Wittenberg @ Dawn

Bold Women in Mission and Ministry in Wittenberg

Today—Thursday—as you have seen, was filled with numerous opportunities to see bold women in action. We visited a variety of social ministries around Wittenberg including a disabilities school, a kindergarten, a soup kitchen, a senior’s center, and an elementary school, hosted by the bold women that lead and work in these facilities.

I visited the elementary school; a private school dedicated to creating successful, creative, non-cookie-cutter children and learning opportunities. The school has classes between 1st and 4th grade with approximately 140 students, and next year hopes to max out at 180 students. The principal started and runs the school funded by a 75-Euro-per-month fee. The church contributes to subsidize the fees. Her biggest concern is working with the regular school system so the children’s education is counted and valued. This school is considered top class as it is a full-day program with after school care, a much needed commodity in a nation that sees both parents working to scrap together a decent living wage after waging a war with communism for years.

The children, as most children everywhere, were boisterous, shy, witty, and straightforward. They sang for us and asked questions, while we mainly gawked. Their English skills outdid our German ones for sure.

Other members of the tour went to other projects and services. One couple stated that their visit to a soup kitchen was very moving despite any language difficulties. They were able to communicate with those who came in for meals.

Another pair talked about their visit to a senior center. The were assured by the residents that living in the united Germany is much better than their previous conditions.

With an afternoon break of a visit to both the City Church and the Schloss Kirche (Castle Church) in Wittenberg to hear about Katharina von Bora, Martin Luther, and their contemporaries and friends, we dispersed to shop, eat, visit, meditate, or rest.

The evening followed with a tremendous meal and visit by all the participating agencies and their directors. I was blessed to sit with Sonni, and her translator Dieter, our bus guide. Sonni is a chaplain in the local Wittenberg hospital where she seeks to bring spiritual comfort to people, some of whom knew no spiritual force for years under communist rule. She finds it both a challenge and a blessed ministry. Sonni said that women pastors in Germany are becoming more common but, like their U.S. counterparts, do not always find themselves in regular parish calls.