22.12.2020

UEM mourns the death of Pastor Wilfred Diergaardt

This morning we received the following sad letter from Bishop Sageus IKeib of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) in Windhoek:

…Beloved in the Lord, it is with sadness and heavy hearts to inform you about the passing of our brother and colleague Pastor Wilfred Nico Diergaardt. He was called to eternal rest this morning 22^nd December 2020 around 6:45 am. Pastor W.N. Diergaardt was an ordained minister of ELCRN who served parishes:

Genesis Parish / Otjimbingwe; Ephesians Parish / Gobabis; ELCAP Rehoboth; Associate General Secretary / Head Office and Acting General Secretary / Head Office.

The sad news came at the time when we are under the pressure of COVID-19.

I humbly request Pastors and Parish Chairpersons to ring the bells at 10:00 am and observe moment of silence before the service starts on Wednesday and Sunday.

Jesus Christ says: “I am the Alpha and Omega: the beginning and the end. I am the one Who is, Who was and who ist still to come: The Almighty One. (Rev. 1:8)

(signed)

Bishop Sageus IKeib, ELCRN

The UEM mourns the loss of a committed member of the church leadership, who for many years actively contributed with heart and expertise, especially in partnership work. In his letter of condolence, Volker Martin Dally describes Rev. Diergaardt as follows: "Everyone in the UEM remembers him as a warm-hearted and friendly person. Our thoughts are with his family, the church and the affected congregations."

Just last November, the UEM communion had to cope with the Corona death of the leader of the Indonesian Karo Batak Church (GBKP), Rev. Agustinus Purba.

Martina Pauly (Communication & Media)