The thirty plus senior missionary couples who serve in the Europe Central Area Office in Frankfurt are organized into a zone. We gather with each other for many activities. There were several this past week.
MAINZ
Last Saturday before our daughter Becca returned home, she and two of our grandchildren joined us for a zone activity to the city of Mainz. This German city on the Rhine is known for its old town, with half-timbered houses and medieval market square. We arrived just as the Saturday market was being set up.
Mainz Cathedral (the Dom) is a gothic cathedral that was begun in 975. It was modeled on St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Augustine Kirche (Church of St Augustine) is a beautiful ornate baroque church from the mid-1700s designed in the Rococo style.
St Stephens Church is the only German church for which the Jewish artist Marc Chagall created windows. These fabulous windows depict scenes from the Old Testament. It was Chagall’s hope that these Biblical messages would inspire international understanding, forgiveness, and healing. Chagall completed the last of the nine windows shortly before his death at the age of 97.
Fastnachtsbrunnen (Carnival Fountain) is decorated with more than 200 bronze figures that have connections to Mainz’s history and carnival history, such as Father Rhine, the monk, the fool with his attributes, the harlequin, the cat, the buffoon, the purse washer, vagabonds, and jugglers. The Mainz Carnival is a months long citywide carnival celebration that begins on Nov 11 and culminates before Ash Wednesday. It begins at the Carnival Fountain.
Gutenberg Museum
Texts were copied and distributed long before Gutenberg’s time. Manuscripts on paper or parchment were usually individually created in monasteries. In the 15th century, Gutenberg was not alone in experimenting with the reproduction of texts such as printing with wood blocks. Yet Gutenberg’s invention was ground-breaking. The use of individual movable type allowed the faster and more precise production of texts. This became the only method used in the following centuries. In Mainz, Germany, in the mid-1450’s, Johann Gutenberg and his partner Johann Fust published more than 150 large-format copies of the Bible in Latin. This is the book known today as the Gutenberg Bible.
FAMILY HOME EVENING
Christian Wolfert was our guest speaker at FHE. In April 2023 the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square launched a new program involving global choir participants from around the world. Applicants that are selected fulfill two General Conference assignments, attend quarterly training meetings, and are tutored remotely during their service. Christian participated last October and shared his experience with us. We provided brownies and ice cream for dessert. Christian is our interpreter on Sundays during our worship service. He entertains us with his editorial comments and insights.
ZONE CONFERENCE
On Thursday we had a zone conference. Two missionary couples spoke and then we heard from Elder and Sister McConkie. Their thoughts were tender and their delivery so personable. We then enjoyed a delicious lunch. We left feeling edified and encouraged as we continue our mission service.
DINNER
The Fearsome Foursome got together for dinner this week. Elder & Sister Johnson hosted. We are grateful for the friendship and support of our fellow Area Humanitarian Specialists: Johnsons, Stokers, and Nelsons.
Have we mentioned that the yogurt in Germany is fabulous? We enjoy it every day. It comes in every fruit flavor you can imagine. In my book, the fruit base is for breakfast and the stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate bits) is for dessert. Add some fresh fruit, muesli and nuts and you have a feast.
With love, Elder & Sister Lamb (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 