Travelling by coach to the International Church Convention – parking spaces for coaches and cars

(20.05.2014) More than 50,000 people are expected on the three days of the International Church Convention (ICC) in Munich's Olympic Park over the Pentecost weekend 2014. It is advisable for ICC participants to travel to the grounds in groups or using public transport.

Travelling by coach and public transport is not only more environmentally friendly, but will also help toward trouble-free arrival and departure for all ICC visitors.

For persons with handicaps with an aG or Bl symbol in their disabled person's pass, parking on the "parking harp" of the Olympic Park is free of charge. Spaces for persons with handicaps will be kept free in the parking bay P1. Barrier-free access to the grounds is possible from there.

Spaces are reserved for coaches on the "parking harp" starting at parking bay P2 (fee per day: 20 Euros – to be paid when entering). Coaches will only be permitted to park in this area following previous registration. Following registration, the group representative for each coach will receive a corresponding parking permit for the "parking harp".

Registration of a coach can be carried out using an informal mail to busse[at]eventorg-nak-sued.de with the following information per coach: last name, first name, e-mail address, and mobile phone number of the group representative. Following registration, every group representative will receive a parking permit which must be affixed clearly visible on the windscreen of the coach.

Preparation for live editing at the ICC

(20.05.2014) Accompanied by curiosity, anticipation, and high motivation, approximately 50 volunteers travelled to Stuttgart on Saturday, May 17, 2014, for a preparatory meeting of the editorial staff for live reporting at the ICC. Annika Maxion as the chief editor of the website www.ikt2014.org had extended the invitation in order to prepare the editorial team for the Church Convention and to discuss important details.

The website has existed for one year already and has been continuously updated with the latest information concerning the preparations for the Church Convention, has provided downloads and background information on program contributions and contributors, and will be the central platform for the latest news during the Church Convention. It will not only publish pictures and reports of the respective day but will also provide up-to-date information on any changes in program. Further information channels are the social networks nacworld, facebook and twitter which will also be provided with information and photos by the editorial staff. In line with the character of social networks, ICC visitors will be also be allowed to have their say there.

Fundamental organizational topics were discussed during the morning of the meeting, and the afternoon was used for workshops for individual working groups. In addition to more than 30 photographers who will be in action all over the event grounds, a team of 10 copywriters will be working, as well as a number of picture editors, translators, and of course the online editorial staff.
"The working processes of the individual teams depend on one another, and much has to work hand-in-hand so that we can offer rapid and attractive live reporting which will be interesting for everyone", says the chief editor.

Dependability and the readiness of each member of the editorial team to place their own interests into the background for the benefit of the existing tasks are the basis for trouble-free operation during the Church Convention. At the end of the meeting, the chief editor was delighted with the highly motivated and committed team. The energetic implementation of this year's motto "Labour in love" was like a common thread throughout the preparatory meeting. "Till we meet in Munich!" was the joyful farewell. Just a few more days until this word becomes fact!

ICC App for Android and iOS now available

(19.05.2014) The ICC App for Android is now available in the Google Play Store and for iOS in the Apple's App Store as a free download.

The ICC App is multilingual (English, German, French) and contains all contents of the printed ICC Guide. Changes to the event program which became known following printing of the ICC Guide are also included.

Changes to the program can also be found on the ICC website. Changes at short notice during the ICC will also be published on the ICC website and in the ICC App.

Direct to download of the ICC App for Android units and for iOS units.

You are responsible for the creation – become aware of this!

(15.05.2014) Unworthy factory farming, the clearing of tropical rain forests, pollution of the air we breathe, ocean contamination, and plundering of resources – catchwords which plainly show us the ruthless exploitation of the earth. As humans we must deeply anchor in our conscience the preservation of our habitat for succeeding generations. The fundamental development can hardly be stopped, but everyone can endeavour to be more environmentally aware.

Especially believing Christians have the responsibility to lead the way in this context – it should be a great desire to preserve the creation, God's magnificent work. This responsible attitude as an environmentally-aware Christian should also find its way even more into the New Apostolic Church. Based on this conviction, the environmental scientist Carina Zell and the young doctor Timo Ziegler from Berlin offer the workshop "Responsibility for the creation as New Apostolic Christians" at the first International Church Convention (ICC) of the New Apostolic Church over the Pentecost weekend in Munich.

They will also refer to examples from other churches: for example: the Protestant Church Convention, considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly mega events in Germany. Before moving on to the discussion of ideas and projects, the speakers will provide an insight into the current state of the creation and indicate the most immediate environmental problems.
Further information on the workshop and background knowledge on the topic can be found at http://schoepfungsverantwortung.wordpress.com

The workshop will be carried out three times: on Friday, June 6, 2014, at 2 p.m. and on Saturday, June 7, 2014, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The event location in each case is the Event Arena (ground floor).

Youth becomes active and permits participation in Church Convention

(15.05.2014) "A time to make friends" – that was the motto of the World Cup which took place in Germany in 2006. Youth from the North Munich church district in South Germany rekindled this thought during a get-together in 2013. As a result of the closeness to the location of the first International Church Convention, the Olympic Park in Munich, the youth are fortunate: no long journey to the venue, no high travelling or accommodation costs, the Church Convention is right on their doorstep. But what about others who live far away and do not have the financial means to afford such a trip? The youth quickly reached a decision: this is where we can help!

An idea was born and discussed in the church congregations, where it was met with great approval. The project was finally put into operation in the autumn of 2013: biscuit baking was to be the order of the day! A commercial kitchen, 15 youth, many kilograms of butter, flour and sugar – the result: 6000 biscuits in 12 hours. But also jam and liqueur, chocolates and gingerbread, woollen hats and lavender bags: the range of products produced was immense; these were to be sold at the inauguration ceremony of the church in Munich-Laim. The youth collected 2,000 Euros as a result of their efforts. But this was only the initial spark for a number of further activities, all under the motto "Making friends …".

During the following weeks and months, the youth repeatedly offered their help in the various congregations. Bikes were cleaned, help provided for house moving, windows cleaned, a large-scale cleaning operation was carried out, and much more. As thanks for the help provided, beneficiaries could make a donation to the campaign "Making friends …". A total of more than 7,000 Euros was collected as a result of the youth's efforts. The money has already been transferred and will help ICC visitors from South East Asia, Macedonia and Serbia to travel to Munich and participate in the ICC.

The youth from North Munich are looking forward to the ICC with great joy, for they will then be able to meet the persons whom they helped to participate in the Church Convention. The youth from North Munich have shown with their efforts what it means to implement the motto given by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider for 2014: Labour in love!

A Church Convention for children

(08.05.2014) Day care centres, craftwork and painting stations, and even a musical with children will make sure that the youngest participants at the first International Church Convention (ICC) over the Pentecost weekend in Munich's Olympic Park are right in the thick of things. There is absolutely no reason to become bored! This is promised by a versatile family program which also provides freedom for parents at the same time.

The basis is the childcare offered for children between three and ten on Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at four locations in the Olympic Park. In these day care centres, children can stay for a maximum of 2.5 hours and will find everything they need to play. The only condition: children must be dry since there is no opportunity to change diapers. More than 80 male and female carers will be on duty (see Interview “Child care IKEA style”).

The central meeting point for children will be the SoccArena and the associated open-air site. Craft workshops and painting for children will be available there all day on Friday and Saturday, and physical activities and dancing games will take place at various times. Whoever wants to knot a trendy bracelet, leap around on the jumping castle or simply play ball games will find the SoccArena and its surroundings the perfect location.

A lot will also be offered for children in the Eissporttrainingshalle. The children's hands-on workshop “God feeds us” invites them to play and guess biblical stories. This will be held a total of three times on Friday and Saturday. And to conclude the day, the whole family can enjoy the goodnight story “Fox and magpie”. This will be a wonderful conclusion on Friday and Saturday evening. Likewise the following evening devotional for children “Cast out the net of love!” with District Apostle Rüdiger Krause. This promises to be an unforgettable experience for the youngest participants.

A further highlight will be presented by 30 children. They will perform the children’s musical “Initiative ark” on Saturday from 11:15 to 12:15 a.m. in the Eisstadion and will musically re-enact the Bible story of Noah and the ark. With a band and joyful songs this is guaranteed to not only delight children. Further information on the event program for children can be found in the ICC Guide.

By the way, the SEA LIFE is also located in the Olympic Park. And there is a special offer for visitors to the ICC: by showing their ICC bracelet, everyone will receive a discount of 50% on the regular admission charge at the box office (cannot be combined with other special offers/discounts/online tickets). The offer is not only valid during the ICC, but up to and including June 20, 2014. A real highlight for all fans of the underwater world.

Experience special deep thoughts – devotionals at the ICC

(08.05.2014) Feel deep holiness without visiting a divine service? Is this possible? Yes! A devotional with its close relationship to the Christian faith proves this. Whoever wants to experience this at first hand should definitely visit one of the numerous 15-minute morning, evening or midnight devotionals at the International Church Convention (ICC) over the Pentecost weekend 2014 in Munich.

Experiencing this somewhat different manner of being close to God together with one of the Apostles of the New Apostolic Church is an attractive prospect. It will most certainly be worthwhile starting the day early with a morning devotional. Most devotionals will be held in German and interpreted simultaneously into English and French.

On Friday, June 6, 2014, from 8:30 to 8:50 p.m., there will even be an evening devotional for children in the Eissporttrainingshalle with the title “Cast out the net of love”. District Apostle Rüdiger Krause from North Germany will welcome the children to this. Believers can experience the evening devotional “God's love in the Commandments” with District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny from Berlin-Brandenburg in the Werner-von-Linde-Halle starting at 9:15 p.m. This event will be translated into sign language.

A speciality is the devotional together with the musical contribution “The Praise Solution”. District Apostle Markus Fehlbaum from Switzerland will hold this on Friday at the same time in the Kleine Olympiahalle. The devotional “Jesus Christ: King - Priest - Prophet” with District Apostle Wilfried Klingler from Central Germany and starting at 10:30 p.m. in the Olympiahalle corresponds perfectly with the Church Convention motto since it expresses that Christ establishes His kingdom on earth through His authority.

The two midnight devotionals on Friday and Saturday at 11:45 p.m. will provide lasting impulses for a good night's rest. On Friday, District Apostle Leonard Kolb from the USA extends an invitation to the first floor of the Event-Arena for a small group discussion in English based on Hebrews 10: 24-25: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works …”. On Saturday, the District Apostle Helpers Frank Dzur and John Sobottka from Canada will hold a devotional at the same location with the title “Steps to pleasing the Lord”, including a Bible reading from 1 John 3: 22.

It will become really exotic - at least for the Europeans - on Saturday morning in the Kleine Olympiahalle at 9:30 a.m. with District Apostle Urs Hebeisen, responsible for the Asia district. The topic “Bearing heaven in your heart, coming into heaven” will be accompanied by angklung music from South East Asia. The angklung is a musical instrument or idiophone made of bamboo which generates sounds by vibrations as a whole.

At the same time, Apostle Hans-Peter Schneider from South Germany will welcome visitors to the Church Convention in the Werner-von-Linde-Halle for the devotional “Fellowship gives strength”. This will be translated into sign language.

Another morning devotional, which will only be held in German, is called “I love you!” Participants in the devotional should be sent into the day with the assurance: “God loves me!” District Apostle Bernd Koberstein, responsible for Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland, together with Apostle Clément Haeck, will greet listeners on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the lecture area of the Eissporttrainingshalle. An interesting alternative at the same time is the devotional “I want to rejoice!” with District Apostle Rainer Storck from North Rhine-Westphalia in the first floor of the Event-Arena.

Two further devotionals in the Olympiahalle are specifically devoted to Pentecost and therefore provide a preparation for the Pentecost service on the next day. On the one hand there is the morning devotional “Holy Ghost, rush with might into our midst!” with Apostle Rudolf Kainz from Austria. Musical contributions at the end of the devotional will intensify the impressions. On the other hand there is a late devotional at 10:45 p.m. titled “With longing hearts into Pentecost Sunday” with Apostle Dieter Prause from South Germany. Psalms set into music and starting at 10:00 p.m. will already bring believers into the mood.

Final concert „In Your Name“

(02.05.2014) 3 choirs, 100 voices, 50 instruments – this impressing combination is presented by the gospel project from Saxony and Thuringia which will shape the final concert of the international church day (ICD) at Sunday 2014 June 8th in the Olympiahalle Munich.

The audience is looking forward a “firework of praise” in honor of Jesus to which everybody is invited to participate and sing along – according to the concert’s title „In Your Name.

The ensemble, consisting from choir and orchestra which was founded in 2007 in the context of the European Youth Day 2009 in Düsseldorf, caused great ardor. Therefore the project has therefore been continued and in the meantime is able to reflect on many concerts.

The unique arrangements, which have especially been redesigned and partly composed for this choir and orchestra, go from rapid and rocky to soulful and lyrical. Hence there will parts for everyone within the diversified Sunday afternoon program.

The concert will form the closure of the first New Apostolic International Church Convention social program, which takes place on Pentecost weekend 2014 in the Olympic Park Munich. On Pentecost Sunday June 8,2014 at 3.30 p.m. everyone is heartily invited to the Olympiahalle to celebrate Jesus through gospels, spirituals and groovy praise.

The Fox and the Magpie - a bedtime story

(02.05.2014) Everything started at the last big family gathering, where Marie Alfaenger presented a bedtime story for all children present. The enthusiasm from big and small was huge - and so the idea of a small animal show for the children at the first International Church Convention (ICC) was born.

The idea has meanwhile taken on a greater dimension and so all parents and children who attend the ICC, are invited to enjoy the Friday or Saturday performance of the stories of the "The Fox and the Magpie". The play (with music), is suitable for children from approx. 3 years old (also appealing for adults as well). The stories on both Friday night (the apple harvest of both animals), as well as on Saturday night (the birthday of the fox), relates to values such as reliability, acting out of charity and friendship.

The amateur theater group from Berlin-Brandenburg bases its performance (self-written and performed with lots of love), on the children's book "Mr. Fox and Mrs. Magpie"* - and is looking forward to many children as spectators! Parents now no longer need to read bedtime story´s while at the ICC.

When and where?
Fox and Magpie (1) on Friday, June 6, 2014, at 8 p.m. in the Eissporttrainingshalle (lecture area)
Fox and Magpie (2) on Saturday, June 7, 2014, at 6 p.m. at the Eisstadion

* Original title of the book: "Herr Fuchs und Frau Elster” (Mr. Fox and Mrs. Magpie) - stories from the Fairytale Forest Publisher: Edition Trötsch.