Jan Hockensmith Laun – Veritas Friend for 27 Years

Republished from Veritas View, December 2023

We mourn the death of Jan Hockensmith Laun, who passed away on October 8, 2023 after suffering from cancer for a short time. Her last visit to Sighisoara was in May of this year. 

Jan was a professor of Social Work at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. She first came to Romania in 1996 with a group of university professors to learn about the Romanian Studies Program (RSP). She quickly became a fan of RSP and was very active in encouraging Olivet students to spend a semester in Romania.

Each year in May Jan also accompanied a group of students for a three-week Romanian experience. Without a doubt Jan brought more American students to Sighisoara than any other person. Working alongside our Romanian staff, these students contributed so much to Veritas for many years through their fresh ideas, energy, compassion, and financial support. 

Jan loved Romania, Sighisoara, Veritas .... and even after retiring, she still came almost every year, offering devotions, activities for elderly and special needs clubs, and helping out wherever needed. Jan was very generous. She always traveled to Romania with two huge suitcases full of gifts for staff and materials for programs. 

Nine years ago, Jan married George Laun, a widower, and a very practical man. He gladly came with Jan to Romania and helped Ghita with all sorts of projects and repairs at Veritas. George was in total agreement with Jan's generosity, and her financial support for the Veritas Foundation. When Jan died, George suggested that her friends make donations to Veritas. Faith, kindness, faithfulness, generosity, and perseverance are traits that Jan has modeled for us. Let us thank God for her, and others who have been an example to us. May God give us the grace to finish the race well, as she did.

We want to organize “Jan’s Camp,” a summer camp for 100 children that will include art, music, sports and cooking. The cost for the camp will be $4,500. Your donations will help make this camp possible. All donations are tax deductible. Online donations can be made at https://give.ncm.org/donate/134477. 

2023 EuNC Romania Learning Centre Graduation

Reposted from www.facebook.com/EuropeanNazarene:

Congratulations to the EuNC Romania Learning Centre and Rares Ion on his graduation with the Certificate in Spiritual Formation on 11 November! We are grateful for the student body, faculty and leadership in the Romania LC and District.

EuNC Rector Mária Gusztinné Tulipán presenting the certificate

Learning Centre Coordinator Jonathan Phillips,
Graduate Rareș Ion,
Rector Mária Gusztinné Tulipán

Rareș Ion: 2023 Graduate with the
Certificate in Spiritual Formation

All EuNC alumni of the Romania Learning Centre
received an EuNC mug

Cezarina Glendenning Appointed Central Europe Field Strategy Coordinator

Reposted from eurasiaregion.org. 

Cezarina Glendenning was appointed Field Strategy Coordinator for the Central Europe Field on 1 November 2023. The appointment was made by Global Missions Director Verne Ward in consultation with Eurasia Regional Director Jim Ritchie and Jurisdictional General Superintendent Carla Sunberg.

Glendenning has served as leader of the Croatia Pioneer Area since 2019.

“I am honored by the trust the church is putting in me,” Glendenning said. “Martin and I are looking forward to serving the church in this new role, knowing it will have its share of joys, challenges, losses, and rewards.”

Cezarina was born and raised in the Central Europe Field. She met her husband, Martin, while he was serving as a missionary on the Eurasia Region. They were married in 2012 and have been serving together as missionaries in Eurasia since that time. “Cezi” was ordained in 2014.

“As an Albanian, it has always been my home, and in the past seven years, it has become the home of our family,” Cezarina said. “We are excited to partner with God and the church in the building of his Kingdom in Central Europe.”

The appointment becomes effective 15 November 2023. Glendenning will replace Jay Sunberg, who has served in that position since 2009.

Nazarene Mission Team Serves in Romania

Reposted from eurasiareion.org.

In the summer of 2023 I had the privilege of escorting a group of people from the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene on a mission trip back to my home country. I grew up in Sighisoara, Romania. When I was a teen, I began attending services at Sighisoara Church of the Nazarene and very quickly I felt welcomed and a sense of belonging. It was fascinating to see groups of people traveling from the United States of America to my country to simply help fix the church building as well as playing, accepting, and showing Christ‘s love to the disadvantaged children of Romania.

As I was preparing to lead this mission trip, I couldn’t help but think of hundreds of people like pastors, laity, college students and missionaries that have sacrificed their time and money to partner with God in making a difference in the lives of people in Romania. I give God the glory for the opportunity to serve Him.

On July 26- August 3, 2023, sixteen people from four churches on the Philadelphia District joined as one team. Four of the team members were teenagers. Due to the pandemic, we were the first team that was able to go to Romania since 2019.

The team’s main location to serve was Tigmandru, Romania working alongside Rev. Magda Cini (lead-pastor), Rev. Roxana Cini (Children’s Pastor) and Rev. Nelutu Cini (Youth Pastor). The church began when Magda Cini felt God’s calling to pray for the people in the village. What started as a small prayer meeting at Magda’s mother’s home is now an organized church, full of ministries for all age groups.

The building for Tigmandru Church of the Nazarene began in 2004 with funds from Alabaster. The team’s main project was to help repair several essential projects in the building as well as hosting a four-day Vacation Bible School for the children in the community. The team had the opportunity to make new friends, to worship, pray, fellowship with church members and people in the community. Each night as we meet for our devotional team time, I could see how each team member was touched and moved by God though what they (had) experienced throughout the day.

God’s mission in Tigmandru existed long before the Philadelphia Team arrived. We learned that we needed to have a mindset of flexibility, servanthood, unity as team, and humility. The most important aspect of any mission trip is to show dignity to one another and most of all be incarnational. We are not the ones who are at work in missions, but God is, we come along side of our Lord and join Him in His mission.

– story and photos shared by Rev. Paula Elena Creely (Magda’s daughter, Nelutu’s sister, Roxana’s sister-in-law). Pastor at Brookside Community Church of the Nazarene in Macungie, Pennsylvania on Philadelphia District

Janice Hockensmith Laun (1947-2023)

Reposted from https://www.clancygernon.com/obituaries/Janice-Laun 

Janice Hockensmith Laun, 76, of Bourbonnais, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at home, on hospice care, and surrounded by family and friends. She passed from this life to eternal life after a 3-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born on May 23, 1947, to Duane and Mavis (Miller) Hockensmith of Terre Haute, Indiana. She grew up in Union City and lived there until she attended Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. She continued to live in Bourbonnais until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Greg Hockensmith. Her sister Jane (Jeff) Hockensmith-Reich survives. Jan’s beloved dog, Katie, survives. Jan married George Laun in 2014 and he survives. She is also survived by his children Paula (Brent) Johnson, Wendy (Jeremy) Goodrum, and David (April) Laun; 6 step-grandchildren, and 2 step-great grandchildren.

Jan graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 1974 and began her career as a social worker at the Kankakee County Training Center for the Disabled in Kankakee, where she worked from 1974 -1977. She received a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Illinois in 1982. An additional degree of Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling was earned in 1996 from The University of Illinois. She worked as the Director of Medical Social Work at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee for 16 years and then was employed as Associate Professor of Social Work at Olivet Nazarene University until her retirement in 2013. In her tenure as a professor, Jan was instrumental in the securing of accreditation for the Social Work program at the university from the Council on Social Work Education.

Jan received many awards during her life, and a few are listed here: NASW Calumet District Social Worker of the year 2000; Harbor House Amethyst Award in Recognition of Ending Domestic Violence 2005; Social Work Professor of the year 2009 (awarded by social work students); and the NASW Illinois East Central District, Lifetime Achievement Award 2010.

One of Jan’s major interests was in missions. From 1996 – 2013, she had taken over 230 university students to Sighisoara, Romania, in connection with Romanian Studies, a course she developed at Olivet Nazarene University. She remained committed to missions and continued to travel yearly to Romania after retirement. As an active member of the Missions Council at College Church of the Nazarene, she participated in multiple Work and Witness mission trips to Mexico, Greece, and England as well as volunteering for multiple areas of need in the Kankakee community and in her church. She was a member of College Church of the Nazarene for 41 years.

Jan was a loyal friend to many people. In fact, many people would say that she was the friend that they could always count on. Jan loved to cook and entertain people in her home and on her back deck. One of her favorite activities was shopping, even if she didn’t buy anything. She had excellent taste in decorating her home and in choosing clothes to wear. People often called her “a classy lady.” She will be greatly missed by many, many people.

There will be a visitation at College Church of the Nazarene, 200 University Avenue, in Bourbonnais from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, October 13, 2023. The funeral service will begin at 6:00 PM. Burial will be on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Union City, Indiana. Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home of Bourbonnais is in charge of services.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to College Church of the Nazarene University Avenue for delivery to Veritas of Romania.

Jan Gary Weisen (1953-2023)

Reposted from https://www.dignitymemorial.com/.../jan-weisen-11360167

IN THE CARE OF Thornhill Valley Chapel 

Jan moved to Spokane Valley from Minneapolis, MN with his family at an early age. He attended Central Valley School District schools, graduating from Central Valley High School in 1971. After high school, Jan attended Northwest Nazarene College and later earned a Business degree from Eastern Washington University. From there he went to the University of Iowa where he received a Master’s degree with honors in Hospital Administration. He worked at Sacred Heart Medical Center as Director of the Emergency Department and was instrumental in developing the Heart Flite program. During the 10 years with Sacred Heart Jan felt called to missions and after a time, was assigned a position with the Church of the Nazarene at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Swaziland, Africa. Four years later he was transferred to Bucharest, Romania where he served as District Treasurer. While in Romania he met Sheryl Marks who was participating in a Work & Witness trip from the Northwest District. Love bloomed during those two weeks and Jan and Sheryl were married in December 1995. Sheryl then joined Jan in Romania where they served together until being reassigned to Büsingen, Switzerland, where Jan acted as the Regional Communications Coordinator. While on the mission field, Jan traveled extensively throughout the Eurasia Region.

In 2005, Jan and Sheryl moved to Quincy, MA where both accepted positions at Eastern Nazarene College. Retiring in 2019, they moved back to the Spokane area, settling in Mica, WA. Jan enjoyed motorcycling, piloting, camping, remodeling projects, and watching Minnesota sports – especially ice hockey. 

On July 1, 2023, Jan moved one last time - from this earth to his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior. He is and will be deeply missed by family and friends including his wife, Sheryl of 28 years; siblings Jeff (Debbie) Weisen, Jaryl (Nancy) Weisen, and Jennifer (Rollin) Hoyle; Mother-in-law Phyllis Marks; Brother-in-law Steve (Estelle) Marks, and Sister-in-law Sandy Solis; nephews Ed & Tyler Weisen, Nicholas (Jennell) Marks, Erik (Jessie) Marks, Austin (Felma) Solis, Nathan, and Adam (Haylee) Solis; nieces Andrea (Larry) Weisen Reiner, Laura (Tim) Noonan. 

Jan was preceded in death by his parents Jim & June Weisen, nephew Jared Weisen, and Father-in-law Jim Marks. 

For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that will cause me to be ashamed of myself but that I will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ while I am going through all these trials here, just as I have in the past; and that I will always be an honor to Christ, whether I live or whether I must die. Philippians 1:20 

A funeral service for Jan will be held Friday, July 14, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Spokane Valley Nazarene Church, 15515 E. 20th Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99037.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thornhillvalley.com for the Weisen family.

Video: 30 Years of Nazarene Ministry in Romania