Wolmirstedt reflections
A report from the Malvern-Wolmirstedt visit organising group…
We were delighted to welcome nine members of our Partnership Church, St Katharina’s, in Wolmirstedt, in the Magdeburg diocese, for four full and very happy days together in early July. The visit was eagerly anticipated in the pattern of reciprocal visits between our two churches as part of the partnership between the Worcester and Magdeburg dioceses. (The Priory is one of several churches within the Worcester diocese with links to churches in the Magdeburg diocese.) For Pfarrerin Ute Kopp and four of our guests this was their first visit to Malvern; for the other four the visit renewed precious friendships begun in 1996.
It was lovely that so many Priory members caught the enthusiasm of the Partnership, and helped to share in the welcome in lots of different ways. They accommodated overnight guests or hosted a lunch or supper with other Priory members; they drove guests to Worcester Cathedral and a walk by the river, or to the Elgar Birthplace; they joined in an evening of games, supper and singing; they shared in a coach outing to Stratford on Avon. Despite our different languages there was much talk and laughter as we felt the bond of our common, shared faith.
Organists, choristers, Worship Band and Praise Group members all played their part in moving united acts of worship. Each guest was presented with a wooden cross crafted from the oak joists of the Priory’s old flooring. Pfarrerin Ute presented the Priory with a hand carved figure of St Katherine as a symbol of ‘clarity and faith, courageous actions and deep connections across time and borders’.
There were some sad goodbyes as the group left by minibus for the airport after a short farewell act of worship. Roger concluded with a Celtic prayer:
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
