March 2006

Dear Friends in mission!

A new year has long since begun, with all its possibilities, all hope and promise of starting over, beginning again, being forgiven, and forgiving. A new year has indeed begun, with all of its uncertainties—no sure footing in this world, beyond what God promises us in words like those spoken to Joshua, “I will not fail you or forsake you.” (the Jahreslosung or yearly watchword in Germany). Sounds rather like I am getting ready to preach, eh? Well, since I am “about” that endeavor every other week now, I suppose I could write a sermon! I’ll spare you though and try to simply recount and report what has been happening since I last wrote in the early fall.

Besides leading in worship every other week here in Hohenbruch, I am getting to know the congregation better, mostly by visiting the members. In these sometimes stilted, sometimes simple, sometimes wearisome but more often surprising conversations, I learn about the war and the post-war years (World War II is ever in living memory for the older generations); I learn about family cares and concerns, “reality” for those retired and often suffering from loss, for those whose days are stamped by the givens of the economy, the politics, their health, the weather, and the dailyness of life. Sounds mundane?

Last week was a 50th wedding anniversary of long-time members of the congregation. The “bride” and “groom” are living in the house in which she was born, and her family has been in Hohenbruch nine generations. The celebration began with an afternoon worship service (with choir, brass choir, and guess who preached!?), a coach ride for the couple to the party hall, and after nine hours of festivities, I excused myself, went home and fell into bed! Hohenbruch was founded in 1710 by Swiss farmers who were invited by the ruler of the day to come to the Brandenburg region; they happened to be Reformed, thus this congregation and its history.

On the research project front, a “Doktormutter”(advising/sponsoring professor) from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands has taken me and my hopes and dreams for a reasonable and substantial dissertation on. I am in the midst of finishing up the interviews, getting some of them transcribed, and beginning to organize the more than two meters of original West Berlin papers. My thesis has the title, “Berlin Fellowship—Eastern Perspectives,” and much hard work lies ahead. I am still in the early phase. I am very aware that time is passing though, the days are full to overflowing, and it is still difficult to balance my two “half-time” jobs. I am committed, however, to finding the way. Prayers appreciated!

I still receive news from Lithuania Christian College and take great interest, albeit from afar, in the latest developments there. The accreditation process continues with the news being mostly positive. Though the diploma is fully recognized, schools of higher education around the globe are almost always in some phase of self-scrutiny. I pray for the new students there, many of whom are coming from further east of Lithuania, for the faculty and staff who put in long hours and who are from their hearts in Christian service there, for the learning and ministry taking place in and through this college.

Thank you for being part of my ongoing saga and for supporting me during this unique time of study and ministry. There are moments when I wonder what it is I have bitten off! Then I realize God’s call and your affirmation has more to do with this endeavor than anything I on my own can accomplish. And as is the case, the Jahreslosung encourages and sustains me in the harder days, “I will not fail you or forsake you.” I pass it on to you, in the spirit of Christ.

Jane Holslag