On the Importance of Our Senses

Open Air Sabbath celebration

Sensing, feeling, touching. What would life be without these sensations? Whether comforting or laughing - we all need touch. A firm hug is the best remedy for stress and does us good. And no matter what situation or place we are in, we can always help with touch. This was probably the main message that the speaker, Gabriele Stangl, gave us in her profound sermon on 26.08.2023.

After celebrating the beginning of the Sabbath together in a small group on Friday, dealing with the topic "clinging to God", a special OpenAir service of the Nordhausen congregation took place in the recreational area of Bodenstein Castle on the Sabbath. All together we experienced a deeply spiritual and fellowship-intensive time. After the service, there was time in the afternoon for exchange, conversations, games, and fun.

Another highlight was the book reading that took place in the afternoon. Gabriele Stangl, the initiator of the baby hatch in a hospital in Berkun, read a story from her very moving book "Herzenskinder" (Children of the Heart) and told about her years working at the Waldfriede Hospital.

The Zwinge group, which had already planned and led the service and Sabbath, then organized a women's breakfast for women from Zwinge on Sunday. Besides the physical well-being, the spiritual well-being should not be neglected. After many great conversations, we listened to a short devotion on the topic of "Memories". At the request of the participants, we were also allowed to listen to another short book reading, which delighted everyone very much.

We are grateful for the wonderful time we had together, for the speaker Gabriele Stangl, who moved us very much with her stories and devotions, and for the conversations and the exchange with others that this event made possible.
From Miteinander, Conference Newsletter