July 9

Gareth and I were the "scribes for the day" for our group journal. This is what we came up with.


Tuesday, July 9
It’s difficult to reflect on a day when we both took some leadership. A leader’s experience is very different because we’re often distracted by details of preparation. Although I really enjoyed today, the rest of the group may have experienced things differently.
The day began with Cyndy’s meditation on 1 John 1:1-4 focusing on our witness of God’s work in our lives and in the places and events that took place in our forefathers’ lives.
Our first activity was a wagon ride from the village up to the place near where the Schleitheim confession was formulated. Some hardy souls in our group chose to walk up the hill imagining the path of those who first walked to this momentous meeting. At the top, Wilmer interpreted the monument placed there by the Reformed church of the area as an act of repentance for their part in the persection of the 16th century reformers. I found it moving that they would do this act of generosity and good will. An interesting discussion ensued about some of the divisions still present among Christians from different traditions, as well as within a local congregation. As we climbed off the wagon at the bottom of the hill, our host farmer was presented with a tip and Glenn’s hat with which we had collected it. The farmer seemed genuinely moved by this token.
The rural theme continued on the bus with farm humour, arguments over crops and Gareth’s story of the Hottinger clan. This conversation ended with our arrival at a beautiful stop for lunch. Reinfalls was a refreshing break from Anabaptist stories and farm themes.
After lunch we continued on our journey. Many of us had a short siesta. We were privileged to be able to share a bit of our faith journey with the group, as well, during our ride. We then also heard the story of Milchsuppe and stopped to hike up the spot where the potluck of soup and bread was shared as a peace treaty between warring Protestant and Catholic cantons.
We made a brief stop at Einsiedeln Monastary and Cathedral. Responses to this decorative cathedral ranged from “gorgeous,” to “gaudy!” This was in sharp contrast to our next destination: the Baretswil cave. The Anabaptists had difficulty because they needed to meet in secret. We had difficulty in getting so this spot as it was a fairly strenuous hike. It was a privilege for me to lead our group in a unique communion service at this spot. On the way home we heard about God’s guidance in the lives of Ron and Linda Penner.