Language School
On Monday, we started into our language school at the Technical University of Dresden. It is about a 35 to 40 minute tram/bus ride from our apartment. The first day was an orientation, and the second day was a test. I was overwhelmed by the test’s focus on German grammar. And if I was overwhelmed, I know that Krista was doubly so, since she has only studied conversational German. At any rate, we didn’t do nearly as bad as we initially thought. According to our test scores, we were divided into nine groups, where A1 is pure beginners and A9 is advanced. I was placed in A6, and Krista in A3 (which makes us both “intermediate”).
So, I have now met with my group for four days, and it has gone well. Our teacher is real fun. He speaks only German to us, but he does it in such an animated and funny way that we always know what he means. The other students in my group are a mishmash from around the world—Argentina, Czech Republic, France, Poland, Ireland, and Bulgaria. The class has been a mixture of conversation and grammatical study. In the afternoons, we have participated in a variety of activities: a tour of the Altstadt (historic part of town), a tour of the Gemaeldegalerie “Alte Meister” Museum (an art museum including paintings by Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, and Cranach), workshops, and so forth. We were supposed to go to the nearby town of Pillnitz today, but it was too rainy. My group has come to be known as the fun group. We get along well, and we try to do things together outside of class. For example, last night we all met up to go to a pub. The Argentinean members of our class (plus some of their friends) brought along musical instruments, and we were able to enjoy our own little gaucho band jam session right there in the pub.
On Saturday, we went on the excursion to Berlin. I had already been to Berlin twice in my previous travels, but it wasn’t expensive to go again. We received a very thorough bus tour of entire city, stopping to walk around at a stretch of the Berlin Wall, at Checkpoint Charlie, and at Gendarmstrasse. We also received a tour of the Reichstag, which is the parliament building of Germany. We went inside where the legislators meet, and then we went up on the roof for a spectacular view of Berlin. Afterwards, we explored a few of the sites that we had missed before, such as the new Jewish Holocaust Memorial and Information Center. For dinner, we got some delicious doner kebabs. For those who have not had this particular treat, a doner kebab is sort of the Turkish version of the Greek gyro, and they are immensely popular throughout Europe. It was a good day, and I was glad that I didn’t repeat too many things that I had seen before.
On Monday, we started into our language school at the Technical University of Dresden. It is about a 35 to 40 minute tram/bus ride from our apartment. The first day was an orientation, and the second day was a test. I was overwhelmed by the test’s focus on German grammar. And if I was overwhelmed, I know that Krista was doubly so, since she has only studied conversational German. At any rate, we didn’t do nearly as bad as we initially thought. According to our test scores, we were divided into nine groups, where A1 is pure beginners and A9 is advanced. I was placed in A6, and Krista in A3 (which makes us both “intermediate”).
So, I have now met with my group for four days, and it has gone well. Our teacher is real fun. He speaks only German to us, but he does it in such an animated and funny way that we always know what he means. The other students in my group are a mishmash from around the world—Argentina, Czech Republic, France, Poland, Ireland, and Bulgaria. The class has been a mixture of conversation and grammatical study. In the afternoons, we have participated in a variety of activities: a tour of the Altstadt (historic part of town), a tour of the Gemaeldegalerie “Alte Meister” Museum (an art museum including paintings by Rafael, Titian, Rembrandt, and Cranach), workshops, and so forth. We were supposed to go to the nearby town of Pillnitz today, but it was too rainy. My group has come to be known as the fun group. We get along well, and we try to do things together outside of class. For example, last night we all met up to go to a pub. The Argentinean members of our class (plus some of their friends) brought along musical instruments, and we were able to enjoy our own little gaucho band jam session right there in the pub.
On Saturday, we went on the excursion to Berlin. I had already been to Berlin twice in my previous travels, but it wasn’t expensive to go again. We received a very thorough bus tour of entire city, stopping to walk around at a stretch of the Berlin Wall, at Checkpoint Charlie, and at Gendarmstrasse. We also received a tour of the Reichstag, which is the parliament building of Germany. We went inside where the legislators meet, and then we went up on the roof for a spectacular view of Berlin. Afterwards, we explored a few of the sites that we had missed before, such as the new Jewish Holocaust Memorial and Information Center. For dinner, we got some delicious doner kebabs. For those who have not had this particular treat, a doner kebab is sort of the Turkish version of the Greek gyro, and they are immensely popular throughout Europe. It was a good day, and I was glad that I didn’t repeat too many things that I had seen before.
Installation
I was officially installed as the vicar at the Dreieinigkeitsgemeinde at the Sunday worship service. I also read both the Epistle and the Gospel readings for the congregation. Pastor Rehr challenged me to see if my American tongue could say “sprach” with a rolled “r.” I’ve almost got it right, but not quite. At any rate, my German is getting stronger and more confident, and so I am being entrusted with more duties. Next week, I will assist in the distribution of Communion, and I have also been assigned to preach for my first time in October. Crafting a sermon in German will be a challenge, but I’m ready to give it a try. Once again, the congregation was very warm and kind towards me, and it was a great second week.
Other Bits of News
- As an update to last week’s soccer news, my two goals did not come without a price. Once I had cooled down, I realized that I had wrenched my ankle rather badly. I was really hobbling, and it was especially painful to climb the four flights of stairs to my apartment. I got an ankle brace, and then I was at least able to function. Finally, after a week, it has started to improve. I’m hoping that in another week I’ll be back to full strength.
- I’ve learned more about an upcoming event, the Practical Theological Seminar. Twice a year, all the vicars in the SELK meet together for three weeks to learn more about practical theology. This time we are going to work in a hospital in Celle, where we will make visits and study pastoral care. We will then go to Stuttgart for some lectures on pastoral care topics. We will each make a presentation, and I am a little nervous about doing one entirely in German. I look forward to meeting the other vicars, and getting some hands-on experience. The PTS will run from the 12th to the 30th of November.
- Speaking of presentations, I have another one coming up sooner. In my language class, we are each going to do a 10 minutes presentation on some aspect of the culture or festivals or our home country. I am trying to decide what aspect of the U.S.A. to present. Any suggestions?
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