April 2025
Kia ora and greetings,
The time of Holy Week and Easter are in many ways a turning point. From the spiritual point of view, we reflect and pray, and renew our baptismal promises. We read from Genesis and God’s Creation, we are asked to care for our neighbours and ourselves.
It is the time of the year when some religions start their New Year. I was honoured to have been invited to a Bahá’i New Year celebration a couple of weeks ago. I wrote a little piece on it for my page TSJ News & Views.
Even when it comes to the seasons, we are also at a turning point: while those of us in the Southern Hemisphere might still have sunny late summer days, our friends in the Northern Hemisphere might be enjoying the first signs of their summer.
The year 2025 is not only the Jubilee Year and the Year of Hope, but there are also many other anniversaries this year.
It is 80 years since the end of World War II, and also 500 years since the raging of the Peasants’ War in Europe which was influenced by the Protestant Reformation and the teachings of Martin Luther. His wedding on 13 June 1525 turned the Church teachings on its head. We will hear more about it from Dr Nicholas Thompson.
Our website is growing and some improvements have been made —please have a look at the new Resources Page and let us know if you like it.
For more information, interviews and videoclips, please see our website.
If you are on Social Media, follow us on YouTube and Facebook or on our Webfeed so that you don’t miss any new items on our website.
Coming up—Please register to receive the Zoom link:
Bible Stories—What do they mean? with Beate Matthies.
Sunday, 04 May 2025, 5-6pm (Zoom). Fee: Koha/Donation.
Presentation (Title TBC) by Beate Matthies.
Monday, 30 June 2025, 7-8.30pm (Zoom). Koha/Donation.
Luther’s Wedding – with Dr Nicholas Thompson.
Monday, 28 July 2025, 7-8.30pm (Zoom). Koha/Donation.
Our latest YouTube videos:
Snippets from Muffin Talks—Interview snippets from recordings with the late Kieran Fenn fms
Ecumenical Walk—Interview with Charles Grinter
Many blessings,
Beate
Beate Matthies—Titipounamu Study & Joy
https://www.facebook.com/TitipounamuStudyandJoy
Titipounamu Study & Joy is self-funded and independent.
Thank you for you donations towards our work.
