Warm farewell: Pastor Reichelt is retiring after 32 years

Warm farewell: Pastor Reichelt is retiring after 32 years

In Stadtilm, a moving event took place on September 22: the solemn adoption of Pastor Hansjürgen Reichelt, who will retire after 32 years in the community. This farewell was not only an occasion for grief, but also an opportunity to appreciate the many years of commitment and the dedication of Pastor Reichelt. The small town attracted numerous visitors who gathered for the solemn service to experience this special moment together.

Pastor Reichelt came to Stadtilm with his family in September 1992 and began his work at a time when the community faced numerous challenges. First of all, he only looked after the municipality of Stadtilm, but over time, the surrounding villages also became part of his responsibility. The sermon on this special day referred to the history of Emmaus from the Gospel of Lukases and encouraged the community to think. The service of Rufus Brodersen on the organ and the Catholic church choir under the direction of Mr. Schäfer was accompanied musically, which contributed to the ceremonial atmosphere.

a place of commemoration and appreciation

The farewell of Pastor Reichelt was an emotional matter. Superintendent Elke Rosenthal brought him and his wife Ulrike the best wishes and thanked for their tireless efforts. During the celebrations it became clear how strongly pastor Reichelt and his wife shaped the community. Ulrike Reichelt not only supported her husband in services, but was also active in church life and childcare. The many warm words expressed by those present illustrated the appreciation that Pastor Reichelt learned from his community.

After the service, which ended with a common song, the visitors had the opportunity to come together in the church hall and church garden over coffee and cake. There they were able to exchange ideas and share memories of pastors with Pastor Reichelt. This relaxed atmosphere offered space for personal conversations and showed the connection that the parishioners had with their pastor and his family. The whole event was accompanied by good weather, which made the day event even more gratifying.

excursions and senior activities

In a completely different part of Thuringia, 70 Seniors from Plaue discovered the art of making toilet on an excursion. Invited to stay in the Thuringian Kloß world, the national dish with its long traditions was presented. The trip started on October 1st, and before lunch there was an educational lecture that introduced the participants in the history and preparation of dumplings. The seniors were enthusiastic about the information and the subsequent tour of the museum, which was not only about dumplings, but also about various utensils from the past.

impressed by the variety of exhibits, including the history of the GDR kitchen and the preparation of ice cream, the participants were also invited to an afternoon coffee in the Eberstedt oil mill. There the group learned more about the regional peculiarities and enjoyed musical interludes from the operators. Such excursions promote cooperation and curiosity, both for culture and for your own history.

The country seniors from the ILM district, who visited Mühlhausen on October 2, were similarly active. They also defy the autumn weather to explore the bratwurst museum there, which has recently moved. With a humorous city guide, they learned a lot about the production and differences of the Thuringian bratwurst, which ended with a small seminar. A "sausage diploma" was presented to the participants as a souvenir.

In addition, children from the AWO-Kita Rabennest were able to take an educational excursion. They visited the “Grüner Günther” city center to get to know different types of fruit and vegetables. The event was interactive and provided a lot of joy and new knowledge among the little explorers.

Another moving review of the turning time was made possible by Ronald Seeber from Arnstadt. In response to an article that discussed the first demonstrations in 1989, he emphasized that it was much more people in Arnstadt to come together to stand up for changes. His memories of the fear of arrests during this time are impressive and he describes how state security was present at the time. Such memories are crucial to preserve and understand the collective memory of the region.

These events from Stadtilm and the surrounding communities reflect the lively exchange between generations. From the adoption of a pastor who has devoted almost an entire life of the community, towards the experiences of the elderly and children in different cities, a community that remains aware of both its history and its traditions is evident.

For more information about the events in the ILM district, take a look at the detailed reporting at www.thueringer-allgemeine.de .