Good conversations, having breakfast together, and being creative, are all a part of this wonderful social encounter that has fulfilled the needs of many women for 25 years. In times when possibilities for community seem to break away, this event in the Adventist church in Stauchitz is a gift. Women under the leadership of Martina Förster lovingly prepare this meeting so that everyone feels welcome to sit down at the creatively decorated table.
The participation of the women is always a sign of their appreciation. The topics discussed are taken from life, like: "A heart for mothers-in-law" | "Health is no coincidence" | "What if Christmas were canceled." Already in 2006 the topic "Women are the new men" was addressed. These topics lead to discussions that are important for our social understanding of our times.
The ceremony was opened with a piano piece, after which the pastor of the congregation thanked Martina Förster for her tireless commitment. Acknowledgments from different women also followed. Through a brief outline of the 25 years, wonderful memories came alive once again. Looking back to the beginning, the women remembered Birgit Gey, until her departure in 2017, was also quite active here. With the song "Praise the Lord my soul and do not forget what he has done you good" the review came to an end.
Before the coffee break, it was time for the highlight of the day. The author of the book "Herzenskinder" (Children of the Heart), Mrs. Gabriele Stangl, was our guest. Mrs. Stangl was born in Austria in 1962 and now lives in Berlin. She opened the first baby hatch in Berlin, Germany, on 12.09.2000. For this initiative, she was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on 11.1.2011. She is a very impressive woman who cannot leave a person in a plight without help. As a hospital chaplain, she experienced firsthand the despair and hopelessness of pregnant women. She wanted mothers to be able to give their children safe care when they saw no other way out. It was her way of saving lives. She could tell how the children are faring today, as well as the mothers, should they want to. Antoine de Saint-Exupery says: "Although human life is the most precious thing in the world, we always behave as if there is something that has a higher value than human life!"
On this anniversary Gabriele Stangl spoke about memories. She began her lecture with the words, “The older we get, the greater the treasure of memories becomes. We have nothing to fear for the future unless we forget how the Lord led us in the past. There is nothing more precious than memories, when I feel abandoned I can go to the altar of my memories”. Equally important for life was the phrase: "Some things are good, even if they were bad."
This afternoon gave much food for discussion. Thanks be to the organizers and the opportunity to meet each other, because if you do not have social contacts, the soul atrophies. Every second Wednesday of the month from 9 to 11 am you can do something about it and enjoy a wonderful time full of encounters.
According to a report by Inge Erler