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Letter from Jane Holslag in Germany
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November 2004
Dear Friends in all corners!
After a four-month interpretation leave and wonderful but often
short visits with 20 congregations in Alabama, California, Colorado,
Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and after a few short weeks
with wonderful PC(USA) mission co-workers in Louisville and a week-long
seminar in New Haven, Connecticut, I flew off to Germany! On October
18 I landed in Berlin and am now in the process of setting up a
household in Hohenbruch, a village of some 700 with one church,
an historic congregation of Reformed folk. In 2010, the church will
celebrate its 300-year anniversary! If I calculate correctly, that
makes it older than my homeland!
The first days were a hoot! Within two hours of landing, I was still
missing all three suitcases, which arrived eventually. Upon arrival
at the manse, I was greeted by five members of the congregation
and a wonderful warm meal of Wurst (hot dogs) and the best potato
salad I’ve eaten in some time. On day two the choir visited
one member’s home and sang for his 82-year-old mother for
her birthday. We met at 4:00 p.m. (I spent the entire day sorting
and unpacking, something I am still doing four weeks later!) to
practice three songs, and then we marched over to the house (the
village is small enough to get to just about everyone on foot).
After three songs and Psalm 23 we were prepared to leave, when we
were invited to stay for Kaffee and Kuchen (coffee and cake)! Though
this is pretty unusual, we sat down (all 12 of us), taking over
the kitchen, and enjoyed the conversation and cake. I had hardly
been on the ground long enough to figure out which light switches
turned what on, and there I was, doing that which most German pastors
do with flair—making a birthday visit! The birthday “girl”
was tickled and surprised and so appreciative! |
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"As the church year draws to a close, I yearn
to light that first candle on the Advent wreath (which I’ve
yet to unearth). It seems we live so much of the time in this
tension between darkness and light, between what is and what is
coming or what was, between naming our days so that we can make
sense of them and then needing to remember what the names mean."
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Though I’ve miles to go with
words and correct phrasing, with getting back into the cultural
courtesies, these first hours were a delightful beginning and a
fine reminder of how much I enjoy not only coffee and cake but the
warm fellowship and genuinely open hearts of Christian folk in this
part of the world. Three weeks later, the installation took place
on November 7. I preached, and 150+ attended, sang joyfully, brought
greetings and presents for at least a half hour after worship, and
then we all went to the parish house and congregation room for Kaffee
and Kuchen. Though I was overwhelmed by the number of visitors (from
at least five neighboring congregations and Berlin Fellowship friends
from all over), I was as taken by the folks from the Hohenbruch
congregation, who prepared more food than even that small army could
eat and created a warm and welcoming atmosphere with flowers and
candles at tables in my living room. (Since it has no furniture,
we could fit about 45 folks to sit snuggly and enjoy themselves).
A fine beginning to this adventure, I’d say. |
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What comes next? Well, the computer
situation needs attention, the car (bought with help of a congregation
member) needs snow tires; carpets and couches, bookshelves and
wardrobes are yet to be purchased. The equipment for interviews
is also on the list of things “to get” and a plan
for the coming months of visiting friends from Berlin Fellowship
days and beginning research. That is part of the time. The other
part is newsletter writing and distribution, five worship services
in December, meeting with the local mayor to talk about selling
the church’s street to the town, which has no money but
has already paved and been using the street for years, and of
course, visiting and writing notes, making birthday calls (mostly
for the round birthdays—50,55,60, etc.), and trying to get
to know colleagues in both the surrounding Lutheran village churches
as well as re-acquainting myself with my Reformed colleagues,
who are spread out all over the federal state of Brandenburg.
I’ve already accepted invitations to report on life in Lithuania
as well.
I remain ever so grateful for your continued prayers and support.
Without someone praying all this could not possibly have
happened. I marvel myself at how it has all fallen together. My
official status of being on “study leave” means that
your continued financial support is welcomed and needed, that
I’ll send out newsletters and post some new pictures on
the PC(USA) Web site periodically, and that I would like us to
keep the lines of communication open. The address above should
suffice for the meantime!
I’ve just finished the sermon for November 21, this one
with texts from Isaiah 26 and Revelation 21. Here in Germany,
this is Eternity Sunday, in some circles also called “Totensonntag,”
the Sunday to remember the dead, and as it is everywhere, it is
also the last Sunday of the church year. The days are getting
shorter and today we had our first snow. As the church year draws
to a close, I yearn to light that first candle on the Advent wreath
(which I’ve yet to unearth). It seems we live so much of
the time in this tension between darkness and light, between what
is and what is coming or what was, between naming our days so
that we can make sense of them and then needing to remember what
the names mean. Funny, for in it all, God is at work, meeting
us along the way, gracing the tension with his promises, blessing
our often feeble attempts at faithfulness and worship. Oh my,
how good to know he gives us each other for these and all our
moments!
May our days of Advent and Christmas be stamped by his presence
and peace !
In Christ,
Pastorin Jane Holslag
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.338 |
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