English Ministry/Sibiu
A web journal of Rev. Joel and Susan Schlachtenhaufen's trip to Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania, to work in cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church to provide offerings in English.
A web journal of Rev. Joel and Susan Schlachtenhaufen's trip to Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania, to work in cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church to provide offerings in English.
What a blessing it was and is to have Pastors Kilian and Elfriede Doerr here! They touched hundreds of people during their October 7 to 28 visit — new friends who now are more aware of the history, present and future of Romania and the Lutheran Church that lives there.
September 16, 2011
Our friends in Sibiu have blessed us in so many ways during our three trips and nine months in their very interesting city and land of a rich history. We have so much to reflect on, given the stories of our friends and many unforgettable experiences and events at our host church, the Stadtpfarrkirche of Hermannstadt/Sibiu and the European Culture Capital that Sibiu is. We look forward to our return in the Spring of next year and to introducing this place and these people to more visitors from the United States and our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Now we eagerly anticipate the October 7-28 visit to Wisconsin and elsewhere by our hosts, Pastors Kilian and Elfriede Doerr and their daughter, Paula. They will meet and talk with hundreds of people, replacing stereotypes and misinformation about Transylvania and Romania with the inspiring stories and visions of dedicated, faithful people who have survived very difficult times and face an exciting, challenging future.
Here is a spur-of-the-moment video greeting by the Doerrs taped between services on Pentecost Sunday.
June 21, 2011
We are always impressed by the lively ministry of the congregation in Sibiu
as it opens the doors to the tens of thousands of tourists from around the world who come every year and the range of outreach ministries to the community. The ministries include transitional housing for the homeless and shelters for at-risk children and handicapped. A couple weeks ago the church hosted a free Kletzmer music concert and the first every- Friday Organic Farmers’ Market on the church grounds. We are so pleased to see a Lutheran congregation so engaged in the community.
My Heart Will Go On…
The Protestant Kirchentag in Dresden was a magnificent experience
It is hard to describe the feeling, being gathered on both shores of the river Elbe and singing together with over 100.000 Christians hymns of praise and praying together Our Father. Under a warm sun and the magenta heart-banners of the Kirchentag, friendly and open minded, without any scrambling, the huge convention celebrated their faith and shared the Word, bread and wine in the closing worship.
During five days, from 1 to 5 June 2011, Dresden hosted the 33rd German Protestant Kirchentag under the theme: “… There Your Heart Will Be Also”. Over twenty thousand events took place: services, bible studies, lectures and debates, artistic performances, children and youth programs.
For us, the singers of the “Hermannstaedter Bachchor” – Lutherans, Orthodox, Catholics, Free Church members – German, Romanian, Hungarian, Dutch, Belgian, American – between 25 and 75 years old – the concert with modern choir music was the most challenging event. A lot of rehearsing was necessary. Everyone gave his and her best. We thank our director Kurt Philippi, our organist Ursula Philippi and maestro Christfried Broedel (Dresden) for leading us in this exceptional project.
From other participants from Hermannstadt/Sibiu in Dresden we also have good news: Dr. Elfriede Doerr is happy about her Bible study in the Dreikönigs-Kirche, Dr. Christoph Klein, our former Bishop, held an evening prayer in the magnificent Frauen-Kirche, and a team of about ten people was busy at the information stand of the Evangelical Church A.C. in Romania.
Gerhild Rudolf
Editor
“Kirchliche Blätter” – Lutheran Monthly Magazine of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania
Pictures:
Closing Service on the shores of the Elbe river on June 5.
May 22 was Confirmation Sunday at our church. Joel was privileged to participate, providing a bit of a global context. See the video of a special moment when the pastors and confirmands were joined (just before entering the church for the processional) by a dozen gentle souls from China who captured the moment with their presence and cameras.
Many here enjoyed meeting Dr. Kit Kleinhans, Professor of Religion at Wartburg College in Iowa, who invested eight days, May 6-13, getting acquainted with the rich history of Transylvania and the Lutheran church here, along with the present and future of the people and this place.
