Bishop Timmerevers blesses 13 new service representatives for congregations

Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers blessed the new service representatives for their service in their congregations. © Elisabeth Meuser

Dresden. In a solemn service in Dresden Cathedral this morning, June 3, 2023, Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers blessed 13 women and men for their new service as service representatives. They come from the parishes of Epiphany Altenburg, St. Christophorus Auerbach, Blessed Martyrs Dresden, St. Elisabeth Dresden, St. Mary Magdalene Leipzig-East, St. Bonifatius Leipzig-South, St. Philipp Neri Leipzig-West, Herz Jesu Plauen and Mariae Himmelfahrt Schirgiswalde and will lead celebrations of the Word of God in these parishes. Bishop Heinrich called this an “important ministry” in which it was about bringing God into the word and letting it be experienced that as a good shepherd he cares and wants to strengthen us. Understood in this way, the task of the divine service officer is a prophetic ministry intended to give hope in hopeless situations: “The Lord will not leave us alone,” emphasized Timmerevers. This was also the task of the prophet Ezekiel in the middle of the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC, when he proclaimed God’s word to the Israelites: “I myself will feed my sheep…” (Ez 34:15)

Celebrating church services together is important in order to stay in touch with Jesus – after all, Jesus himself promised: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” (Mt 18:20) – church service representatives lead the congregation together to stand together under the Word of God; “It is a service to the unity of the church,” said Bishop Heinrich in his sermon. For this it is necessary “to keep connecting oneself personally with the Lord in order to remain in Him,” he added.

The bishop blessed the new worship leaders and wished them confidence that the word of God would fall on fertile ground in their congregations.

After the Holy Mass, Bishop Heinrich presented the 13 men and women with their letters of engagement during a reception in the cathedral building. Since November 2021, the new church service representatives had been preparing for this honorary task; From September 2022, this also included a practical phase in which they prepared and led their first independent celebrations of the Word of God under the supervision of a mentor.

Photos + Text: Elisabeth Meuser

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