April 2007

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Hohenbruch!

It is time you hear more about the German Protestant church tradition in the former East Germany and my experience here. I have spent two and a half years working in this small Reformed congregation, so let me introduce you to the “mission” field in Hohenbruch.

Though many members in the regionalized Volkskirche (“peoples’ church”) tradition wouldn’t view it this way, mission and outreach are as near as the next member. Without laboring through the last 400 years of church history, suffice it to say that until recently enough people were “paying members” for the German church to keep its doors open, to send out missionaries, to train pastors, church musicians, youth and children’s workers, and to maintains thousands of very old church buildings! However, 40 years of Communist government left distinct footprints in the east. Although there is still a regional church in the east today, very few congregations see themselves as “missional” or outreach-oriented. The church is, period! This mentality stamps much of church life.

However, the “mission on the doorstep” is hard to miss. For example, in Hohenburch we are the only church in this town of more than 700 residents but there are only 176 church members. Of these, only fifty are, broadly speaking, “active” members. Those 50 are practically all over 50 years of age and are mostly easterners who have lived here since the end of the war or who were born here. The remainder of the congregation is composed of younger folks, most of whom have moved from the city since 1990 and who attend worship only on Christmas Eve, if then. The rest of the village is primarily composed of post-modern, post-communist, secularized folks, some of whom may have never seen the inside of a church, and many of whom don’t care to. Average worship attendance is around 20.

Where does an American, single, woman pastor start (especially one who doesn’t believe the pastor should do it all)? I’ve not been so sure and have made my mistakes, but I have tried to enable and encourage the “active” members to think and pray about what God would have them do! I have tried to make “mission” a real option (as in service, friendliness, outreach—first to church members and then to anyone else in ear shot!). My preaching, suggestions, and encouragement have produced, as far as I can see, next to nothing, yet. I am still praying!

We just finished a Lenten Bible study, average attendance, three. On Wednesday nights from 7 to 8:30 for seven weeks, we met and worked our way through some very exciting passages in Acts. I loved it! I enjoyed the preparation, but better yet was learning with these congregants as they begin to understand a text and even find it engaging!

I’ve had a roller coaster ride with three confirmation kids. The twins are now of the mind not to be confirmed, though that might yet change. Though neither of their parents attend worship or any of the activities we offer, their wish for their children to be confirmed remains. Whether these two join or not, I am glad for the chance to have gotten to know Miriam and Hendrik. We travel every Monday afternoon to the neighboring village for class with eight other “teenies,” all typical, hormonal, sometimes impossible, and sometimes a delight. For the most part, they are thinking, creative, good-hearted youth, whose lives have enriched mine! The third “teenie,” Benjamin, who is sure he wants to be confirmed and is a firm believer, has come to me for “private” lessons. He is a bit slower and goes to a special school, and we have met as often as his taxing school schedule allows. I have been blessed by his sure faith. He knows God loves him, for he survived childhood leukemia, though not without some side-effects. Memorizing the Apostle’s Creed probably isn’t in the cards, but he knows where to find it in the hymnbook, page 804!

Periodic visits to the elderly and homebound, those ill and nearing death, those recovering from surgeries and strokes, fill some days each month. Those fine folks can be added to your prayer lists. I always try to stay just an hour, yet most visits last longer. Closing with the 23rd Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer works the best. I am not always sure what other passages might be familiar; the Bible, it seems, is pretty much a mystery book with seven seals.

I’ve wanted to work more earnestly on my dissertation these years, all the while struggling with the fact that the field is ripe in this small family of faith; I’ve walked a tightrope, sometimes with a modicum of success, mostly with feelings of regret and dissatisfaction. Maybe it couldn’t have been otherwise. I still marvel that God managed this arrangement, is at work in and in spite of me, and has the next chapter for me and for this congregation already in hand! The future after September is wide open.

With recent word from Louisville that my reappointment process has begun, I close, clinging to the hope of the resurrection, not unlike Mary reaching out to Jesus in Matthew 27. Thanks for hanging in and hanging on with me!!

Grace and peace in the name of our risen Lord,

Jane Holslag

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 179