Blessed Easter Days

by Birgit Hallmann

Spring has arrived here in southwest Germany even though Easter this year was colder than the year before.  

Here in Germany, at the Easter Sunday service, we greet one another with the declaration: "Christus ist auferstanden! Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden! Hallelujah" Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Allelujah.

In the light of the resurrection of our Lord, the work of the Institute in Tübingen is also blessed.

In late March, we commemorated the anniversary of Beth Langstaff’s death in our noon prayer at the Institute. Those were difficult days in 2022. With the arrival of Dennis, our mission here has received new strength. New contacts and friendships have been made, all course offerings have resumed, and work has intensified for the next Symposium. For me personally, it is a special pleasure to be able to personally welcome guests to the Institute again this year.

The new summer semester has started again at the University. The Colloquium is still being held „hybrid“, that is in person with the online option.

The first meeting of the English-German Colloquium was on Tuesday, April 27. Johathan Hirschberger presented his work on „Spuren Radaks, Raschis und Ibn Ezras in Luthers Psalmen-Übersetzungen “.

Preparations for the Symposium in 2024 are proceeding rapidly.

In addition, we have started to digitize historical texts from the early years of the EES in Tübingen. These include special lectures and occasional essays published by the EES and the Institute. These will soon be accessible via the EES website in the course of the summer.

In Memoriam:
We extend our sympathy to Bruce and Rosmarie Shields Rosemarie at the recent death of their son James. A Celebration of Life for James was held on April 29, 2023 at Hopwood Memorial Christian Church, Milligan College, TN.

Also, many long-time friends of the EES will remember Werner Hausen, Pastor of the Tübingen Christliche Gemeinde during the 1980's. We recently received word from Norway that Werner passed away on October 20, 2022.  

Thank you Birgit

by Dennis Lindsay 

THANK YOU, BIRGIT! 

This month we celebrated with Birgit Hallmann her 20th year anniversary as secretary and office manager in the Institute for the Study of Christian Origins! This 20-year milestone of service is significant not only for Birgit personally, but also for the Institute. No one in the history of the European Evangelistic Society has provided more years of continuous service than Birgit! With her outstanding administrative skills and ability to navigate German systems and legal requirements, Birgit has helped to ensure a solid footing for the ongoing work of the Institute for years to come. Along with the late Institute Director, Dr. Beth Langstaff, Birgit assisted with shepherding the Institute through the physical transition following the sale of the long-time "home" in the Wilhelmstraße, through two major moves, to our current (and most optimal) location in the Hintere Grabenstraße 20"  

 Her expertise in legal and bureaucratic matters helped to ensure success as we sought and obtained legal status for the EES as a German non-profit organization. Through the past 20 years Birgit has not only supported the Institute staff and operations, but she has served as a gracious host to countless guests of the Institute from all over the world. For 20 years of faithful and dedicated service, we say THANK YOU, BIRGIT!! 

English German Colloquium last international Zoom Meeting for the winter semester

New from Tübingen

by B. Hallmann and D. Lindsay

On February 9, the English- German Colloquium f. NT met for the last time in this winter semester. The Colloquium now functions routinely as a „hybrid“ event, thanks to the new and improved technical equipment at the Theologicum, with participants from all over the world (Norway, Italy, Poland, Romainia). This time Merete Hodt from the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society presented a paper entitled: „Unveiling Paul: Discerning the Theological Significance of Paul's Weak Appearance in his 2 Corinthians Correspondence“.  Dennis Lindsay’s Theological English class also wrapped up this month with an end-of-semester „pot-luck“ gathering in the Lindsay’s apartment with students from Germany, Romainia, and Turkey.  Several students commented that Theological English was their favorite class this semester!

Finally guests again in the Institute

News from Tübingen

by B. Hallmann

Karsten Kopp at the EGC f. NT January 2023

Here in Tübingen, the winter semester is coming to a very busy close. Along with the final sessions of the Theological English classes and the weekly English German Colloquium, we have begun intensive planning for the next international Symposium. (Be watching for future details!) We are also making preparations for a visit of the TCM board to Tübingen this year. With the further relaxing of Corona restrictions, there are also more requests for our guest rooms again. As the first guest this year we welcomed Mr. Karsten Kopp, a doctoral student from the University of Gießen. Mr. Kopp presented a paper at the Colloquium and was very grateful for the opportunity to stay in the guest room.

This week we will hosting Mr. Luke Ogden, also a speaker at the Colloquium. In addition to all these tasks, Dennis and Karen have been finishing the work of setting up their new home in Tübingen after the container with their personal belongings FINALLY arrived in Tübingen after five long months of waiting!

We wish you all a blessed New Year

Update from Tübingen     

by Dennis Lindsay 

In Germany, “business as usual” takes a restful and reflective break during the Christmas and New Year holidays.  It has been quiet at the Institute as Birgit has been able to spend time with her family in northern Germany, and as Karen and I have enjoyed precious moments with our daughter Mia who is visiting from Portland, Oregon.   

As we embark upon this new year, we do so with the programs of the Institute in full swing.  Colloquium sessions are booked up with presenters for the remainder of the Winter Semester and the Theological English class at the Institute continues to stimulate lively discussion surrounding texts and scholarly reflections on early Christian literature. 

From all of us at the Institute and EES, I wish you and your loved ones rich blessings in this new year as we all work in our own ways and callings to serve the ONE who is making all things new.