N - 18,922 June 29, 1966

To: LR - SM - AF

My dear Brethren,

As you are well aware, I returned yesterday, June 28, from a most pleasant and blessed visit in
Germany and Switzerland, where it was my privilege to spend many happy hours in the
company of our beloved Chief Apostle, both in intimate fellowship and in divine services.

It was during the course of this visit that I requested our Chief Apostle to consider my retire-
ment from active service in consideration of my having passed the age limit on my 70th
birthday in March of this year. As many of you know, the age limit for retirement is set at 70
for the Apostles and 65 for all other Administration Brothers.

Our dear Chief Apostle has been kind enough to give his blessing to my retirement and has
asked the District Apostle Kraus to assume the responsibility for the Apostle District, begin-
ning on July 10, this year.

Since there are many others amongst our Administration Body who are now beyond the
maximum age for their office, we can expect that the majority of such Brothers will retire in the
months ahead, as soon as suitable replacements can be provided to fill the vacancies thus
created.

I can only offer to all of our members and Brothers my humble and heartfelt thanks for their
loyal and faithful assistance during the many years of our association in this great work of
salvation. May our heavenly Father bless you abundantly for your selfless service. May I also
humbly ask that you open your hearts to the beloved District Apostle Kraus and join with us in
praying that our God will grant him the strength to carry out this holy responsibility.

With our love to all of you and your dear families,

Yours in Christ,

(Signed) JOHN P. FENDT

P. S. Rectors please read this letter to the congregation in the next service.
M - 17,129A July 5, 1966
To: LR - SM - AF

My dear Brothers and Brethren in the Apostle's District of North America:

At this date the Apostle Fendt enters into retirement. Having attained the age limit, he
requested me to release him from his official duties and to remove from his shoulders the great
responsibility associated therewith. Apostle Fendt would thereby, at the same time, set an
example for all of the office holders in North America who likewise have attained the age limit
fixed by the Apostles' Council for retirement. I have granted his wish and have told him that the
District Apostle Kraus will, in my commission, at a District Service to be held in New York on
July 10, 1966, effect his retirement.

Apostle Fendt has been New Apostolic since his childhood, for his father already at that time
served as a priest in the work of redemption of our God. Apostle Fendt served the Lord almost
fifty years, first as Deacon, then also in various other offices, and for many years was a valu-
able assistant and true support to the Apostle Erb. In the year 1944 Apostle Fendt received the
District Apostle's office, so as then, in this responsible position, to care for, as a successor of
the Apostle Erb, the Apostle's District of North America under the hand of the Chief Apostle
Bischoff. Since then faithful district officers and serving brothers have stood by him, who in
faith have looked up to him and whereby the work of God in the United States has constantly
spread. Until 1958 Apostle Fendt also was given charge of the New Apostolic Church in
Canada. This district was then placed under the leadership of District Apostle Kraus. From
1947 to 1963 Apostle Fendt had a valuable support in Apostle Hiby for the western part of
America. This faithful servant of God will always be remembered by all of the brothers and
brethren. He served in selfless love and joyful sacrifice for the souls entrusted to him.

Apostle Boer, who at the beginning of 1963 came from Africa and lives in St. Louis,
has taken over a portion of the Apostle Hiby's field of activity, and since that time has worked
under the hand of Apostle Fendt. The children of God in North America have looked up believ-
ingly to their Shepherd and have remained faithful in following the Apostle Fendt.

In this respect it is worth mentioning that Apostle Fendt was heartily united with the Chief
Apostle J. G. Bischoff. He loved him and Apostle Fendt always reciprocated this love in a
hearty manner.

Since then I, too, have placed all my trust in him, for since 1946, when I received the Apostle-
ship, a mutual attraction, a hearty association and a brotherly love in the mind and Spirit of
Christ united us.

In the Apostles' Council, Apostle Fendt was always welcome as a dear and faithful fellow
contender for the work of the Lord, and he was loved by all.

In the course of time men come and again leave this earth. The same manifestation may also be
observed in the work of the Lord. A large number of longing souls have. as those baptized with
M - 17,129A -2-

the Spirit. been received into the fellowship of the children of God, of whom in the course of
time again many have left this earth and await with us the great morning of the reuniting. So it
has been with all officeholders. They came and in childlike faith and looking up to their Sender
performed their commission and then after completion of their work were called away, whether
through death or retirement upon reaching the age limit.

Today the hour has come for Apostle Fendt, where he steps out of the circle of the active Apos-
tles and enters his well earned state of retirement. He can on this day, through God's grace and
goodness, look back upon a long and uninterrupted activity. During this time he served twenty-
seven years as Bishop and Apostle under the blessing hand of the Chief Apostle Bischoff, and
since 1960 Apostle Fendt has proved to me his faithfulness, attachment and willing following.
Over his many years of activity I would put the caption: .

Where you in springtime have labored and planted,

Shall you as surely a harvest have won.
Quickly all trace of the sower hath vanished,
Only remaining that which you have done.

Apostle Fendt has shown numerous children of God the way into life, declared unto all of them
the divine truth and prepared them for their heavenly calling. He stood at many a cradle, at
many a sick bed, at many a coffin, at many a graveside; he has uplifted, strengthened and
comforted and encouraged souls, and at the wedding altar many brethren have received the
divine blessing for their joint way through life from his hand. Now also his cessation from
work has come, where he is permitted to rest from his labor. The Father of eternal love will
also richly reward the Apostle Fendt for what He has done through him on the immortal souls
in the Mind and Spirit of Christ, and on the day of the transfiguration a large multitude of
brethren in faith will appear before him and thank him for the grace to have been preserved in
faith.

In Spirit I extend my hand to Apostle Fendt and thank him heartily for his cooperation with me
and I moreover now release him from his official duties. The Lord will continue to be with him
and his whole house and preserve him with His love until we have all attained the goal of our
faith. Apostle Fendt will now again take his place in the congregation and edify himself by the
word of the Lord which is declared through the mouth of the serving brothers.

Now I also make known hereby that at this date I place the Apostle's District of North America
under the hand of the District Apostle Kraus. Previously, Apostle Kraus served under Apostle
Fendt and developed as a budding rod to the blessing of the children of God. He assures all of
you that henceforth; under the sign of the consummation, you will receive the necessary spiri-
tual food for your perfection as required, to become worthy. He has a big heart, so as to accept
all of you, therein in love. Open your hearts to him also, so that he as the Shepherd of your
souls may also live in you.
M - 17,129A -3-

Apostle Kraus will always hold to me, whereby you have the assurance that I also remain
closely united with you.

On June 26, 1966, I have ordained, in Zurich, the former District Elder John W. Fendt as a
Bishop. From henceforth he will work together with the other bishops, district officers and
faithful brothers as additional assistance for the Apostle Kraus.

I wish all of the brothers and brethren in the United States much grace and peace from Christ
Jesus, also the blessing of the Lord, so as to be strengthened each day for faithful fellowship.
Continue in prayer and let each one endeavor with holy earnestness to become worthy for the
near day of the Lord. In this mind I greet all of you heartily.

Yours,

(Signed) WALTER SCHMIDT