GAP - This October 3, 2021 was something special, because the day of German unity coincided with Thanksgiving Sunday.
For the Christians of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Community Garmisch-Partenkirchen there was another reason to celebrate.
After two years of construction, they were able to officially reopen their completely renovated parish hall in Hindenburgstrasse 39.
In the Johanneskirche the day began with a festive service, celebrated by Pastor Martin Dubberke, Dean Jörg Hammerbacher and Pastor Birgit Schiel, as well as music by Georg Philipp Telemann. Dean's chantor Wilko Ossoba-Lochner on the organ and a string trio provided the musical entertainment. The altar was decorated with grain sheaves, fruit and vegetable baskets, and a large loaf of bread. Together with the harvest crown on the baptismal font, this created an atmospheric atmosphere.
Based on Dean Hammerbacher's reading on Jesus' miraculous increase in bread, Pastor Dubberke addressed the present in his sermon. His "I am happy" came from the heart, showing his enthusiasm for the freedom that has been achieved, which will be celebrated on October 3rd, and his gratitude for what could be harvested and the new meeting house. "Thanks is not just a word, it's an attitude". Nothing in life is taken for granted, but a lot can be moved and achieved in the community.
After the service, we went to the parish hall to celebrate. Up to one hundred guests flocked in, happy to be able to experience socializing again after the restrictions caused by the pandemic. Corona caused construction delays during the renovation. Now the building is not only available to the parish, but also to the general public with its library and various rooms.
On Saturday, October 2nd, interested parties were invited to take a tour of the open house. The library rooms on the ground floor and basement are particularly impressive; on the first floor, the large hall - which can be divided into three smaller ones - with floor-to-ceiling windows, a garden balcony and a new kitchen is the heart of the whole. On the outside, instead of the old clapboard, the now clear facade, reminiscent of the Bauhaus style, is impressive. “The idea of the community center came about at the end of the 19th century,” explained Dean Jörg Hammerbacher in his welcoming address. “It was a departure from the church crisis at that time”. He is also currently recognizing new opportunities and describes the building that serves to bring people together as a 'house made of living stones'. He symbolically urged the parishioners: "Go out so that others will come in."The Catholic priest Josef Konitzer had brought holy water from Grainau - “The best in the region,” he joked - and blessed the Christ Cross, which now adorns the large hall again. Pastor Andreas Lackermeier praised the ecumenical cooperation under the Alpspitze and confessed that he was already looking a little jealously at the new parish hall.
Since the Protestant Christians of Grainaus belong to the local parish, the mayor of Zugspitzort, Stephan Märkl (CSU), brought his congratulations.
Architect Eberhard Steinert took a look back: “For many years, we worked on planning and working on solutions in order to preserve the 60s character, but achieve the standard of the 21st century, to achieve a complete energetic renovation”.
After words of thanks from Pastor Dubberke and Pastor Uli Wilhelm, who had taken over the construction management for the many voluntary helpers, there were gifts.
The sacristan couple Elisabeth and Andreas Beer were especially honored for their enormous commitment.
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