# Der Lutheraner_Frankfurt am Main_Juni 1948_S52 # AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) Page 52 June 1948 Number 6 From Our Work Youth Workers' Conference in Hankensbüttel Some time ago we were permitted to learn that the union of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in former East Prussia and the Ev.-Luth. Free Church, requested by all of us, has become a reality. But this so great sign of grace also obligates us to seize this grace for blessed joint work of both churches in all areas, including that of youth work. For this reason representatives of both churches met for the first time for a youth workers' conference in Hankensbüttel near Wittingen in Hanover. In the scenically charming youth hostel, which many will still remember fondly from last year's retreat week, young people, youth leaders and pastors from both churches came together to discuss the concerns and needs of the youth. From the Church of East Prussia, Pastors Voelkel, Fritze and Stier were present; from the Ev.-Luth. Free Church, Pastors Reuter and Rudolf Hein; and from the Refugee Mission Church, Pastor Dr. Lerle was in attendance. The high point of the conference was a several-hour visit by the faculty of our Theological College, represented by Rector Kirsten, Consistorial Councilor Lic. Kiunke, and Pastor Oesch. Furthermore, Presiding Officer Hein, Pastor Herrmann, and the head of the Theological Pro-Seminary, Senior Studies Councilor Vogt, were present for a short time. As the first point of the conference, which lasted from February 25–27, we dealt with the present situation of the youth. The misery that the war has brought upon us means for many young people spiritual and moral collapse. We feel this clearly in the moral neglect of the youth in city and countryside. And precisely now the youth looks to the church. For only from it does it still hope for rescue from its distress. Over all youth work should stand the word: "The love of Christ compels us." We want to come together to hear God's holy Word. For even if everything else breaks apart, God's Word is imperishable; in it we can always find strength. And how necessary it is that we be truly at home in the Bible. — We want to come to the Lord's Table in firm faith, in order to obtain forgiveness of sins through partaking of his body and blood. — It is also a great concern of ours that we speak God's Word to our neighbor who has not yet come to faith. If we are fully aware that everyone who does not come to faith is condemned (Mark 16:16), then we will do everything possible to help him. — Important in this connection is also that the youth should not organize themselves separately. Rather, their work should grow organically out of the congregation. They should know themselves to be a necessary member of the whole and recognize themselves as a true member of the body of Christ. The youth should indeed be cheerful and also occupy themselves with the finer things of the spirit, but the standard by which our life must be directed is Holy Scripture. Our youth must likewise be ready to defend our Lutheran confession against every attack. The shaping of the youth evenings and free times was discussed in detail. Music took up a broad space in this. Miss Pistorius from the Church of East Prussia gave an illuminating presentation on the topic: "Church Music in the Service of Youth Work." Singing in particular holds a special community-building power within it. Luther described music as the "second theology." Furthermore, antiphonal singing, canon, and choral singing were discussed. Singing is not left to the individual's discretion. For it is said: "Sing unto the Lord!" This is a command for the grateful heart of a newborn person redeemed by God, to praise and glorify God. In this connection, on the second evening of the conference the Wittingen congregational choir under the direction of Mr. Kretzschmar offered several songs, which showed what achievements any church choir can be capable of, regardless of the combination of voices. Further points of discussion were: the congregational library, the Sunday school, and lay drama. To our great joy we learned that the retreats at Burg Tannenberg this summer will already take place jointly for the youth of both united churches. All participants in the conference became keenly aware of the importance of future youth work, especially in view of the present serious ecclesiastical situation. May God grant that the cooperation of both churches continue to deepen also in youth work, so that together we may carry on the great work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Kühn. Youth Conference in Zwickau. The representatives of the individual congregations (groups) gladly followed the invitation for April 4, 1948, to Zwickau. We traveled there full of anticipation as to what had already been accomplished so far. For we stand before the rebuilding of the groups, which falls into a very difficult time. The representatives from Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Zwickau-Planitz, Chemnitz, Crimmitschau, Lengenfeld and "If God gives you joy, then make use of it; if he sends you affliction, do not be frightened and do not despair. Thus young people should be instructed from youth on; and whichever young men do not follow this admonition will not become upright men." Luther Annaberg gave their reports in the presence of Pastor Rüger. A shared hymn and the Bible verse read by Pastor Herrmann opened the Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately the representatives from Thuringia were missing. We set ourselves the theme: "How do we win the youth for our groups, and how do we keep them with us?" This gave enough material for a lively discussion. We noticed that in the groups quite new suggestions were being made. An important point was: "Do we need a leader for the group, a first and second chairman, etc.?" We determined that our group is a fellowship and needs no leadership in the sense we experienced in the past. Rather, we all stand on one ground, which is anchored in Christ. We should not only work and do mission within the group, but carry the mission outward. Faith is a busy thing; it wants to press onward. Youth work must grow organically. We all want to work together; our work must be done with believing hearts. — The youth must have a goal that it wants to approach: we want to remain faithful to our Savior and live out our faith before our fellow human beings. Times today are considerably harder than before. Most congregations have lost their churches and parish halls. Thus the work among the youth is also made more difficult and varied. One no longer has the possibilities to offer much. Therefore the principle is: let everyone help, so that something is given to each. It should not always be that the shaping of the afternoon or evening rests in one hand, while the others wait for things to come. Before parting we already discuss: what do we intend to do next time? We could talk about this or that topic sometime, or discuss current questions. — It would certainly be of great value if our pastors would take up youth work to a special degree, and if the older congregation members, who still know Evangelical Lutheran youth work from earlier times, would share their suggestions with the youth. We also agreed that social games alone do not give lasting satisfaction. It can easily happen that this or that one stays away and seeks his pleasure elsewhere. It would be sad if they were lost to us and fell into temptation and trial. — Therefore it is very important that a fine Christian tone prevail in our ranks. Our group must, the longer it exists, become the firmer. In this we must call to one another: "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Do what your heart desires and what pleases your eyes, and know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." We want to be glad that our work is slowly progressing. — So we parted after a pleasant time together with the whole Zwickau youth and went home cheerfully. Lord, be Thou our guide, and go with us out and in, lead us on the right road and path, ward off misfortune on the way. Lord Christ, Thou art the right way to heaven and the only path; help us to journey to the Fatherland, for Thou hast applied Thy blood thereto. Erika Schubach. Youth Meeting in Berlin. On Sunday Jubilate a youth meeting of the six Berlin congregations of our Ev.-Luth. Free Churches took place for the first time in the hall of the West Congregation. Consistorial Councilor Schulz as well as Pastor Heinrich Willkomm expressed in their addresses that this event represented the prelude to the future joining together of both churches in youth work. Two students of our Theological College in Oberursel were present. They reported on youth work in the western zones, including the co-workers' conference in Hankensbüttel (Hanover) and on the preparation of "The Young Lutheran," which aroused special interest. The event was framed by a lay play, presented by the girls' circle of the West Congregation under the direction of Hans-Joachim Koch. — The beginning has been made; may God now grant a fruitful cooperation for the future among all our Lutheran youth circles. Schneider. For Our Youth Hours. "The Young Lutheran" wants to help you also in shaping your youth hours and home evenings, and this is meant to be a mutual help that we want to provide for one another. Therefore send in reports on how you shape your home evenings and shared hours, and tell also how you cultivate cheerfulness and what games you play. What is suitable we will publish here, so that others too may learn from it and benefit. Authors of the Articles: New contributors not yet named: Friedrich Wilhelm Hopf, pastor, born May 31, 1910 in Melsungen. F. Mozek, born June 22, 1906 in Osterode, East Prussia, deacon in the Refugee Work of the Ev.-Luth. Free Church, branch office Hamburg. Johannes Priegel, born October 31, [18]77 in Schwedt- Oder, Ev.-Luth. pastor in Görlitz. Walter Rüger, born April 4, 1899 in Dresden, now pastor at our free-church Ev.-Luth. Trinity congregation in Leipzig. Heinz Kanzow, born February 19, 1924 in Cottbus, student at the Theological College Oberursel-Taunus. Wolfgang Kühn, born June 28, 1927 in Dresden, student at the Theological College Oberursel-Taunus. Horst Schneider, born May 1, 1924 in Berlin, student at the Theological College Oberursel-Taunus. Erika Schubach, born March 5, 1922 in Ober- cunnersdorf, District Dippoldiswalde-Saxony, house- maid in Freital near Dresden. Publisher: Lutheraner-Verlag G.m.b.H., Frankfurt a.M., Taunusstr. 43. Editor: Rector Pastor Hans Kirsten, Oberursel (Taunus), Altkönigstr. 50. Published under License No. US-W-2055 of the News Control of the Military Government, License holder: Christian Schmidt. — Printed by: Maindruck, Frankfurt a.M.-Fechenheim. 25,000 copies. — Published monthly. — Subscription price: single copy RM –.45, quarterly 1.35, plus postal delivery fee for postal subscription.