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One last time to new shores

2021-03-15T06:07:38.120Z


She has seen a lot of the (church) world, now Andrea Oechslen is leaving for her last professional position at the age of 59. On Sunday the pastor said goodbye to the Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Erding, of which she had been a member for twelve years.


She has seen a lot of the (church) world, now Andrea Oechslen is leaving for her last professional position at the age of 59.

On Sunday the pastor said goodbye to the Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Erding, of which she had been a member for twelve years.

Erding - your next stop will be Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

After the rectory there has finally been renovated, nothing stands in the way of the change on April 1st.

Two farewell services were held in the Erlöserkirche in Klettham, the church that had been extensively renovated in Oechslen's Erdinger time.

But also the demolition and new construction of the evangelical community center in Altenerding fall within her time.

In addition, she has undertaken many church trips around the world and introduced hundreds of confirmands to the church.

The theologian told our newspaper that it had been twelve wonderful years in Erding, "but after so many years it is time again for a change, it will be the last in my professional life".

Therefore, she applied for the position in the world-famous historical city.

"I would like to take on a new task and challenge again, that's what I need."

Oechslen originally comes from Middle Franconia, she grew up in the Ansbach district.

The 59-year-old studied theology in Regensburg, Neuendettelsau, Heidelberg and Munich.

The vicariate took her to Mitwitz, a small community near Kronach in Upper Franconia.

She took over her first pastor not far away - in Coburg.

After that, Oechseln moved abroad, she looked after a community in Upper Austria for eleven years before she came to Erding.

Oechslen celebrated the two farewell services - fully booked early - together with Freising Dean Christian Weigl.

With a smile, Oechslen remembered "when a delegation from Erding came to Austria incognito almost 13 years ago to hear a service from me".

Of course, the delegation was immediately noticed in the small village community.

Their farewell fell on Latare Sunday of all things, also known as Happy Sunday.

“The joy will have the last word,” said the outgoing pastor.

She spent a long but fulfilling time in Erding.

Dean Weigl regretted “that we cannot celebrate today in a full church and with a festival.

But the time is not like that ”.

Now it is a very intimate farewell.

He quoted Psalm 37 “Commit your ways to the Lord”.

Oechslen was always friendly, clear in her statements and reliable.

Even when there were vacancies, she had “carried the extra work constructively and without complaint”.

His colleague was "just always there".

Weigl particularly emphasized that Oechslen “gave a voice to those who otherwise often fall under the table”.

Her heart beat for the "little people".

Deputy District Administrator Franz Hofstetter thanked Oechslen "for having accompanied so many people in the city and district over the twelve years".

The church has an important role to play in society, he said with regard to senior and child labor.

Mayor Max Gotz admitted: “I would not have thought that you have been here for twelve years.

We met often. ”During this time, there have been many changes, both socially and structurally.

Gotz particularly emphasized Oechslen's “courageous commitment” to strengthening the role of women.

"There is still a lot to be done."

The Catholic pastor Jan-Christoph Vogler looked back on nine years together.

It takes courage to start something new.

As a farewell, he presented two canned soups - as a reminder of ecumenical lent soup meals.

This year it was canceled due to the corona.

And what's next in Erding?

Pastor Christoph Keller told our newspaper that the occupation was planned for July, but that autumn this year would be more realistic.

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Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-03-15

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