Welcome Mariah!

Mariah mootz

We welcome our new Intern, Mariah Mootz, who is with us this fall as she completes her final semester at Saint Louis University. Mariah is working towards her BA in French and International Studies. She is a St. Louis native, however she has had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain.

While there, she volunteered with T-Oigo, an organization that partners Spanish-speaking children with hearing-loss and native English speakers, so they can have the opportunity to become bilingual despite their disabilities. Mariah volunteered with a young boy who had two cochlear implants. She taught him many things in English, his favorite subject being animals at the zoo.

Additionally, she has been working with international students for two years as the International Intern for Saint Louis University’s Office of Admission. Her job involves interacting with students from around the world and helping them discover the possibilities and opportunities that await them in St. Louis. We look forward to her working with us this fall!

Mariah is our first intern.  Please join us in welcoming her to CFNA!

Night with Neighbors

Actively Participating

“Pastor Stanish, can you please pick up my family and friends tomorrow so that I can go to the Church?” This was the immediate reply when I called Bariam Osman, a New American child from Eritrea. Bariam, together with her brothers and sisters, have been accessing the services offered at the CFNA Peace Center during the past couple of years.

Bariam’s desire was to participate in the “Night with Neighbors” outreach program organized by Christ Memorial Lutheran Church’s urban St. Louis satellite congregation, Reliant Church. Members worship Sundays at the Crave Coffee House located immediately adjacent to the campus of St. Louis University. This special neighborhood outreach ministry was offered each of the four Tuesdays in June. Bariam, who along with her friends and siblings, attended all of the events, wanted to go yet again even though the “Night with Neighbors” program had ended.

Bariam’s joy in being at Reliant Church is precisely the kind of response for which the pastor and Reliant members were hoping. Reliant’s “Night with Neighbors” was their unique way of reaching out to their neighbors in urban St. Louis with the message of Christ’s love and blessing. To accomplish this, volunteer drivers picked up refugee kids from CFNA, took them to the Church for the event, and then returned them to their homes.

Through their generous gift of time and effort, the members of Reliant impacted the lives of 15-20 New American kid and others living in the city, making them feel welcome and blessed.

Aluda Dabi, together with the members of her family, arrived in St. Louis a few years ago as refugees from Eritrea. At the conclusion of “Nights for Neighbors” her comment was – “it was so much fun, and we learned about Jesus.”

Fully engaged

Through teaching of Christian songs, sharing Bible based messages of hope in engaging ways, and providing numerous crafts and games, Reliant Church made Christ come alive in the lives of these New American kids – and others as well.CFNA greatly appreciates all of this, and gives thanks to Rev. Bobby Walston and the Reliant members for including these

New American kids from CFNA in this act of Christian love, acceptance and kindness.

By Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

LWML Serving New Americans

Vbs

Recently I spent a weekend in a part of St. Louis that I’d never visited. Along with three other LWMLers, I visited the CFNA Peace Center from July 8-10 to complete a servant event for the LWML. What a fabulous day we had!

We ladies vacuumed, pulled weeds, washed windows, dusted blinds, cleaned pews, bathrooms, and organized supplies. Some ladies from Nepal, and Heart to Heart Sisters Ayni Workeneh from Ethiopia and Beena Stanley from India assisted with mopping and cleaning the kitchen area. During a break we spoke with a volunteer who is assisting Deborah from Democratic Republic of the Congo and Maya from Nepal with their English language and job search. They were using a Rosetta Stone program and Microsoft Word on the computers.

sweeping up

cleaning up the playground

Later that afternoon, after a much needed shower back at our lodging about 10 minutes away (and an ice cream at Ted Drewes), we went back for a fun time of VBS with about 30 New American children at the Peace Center. We used the same VBS resources used at my church, Good Shepherd Lutheran in Centralia, earlier this summer. The music DVD, followed by crafts, and the Jesus Cares storytelling lesson were well received by such happy children. We ended our workday with a delicious meal of Indian cuisine made by the Stanish family with some assistance by the YWRs. God is good!

That evening we stayed nearby at St. Trinity so we could worship at the Peace Center with the Nepalese group on Sunday morning. It was lovely to hear nearly 50 worshippers praise God in their native tongue.

Special thanks to the kind soul who would cross the aisle to show us the scripture reference in our Bibles so we could follow along.  We recognized the tune and actions to one of their praise hymns despite not knowing the words.

Certainly a lesson learned by us LWMLers had to do with how it feels to be in a setting where one does not know the language. We thank the Lord for this opportunity to serve and to meet the helpers and refugees at CFNA.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7

Submitted by Ann Seider Vice President of Special Focus Ministries Missouri District LWML

In Memory

henry Manu. January 7, 1998 Liberia to June 25, 2016, St. Louis, Mo

Henry and Samuel came to St. Louis as members of refugee families from Liberia.  Both were members of Timothy Lutheran Church and both families were associated with CFNA. Both of these young men dedicated their lives to Christ at an early age, and were active members of their church.

A junior at Lutheran High South, Henry was active in sports and respected as a student. Also active in sports and a student who took his studies to heart, Samuel attended Roosevelt High School in St. Louis.

Lost to us on Saturday, June 25 through a tragic swimming accident, Henry and Samuel are now with our Lord. 

We miss you both. You will be in our hearts forever!

YOUR FRIENDS AT CFNA!

Samuel neal. May 6, 1998, Pleebo city, liberia, to june 25, 2016, st. Louis, mo

Moving Beyond The Limit!

Enjoying fellowship

Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) is excited to announce that a new Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Mekane Yesus (EECMY) congregation has been planted in St. Louis, Missouri. Rev. Theodros (Teddy) Workeneh, an ordained minister of the EECMY and now a graduate student at Concordia Seminary, serves as the Pastor. He also serves as a Facilitator for CFNA.

The members of this congregation, usually referenced as the Ethiopian/Eritrean Bible Fellowship, held its first meeting at the CFNA Peace Center in April, 2015. It now meets at Zion Lutheran Church Maryland Heights, a congregation of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). The relocation was very much driven by the fact that larger numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans are now living in this area.

rev. workeneh standing second from the right, with fellowship members

Now in its foundation stage, the members of the Fellowship are very excited to see what the Lord is going to do! My vision is to transform the entire Ethiopian and Eritrean community in St. Louis and beyond through an exponential church planting movement led by catalytic leaders who bring others into a relationship with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This happened because of your support for CFNA, which also received substantial support for this effort from the National Mission Board of the LCMS. It is entirely true that planting a church is one of the most rewarding things you can do to advance the Kingdom of God. Nevertheless, this is a very challenging task, especially when you start from scratch among an emerging immigrant community. Therefore, pray for us and help us by all means to expand God’s Kingdom among these people.

By Rev. Theodros Workeneh

Contact Information:

• Pastor Theodros Workeneh - 314-688-6483

• Dr. Allan Buckman - 314-249-8340

Storytelling at the Peace Center

“The Peace Center is where we come to do homework, have fun, and learn about God.”

This spring, after-school tutoring kids and tutors had a chance to tell their story through video. The Lutheran Foundation supported CFNA by sending Pastor Stanish and Christa Earl to a Digital Storytelling class with Channel 9 Ninelab. We captured video informally during a few weeks of tutoring and were able to include footage from our annual field trip to Ted Drewes.

All of the children spoke of how they learn about Jesus and learn to see God at tutoring. Through relationships with tutors and hearing the Word regularly, the kids in our program are growing in faith and love. It takes a lot of dedicated tutors to make this kind of difference in their lives. To quote Henrietta, “And the tutors are the best thing ever!”

Meet some of the kids, experience tutoring with us, and hear about it in our own words:

By Christa Wilson Earl Chai V Shalom Lutheran Church 

LCMS Young Adults & CFNA

Craft Time

Julianna Shults serves The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod as Program Manager for the Lutheran Young Adult Corps. Here she shares her thought and observations regarding a recent LCMS Young Adults servant event at the Peace Center.

Just a few weekends ago, a group of eight young adults from the LCMS Young Adult Servant Event were blessed to serve at the Peace Center. This annual event offers young adults 18-30 a chance to serve, spend time together in Bible study, and learn about how ministries in St. Louis are sharing the Gospel throughout the year. Our major task was to work with Dave Shepley, a volunteer from Concordia Kirkwood, to begin the installation of a sump pump in the basement. It was hard, mucky work but we were able to break the cement, dig the hole and fill it with the pieces that will allow the sump pump to be put in soon. At the same time, other young adults, along with six New American students from the After School Program, worked on cleaning on the first and second floors. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to serve alongside some of the hardworking young people who connect with the Peace Center on a regular basis.

Heavily Enaged

In the afternoon, our group hosted a two hour Children’s program for students now on summer break. Our Bible story, games, crafts, snacks and music focused on how Jesus welcomes children. We wanted to reinforce how much Jesus loves us and wants to be with us, no matter how young or old. We ended our afternoon with a silly game and water balloons! Exhausted at the end of a long day, we celebrated with Dr. Stanish Stanley by cooking a delicious Indian meal.

One young adult commented that it was nice to connect to ministries and volunteers who work with CFNA day in and day out. These short term events last only a few days and often do projects that seem insignificant in the grand scheme of ministry. But in just a day, many important tasks can be accomplished and it can open our eyes to the need in our own neighborhood. We are grateful to all the hard work of Dr. Stanley, Pastor Allan and Carol Buckman and so many others who hosted us.

We pray for them our Lord’s blessings as they continue to share the Gospel with so many.

By Julianna Shults Program Manager – Lutheran Young Adult Corps LCMS Youth Ministry

After School Tutoring 2015-16

At Ted Drews

“Pastor Stanish, can I come to the Peace Center today?… I promise to be really good and well-behaved for the rest of the year” said Marbati Tuka, a 10 year old New American kid from Eritrea, as I picked up the phone. Marbati’s words were just a sample of the many such conversations I had during the 2015-16 school year with the 94 students registered for the After School Tutoring program at the Peace Center. Meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, refugee kids found tutors willing to help with homework, play academic skill related games, and teach Christian life values through dance and art. Interestingly, for many of them the Bible time with visiting LCMS pastors served as their program highlight!

With few exceptions, the New American children found the Peace Center an inviting place where they could interact with friends and learn from American tutors. And it was not only the students, but also the tutors who experienced a genuine sense of fulfillment. Rich Schaefer, just completing his 7th year as a volunteer tutor, summed up the hope and joy of Christian witness by stating that “when one sees the children mature over the course of the year in behavior that displays the love and teaching of Christ, it is truly worth rejoicing and participating in this program.”

This joy and hope was in full display on the 24th of May 2016 when the tutoring program at CFNA closed for the year with a short worship program followed by an ice cream social at nearby Ted Drewes. For all the students, representing 11 birth nations, the year offered not only learning opportunities but also provided for the development of life skills. None of this would have been possible had it not been for the almost 40 volunteer tutors who crossed cultural boundaries in their attempts to provide Christian service and witness.

To see this in action, view the video below, and please join us in offering thanks to our gracious Lord for another successful After School Tutoring program at the Peace Center.

By Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

Coleman Geraci - Volunteer Of The Month

Volunteer of the Month

Seminarian Coleman Geraci

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and the Risen Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!I am Seminarian Coleman Geraci and bring greetings from Concordia St. Louis! As a part of our curriculum in Seminary, I have been given the opportunity to volunteer at the Peace Center’s Afterschool Program for CFNA. On Thursday afternoons, I get to work with collectively about 40 children from ages 7-12, but specifically with about six 10 and 11 year olds. The experience has been grand.

The Peace Center has provided me an opportunity to work with these children in several areas–academically, socially, and spiritually. We have spent time working on word puzzles, mathematical pattern recognition, card games, physical activity, as well as participating in Chapel services. The children have been responsive to most of the activities and it is a pleasure to see them grow in both their knowledge and maturity.

Being able to work with these children has been both a challenge and a blessing. The challenge is to communicate properly to them the importance of virtue and good character in a way that is not overly heady or theoretical. In this opportunity, I have had to transfer the lofty, academic knowledge from Seminary to on the ground application and response to the children. The blessing is the fruit of seeing them progress, although slowly at times, in both their character and wisdom.

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve at the Peace Center and am blessed by the practical engagement of Jesus words, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

By Coleman Geraci, Seminarian

Three Again!

rev. sam thompson, jacob, seti and jasper rai, joel basnet rohan rai and rev. mike okine

There were three again! On Sunday, May 8th, 2016 three more Nepali children were baptized at Messiah Lutheran Church in the name of our God, the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The names of the children are Rohan Rai (12), Jasper Rai (4), and Jacob Rai (1). After living in South Dakota for two years, they moved to St. Louis four months ago with their mother Seti.Seti had already been baptized as an adult, and she did not believe that children should be baptized. She joined us in our Saturday Bible study and gradually came to believe that children also needed to be baptized because baptism is a gift of God for all people regardless of their ages. Instruction for the baptism took place at their home. It was led by Pastor Sam Thompson and Pastor Mike Okine.We praise God for continuing to work to bring people, especially a growing number of New Americans, into His eternal kingdom. That is His most important desire. And we thank Him for using people who are simultaneously sinners and saints to accomplish His goal.Forty-three recently arrived Nepali people now attend Messiah on a regular basis.Pastor Mike Okine, Senior Pastor, Messiah Lutheran Church

Who Is Served?

Jennifer Janssen with craft class students at the peace center

Several years ago, in preparation for one of our tutor training sessions for our After School Tutoring Program, we compiled a report entitled “Who is Served?” As we recruited tutors for the program, it became evident that it would be helpful for us to take a closer look at those we were serving and use that information to help us make decisions about how to improve our program. Sources of information included written registration forms and conversations with facilitators, drivers, tutors, and the children themselves.

During the 2015 – 2016 school year we had 94 children who registered for our After School Tutoring Program. Our largest group was the 12- to 14-year-old group. In past years we had very few students below grade 1, but this year we had 11 who were in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten. Our population was evenly distributed between male and female students. New birth countries represented in this year’s population included Congo, El Salvador, Rwanda, and Senegal. Approximately two-thirds of our children attend St. Louis Public Schools. When asked about religion or church affiliation, the majority of the registration forms showed that the children professed to be “Christian”. In other words, most of these students and their families have found a church home, with a little less than 20 percent now attending nearby LCMS congregations.

Each new school year is a new year for our After School Tutoring Program as well.  A number of children return to our program year after year, but there are always new children joining the program. Now you know a little bit about those who were served this past school year. Who will be served next year? We don’t know, but we will be planning over the summer for those whom God sends!

By Sandy Gerber St. Johns Lutheran Church (City)

Welcome Kerry!

KERRY POZARICWelcome to CFNA

Kerry Pozaric

CFNA extends a warm welcome to Kerry as she takes over Business Manager responsibilities from Marjorie Schmeerbauch, who will now focus primarily upon installing and implementing the CFNA SalesForce database.

Kerry grew up in St. Louis (attended Lindbergh High School) and then graduated from The University of Illinois with an Accounting Degree. She worked in Public Accounting with KPMG LLP for 18 years. Kerry has worked for Bonhomme Presbyterian Church for the past 6 years as their accountant.

Kerry has been married to Steve for almost 20 years and has two daughters. Elizabeth is finishing her Freshman year at Kirkwood High School and Madelyn is finishing 7th grade at Christ Community Lutheran School. The Pozarics are members of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood.

When she's not working or driving her girls around to their various activities, Kerry enjoys exercise, tennis, volunteering, and Bible Study. She is also attending the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans as a Family Group Leader this July.

Again Kerry, WELCOME!

2016 Walkathon

New American walkers brave the elements with Christa Earl

Visiting the snack table

On the morning of Saturday, May 14, a brisk and windy day greeted our walkers for CFNA’s 2nd Annual Walk-a-Thon. The event was held on the beautiful campus of Concordia Seminary, and our thanks to the seminary leadership for allowing us to walk through their well cared for grounds. Dr. Dan Mattson welcomed us on behalf of Concordia Seminary President, Dr. Dale Meyer.

It was great to have some of our New American friends join in the fun! Of the approximately 90 participants, close to 25 New American children were present. Gerald Brewah, Teddy Workeneh, Stanish Stanley, and Christa Earl helped bring the students, with the assistance of the Webster Gardens van and driver, Dave Herd. Two siblings, one who attends Lutheran High South, came and helped direct traffic! Thank you to Karina and Spencer Ferguson.

We appreciated all of the volunteers and participants who helped make this chilly day another successful CFNA “friending” and funding event!

By Laura Brink Ascension Lutheran Church

Congratulations, Rev. Dr. Stanley

Rev. Dr. Stanley with wife Beena and daughters Riona, Alina and Catherine

Rev. Dr. Stanley

Rev. Stanish Stanley, who has been involved in coordinating CFNA’s After School tutoring activities on a volunteer basis, graduated with his Ph. D degree in Historical Theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on the 20th of May, 2016. Rev. Stanley presented his Dissertation that researched the Gospel-Culture interaction between the natives and LCMS missionaries in Trivandrum, India from 1911–56, at his Forum on the 12th of May. CFNA wishes Rev. Stanley, his wife Beena and daughters—Catherine, Riona and Alina—God’s richest blessings in their future endeavor for our Lord.

God's Perfect Timing

Sandy gerber

On Tuesday evening the younger children from the After School Tutoring Program were outside during their recreation time. A group of them were playing four-square on the parking pad. A mother and her nine-year-old son happened to be walking by and asked about all of the activity. As it turns out, they live near the intersection of Meramec and Grand, and they are New Americans, having immigrated to the United States from El Salvador some time ago.

One of our volunteer tutors (I think it was Tim Schrader) brought them inside and introduced them to Pastor Stanish Stanley, who talked with them about what CFNA has to offer. The boy, Daniel, was interested in our program – not because he needs help with his homework, but because he doesn’t really have any playmates in the neighborhood. Pastor Stanish introduced them to me, and I sat with Alba (the mother) and helped her fill out the AST registration form for Daniel.

It happened that Pastor Michael Tanney from St. Johns was the chapel speaker for the evening. When he finished the Bible study with the teens, he came by and I introduced him to Alba. They were able to easily get acquainted with one another, as Pastor Tanney speaks Spanish fluently (having served as a missionary in Venezuela and Puerto Rico). The new family left, and we hope to strengthen our connection with them as Daniel comes to After School Tutoring and Alba comes to ESL classes.

As I reflected on these events, I could clearly see God’s hand in this situation. God brought Alba and Daniel to us at a time when some exuberant children would attract their attention. He placed our volunteer in the right position to bring them inside to find out about our CFNA programs. He knew that Pastor Tanney would be there to speak to Alba in her native language, which added greatly to her comfort level in this new situation. I hope that we will continue to see these little miracles as they happen around us and seize the opportunity to connect with people whenever we can!

By Sandy Gerber St. Johns, Morganford

Henry Manu - New American Of The Month

New American of the Month

Having lived as a small child in an impoverished village in Liberia, Henry came to St. Louis approximately 10 years ago as a refugee, and an orphan. With his mother having been killed in the Liberian civil war and his father in a refugee camp, where he remains until today, he was raised in St. Louis by his grandmother and an aunt – just a few years his senior.

Henry became connected with CFNA, and Timothy Lutheran Church, through Tim Schrader, a long time CFNA Associate. The primary link was sports, about which Henry is passionate. A soccer team coached by Tim was his first interest, but Henry became involved in other sports programs as well, including weight lifting. Just 18 years old, he is already able to squat over 350 pounds!

A devout follower of Christ, Henry learned what it meant to be a Christian first hand, living in the city where many of his friends became involved in the ways of the street at a young age. He learned to cling to the cross in his daily life, and despite being passionate about sports and now holding a job at Chick-fil-A, Henry stays connected to his church family. With his faith life driving other aspects of his life, he has brought several others to Timothy Lutheran Church.

Having been accepted into the International Students’ Dorming Program sponsored by the Lutheran High School Association, Henry was given the opportunity to study at Lutheran High South. This past fall he helped Timothy Lutheran Church launch a weekly Bible Study among the international students staying in dormitories while studying in Lutheran High Schools. The Bible Study reaches out not only to International Students, but also reconnects domestic students who have strayed from the church.

While grateful for his church home at Timothy, Henry nevertheless credits CFNA with having unlocked doors to opportunities he could have only hoped for, especially the opportunity to study at a private high school. His plans are to graduate from high school, and then a university graduating with a degree in psychology. His dream is to provide counseling for recently arrived New Americans. Please keep Henry in your prayers as he continues his journey of commitment and service to his Lord, and others.

By Tim Anas Student, Concordia Seminary Family Advocate, Timothy Lutheran Church

The Foreigner Among Us

This powerful video demonstrates how "all nations" are coming to our very doorstep, and what that means for mission!

Sharon Agne - Volunteer Of The Month

Volunteer of the Month

Sharon agne

Sharon Agne, a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, has served as a CFNA volunteer for the past eight years. Here she briefly shares her story.

During my 46 year career as a Registered Nurse I have had experience in staff nursing, staff development and administration. Currently and for the past 20 years, I have worked for Lutheran Senior Services in Hospice, which cares for patients with limited life expectancy. This has been very rewarding, if only because we help patients with their final phase of life’s journey. Not surprisingly, there have been many opportunities to share my faith, which has been strengthened whenever these opportunities arise.

My involvement with CFNA began when I was introduced to Carol Buckman, who quickly took my name and invited me to join the Health and Wellness Screening team. My CFNA volunteer work began shortly thereafter at the Peace Center, where I assist with this ministry on the first Saturday of each month.

The most rewarding facet of nursing has always been helping others, and at CFNA I have had the added privilege of serving among people of various cultures. Seeing their faces, often with a warm smile – especially when we exchange greetings – has been a regular source of encouragement.

The biggest challenge has at all times been communication. Though capable translators are provided, children may also assist on behalf of their parents. Because many refugees do not arrive with their medical histories, obtaining this information can be a challenge. Kindness, a smile, and prayers get us through each screening.

To be sure, all of this has been a source of great blessing, if only because we serve as a dedicated group of health professionals with an equally dedicated ministry coordinator. Together we guide New Americans through the screening process, into other CFNA ministries, and sometimes into one of the nearby congregations – mostly Lutheran - as well.

A suggestion:  Prayerfully consider giving three hours a month to driving clients to their medical appointments.

Joy Three Times

revs. Okine espinoza and thompson with nar katuwal and children salina and sahil

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

This power of the gospel continues to work in our time all over the world, including our own neighborhood here in St. Louis.

Sunday, March 13th was another day of joy at Messiah Lutheran Church. A family of three was baptized—Nar Katuwal (mother), Sahil Chimriya (son), and Salina Chimriya (daughter). Sahil and Salina have been attending the home Bible studies, the Nepali Fellowship/Worship, the CFNA After School Tutoring program, and church regularly. They had been asking to be baptized for over a year. Their mother, who was Hindu, came occasionally to the Bible study. She was not interested in being baptized; but she was not opposed to the children being baptized. She came for their traditional three days of prayer/mourning led by Pastor Mike Okine when a family member of theirs was shot and killed in Chicago.

We fixed a date in February for the baptism. A week or so before the baptism, she said she would like to be baptized as well. Her children had very much encouraged her to do this. So we pushed the date back to March. Pastor Sam Thompson met with her a few times for instruction when it was possible. Her schedule at the Marriot Hotel (Airport) changed quite a bit. Pastor Sam and Pastor Mike met with them for nearly three hours on Saturday, March 12th. The baptism took place the following day.

There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Now there is joy three times over in heaven! To God alone be the glory!

Pastor Mike Okine Messiah Lutheran Church

Celebrating New Citizenships

By Pastor Matt Clark

gagan gurung, arun gurung, rev. matt clark

Two different kinds of citizenships were recently celebrated by Nepali new Americans who became connected to Ascension Lutheran Church through Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA).

At the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse in downtown St. Louis on February 26, Chattra and Shiva Gurung were naturalized as citizens of the United States of America. After living approximately six years in the US and passing the rigorous citizenship test, the Gurungs pledged their allegiance to their new country and were welcomed to their new home. Individuals from both Ascension and CFNA were present to celebrate this important occasion with them.

newly confirmed members if the rai and gurung families

A new citizenship of a different kind was celebrated at Ascension on March 6 for Arun Gurung, as he became a citizen of the kingdom of God through water and the Word. Through Holy Baptism, Arun is now a part of the body, and family, of Christ. At this same service, a total of eight Nepali men and women (including Arun) were also confirmed. These brothers and sisters in Christ pledged their allegiance to their Savior, and were welcomed to His Church. This celebration followed a period of bilingual instruction covering Scripture and much of Luther’s Small Catechism in both English and Nepali.

New citizenship on earth, and in heaven, is reason to celebrate and rejoice!