Rambling's From The Rev.

Pastor Jim Johnson
St. Luke Lutheran Church
June 2008
"2nd Month of Sabbatical"

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

While the first month of sabbatical was defined by work, the second month was defined by travel. For three and a half weeks I was away on a trip to Europe – a dream come true! Two of those weeks my family accompanied me. But the day before beginning our trip I ran Blooms Day (first time ever experiencing Blooms Day in all the years living in Spokane) with my son Luke and his friend.

For those who don’t know, I applied to the Louisville Institute for their Grant for Pastoral Sabbaticals; an interdenominational program funded through the Lilly (yes, the drug company) Endowment. I was one of 48 fortunate recipients out of about 400 applicants – pastors from various denominations, from all over the United States. In my grant proposal I requested the funding to provide me, and my family, the opportunity to travel to Europe so that I might see the sites of the Reformation. In return I would write a paper on Luther’s response to the Enthusiasts and Antinomians (today’s very conservative and very liberal theologies) controversies of his day and how that might help inform us today as we struggle over social issues threatening to tear our churches and society apart. Evidently, they found this a worthy cause and funded this incredible opportunity.

As a family we left Spokane and traveled to Paris where we stayed for four days seeing the sites: Eifel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, various museums, Versailles, and many other things too numerous to recount.

From Paris we traveled by car to Lauterbrunnen in the Swiss Alps where we stayed for two days (three nights) exploring the grandeur of the mountains: the Schilthorn (where they filmed a James Bond movie) and Jungfraujoch (the highest rail station in Europe at 11,333 ft. and third highest peak in the Alps).

From Switzerland, we traveled again by car to Venice, Italy where we stayed one day (two nights) visiting St. Mark’s Square, Doges Palace, Mirano and its glass factories, and a gondola ride.

From Venice we again traveled by car to southern Germany where we visited Fussen and the Neuschwanstein Castle (among other castles), then to Rothenberg (a medieval town surrounded by a wall) where we worshipped at St. Jacob’s Cathedral. This church and town converted to the Lutheran Church in 1546, the year Luther died, and was for a long time the only Lutheran town in Bavaria (southern Germany). From there we traveled to Munich, via Lego Land, Deutschland. Until this point, the kids’ favorite part of the trip had been the Louvre, but Lego Land trumped all else. And finally, from Munich, Lori and the kids returned home.

Lori and the kids left from Munich on May 20, flying back to Spokane via Amsterdam and Minneapolis. After dropping them at the airport I visited Dachau that same day (the only day it rained in the whole trip) and then took a train that night to Eisenach where I stayed for two days. From Eisenach I visited the Wartburg Castle (where Luther was hid away for a year by the Elector of Saxony after Luther’s refusal to recant his writings against the pope and indulgences, and where he translated the NT into German).

From Eisenach I traveled by train to Erfurt where I stayed for one night at the Augustinian Monastery where Luther had resided as a monk (now a protestant retreat center).

From Erfurt I traveled by train to Leipzig and stayed one night with the Husters, friends of Paul Wee (Steve Wee’s dad) who showed me around Leipzig. Daniel Huster was a conscientious objector to the GDR (East German government) as a young man and involved in the protests, which Leipzig and the Lutheran Church of St. Nicholas was instrumental in leading, which led to the bringing down of the wall in Berlin and the Iron Curtain in 1989. To hear of his experience as a Christian growing up in East Germany, and the changes since 1989, was inspiring.

From Leipzig I traveled by train to Wittenberg where I stayed two nights visiting the Castle Church (where Luther nailed the 95 Thesis) where I was fortunate to take in a concert on Sunday afternoon. I also visited the Town Church (where Luther often preached), where I worshipped at an English speaking service on Saturday night (Paul Wee tried to arrange for me to preach at that service, but it was already booked), and visited the Luther House, Melanchthon House, and the Cranach House.

Finally I made my way to Berlin where I stayed two nights with friends of the Zieglers. I only had one day to see some of the sites of Berlin, but it might have been my favorite (that’s a tough one to call).

It was very apparent to me when I had crossed from former West Germany to former East Germany. There wasn’t as much catering to English speaking tourists in East Germany (e.g. English printed on signs) or as many people who spoke English. But I found East Germany fascinating. Not only was it rich with Reformation history, but the recent history and changes since 1989 were remarkable. Berlin in particular I found most interesting; a mix of historical buildings with new construction, and the center of much German and world drama.

While the highlight for the kids might have been the Louvre or Lego Land or perhaps the Eifel Tower (depending on which day you ask), and for Lori it was Venice, for me it was the cathedrals, with the castles as a close second. They were amazing, beautiful, awe inspiring buildings. Sadly, there seems to be more people visiting them as observing tourists than as worshippers.

I flew out of Berlin to Amsterdam, Seattle, and finally home to Spokane on May 28.

What a trip! What an experience! What a joy to experience it with my family! We feel very fortunate and very grateful both to the Louisville Institute for making it financially possible, and for the congregation’s support of the sabbatical which allowed me/us the time. My sincere desire and intent is that this experience and sabbatical will have been rewarding and enriching not just for me, but for the congregation as it informs my preaching and teaching and ministry to you and with you.

Peace be with you,
Pastor Jim