).
Zudem machte Gott seine Herrlichkeit kund durch Jesu Wunder (als er auf der Hochzeit in Kana Wasser in
Wein verwandelte, Johannes 2), in seinen Heilungen (einige sind in Markus 1 aufgeführt) und in seinen Lehren,
die er etwa in seiner ersten öffentlichen Rede in der Bergpredigt verlautbarte (Matthäus 5-7).
In der Epiphaniaszeit hören wir aber nicht nur von Gottes Herrlichkeit, die zu uns kam, um in Jesus unter uns zu
wohnen. Wir hören auch Jesu Ruf in die Nachfolge. Jesus forderte nicht nur seine ersten Jünger auf, ihm
nachzufolgen. Dieser Ruf ergeht auch heute noch an uns. „Kommt, folgt mir nach,“ sagte Jesus zu seinen Jüngern.
Als Jünger*innen seid ihr Kinder und Diener Gottes. Gott hat euch euer Leben gegeben. Er hat euch bei eurem
Namen gerufen in der Taufe. Er hat euch mit euren Charaktereigenschaften ausgestattet, damit ihr mit anderen
Menschen Beziehungen aufbauen könnt. Gott hat euch Talente gegeben, damit ihr eurer Arbeit nachgehen könnt.
Von wegen Arbeit … „Vokation.“ Eine sehr altertümliche Vorstellung kann man heute immer noch bei vielen
Leuten antreffen, wenn es um Dienst – besonders in der Kirche – geht. In mittelalterlichen Zeiten besagte die
Zwei-Stufen-Ordnung, dass die geistlichen Aufgaben, die ein Priester, Pfarrer, Mönch oder eine Nonne
verrichteten, wichtiger waren als der weltliche Beruf der gewöhnlichen Durchschnittsperson.
Ein Überbleibsel dieses Denkens kommt heute immer noch in der Kirche vor. Ich habe es oft gehört, wie gesagt
wir, dass doch nur die Tätigkeiten wirklich zählten, die eine*r für den Herrn in der Kirche leistet. Diese Sicht ist
problematisch, weil es euren eigentlichen Beruf abwertet. Als ob der Beruf, mit dem ihr euren Lebensunterhalt
bestreitet, in den Augen Gottes nichts zählte.
Damit hat Martin Luther aufgeräumt. Er hatte eine andere Auffassung von Beruf/Berufung, denn man muss nicht
„eine religiöse Person“ sein, um Gottes Arbeit zu tun. Ihr könnt ein*e Diener*in Gottes in eurem Beruf sein!
Natürlich brauchen wir auch freiwillige Helfer in der Kirche. Natürlich sind wir glücklich, wenn ihr euch zur
Verfügung stellt. Ich möchte euch jedoch darin bestärken: Was ihr in eurem Alltagsberuf tut, ist in den Augen
Gottes bedeutsam.
Damit möchte ich euch dazu anleiten, dass ihr eure Arbeit als etwas anseht, womit ihr Gott ehren und preisen
könnt. Mit eurer Alltagsbeschäftigung helft ihr, das Königreich Gottes zu errichten. Das macht euch zu
alltagtäglichen Zeugen von Gottes Liebe und Gnade. Indem ihr das Licht Christi in eurem Umfeld erstrahlen lasst,
werden andere davon angezogen und möchten mehr über euren Glauben herausfinden und mehr über euren Gott
wissen.
Danke für alles, das ihr als Jünger*innen Christi und als Verwalter Gottes tut – nicht nur in der Kirche, sondern
auch in der Welt. In Christo, Björn E. Meinhardt, Pfarrer
Kathryn Elizabeth McCart
Mother, to Lynn Meinhardt, Mother-in-law to Pastor Meinhardt and “Groma” to Solveig Meinhardt went to
be with her heavenly Father on January 15, 2021. Please keep the family of Kathryn McCart in your prayers.
Charlotte Stach
Went to her heavenly home on January 7, 2021 at the age of 90. Please keep the family of Charlotte Stach in
your prayers.
2
Council Update Submitted by Barb Schott
Though restrictions have loosened up in our province as of January 22, they have not changed for churches. Our
services will therefore continue to be brought to you as virtual worship services and by e-mail and mail-outs. At
our recent council meeting on January 18th we expressed the gratitude we feel to God and to you, our members, for
how you have embraced and support these different ways of worshipping, and for your ongoing financial support.
We’ve had positive feedback from many of you, and we see the excellent response by the number of hits on our
Youtube channel. We are truly blessed!
AGM: as mentioned in the December newsletter, the AGM booklets are in the process of being prepared and
these will either be delivered or e-mailed out to you when they are ready. It remains to be seen as to whether we
will be able to conduct the AGM on March 14th in our church building. As previously indicated, we are
considering alternatives, if we can’t meet, as to how to approve the budget and the various reports, and doing this
with a mail-in/e-mail ballot is one of the options we are considering and will keep you updated.
Mission and Budget Update Submitted by Jerry Roehr
Well this month, we are so thankful to report that our gifts in December left
no doubt that all our operating expenses for the past year were covered. As
our treasurer finishes the books, we probably will report a surplus for 2020.
As you will see in the annual report, we were also able to support a number
of Mission projects in the amount of about $ 55, 500.00. The support of our
members and friends is truly a blessing and speaks well for our St. Peter’s
Mission: to build, support and serve a changing community through God’s Grace.
New office hours starting February 1, 2021
Monday: 9:00 am to noon Tuesday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am to noon Thursday: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Friday: Closed
Please remember, if no one is available to take your call, kindly leave a message and we will return your call at
our earliest opportunity. As well, should you have a pastoral emergency then Pastor Meinhardt's phone
number is recorded on the message.
Any submissions to the March 2021 edition of the St. Peter’s Newsletter should be made 10 days prior
to the first Sunday in March. So, submissions for the March Newsletter should be made by noon
Thursday February 25, 2021. Submissions should be sent to Ortrud Oellermann at
stpetersnewsl@gmail.com
3
Our Our website has been updated with the upcoming services
as we head into Lent and Holy Week.
Pastor and our team hope to provide you with the
same inspired services we had for Advent and Christmas.
Lent and Holy Week Worship Schedule / Gottesdienstzeiten
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17. Here is the schedule for our Lenten services:
Die Fastenzeit beginnt am Aschermittwoch, dem 17. Februar. Hier folgt der Kalender für unsere
Gottesdienste in der Fastenzeit:
17 February Ash Wednesday Aschermittwoch
21 February Lent 1 Invokavit
28 February Lent 2 Reminiszere
7 March Lent 3 Okuli
14 March Lent 4 Laetare
21 March Lent 5 Judika
28 March Palm Sunday Palmarum
31 March Stations of the Cross Passionsweg
1 April Maundy Thursday Gründonnerstag
2 April Good Friday Karfreitag
4 April Easter Sunday Ostersonntag
Communion Schedule / Abendmahlszeiten
Starting in February we would like to give you the opportunity to receive Communion. On Wednesdays you can
come to the church. From 10 AM to noon for members with a more flexible schedule, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM for
those who follow a work schedule. On Saturdays I would like to meet with members who cannot come to the
church. You need to make an appointment. Please understand that we need to limit the reception of Communion
to one appointment per month.
Ab Februar möchten wir unseren Gemeindegliedern die Möglichkeit geben, Abendmahl gereicht zu bekommen.
Mittwochs können Sie zur Kirche kommen. Von 10 bis 12 Uhr Mittag für Gemeindeglieder mit einem flexibleren
Terminkalender, von 18:30 bis 19:30 Uhr für Gemeindeglieder, die tagsüber arbeiten. Am Samstag Nachmittag
möchte ich Gemeindeglieder in ihrem Zuhause besuchen, die nicht zur Kirche kommen können fürs Abendmahl.
Bitte machen Sie einen Termin aus. Bitte zeigen Sie Verständnis dafür, dass der Empfang des Abendmahls auf
einmal im Monat zu begrenzen ist.
You can schedule a 15 minute time slot at calendly.com/pastormeinhardt or by calling the office at:
204.775.6477.
Um einen 15-Minuten Termin zu vereinbaren, gehen Sie bitte zu calendly.com/pastormeinhardt oder rufen
Sie im Büro an: 204.775.6477.
4
Looking Ahead... Submitted by Linda Lurvey
This year for Palm Sunday, March 28th, we will be making crosses out of palm fronds. These will
be given to members of our congregation during Holy Week.
We will need some people who are willing to make the crosses and some who are willing to
deliver to members. The crosses are easy to make. For those who are interested, instruction will be
given in person or online. More information to come in the March newsletter. Stay tuned.
Youth Ministry Submitted by the Schreckenback Family
Looking
Looking back, our nativity set and our mission project were
Highlights throughout the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
Did you notice the changes throughout the weeks in the setup
around the Holy Family? When we started out on Christmas
Eve, the shepherds and the angel were close to the stable, while
the three wise men were far away, still being on their journey.
On Epihany, however, the wise men were right by the manger
while the shepherds were farther away, already on the journey
back.
Regarding our mission project to help “Keep Winnipeg Warm”,
The outcome was amazing – you all were amazing! On January
3rd, 2021, the first Sunday of the New Year, we had a blessing
and on Thursday, January 7th, we delivered the lovingly hand-
Looking
crafted items to Main Street Project, a frontline organization
Working to help homeless people. A big thank you to all of
you for making this happen! The timing was perfect as not
much later the temperatures dropped significantly.
5
Submitted by Jerry Roehr
This update tells us both good news and not so good news
and other good news. First the good news. The construction
of the last part of the St. Peter’s Hall is progressing (perhaps
a little slow) but it is moving along. The first picture shows
that the steel roof trusses are prepared and welded in place
for painting. The second picture shows that the window
frames are ready for installation into the wall when the rest
of the windows and doors arrive.
The not so good news is that Malawi has declared a state of
disaster as two ministers (the Transport Minister and the
Local Government Minister) died of Covid-19, after
attending a cabinet meeting. Two other ministers are
reported to be infected but are recovering. President
Lazarus Chakwere has declared a three-day mourning
period. As we have seen and heard in the news, Africa has,
in general, very little access to vaccines and Malawi
hospitals are having a shortage of oxygen. Henry has had many acquaintances die - so it is hitting close to home.
Now for some more good news. In the last newsletter, we reported that all schools in Malawi were to be closed.
We have now learned that this order does not apply to boarding schools. If boarding school students are Covid-19
positive they are not allowed to go home. Currently there are no Covid-19 infected girls at Kuwala. So, all girls
are required to stay in school under strict protocol. Currently classes are not allowed but the girls have been given
extra assignments and studies.
Here is some other hope. The concrete foundation of the second dormitory is ready to be poured. If this “Raise the
Roof” campaign is successful, the school could be expanded to 120 students in the fall.
There is still some more good news. Kuwala has now been accepted as a member of the Manitoba Council for
International Cooperation (MCIC). This is an important development as Kuwala is being recognized as a credible
international charity by the government’s main funding program for international work.
In other news, there was an article in the Free Press highlighting the “Days for Girls” Winnipeg organization.
Even so we did not know it at the time, we followed CLWR mode of operation for this year and did buy our kits in
Malawi to support the local volunteer group located in Blantyre., Malawi. The thank you video from the school
can be viewed on our St. Peter’s website.
6
This is an opinion piece on the events that happened on January 6 in Washington, DC. After council read the
draft, several board members encouraged me to publish my view in the newsletter. It is not my intention to
establish a (regular) column on political issues. I believe that the magnitude of what we observed calls for a
theological reflection. Pastor Bjoern
An Opinion Piece on an Event of January 6, 2021 Submitted by Pastor Meinhardt
On January 6, the (western) church observes the feast of the Epiphany. On that same day, the world witnessed the
shocking images of a violent insurrection on the Capitol in Washington, DC, which, in the words of former Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, was “provoked by the president and other powerful people.” It is a bit of an
irony that on Epiphany Day an angry mob tried in a last desperate coup effort to compel lawmakers to overturn the
certification of the newly elected president of the United States. Part of the biblical Epiphany story (see Matthew 2)
is that King Herod plotted to rid himself of Jesus, “the newborn King of the Jews.”
The deadly uprising in Washington was the logical consequence of the unsubstantiated claims of the incumbent's
“unchecked, poisonous rhetoric” (The Hill) for which he had already laid the groundwork during the pre-election
debates when he made it clear that he would not concede in case of defeat in the election. Senator Ben Sasse (R-
NB) called the events “the blossoming of a rotten seed that took root in the Republican Party some time ago and
has been nourished by treachery, poor political judgment, and cowardice.”
My response to the events that took place in Washington is grounded in my Lutheran theology. I was born in
Germany. Before accepting a call in Winnipeg, I worked as a pastor in Lutheran churches in the United States.
Why should we here in Canada be consumed by the events that happened in Washington, DC? Why do I think this
act of deadly violence calls for a reflection from the faith community?
What happened in the U.S. on Epiphany Day has had an impact on all of us: in the secular and the ecclesial world.
We were shocked by what we saw. There is no assurance that such an incident of national tragedy could not
happen here in Canada as well. There have already been reports about calls for terror-related activities in Canada
to overthrow the government in Ottawa. Let us pray it doesn't come about.
Quite often, when church representatives take a stance on a specific controversial political issue, I have heard over
and over again that the church should steer away from politics and stick to its preaching office. The Lutheran
church describes the office of pastor and bishop as one that focuses on the proclamation of the Gospel and the
administration of the Sacraments (see Augsburg Confession, articles 5 and 28). Does this limit these ecclesial
offices to address matters of faith only? Does it mean that we in the church can't have an, or voice our, opinion
about things that are going on in the world? If this were the case, then there would be no book of Amos in the Old
Testament. If we are to look the other way then Nathan would not have confronted King David and told him, “You
are the man” responsible for the death of Uriah (2 Samuel 12).
1 Timothy 2 urges God's people to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful
and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” If our prayers are in place for those in public office, then it
should also be apropos to offer views on civic life from a faith perspective. The Augsburg Confession, article 28,
expresses that this participation is to be done “non vi humana sed verbo” (Latin for: without human force but
through the word [of God]). Following Jesus means to speak up for the truth and to stand up against lies.
For me, the issue at hand is not about party affiliation or political views. It is about the consequences of
inflammatory language. We have seen that words have the power to provoke violence. In contrast, words serve a
better function when we use them to denounce violence and help de-escalate critical situations. We ought to do
what Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel said when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, “We must always
take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
7As a Lutheran pastor who grew up in Germany, I look at history and see how the Lutheran German Christian
movement helped Hitler rise to power in the 1930s. This lesson from history should teach us that we, as members
of the church (any church, not just the Lutheran church), can't afford to just stand by in silence.
Lutherans claim to be theologians of the cross in that we seek to admit our own shortcomings and to name evil by
its name. Silence is not an option. Where there is injustice we need to speak up against this injustice. Speaking up
cannot be vague; it has to be concrete.
It sends a troubling message if churches and their bishops and other leaders in positions of authority choose to not
speak up, to remain silent instead. In contrast, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) declared “We are not to simply
bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.”
Surely, people are entitled to make use of their (American First Amendment) right of free speech. However,
violence is not an expression of free speech. “Violence,” as Stephen Colbert put it, “is the last refuge of the
incompetent.”
While the insurrection was still in process, the National Council of Churches (NCC) in the United States issued an
immediate statement in which they “condemn[ed] and repudiate[d] the actions of pro-Trump protesters today, who
instead of exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech, have put people's lives in danger, made a
mockery of the American democratic process and the rule of law, vandalized the U.S. Capitol, assaulted law
enforcement officers and threatened the safety of members of Congress, staffers and others who work at the
Capitol building. Chaos reigns, guns have been drawn, and our democracy is under siege. This is outrageous,
unacceptable, shameful and a disgrace.”
What happened in our time could have been prevented if we had listened to the lessons from the past. Paul Althaus
(1888-1966) was probably one of the most brilliant Lutheran theologians of his time. But it is hard to fathom that
he welcomed the rise of Hitler by writing, “Our Protestant churches have greeted the turning point of 1933 as a gift
and miracle of God.” One could say that too many (not just) evangelical pastors and churches have welcomed an
American president as a gift and miracle of God, whose public pronouncements and actions stood in diametrical
opposition to Jesus' message and ministry.
No doubt, there have been times when we held false views or engaged in wrongdoing. But throughout the
president's term there have been too many people and groups (party affiliates, conspiracy theorists, white
supremacists, and – yes – even pastors) who applauded him for his lies and expressions of hate. On the other hand,
there have also been those who did not speak up loud enough.
I am guilty of not having spoken up more forcefully in the last four years because I thought: 'I live here in Canada.
He is not my president. Let's hope that this president stays in the White House for only one term. How much
damage can he possibly do?' Yet his words, decisions, and actions did cause harm and did have an impact on
events in the U.S., in Canada, and the world.
Did we need to have an awkward Epiphany awakening? Did we need to suffer the events of January 6 to realize
that we can't turn a blind eye to mob violence and to those who made it possible? In the meantime, people have
started to regret their participation in the riot and turned away from their harmful acts. While they still face legal
consequences this is a good step toward healing. Before a healing process can begin there needs to be an
acknowledgement of what happened; there needs to be a pronouncement of repentance for the things that went
wrong.
If we are in search of words, it might be a good starting point to turn to the Stuttgart Declaration of Guilt, which
the Protestant churches in Germany issued after World War II in October 1945. In it, they declared, among others,
“we accuse ourselves for not standing to our beliefs more courageously, for not praying more faithfully, for not
believing more joyously, and for not loving more ardently.”
Those who think differently are not enemies. They are needed in the public discourse. Regardless of political,
theological, philosophical, or other views, it is time for civility and good decorum to return. This also means that
we allow ourselves to become vulnerable in the process of coming together and listening to each other.
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