Saturday August 2, 2008

 

 

An Amazing Day of Celebration in Schwarzenau, Germany

 

First I must say hello to friends from these people!

 

From Milton Cook (left) to Bob and Helen.  Some of our friends will know Robert Lehigh on the right.

 

 

“Hi” to John and Lois from Jim and Elaine Gibbel.

 

 

Greetings to Clayton and Peggy from Sondra and Mike.

 

 

One of our first stops today was the home, and now museum, of Alexander Mack, founder of The Church of the Brethren, and his wife Anna Margaret.

 

 

 

 

Arlene and me standing in the Eder River where the first eight Brethren were baptized.

 

 

In the afternoon there was an impressive service at the river, where a plaque was uncovered. 

 

 

There was also a large group on the bridge – which is where we chose to be for photos.

 

 

The plaque

 

 

 Tonight there was a program by McPherson College Choir and three German choirs – Frauenchor, Gemischter Chor, and Cantamus.  Beautiful!

Schwarzenau is a town of 800 people, and 600 Brethren are expected.  The service tonight was for Brethren and locals.

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I have so many pictures to show you.  I’ve taken close to 2,000, but either have to pay to be online, cannot get online, or need sleep!  I will share the details after we get home – and only post higlights while traveling.

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The town of Schwarzenau has gone out of their way to welcome us.  There is a craft show depicting how things were done 300 years ago, and the meeting place is a large equestrian barn that was fixed up for this meeting.

I cannot believe that I am getting to experience this trip – it has been educational and breathtaking.