Week six wrap-up

3 June 2001 -- Eight of us took a hike (10 km round trip) to nearby Maggersdorf with Todd Burkhalter and Enrico Bocker to enjoy traditional Thuringian cuisine: from wild boar to deer and duck. There was even kangaroo on the menu!

Eisenach and Arnstadt

5 June 2001 -- After the holiday (Pfingst-Montag--the day after Pentecost--is a federal holiday), we headed off on our last field trip to Eisenach, the Wartburg castle, and Arnstadt. These towns are the former homes of two of Thuringia's most famous sons: Johann Sebastian Bach and Martin Luther.

First we were treated to the Wartburg castle, which was also the home of Thuringia's most famous daughter: St. Elisabeth (d. 1231). Located high on a hill above the city of Eisenach, the castle is a splendid example of those amazing layers of history from Romanesque beginnings in the 12th-13th century through centuries of disuse (which was why Martin Luther could hide there safely in 1521) to rediscovery and renovation by Goethe and other 19th-century artists who left us with their impressions of how the Middle Ages must have looked. These layers overlap in our modern eyes for a fascinating tour through middle European history.

This is the place where, one could argue, that both the Reformation and the modern German language literally came into being together in Luther's German translation of the New Testament.

• Outside the Wartburg.

Eisenach is home to Bach's former home (the Bach-Haus museum), where we could browse through artifacts from the life and times of J.S. Bach, of whom Beethoven is reported to have said: "He shouldn't be called Bach (German for "brook"), rather he should be called Meer (German for "ocean"). The Bach museum also houses a wonderful collection of period instruments, some of which we were able to hear during a lecture by one of the museum staff.

• In Eisenach.
  

For the second year, the group got to go from Eisenach to Arnstadt, the original home of the Bach family (who apparently, as Protestants, had been forced to emigrate from Catholic Hungary in the early 17th century). It is in Arnstadt that the young J.S. Bach began his first post as organist (1703-1707).

The original Baroque organ (by Wender) was fully restored last year and we had the wonderful opportunity to hear a local organist perform several Bach chorales as well as a prelude and fugues on the organ. We were all impressed, especially after we heard that our professional-sounding organist spends his days treating patients at his internal medicine practice (nephrology). All agree that the absolute highlight of the day was Jeffery's chance to try out the Baroque organ for us.

• Arnstadt Bach church.
• Lecture in the Bach church.

Last week in Jena

6 June 2001 -- our students organized and led the regular Wednesday chapel in Jena's Christliches Gymnasium ("Christian high school") where we have had our language classes. We clapped to the notes of "Celebrate Jesus" (which Dixie taught with enthusiasm) and hymn #113. We also presented Frau Ulrich (the principal of the school) with a Mennonite hymnal (the blue one!) signed by all participants, for the school's music collection/library. We have noticed that our German colleagues and their students seem to enjoy singing as much as GCers do-though not as consistently in 4 parts.

Last groups also came for dinner, hungry for tacos (the 31 May group) and hamburgers (6 June group, pictured at right).

On June 7 and 8, we had the usual concluding class activities, i.e. language tests. Though the German grading system needed a bit of explanation, students were generally satisfied with their progress-and relieved to have the exam behind them.

We said good-bye to Jenakolleg, singing a well-known 19th century German folk song, appropriately titled Die Gedanken sind frei ("Our thoughts are free") from a song book given to all by Wolfgang Bathe of Jenakolleg to commemorate our work together. Some students celebrated the occasion by an informal group lunch at a newly opened Mexican restaurant in downtown Jena-an interesting taste of home!

At our last Friday group meeting, we had a lot of business to take care of. But we still managed a little levity. Awards were distributed to all for outstanding achievements like: visiting the most museums (June), surviving the longest commute (Naomi), and killing the most spiders (Charity), among others.

9 June 2001 -- Elizabeth and Matt's mother Frau Rohde organized a hike in the Kleinertal, a short ride by bus from the center of town. We were on the lookout for a Jena specialty: orchids. The climate of Jena can support at least 40 kinds of orchids that bloom at various times from late spring through late summer. One type that is a protected species in ThŸringen is the Frauenschuh (Lady's shoe), since it is in this area that they are predominately found. We found it! (picture at left).

We were guided by a retired zoology professor from the Friedrich-Schiller-UniversitŠt, who also shared about his work with a Jena citizen's group (BŸrgerinitiative) that endeavors to provide services (like German classes) and aid to foreigners seeking asylum in Germany.

• Hiking in the Kleinertal.
• Taking a break (from left to right: our guide Herr Bšhm, Ryan, Juliet, Jack, June's host mother Frau Reuter, Elizabeth's host mother Frau Rohde)

Most students will also be saying good-bye to their host families from Jena as they scatter for service. (At right, Jeremy with the Reibolds.)

Service

11 June 2001 -- Students head out to various service locations. The concept of "service" in Germany is often met at home with the question: "what can one possibly do there?" On a very basic level, our students will face the same questions their colleagues face in other parts of the world: what do I know, what can I learn, whom do I serve, who serves me?

The churches and agencies with whom students are serving have asked for their help and their time because there is need. The need is, relatively speaking, no greater and no less than other needs in other parts of the world. In our recent group discussions, we have decided that it is definitely a challenge, especially for Americans, not to judge the need. We are trying to put into practice our discussions of hospitality and the "gift of the stranger": what you will do in your service assignment is important work, for your agency as well as hopefully for you. The "gift" and the giving extend in both directions.

Students will be serving in the following locations; updates will be posted as we make the rounds to visit:

• Chemnitz: Megan and Dixie will be working with the Salvation Army at a "youth cafŽ" and doing other youth-related activities in an area that has a large rate of unemployment.
• Dresden: Jeremy and Geoff will be at a home for foreign refugees seeking asylum in Germany, a process that can leave people and families in limbo for at least a year.
• Berlin: Jeffery will be the organist at a Brethren Church and will work in various aspects with the congregation (which does a lot of work with SpŠt-Aussiedler, or ethnic Germans from eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union).
• Bad Klosterlausnitz: Matt and Matt will work with a pastor involved with an alcohol rehabilitation center and clinic.
• Naumburg: Juliet and Charity will be with the Salvation Army congregation working with the youth group and other church outreach activities.
• Rudolstadt: Maegan will be working at a Christian retreat center for that hosts groups ranging from retired folks to youth from Eastern Europe.
• Gotha: Andrea and June will be working at a Christian youth camp that is also a successful organic farm.
• Zšthen: Ben will be working on the farm and with school groups at the Schullandheim, where we had our initial retreat after students arrived in April.
• Jena: Karl will be working at a Christian kindergarten that also serves handicapped children, Naomi will be at the Kindervilla (which we visited during a field trip a few weeks ago), and Elizabeth will be at a family counseling center for single parents (working in everything from daycare to conflict resolution).