I have been working as pastor of St. Martini Church in Cape Town, since the 1st September – the congregation has welcomed me warmly and I feel at home.
During my calling as pastor, for the past 20 years in Germany, I served at the South Hessian Church in and around Frankfurt. This is where we resided as a family. After that, I relocated to Berlin for a one-year-employment, at the Institute for Church Development & Diaconal Profile Building and some time in Kassel.
Meanwhile, my children have grown and are pursuing their studies in Europe. Whilst most of my belongings were shipped, I managed with just two suitcases in the meantime.
This reminded me of my student days. I occasionally attended church services at the university church in Marburg. Most of the sermons I can’t recall, but I do remember a few words from Prof. Wilfried Härle. Something like: “Our journey through life is so long that we are unable to carry everything to fulfil our needs along the way. We constantly rely on finding a comforting oasis where we are welcome and offered sustenance, both physically and spiritually, in the form of bread and wine.”
After a long journey, water will be more than wine, but the message remains clear: no one is on his or her own. We depend on others to share with us what they have, just as we offer our gifts and hospitality to others on their journey through life. And we rely on God to give himself to us, continually.
I hope St. Martini’s parish serves as an oasis for people on their life journeys – a place where they are welcomed, whether with ‘bread and wine’ or simply a cup of coffee. A place to meet God, lay down their burdens, receive what they need, and offer something of themselves. A place where they are strengthened to continue forward.
I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting some of my colleagues and members from other Cape Church congregations at the youth camp in Stellenbosch. Looking forward to working together in the future!”