Danish Union Session focuses on Sharing, Stewardship and Fellowship

<p>27 May 2016 | Himmerlandsgården, Denmark [Anne-May Müller]&nbsp; It is an annual tradition for Danish Seventh-day Adventists. During the ascension-day weekend they meet at their Himmerlandsgården camp ground in the north of the country for camp meeting. In addition to worship and fellowship, this year they also had business to attend to, since the Union had its triennial business session, 4-8 May 2016.</p>

News May 27, 2016

27 May 2016 | Himmerlandsgården, Denmark [Anne-May Müller]  It is an annual tradition for Danish Seventh-day Adventists. During the ascension-day weekend they meet at their Himmerlandsgården camp ground in the north of the country for camp meeting. In addition to worship and fellowship, this year they also had business to attend to, since the Union had its triennial business session, 4-8 May 2016.

Denmark-tentJust over 200 delegates met with other members for a long weekend of fellowship, praise, worship and business meetings. They even had sunshine and, according to Trans-European Division president, Raafat Kamal, the event “was blessed with a sweet and praiseful spirit throughout the proceedings.”

Business was done in a spirit of honesty, love and unity. Of course, there were issues delegates disagreed on, but when the debate can be done in a way that conveys respect for differing opinions, it is a sign of a good session and a church that can embrace the diversity of its members. Kamal complemented delegates on their “constructive reflection and discussion”.

Thomas Muller Danmark election 2016
Re-elected: Thomas Müller. President
Elections saw a mixture of the old and the new. Thomas Müller was asked to serve a second term. He has been president since 2012. He will serve alongside a new Executive Secretary/Vice President, Marianne Kolkmann. She comes from Norway but has previously worked in Denmark so will have no language problems. She replaces Henrik Jørgensen. There was also a change of Chief Financial Officer with Jan Nielsen replacing Björgvin Ibsen. Warm thanks was expressed for good service given.

Among many actions, delegates also voted to increase the length of time between sessions. Moving from three years to four will, they believe, ensure stability and give a longer time to implement the strategies and plans voted at the session.

Denmark-Jan-Nielsen-small
CFO Jan Nielsen
Marianne Kolkmann
Executive Secretary, Marianne Kolkmann
A new and very well prepared strategic plan was voted, ensuring a renewed focus on Sharing, Stewardship and Fellowship. This included a commitment to the Mission of the Church, along with an excellent focus on youth, family and children – in sync with the TED Plan. It was also encouraging to see a strong youth involvement, both on the nominating committee and in the work of the church in general.

That work came to an end as a special ‘Friday evening feeling’ came on. The last business meeting closed before the Sabbath, and delegates laid aside all the voting, plans and policies. Instead they prepared to meet God in a special way during the Sabbath.

denmark-preacher
Evening worship with Pastor Bernie Anderson
Pastor Bernie Anderson from Florida shared the word of God with campers during the evening meetings while on Sabbath morning, Kamal preached about being a light in the world – not our light – but God’s light through us. Before the sermon, we were ‘surprised’ with two special songs from all the children. They gathered on the stage with flowers in their hands, then shared them as a pre-mother’s day gift for all the women in the tent.

Denmark-appointed-ministersSabbath afternoon saw the tent packed again for a very meaningful and solemn appointment service, when four pastors, Anne-May Müller, Rebecca Pedersen, Thomas Rasmussen and Michael Bidstrup were set aside for pastoral ministry with the laying on of hands and prayer.

After four days of business, fellowship and worship, the session closed on Sunday afternoon with a long-standing tradition, the singing of the hymn Denmark-children-flowers‘God be with you till we meet again’. Thus, uplifted and ready for another four years of ministry and mission – or until the Lord comes, Thomas Müller reminded us that the church belongs to God, and if He is in control, nothing can scare us or divert us from the task ahead.

For a selection of photos from the weekend please visit the Danish Union website. [tedNEWS]


tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, director; Esti Pujic, editor

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