Germany - Day 2

Our adventure in Germany continues. Last night, we had a lovely meal at the restaurant.  They have a room just for our group, which is very nice.  After dinner, we sat outside in a wonderful outdoor cafe under a star filled night.  No one stayed up late.  This morning, we may our way to the Heidelberg Castle, which sits on the hillside overlooking the city.  The castle was destroyed by the French, but what remains is amazing.  The group was struck by the large wine barrels.  Some were the size of a small house.  The views from the gardens were spectacular.

From the castle, we went to the Church of the Holy Spirit in the town square.  You enter the church and you immediately have a sense of the vertical.  Your eyes are lifted to the heavens.  One amazing fact is that the church was divided down the middle for many years with the reformists on one side and the Catholics on the other.  Lunch followed our visit and many of us dined in one of the many cares along the river.  Of course, the food was delicious.

After lunch, we visited the Jesuit church that was built as a part of the Counter Reformation.  This church presented the best in religious art and sculpture as a counterpoint to the plainness of the Reformed churches.  The church was success in this goal.

The group then divided.  My small group went to the University of Heidelberg museum.  This museum told the history of the university which goes back to 1386.  The school has an amazing history.  It plays a central role in developing the Heidelberg Catechism, which is the central document of the Reformed Church.  In many ways, it is like the Augsburg Confession for us as Lutherans. After the University of Heidelberg, I went to a special display at one of the other museums telling the story of the Heidelberg Catechism.  I was very taken with the political storm surrounding this statement of faith.  The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the streets and stores of the city.  Dinner will once again be at the hotel.

Tomorrow we will leave Heidelberg with many great stories and memories.  As an added feature, we are beginning each day with a word from Martin Luther.  He wrote a daily devotion and we are using his reflections to center us for the day.  Contiue to keep us in your prayed and we will do the same for you.  If I can find a wifi connection, I will report tomorrow.

Peace,
Pastor Summer