Excerpts From: The Messenger |
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A life-changing opportunity presented itself last month to travel to Israel for an Interfaith Peace building Conference (Middle East Peace Initiative). Seventy five Peace Ambassadors, comprised of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others embarked on this historical adventure of learning, listening, encouraging (local Peace Ambassadors), and to build bridges of Peace.
As a Christian and a pastor (and I think it is so with many other Christians) we have become so used to feeling removed from the ancient stories that we forget that physical remains of the root of our faith still exist. The whole trip has enriched and deepened my understanding of the Bible. There is a change in my thinking that actually comes from experiencing the Land of my faith.
When we think about many historical empires, all of them but disappeared. But this little strip of land, Israel, has survived. The question is why? Because Israel is the hub where God has unfolded his love story to all people. It was an unbelievable dream for me to walk where the prophets and Jesus walked, see what Jesus saw and experience what Jesus experienced. There is no doubt that experiencing the sights, smells and sounds of the land where our Saviour walked is an astounding and a transforming experience.
Jerusalem ‘the map’ had turned into reality, and now when I read the Gospels, I can envision the 3400 – foot ascent up to Jerusalem from Jericho, and I can picture Herod’s Temple with its immense courtyard and gold-covered buildings. The upper room, the Temple Mount, Mount Oliver, Bethany, Bethlehem, wading in the Jordan River, floating in the Dead Sea, etc.
Most Christians in Canada can not possibly understand the depth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from where they are, without realizing that this political and religious conflict goes back to the two sons of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac. We read the news of attacks and hear about another settlement being moved, and our heart goes out to these families—both Arabs and Jews – because the land has historical significance for both tribes (nations).
What I learned from the ordinary Israeli and Palestinian on the street is that they want peace and harmony and the elderly relish forgone years when both tribes lived in peace. To begin to understand the hurt and fear that people may live in and see how they cope with and continue to live a normal life will make the whole conflict more personal. What is the solution? I don’t know. Can there be peace in the Middle East? I hope so. I pray so. One thing we can all do is to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and whole land of the Middle East.
Shalom, Peace, and Salaam Alaikum.
Yours Faithfully,
Pastor Samuel K. King-Kabu
(See Pictures from the Pastor's Middle East Trip)
Born Anni Karla With in Copenhagen, Denmark on August 9, 1916, one of 8 children. A resident of St. Sauveur for a number of years, Anni passed away at the age of 91 after a short illness. Anni was predeceased by her husband, Kazik Zarudzki in 1993. She is survived by her daughter Hella (Richard Bertrand), son Richard (Janet Zarudzki) and daughter Julia Zarudzka. She also leaves 3 grandchildren.
Anni went to England for a year’s leave when she finished school to further her English studies. She arrived in London in 1939 and when the war broke out she decided to stay in England. She was recommended for a job at the BBC. After careful screening, Anni found herself working for British Broadcasting Corporation reading classified coded messages in Danish in daily broadcasts to occupied Denmark. The broadcasts, following the opening strains of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, began with “This is London calling Denmark”. For security reasons Anni was kept completely in the dark about the nature of the coded broadcasts. It was not until many years later that Anni learned the significance of these broadcasts when she spoke with a former Danish Resistance fighter at the Danish Club in Montreal. The messages that sounded like innocent birthday or anniversary greetings were actually messages about impending ammunition drops or German troop movements. Anni was awarded the Memory Medal for the Liberation of Denmark in May 1945 for her service during the years of the Nazi occupation of Denmark (1940 – 1945).
Anni married her husband, Kazik in 1944 in London, where they started a family. Kazik had been a sailor with the Polish Merchant Marines before the war. They immigrated to Canada in 1957. Anni worked at a number of secretarial positions in Montreal and later at McGill for a number of years, until she retired in 1881. Upon her retirement, Anni and Kazik moved to St. Sauveur and Anni, remarkably, learned to drive a car at age 65.
After she was widowed, Anni travelled to Australia, one of the highlights of her life. Apart from travels to many other countries, Anni travelled to Florida every winter for nearly 10 years.
Anni was proud to be a Dane and treasured her ties with St. Ansgar’s Church, the Danish Club and she participated in various other Danish functions. Anni was parish secretary of St. Ansgar’s church for a number of years during the ministry of Pastor Marty Holobow.
In recent years Anni was deeply honoured to receive recognition for her work during the war. This past winter she received another accolade when the Memory Medal for the Liberation in May 1945 was delivered to her while she was in Florida this past winter.
Anni passed away at the palliative care unit of Ste-Agathe Hospital on May 31. A funeral was held for her at Morin Heights United Church on June 7. A memorial service took place at St. Ansgar’s Church on June 28. Anni was a very active and vibrant woman. She will be missed greatly by her family and friends that were sovery dear to her.
Kom godt hjem.
A fund-raiser for Zerf Productions, took place at St. Ansgar’s Church on June 21. We were treated to wonderful music from local artists. A free-will collection to buy food and medicine for the mothers and children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa was taken. Over $1200 was collected that evening. In addition, a lot of non-perishable food was collected for the NDG Food Bank, valued at about $1500. Pastor Samuel and Wilhelmina brought all the food to the Food Bank. Thanks to everyone who attended. And thanks to all the musicians and to Thomas Leslie who was the MC for the evening.
Wilhelmina Fredericks announced that Pastor Samuel King-Kabu has agreed to become the new President of Zerf Productions. (The previous President was Rev. Dr. Jan Dijkman, who passed away unexpectedly in January after a short illness.) In his own words, Pastor Samuel said in his acceptance speech that he had been elected to the “Zerf Hall of Fame”.
Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner
& Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2008/09/16
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal