23. mail 2010 toimub Harkujärve Püha Esimärter Stefanose kirikust oikumeenilise nelipüha jumalateenistuse ülekanne Eesti Televisioonis. Jumalateenistusel osalevad Eesti Kirikute Nõukogu liikmeskirikute juhtivad vaimulikud.
15. jaanuaril 2010 toimus Harkujärve Stefanose kirikus allianssmissa. Teenisid EKEK peavikaar isa Heigo Ritsbek, vikaar isa Thomas Eriste ja diakon Janek Tamme. Sõnalises osas teenisid kaasa rooma-katoliku preestrid isa Alfonso di Giovanni ja isa Ain Leetma. Palvetes teenisid kaasa pastorid Olav Pärnamets (EMK), Mart Metsala (EEVL), Erki Tamm (EEKBKL), Ruudi Leinus (EEKBKL) ja isa Ain Leetma (RKK).
14. jaanuaril 2010 toimus Tallinnas alliansspalveõhtu Peeter-Pauli rooma-katoliku katedraalis. Teenisid koguduse preester isa Alfonso di Giovanni ja isa Gustavo Antonio Alfaro Zúñiga. Jutlustas Eesti Karismaatilise Episkopaalkiriku peavikaar isa Heigo Ritsbek.
10. jaanuaril toimus Tallinna alliansspalvenädala avajumalateenistus Oleviste kirikus. Jutlustas EELK Tallinna Jaani koguduse õpetaja, Tallinna praost Jaan Tammsalu. Sõnavõtuga teenis kaasa EKEK peavikaar isa Heigo Ritsbek.
Reedel 15. jaanuaril 2010 kell 18.30 toimub Harkujärve Püha Esimärter Stefanose kirikus Tallinna koguduste alliansspalvenädala raames allianssmissa. Teenivad peavikaar isa Heigo Ritsbek, vikaar isa Thomas Eriste ja diakon Janek Tamme. Jutlustab Tallinna Peeter-Pauli katoliku kiriku preester isa Alfonso di Giovanni. Missale saab tulla Väike-Õismäe lõpp-peatusest bussiga nr 27 mis väljub kell 18.04 või väikese hilinemisega, mis väljub kell 18.36. Sõita peatusesse KIRIKU, mis on otse Harkujärve kiriku ees. NB! Kirik on meil külm! Pange soojalt riidesse!
CHRISTMAS 2009
So much has been said about Christmas and the Nativity Story. Every time I stop to reflect on it, teach on it, or preach about it I am almost at a loss as to where to begin. All of us get caught into the profound mystery of the Incarnation, or the inspiring story of the humble obedience of Mary and Joseph. We are caught up on the simplicity of the story of a baby born in a manager among cattle and sheep surrounded by shepherds. It captures the minds and hearts of believers, and non-believers alike.
As for the past 24 years, this Christmas I will stand at the altar at the Cathedral Church of the Intercessor. During the Eucharist I will hold each of you dear in my heart. I will recall all the visits to the various congregations, convocations, and conferences. As you gather on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day you will be mystically connected to all of your brothers and sisters around the world. This is truth because “the Word has become flesh and dwells among us.” And, it is Christ who is the source of our unity. We have been seated with Him in the heavenly realms.
We are also united by our service to world in the Name of Jesus. I daily pray for each you. I pray for the men and women who have given of time, talent, and treasure to those around them. I pray for the relief efforts in the Philippines, where thousands are still homeless or dying from diseases as a result of the typhoon earlier this year. I pray for our brothers and sisters in Africa who daily teach young HIV/AID orphans and supply relief to families. I pray for those in the United States who are giving out food to the poor or offering counsel to those seeking freedom from drugs and alcohol. I pray for those who are offering alternatives to abortion, or counseling those who are suffering as a result of their decision to have an abortion. I pray for those who daily evangelize on the streets, or through movements like Cursillo and Marriage Encounter. I pray for those who faithfully work in shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens. And, I pray for the hundreds upon hundreds of men and women who serve the Church in Sunday Schools, Day Schools, Altar Guilds, Youth Groups, Choirs, and Bands. I pray for all the faithful who do all of this because they are loved by and love the child born in a manager who is now seated on His throne in glory.
The Charismatic Episcopal Church was in the beginning a “worship movement”. We continue to believe a Patristic expression of worship that is fully evangelical, fully charismatic, and fully sacramental/liturgical. We believe that the life and theology of the Church has always flowed from correct worship. When we gather in Eucharistic Worship we are empowered to go forth into the world with the message of God’s reconciling love, in both words and actions.
The Nativity story tells us that from the very beginning God identifies with the poor. It is in the humble beginnings of the manager that the Gospel is first proclaimed. So even today when we celebrate the Eucharist, be it in the splendor of a Gothic Cathedral or in a rented store front, the Church identifies with the poor – whether material poverty or spiritual poverty. The Church is compelled by the love of Christ to offer itself in service to the poor.
I pray that someday there will be a visible unity of the Church that is centered in Eucharistic worship. And, as much as I believe it is a ways off, there is no reason what so ever that we should not seek that unity with our brothers and sisters in Anglicanism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, Roman Catholicism, and the Churches of Eastern Orthodoxy. We all hold Christ Jesus to be the way, the truth, and the life; and the one and only one through whom mankind can find redemption. Yet, our differences are real and much more needs to occur before we will see this visible unity.
Where we can see a visible unity is when we reach out to the poor. I am moved spiritually each year as Christians gather in Washington, D.C. to pray for an end to abortion. There are no denominational differences as we pray and march. We are one voice speaking for those who have no voice. And daily that voice is becoming stronger and stronger particularly among our young people. There is no denominationalism when we dig wells, or supply famine relief, or medical care. There is no denominationalism as we lead people to a new life in Christ and a release of the Holy Spirit. Here we can walk together as we identify with the poor.
At the end of January this year and the first week of February, I will participate in three significant events. As I have mentioned I will be in Washington, D.C. to march along with hundreds of thousands of Christians. I will gather one evening with our young people from across the United States for our annual Laudate for Life gathering. Over the years it has not only grown in numbers, but also in commitment. We now have young people who have grown up in the CEC, but also as members of Laudate for Life. Some of these young men and women are now bringing their children to the March for Life.
Then I will gather at a resort in Pennsylvania with hundreds of Evangelical, Charismatic, and Pentecostal Pastors for three days of prayer for revival, reformation, and reconciliation. This is the largest gathering of cross-cultural, cross-denominational and cross ethnic pastors in America. All these Pastors serve in the New York City metropolitan area. For three days, in unity, we will seek God and cry out for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a city that has been called the capital of the world.
Then finally I will travel to Orlando, Florida for the Patriarch’s Council. This meeting, which is centered on our daily celebration of the Eucharist, will address the future of our Church around the world. The agenda will be filled with concerns and issues. But for three days we will experience the blessed unity the Lord has granted to us. We will hear the glorious reports of our Church and its growth numerically and spiritually.
All three of these events reflect the joy of Christmas, and the truth that Christ is still with us working through us, and brining to completion the good work He has begun in us. It is still evidence that Christ is born in the hearts of men and women of faith.
I pray that however, or wherever you celebrate the Feast of the Nativity and the Twelve Days of Christmas that you will be blessed and your eyes open to His presence in the Eucharist and in the poor. You will be in my prayers and my heart as I lift up His body and blood on that holy evening.
May Christ Jesus be given all the glory.
Under His mercy,
+Craig, Patriarch
23. detsembril kell 11.00 toimub Harkujärve kirikus Harkujärve kooli muusikaline jõulu-eelne hommikupalvus, mida viib läbi koguduse preester isa Heigo Ritsbek. Teenivad kaasa kooli õpilased ja õpetajad. Jõululaule ja muusikat esitavad õpilased ja õpetajad ning lasteaialapsed Ingrid Kajaku juhtimisel.
Karismaatilise Episkopaalkiriku ülemaailmne jõuluohver on igal aastal misjoni heaks – siinkohal on toodud videoprogramm meie kiriku tegevusest Ida-Aafrikas ja Eestis ning mõned fotod ka ülemaailmselt konvendilt.
Karismaatilise Episkopaalkiriku Ülemaailmse Osaduse patriarh peapiiskop Craig W. Bates allkirjastas nn Manhattani deklaratsiooni, mis kutsub üles kaitsma kõigi inimeste väärikust, tunnistama abielu vaid mehe ja naise vahelise ühendusena ja kutsub kaitsma usuliste väljenduste õigust. Deklaratsioonile on alla kirjutanud USA 150 juhtivat rooma-katoliku, õigeusu ja evangelikaalset kirikujuhti, nende seas näiteks rooma-katoliku kirikust Philadelphia kardinal Justin Rigali, Washingtoni peapiiskop Donald W. Wuerl ja Denveri piiskop Charles J. Chaput, kardinalid Adam Maida Detroitist, Timothy Dolan New York’ist, John J. Myers Newark’ist, John Nienstedt Saint Paul’ist, Joseph F. Naumann Kansas City’st, Joseph E. Kurtz Louisville’ist, Thomas J. Olmsted Phoenix’ist, Michael J. Sheridan Colorado Springs’ist, Salvatore J. Cordileone Oaklandist, Richard J. Malone Portlandist ja and David A. Zubik Pittsburgh’ist. Alla kirjutasid ka Ameerika Ortodokskiriku metropoliit Jonah Paffhausen, Püha Vladimiri Teoloogiakooli ülempreester Chad Hatfield, Põhja Ameerika Anglikaani Kiriku priimas Robert W. Duncan ja Nigeeria Anglikaani Kiriku priimas Peter J. Akinola. Alla on kirjuitanud samuti palju väljapaistvad USA evangelikaalsed juhid, nende hulgas tuntud USA metodistist Drew Ülikooli professor dr Thomas Oden.
Archbishop Bates, Dcn. Janek Tamme, Fr. Thomas Eriste
Estonia is part of the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). For many decades the people of Estonia have suffered decades of oppression. During World War II Estonia was first annexed to the Soviet Union, and then later was occupied by the Nazis. In 1944 Estonia was liberated from the Nazis and became part of the Soviet Union. For forty years the people of Estonia lived under Communism. They gained independence in 1991. Since their independence, the people of Estonia have made great advances socially and economically; at one point Estonia was recognized as the fastest growing economy. Like many countries Estonia has been hit by the global recession, however they not recovering yet.
Estonia was recently declared by the United Nations as the most secular nation in the world, with only 15% of the people believing in God (by any definition of god). Estonia also has more abortions performed annual than any other European nation.
Our presence in Estonia is made up of two small congregations: the Church of St. Stephen the Martyr, located in Tallinn and is pastured by the Rev. Dr. Heigo Ritsbek. They have a beautiful facility and the congregation is filled with a joy of the Lord. Our other congregation is St. Barnabas the Apostle – located in Parnumaa and is under the Pastorate of Fr. Thomas Eriste.
On Sunday, November 8, 2009, the Most Rev. Craig Bates, Patriarch, presided at a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist at St. Stephen the Martyr. Prior to being elected Patriarch, Abp Craig served as the supervising Bishop for Europe. At present no Bishop has been assigned, and the Patriarch continues to supervise our churches.
During the Celebration the Patriarch confirmed seven adults, from both Tallinn and Parnumaa. He also ordained the Rev. Janek Tamme as a Deacon. Deacon Janek will serve alongside of Fr. Thomas Eriste.
The liturgy for the morning was celebrated in both English and Estonian. An Ecumenical Choir was present, and made several musical offerings. Following the Eucharist the parish hall was filled with parishioners who joyfully celebrated the visit of the Patriarch and his wife Cathy, and the new life evidenced in the confirmands and the new Deacon.