Zurich/Magdeburg. For 47 years, Siegfried Karnick served as a minister in the New Apostolic Church, most recently as an Apostle for nearly 30 years. On Monday, 11 March 2019 he passed away peacefully at the age of 91.

The retired District Apostle lived and worked in Magdeburg for many decades. On 31 December 1972, Chief Apostle Walter Schmidt entrusted him with the leadership of the former District Church of the same name. Geographically, his working area incorporated the care of the New Apostolic congregations in Estonia, Poland, parts of Russia, and Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt.

Music was his life

Siegfried Karnick was born in Danzig in 1928. His curriculum vitae references many periods of both joy and suffering. His heart was dedicated to music—to the very end. He was still composing even on his sickbed. In his younger years he used his great expertise to significantly advance the musical literature of the New Apostolic Church. From 1982 to 1989 he served as the chairman of the “Choirs and Music” Work Group established by Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler. He composed numerous choral pieces and even organ music for New Apostolic hymn collections.

Helpful and ready for action

On 26 October 1997, Chief Apostle Richard Fehr discharged him into a well-deserved retirement. His successor in the District Apostle ministry was Wilfried Klingler, who always appreciated his predecessor’s great enthusiasm: “For District Apostle Karnick, it was always people who were the focus. He would often help those who approached him with a request, and he always acted quickly and in a very personal manner.” He noted that the last few months had been very difficult for the retired minister and his family.

Thus we do not begrudge him the peace of his passing, and continue to pray for his wife and family. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will conduct the retired District Apostle’s funeral in Magdeburg.