We are at the end of our time here in Wittenburg, and I must say, tonight has by far been one of my highlights of this trip so far. The Wittenburg English Ministry program brings pastors to stay in Wittenburg from May to October to give English services for tourists at the Castle and Town churches during the tourist season. Tonight, we went to an English service at the Castle Church. The pastor gave the sermon from the winding, uplifted pulpit. We sang well known hymns, including Luther's famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. I cannot describe how exciting it was to be singing this hymn in The Castle Church; the burial place of Luther and Melancthon themselves.
Today we also had a little class time out in front of the Bugenhagen monument in front of the Town church. Bugenhagen was the pastor that Luther put into work at the Town Church, and was also the pastor that performed Luther and Katarina's wedding ceremony. He was a very important reformer as well, as he preached at the church where Luther's theology first practied. Dr. Kleinhans described it as the 'Lab Church' We talked about Luther's effect on education and on Tuesday will focus on Luther's work in social welfare. He started what was called The Common Chest, and I actually did my paper for History of Christianity on Luther's Effect on Education and Social Welfare. We saw the Common Chest at the Luther Haus musuem, which excited me to be next to something that I researched. Our journal prompt question for this experience asked us what aspect of the day made us think the most, and for me, being next to the Common Chest made me think about my internship for this summer with the Northeastern Iowa Synod (which includes researching the current medical care policies reguarding returning National Guards men and women from Iraq and Afghanistan) . This internship has the potential to help many people, and being next to the common chest made me realize how much influence Luther had on the Church in regards to social service and how this is connected to all the social ministries churches do and encourage others to do to help our neighbors in Christ.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Torgau, the burial place of Katarina Von Bora, (Luther's wife) and after our short visit there tomorrow, we travel on to Eisleben, the birth and death place of Luther. So until the next blog...Grace and Peace.
Today we also had a little class time out in front of the Bugenhagen monument in front of the Town church. Bugenhagen was the pastor that Luther put into work at the Town Church, and was also the pastor that performed Luther and Katarina's wedding ceremony. He was a very important reformer as well, as he preached at the church where Luther's theology first practied. Dr. Kleinhans described it as the 'Lab Church' We talked about Luther's effect on education and on Tuesday will focus on Luther's work in social welfare. He started what was called The Common Chest, and I actually did my paper for History of Christianity on Luther's Effect on Education and Social Welfare. We saw the Common Chest at the Luther Haus musuem, which excited me to be next to something that I researched. Our journal prompt question for this experience asked us what aspect of the day made us think the most, and for me, being next to the Common Chest made me think about my internship for this summer with the Northeastern Iowa Synod (which includes researching the current medical care policies reguarding returning National Guards men and women from Iraq and Afghanistan) . This internship has the potential to help many people, and being next to the common chest made me realize how much influence Luther had on the Church in regards to social service and how this is connected to all the social ministries churches do and encourage others to do to help our neighbors in Christ.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Torgau, the burial place of Katarina Von Bora, (Luther's wife) and after our short visit there tomorrow, we travel on to Eisleben, the birth and death place of Luther. So until the next blog...Grace and Peace.
1 comment:
Hey Jenna~
We are loving reading about your trip. Can't wait to see pictures and give you a big hug! Have a great time and be safe!
See you soon!
Love,
Karen
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