Monday, October 28, 2013

Egon Slopianka went home.



Egon Slopianka is heimgegangen.
Egon Slopianka went home. 
With this simple message I heard about a great human leaving us.
A great man with a massive story of faith and work.
He was the first Secretary General of YMCA Europe as it strived to bring war ravaged YMCA's in Europe, into a  body to serve God and Young People.
The official announcement says this::

As co-founder and first Secretary General of the European federal Egon Slopianka was a key person in building the YMCA Europe.
He worked as a senior secretary at the YMCA and food was sent in 1963 as the first fraternity secretary to Ibadan in Nigeria.
In his service until 1972, he contributed to the creation and development of many YMCA in Nigeria.
At the age of 86 years Egon Slopianka died on 27.10.2013.
His funeral service is on Monday 4th November 2013
in the Evangelical Reformed Church Ihrhove 13:30 clock
(Monument Road, 26810 Westoverledingen).
Instead wreath or floral decorations wished Egon Slopianka a donation for the work of the International YMCA.
Members, friends and companions are invited to attend the funeral service.
There will also be a memorial service at a later date.
More detailed information will be given later.

A great human who I met when I entered the European network as a young YMCA Secretary. He was always fascinating to dialogue with. He has a wondrous story from his war years. His coming to faith and his servanthood amongst young people and myself as a young European.
SHALOM
to you all

Pip Wilson.