Visit of the Erlöserkirche, Haltern to St. Thomas’ on 3rd – 6th June 2010

Like the visits in the past this was an action packed weekend. We also had a record number of visitors, thirty-six in total! Twenty-six to host and ten teenagers camped in the Church Hall! The format was slightly different from previous years because they had to leave Sunday morning rather than in the afternoon after Sunday lunch.

Thursday - Service and Meal

We were expecting them to arrive at 7.00 pm but a phone call from Volker at 6.00 pm meant that they would arrive at 6.30, which entailed us all rushing to the Church Hall to meet them. After unloading their luggage and greeting them in Edinburgh Road we then started the formal proceedings with the Agape Service and meal in the Church Hall. This was a great success and a lovely way to start the weekend together. Our friends presented the Church with a decorative candle and table runners to match the decor in the Church Hall.

Friday

On the Friday our friends had the choice of the Blakeney Seal Trip or a guided walk around Norwich (City of Centuries). Both trips were very successful and enjoyed by all.

The journey to Blakeney was quite an adventure. After avoiding a traffic jam in Cromer we managed to get slightly lost, probably because we had too many navigators on the coach, but our driver demonstrated some remarkable driving on some very narrow roads and sharp turns.

Eventually we arrived at Morston Quay just in time to board our boat. Everyone enjoyed the boat ride despite the fact that we only saw one seal! On the way back from Blakeney we stopped at Felbrigg Hall for a picnic lunch.

Group photos at The Forum

In the evening we all met at Pizza Express in the Forum for our shared meal. Before the meal we assembled outside the Forum for the traditional group photo. The staff did a great job serving sixty-eight of us on two long tables.

Saturday

On the Saturday we all set off for Gressenhall Rural Life Museum. This was a very interesting and relaxing day. We could stroll around the farm and had a very informative guided tour of the workhouse. The guide made the tour very interesting and could also speak some German, which was very helpful.

The evening was spent with hosts. The evening stayed lovely and warm enabling us to sit outside and enjoy our British weather. The youngsters spent the evening in the City at the cinema and a meal in the Belgian Monk Restaurant.

Sunday - Shared Breakfast and Farewell Service

Sunday morning soon arrived and we had a marvellous shared breakfast and farewell service, in German and English, in the Church Hall. We also presented them with a framed group photo taken on the Friday night outside the Forum.

A Very Successful Weekend

In conclusion, this was a very successful weekend enjoyed by all. The weather was also perfect for the occasion! Special thanks must go to all those in the background who helped with the organisation and catering.

John Ladd.