Sonntag, 5. Juni 2016

Last days of our Small Community

Wednesday

In the morning we had a meeting with Monika Thalman, an old lady full of experiences with catechesis. Just interesting to compare notes with such a person.

For lunch we were invited by the other pastor Marc of Birmensdorf (working together with Carl) and his wife who is catholic pastoral assistent. We had interesting talks about theology, studies and life while we had a delicious meal.
 
In the evening we met a last time for a common prayer in the reformed church of Birmensdorf. Many people who we know came. It was a nice last prayer. Afterwords we didn't meet to drink tea this time, but to eat delicous carrot ginger soup with homemade bread. They prepared the room so nice! With candles and flowers... Later we showed them some fotos and shared about our experiences of the lsat month. Meanwhile we drank tea and ate original swiss "Rüeblikuchen" (carrot cake) and apricot cake - everything selfmade! It was such a good atmosphere, such a nice commuity =)



Thursday

After a short midday prayer in the catholic university community (aki) we helped Silvia a last time with the food waste projekt. To warm up the food and give it to the students. This time we collected money for the fraternity in Brazil. Thank you :)

In the afternoon we enjoyed listening to a bachelor exam of a cello player. Magnificent!

Also we met Seyed from Afghanistan a last time. He has such an impressing life story. He has such a strong will and motivation. We are thankful that we got to know him, he is an example for many people! He arrived with 21 years in Switzerland, he had German lessons for half a year but had to learn to write and to read his own language to the same time (in Afghanistan it isn't self-evident to go to school!). Nowadays he is speaking such a good German and at the moment he is learning English to start an apprenticeship. His goal is to become a trainer. He will be a great one! Good luck, you will do it :)
Also Seyed joined us for our Taize prayer in the catholic university community (aki) where around 10 students participated. He liked it a lot and was surprised about such a nice prayer. As well for the supper afterwords he stayed and was happy because he felt like at home: sitting on a big table with many people, eating, talking.

Friday

For breakfast we visited again Vroni, the old lady of the neighbouring village Aesch. We had a good conversation and helped her apperently with a decision for her life. She was very happy to meet us again. All of us profited by each other - how nice.



In the evening we prepared the prayer in the Crypte of the Grossmünster in Zürich. It was a deep and fulfilling prayer with around 20 people. The meeting afterwords with cheese and bread was joyful and harmonious.

For our last evening we went with some of our new friends, Silvia, Martin, Laura and Boris, to a Jazz festival. Dear friends, thanks for the good time with you =) We are happy that we met you.

   

 

 

Saturday

We prepared our departure, enjoyed the festival of the village and met people for the last time.
Silvia and Laura, Edith and Jürg joined us for our very last Taize prayer at home. Wonderful prayer.


Sunday

Today we went to church together. It was nice to meet many people of Birmensdorf again. It was a warm and emotional goodbye. We have to come back :)
Now it is time of our departure. Everyone of us goes in an other direction. One is travelling by bus, one by train and one by plane. And we will continue our lifes...


WE ARE THANKFUL FOR EVERY SINGLE EXPERIENCE, MEETING, PERSON, MOMENT. IT WAS A VERY INTENSIVE TIME FOR US PERSONALLY. WE LEARNED A LOT ON MANY LEVELS.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO LIVE THIS EXPERIENCE. ESPECIALLY TO THE TAIZÉ GROUP OF BIRMENSDORF, THE PASTORS CARL SCHNETZER AND MARC STILLHARD, OUR HOST FAMILY MANUELA, PHILIPP, CELINA AND ANIKE, AND MARTIN AND SILVIA FROM AKI AND OF COURSE THE COMMUNITY OF TAIZÉ.