July 19, 2018
Dear Congregation:
Today marks one week since our German partners arrived. It’s been a whirlwind of activities. We began with time in New York, visiting the United Nations and the 9/11 Memorial. The group really enjoyed the church picnic and meeting more people from the church. Monday we traveled to Washington to visit with UCC National staff working on justice issues in our country and around the world. Tuesday was a free day. Among the activities the host families planned with their German guests were trips to Baltimore, an Escape Room experience, swimming, and shopping. I enjoyed taking the German adults on a walking tour of Frederick following our visit to the Frederick County Visitor’s Center and Heritage Frederick. Many thanks to Mary Boswell for an informative visit to the exhibits. Yesterday, the group took advantage of a beautiful July day to experience river rafting and a walk around Harper’s Ferry.
Today, we leave for the Eastern Regional Youth Event of the UCC where we will meet, worship, play, and engage with young people from Maine to Virginia. 350 people are expected to attend the event. As we were excited to share the National Youth Event with our German friends, we anticipate that these days ahead will nurture our ability to understand that we are part of a global community committed to justice and peace.
I am grateful for the continued generous gifts from members of the congregation and for the time and energy and resources our youth and their families have committed to this project. I hope you have enjoyed the photos we have been posting that shows the strength and joy of our friendships.
Thank you so much.