Wintersemester in Tübingen

NEWS FROM TÜBINGEN

by Ron Herms

Here in Tübingen, the weather has changed: the warm, sunny days of early Fall have given way to a mix of sun, rain, wind, and fog. The “Winter Semester” is now well underway and we’re grateful for the signs of life around the Institute!

Weekend markets, academic events, and the hum of student activity all contribute to the rich life of this university city. The 2026–27 academic year marks the 550th anniversary of the university where the theme is “Vom Wert der Wissenschaft” (“On the Value of Scientific Inquiry”). The EES Institute is privileged to share a place within this wide conversation among many thriving research centers and institutes here in Tübingen!

Among our early projects was sending a formal introduction from Ron & Kathy Herms to the many friends and donors of the Institute. This work would not be possible without that generous support! We have received student interest in both introductory language courses that the Institute offers – one course in “theological German” and the other in “theological English.” In these early weeks, we have established relationships with students from Germany, Romania, Greece, and South Africa. Further, the New Testament Colloquium – a partnership with the university’s Protestant Faculty – opened the new season with a wonderful presentation by Prof. Hermann Lichtenberger, a longtime friend of EES and the Institute. The academic year is now well underway!

We invite your thoughtful prayer for us as our director, Ron, travels to Denver, CO in November for the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. Kathy will visit Haus Edelweiß in early November to connect with TCM International volunteers and staff. We continue to learn about the history of the Institute’s work and imagine what new opportunities might be ahead. Our hope is to embody the words of German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God” (Life Together, 1939).