Finally posted...apologies for a few days late.

As we begin our last day of travel, we reflect back on the many experiences we've enjoyed.  Highlights for us include an evening spent with our host in Bielefeld at the flat of a refugee from Iraq.  We heard about his harrowing journey through Turkey, Greece, Serbia and others lasting 23 days, arriving in Germany knowing no one and speaking no German.  He prepared an amazing dinner for us and now sees hope for his future in his new home, Germany.
Throughout our travels, we've heard about the destruction of lives and building that took place during WWII and have witnessed the incredible rebuilding that has taken place.  And of course we relish the new friends we've made--special folks from the German partnership who were so very gracious, knowledgeable and helpful and our traveling companions from the USA.  It's been a wonderful trip!
Doug and Nancy Norris

Final Thoughts from John

We made it home and are adjusting to the six hour time change.  It's bad enough to spring forward or fall back an hour during changes to daylight savings time, but two six hour changes in a month are tough.  The trip to Germany and the wonderful experiences we shared with the group make it worth the few hours of lost sleep.  I'd like to thank our trip leaders, Joyce, Dan, Annette, Scott and Crystal, and our translator Justine.  You did a lot of work and we appreciated it.  Our German partners and hosts, and the planners of the Forum were all outstanding people.

After reviewing my photos, I realize how much we saw in such a short time.  It was incredible.  It was very interesting to see how Christianity "evolved" in Europe through the dark ages, to the reformation, and to modern times.  Some of the older church buildings exhibited that in the combinations of art, relics, and artifacts present.  I'm going to have to do some study on all of this to understand how the Italian (Roman) culture impacted and spread through Southern Germany.  I'll also have to read about where all the money came from to build such huge churches and castles.  We saw more castles in a two hour trip on the Rhine then I have in my life.

Finallty, here are some observations that are wholly my own.  Other members of the group may have different opinions and should not take any blame if I am off-base.

Germany seems to be ahead of the U.S. in many ways.  They seem to be further down the path to being "green."  I heard comments about children being told early in school not to waste water.  The parts of the country we visited, Westphalia and Bavaria, had many large wind turbines to generate electricity.  There were acres of solar panels installed on the ground, and hundreds of panels on house and barn roofs.  I'm talking about barns that were very old and leaning over like many Ohio barns, yet their roofs were covered with solar panels.  Cars are small and mostly new, and I saw more people on bicycles in the cities than I've ever seen in the states.

Their infrastructure is in good shape.  There weren't potholes and patches in the roads we traveled.  You can drink the tap water, although most people seemed to prefer bottled water with different degrees of carbonation available.  Mass transit in the form of trains and busses were abundant and efficient within the cities.  Many were electrically powered from cables running overhead.  They were fast and quiet, and didn't pour out diesel fumes.  There were subways available in the larger cities, but we didn't ride on any of them.

Most people we talked to were interested in our political situation.  One boy from a confirmation class we attended made it a point to ask each one of us individually if we support Donald Trump.  They talked about how they are handling refugees, and compared their situation to that on our southern border, but I found it interesting that they asked questions about how we are taking care of Native Americans, who don't get much press coverage here.

I didn't see any obviously homeless people like you do in many large U.S. cities.  Outside of the cities, there was farmland that looked very much like that in the rolling hills around Sugarcreek, Ohio.  Much of the corn had already been harvested, but there were fields of root vegetables like turnips or beets that were still growing.  There were some large herds of dairy cattle and a few horses throughout the area.

One surprise was the siding on the older houses.  There are slate mines around the area that provided enough slate to entirely cover the sides and roofs of houses.  There were many that were very ornate with the slate cut into different shapes and overlapping in attractive patterns.

Finally I must say that it seems that the Germans aren't as "casual" as many Americans.  They seem to have protocols to follow and are quick to point out when someone steps out of line.  The ones I saw dressed well, i.e. not in baggy pants or t-shirts.  They seemed to be more fit and active than many of "us."  If we want to make America greater, we should take a good look around and try to keep up with those countries that have a several hundred years head start on us.  The world moves forward with or without us and it's never a good idea to get complacent.

The Gardens

We walked along a tall hedge that concealed several well maintained gardens. I remember a story from one of our hosts in 2004.  She told us about the threats of the bombing from allied forces and how her mother moved the children into the tool shed in their garden. Here they were much safer.  Steve Schroer

The Night Watchman

We all met at the city center along with about a hundred others for a tour conducted by the night watchman.  It was a dangerous job in medieval times because only thugs and thieves were out at night but he felt safe with all of us along.  

The hour long tour was filled with both history and humor. 

The evening was pleasant and the church bells awakened us to this new day. Now we are off to a tour of St Jacob’s Church and later today on to Augsburg.  Joyce Schroer 

Saturday!

Such a busy but thoroughly delightful day visiting the southern most reaches of the Westphalian Church District. A visit to Schloß Berleburg, lunch/tour at a church camp/retreat site, a visit to the village where the Church of the Brethren was founded, a slate mine, a visit and a meaningful Evening Prayer service in Erndtebrük followed by a delightful dinner hosted by our good friends Stefan and Ulli Berk!!! 

More Observations

Part of the reason Susan and I came on this trip was to see the homeland of our ancestors and find out more about the origins of our church traditions.  Those objectives have been met.  The countryside looks very much like Ohio.  There are corn fields and wooded areas.   We have seen many hunting blinds at the edges of fields and forests, so a lot of hunting must take place.  It sounds like towns can have several hunting clubs where they have shooting festivals.  The person who shoots down a certain target is given the title of shooting king.  In the town where we stayed, Borchen, the men wear green garments and green hats with feathers in them and the women wear fancy dresses to the shooting contest.

The churches that date back to the 1500’s and 1600’s are huge by our standards but have the same symbols in them such as chalices and doves. It’s a little confusing in that some of the buildings were Catholic Churches before the reformation and are now Protestant.  The objects inside, like large crucifixes look very Catholic.  A little more confusion is added because some of the churches were heavily damaged in WWII and you can’t tell what was original and what was rebuilt.

We were fortunate to attend a couple of church meetings that were run very much like ours at home.  We attended a mission/environmental committee meeting where they discussed a trek that is underway to protest global warming.  They talked about conflicts between people who want to mine coal and people who want to build more wind turbines for cleaner energy.  They discussed the requirements for a church to serve as a sanctuary church for a girl from the Mideast and the obstacles the German Government seems to be putting in front of them.  All of the discussions were very timely.

Some of the questions asked at the meetings and forums we attended included “what can the church do?”  I believe that we have taken a step in the right direction by sending people to other areas of the country/world to see that we are all basically alike and face the same problems.  A church has to look outside it’s walls to see what’s really going on.  If you only look within your four walls they will shrink and close you in. We sang a song several times, “Grow the Circle Wide, Grow it Wider Still.”

I think that is what churches need to do today.   John Muskopf

Select Photos So Far

Scott here. I thought I would share some select photos I've been taking over the last week. Captions are probably accurate, but don't cite them in your thesis or anything.

Colliery near Schwerte, but not Zollern. It was closed but we got to wander around anyway. 

The sylvan grounds of Haus Villigst.

Beautiful  St.-Viktor-Kirche in Schwerte.

Altar at  St.-Viktor-Kirche.

The modest and graceful Jugendkirche, an entire church for youth in Hamm.

The streets of Münster.

Bikes just might outnumber people in Münster. 

 Reinoldikirche in Dortmund.

Physically attaching old and new buildings is common in Germany cities in Westphalia. This is the old Rathaus (Townhall) in Dortmund.

Chinese companies entered a partnership with the industry in Bochum and built this Chinese Garden near Ruhr-Universität Bochum.

Chinese Garden in Bochum.

The massive green house complex of Ruhr-Universität Bochum.

Burg Blankenstein in Bochum.

The open air museum, LWL-Freilichtmuseum Detmold. Old homes and village buildings were relocated here to give visitors the impression of life from the late 18th through early 19th century. 

Home at the LWL-Freilichtmuseum Detmold

Intact and functioning windmill at LWL-Freilichtmuseum Detmold.

Neustädter Marienkirche in Bielefeld during a private demonstration of their brand new organ which took 20+ years to collect donations for its construction.

That's all for now.  Tschüüüüüüüüüssssss! Bis denne!

Forever in our thoughts and Prayers

When we look back on our trip to Germany to share in the joint Ohio Conference and IKC Forum we will do so with gratitude and joy.  We were truly blessed by the warm reception we received by other attendees and especially the Schwarz family who hosted us for the remaining weekend of the trip. They shall forever remain in our thoughts and prayers for their generosity and warm hospitality. 

It was a privilege to share in the Forum program and meet others who invested so much time and effort to provide opportunity for meaningful worship, Christian fellowship and learn of new and significant programs to meet the needs of those who struggle in many different ways each day of their lives. 

We were blessed to meet and make new new friends and renew opportunities to share with others over many years of ministry.

We are grateful too for the leadership of Joyce and Dan who have put so much time and effort into making this such an enjoyable and meaningful experience. 

We pray for a continued successful and safe journey for all.   

Grace and peace,

Doyle and Marian Luckenbaugh

We're Not So Different

Some people view foreign travel as being too different and uncomfortable to their life norm.  Today, those of us staying (Sally, Don, Sandy, Scott, and Krystal) the Ruhrgebeit visited Dortmund.

Yes, the preferred sport to American football is what the rest of the world calls football (and we call soccer).  Dortmund has a famous team, BVB, that has won the Bundesliga.

But...

Dortmund has had the same issues that many American cities, particularly the that those in the midwest have been plagued with.  Dortmund, historically, has been and area with many coal mines and steel mills.  The mines and mills have closed and the land and people have had to adapt and move to other industries.  Dortmund is a very populated area and when one of the steel mills left, it wasn't only the closing of the building, but also the removal of the mill (it was literally moved to China, buildings and all).  The soil where it laid was contaminated and the area was desolate, except for a few apartments nearby where the mill works had lived.  But someone had an idea to revitalize the area.

First the contaminated soil was removed and piled not far away with clean soil placed on top to so it would be safe to be climbed or hiked.  The removal of the soil, then created a man-made lake that is home to birds and sail boats.  There is a walking path around the small lake with homes surrounding the edges.  New construction continues as more homes and apartments are being built.


This lake is named Phoenix See (or Lake Phoenix), because like it's namesake, it has risen from it's ashes to become a highly sought after neighborhood (with a player from BVB living in one of the homes on the lake).

It's a public location for all to use.  And even dogs enjoy it.

-Annette Schroer

The Name on The List

Today we toured the Museum at Wewelsburg Castle.  The SS used it as their headquarters prior and during World War II.  It was a very haunting tour, reading all the material and looking at the pictures and watching the videos, knowing that Himmler and Hitler walked the same halls.  

The museum tour made me wonder if history is starting to repeat itself. 

The most sobering was when I found a list of those who had died while being there.   It included a man named Heinrich Schroer. — Steve Schroer

Language

As I was sitting in worship and listening to the scriptures read in German, I was reminded that my great grandparents and even grandparents would have heard and understood this language. I felt a connection with them, even those whom I never knew.  I think of how far I am away from home and how far they traveled to establish a new home and find a new church and a new community.  They were a minority in an.English speaking region and no doubt experienced discrimination because of their strange ways.  If they had not taken the risk of making that journey, I would not exist.
I inherited their Reformed faith but I also made the choice at several different times to remain in the United Church of Christ. Many of my peers in the church did not make that choice.
I also think about my grandmother, Mary Ann Stoppelwerth, who was Roman Catholic her whole life, but married Harry, a member of the German Reformed Church, later UCC and I think of the difficulties of being in a “mixed” marriage in that day.
Being here in Germany has reminded me that God is alive among these people; these new beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.  God still speaks German and English and many other languages.  —James Hill

Landscapes

The landscape of Germany is similar to Akron, lush with trees (including buckeye and white birch) and flowers.   At Haus Villigst, a path leads along the Ruhr River.  Once polluted, the river is now clean enough to drink.  The Ruhr is about 60 feet wide and has a brisk current.

Friday was the first day of the UCC Forum.  Rev Doyle Luckenbaugh, UCC pastor spoke of his experiences in living out Micah 6:8.  Doyle rode with the Freedom Riders. To Mississippi to register African-Americans to vote.  He was inspired by a woman who wanted to vote before she died.  His bus ride home was perilous as at a bus stop KKK were waiting.  Fortunately everyone arrived home safely.  Later in his ministry he  advocated for migrant workers rights, for housing, health care and education in Pennsylvania.

Being together with our German partners is inspiring!  - Sally Phillips

On our first trip to Germany for the German Forum we have found the German people to be very friendly and welcoming.  The facilities are excellent.  We have a very nice room and the food is very good.  We feel like all we have done is eat.

What we have enjoyed most about being here is the chance to talk to all of the people, finding out the differences of the churches in Germany and the US.  But more importantly, the similarities and the sharing of many of the same concerns. — Don and Sandy

We entered the church as a sacred place.  The pulpit sits centered as we center ourselves in God’s word.

The altar is magnificent.

In 1050 the original church was built. One rich woman bought the land and donated it for a church. St Viktor.  Is not a common name.

The tower burned 3 times. The steeple is a little crooked.  It is caused from the rebuilding following one of the fires.

Originally this was a Catholic Church, from 1550 on it was Protestant. As a relic, it boasts having Relic part of the tongue of Saint Viktor.

The organ was new in 2014.

There is a prayer center with the background representing the 7 pains of Mary. Candles can be lit for prayer. 

The fresco of the crucifixion includes Jesus with Mary and his favorite disciple John. A carved fresco was added in the 14th century.

Joyce Schroer 

First Day First Impessions

Susan and I wanted to visit Germany to see the homeland of our ancestors. The first thing I noticed as we approached Düsseldorf was the number of smoking chimneys. Some of them were power plants on the Ruhr River but many seemed to be from steel mills. Ohio used to have many such chimneys in the Cleveland and Youngstown area which are no longer there. As we traveled to our first “tourist” stop I was surprised that some of the stereotypes were not true. There was a lot of traffic, but the cars weren’t all tiny. Admittedly we have not seen a pickup truck yet today, but the cars seem to be normal size.

The visit to a war era coal mine was interesting. We are used to some horizontal shaft mines or strip mines in the Midwest, but this mine was a vertical shaft with horizontal appendages every couple hundred meters. It was 750 meters down at its deepest point. They had an elevator that would lift mine cars straight up to the surface.

The facility at which we are staying for the Church conference is right on the Ruhr River, a beautiful location. The hospitality has been excellent.

I was surprised at the amount of graffiti on buildings, signs, and sound barrier walls along the highway. We used to see quite a bit of graffiti in Mexico, but it seems that this particular part of Germany has surpassed that. Nevertheless, we feel that we are welcome here, things are quiet along the river, and we are looking forward to a healthy and happy visit. — John & Susan

Day One

Guten Morgen!

We traveled from the airport to a mining museum called the Hanover Coliary. The museum wasn’t quite open yet and though their was much to explore, we decided in the absence of a tour guide we’d opt for something else. Our bus driver Nicholas grew up in Dortmund and suggested we head to the German Football Museum (Deutschland Fußballmuseum). 

We then had a delightful lunch and made the trip to Haus Billigst where we met up with our German friends. They had Kaffe und Kuchen (Coffee and Cake) waiting for us! We then checked into our rooms and got refreshed for dinner. The first shower is always the best! We had a delightful dinner and then spent the evening on the terrace overlooking the Ruhr River! 

Three Days Out

Good afternoon folks! We had a great time hosting the Church Board from Westphalia! What a blessing to be a part of this partnership! Here are some scenes from their visit at Bath Church. 

Here’s the church board and our American hosts listening to a welcome from new Transitional Conference Minister David Long-Higgins. 

We had a tour of the International Institute of Akron. We had a great presentation on all the things they do to help resettle refugees! They work with a large population of Bhutanese. 

Hello from Dan

Hey gang! It’s the eve of 1 week out! It seems like Joyce and I began the preparations for this trip 132 years ago! It’s been a labor of love and we can’t believe our trip is almost here!!! We can’t wait to share Germany with you! If our love of Germany hasn’t rubbed off on you yet - just wait until you get there!

Please try and go to this blog, read this blog and blog yourself. This will be the journal of our trip! 

Germany:  There is so much to LOVE!

I was looking through photos from past trips and came across this one.  A cup filled to the brim with Kaffe Machiato and garnished with a heart.  In just a short week the trip that we've been planning for since last year this time will begin.  My heart is filled with love when I think of the country and the people that I've met there in the past and as I anticipate the new relationships waiting to be made.  Joyce 

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting our blog!  We have a group traveling to Germany from September 4th through September 20th, 2018.  We will be exploring the German roots of our UCC heritage!

Some of our activities will be visiting 4 of our partner churches in this area of Germany (Schwelm, Mengede, Borchen & Bielefeld), and attending a UCC Forum while enjoying our stay with a German Host Family.

We also will be touring Rothenburg and Augsburg to view many Renaissance buildings, visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, taking a Rhine River Cruise and a Night Watchman's Tour and much more.

Please re-visit our blog to see updates!  

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany