E-mail newsletter—October, 2004

www.institut-urchristentum.org

Dear Friends:

We had an unusual summer, some fast and furious, and some slow and very relaxing. We are about to start Winter Semester, and would like to bring you up to date on a few happenings around here.

WCCC As soon as the Summer Semester was over the end of July, we said good-bye to our daughter Alisha and prepared to fly to England for the World Convention of Churches of Christ, held in Brighton . Alisha did an academic internship with us over the summer, and we thank our son-in-law, Marty, for loaning her to us for a couple months. This was our first WCCC, and we enjoyed visiting with old friends, making new ones, and getting acquainted with branches of the Christian Church from around the world. It was great fun, and very encouraging to us, to be involved with a convention of our churches that was not dominated by Americans. What a blessing it was to hear speakers and musicians from every continent! My favorite parts included the Scripture readings in various languages, a choir from Ghana in native dress (most of those folk live in London ), and a Thai woman in native costume who did liturgical movement to music—just beautiful! We hope to see many of you at the next WCCC convention, Nashville , 2008.

The EES had a good contingent of Board members and supporters present. Prof. Loren Stuckenbruck, U. Durham, UK, was our speaker for the Walker Lecture. Loren is the youngest son of founding missionaries Earl and OttieMearl Stuckenbruck, who spent 20 years in Tübingen. Loren grew up here, and continues to be a good friend of the Institute.

Work Group:   We returned from England with only a few days to finish preparations for the arrival of the work group from Mountain Christian Church, Joppa , Maryland , where EES board member Ben Cachiaras is senior minister. The group did the major work of refinishing the shutters for our building, taping and placing spine labels on our library books, scraping and painting railings and window grates around the building, as well as some wiring projects. We were blessed by this group, not only because of all their hard work, but through their spirit. They were a great encouragement to us.

We enjoyed showing the work group around in the evenings, as well as running a Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount. One evening they had reserved a pole boat (like a gondola), and the driver took us up and down the river as we ate our sandwich supper and different ones took turns at poling the boat (and paddling with seat-backs to retrieve the lost pole). We did our Bible study that evening in the boat. The highlight was group leader Dennis Curran's inspiring rendition of Malotte's “The Lord's Prayer” as the lights of the city began to reflect off the water at dusk. Many thanks to Dennis and the others for your support!

Furlough At the end of our second year in Tübingen we took a short furlough provided by the EES (last part of August and first of September). We spent a very quiet time with our families in Washington and Oregon . We met Cherie's Dad's new wife, Alice, and enjoyed getting acquainted with that sweet lady. I did not even mind so much that she consistently beat me at Scrabble. During that time we were able to spend several days with my parents in Oregon , as well as see Cherie's brothers and sister in the Tacoma area. We also got to visit with my sister and brother-in-law, who live near Cherie's Dad. With limited transportation and limited funds, we did not do any “tourist” things—did not even make it to Seattle . We enjoyed resting, reading, crosswords, and walking around the outside of South Hill Mall several mornings with Jim and Alice. I did some course preparation, and Cherie worked on several sewing and cross-stitch projects.

International Teaching While we were with Cherie's family, I got a call from Seminary of the Nations, asking me to teach an intensive class for them for one week next January, at Ghana Christian University in Africa . I will be teaching 1, 2 Peter and James. With that assignment in mind, I spent part of our remaining time working through the Greek text of 1 Peter. Since returning to Tübingen I have begun visa application procedures, and have had the first round of shots in preparation for travel to Africa . I sincerely hope I will have other opportunities to travel there, since the yellow fever shot is good for ten years! I have also accepted an invitation to give some lectures next March at the Christian Library in Prague (no shots required).

Theological German Course The course is now being listed in the Protestant Theology Faculty's course catalog, so we hope for increased enrollment this semester (this class starts next week). This Winter Semester we will be reading Adolf von Harnack's Das Wesen des Christentums (“The Essence of Christianity”), along with some Luther, and other texts to be determined.

Vesper Service: The English Vesper Service group has been an inspiration to us. We enjoy meeting new people, and hope for several new faces as we remember fondly those who have moved on. We heard from Laza Randriamanjatosoa, student from Madagascar , from his new location. Laza is now doing PhD work in Australia . Kamil is back in Prague finishing his PhD. Linde has returned to Erlangen to finish her studies. We are happy for our other “regulars,” and looking forward to meeting new people, even as we know several of our faithful participants will only be here another semester or two.

Cherie : Cherie is again working with the Tuesday international spouse's group, as well as helping out our former neighbor, Gabe Janca. Frau Janca had an operation and is now in a rehab clinic about 20 minutes south of town. As it happens, Gemeinde member Dina Luik was in the same facility, recovering from cracked ribs she suffered as a result of a fall. Dina's family is making arrangements for her to move into a care home; she cannot live alone any longer. Last week we drove together to find the rehab center, and then later in the week Cherie drove a friend of Gabe's to visit her.

With concern we ask for prayers for our dear friend Prof. Dr. Otto Betz. He has been diagnosed with cancer, and is undergoing chemotherapy. Prof. Betz was for many years the faculty sponsor of our colloquium, and he and his wife have been wonderful supporters of many, many foreign students who have come to study theology in Tübingen over the years. Prof. Betz, now 87, told me on the phone that he is not feeling well from the chemo, and is not seeing visitors.

We are glad to report that Earl Stuckenbruck is able to be back at home after a lengthy stay in rehab in Tennessee .

Family News :   Prior to Alisha's departure the end of July we spent a couple days traveling in the area. We toured the castle and old city of Würzburg , and the next day took a Rhein River cruise for a few hours. We boarded the boat at Bingen, known for Hildegard von Bingen, Medieval Catholic religious author (the “Sybil of the Rhein”).

Grand Baby Coming! Alisha and Marty have moved into a rented parsonage. They were not sure if this would be for long, but they needed to get out of their former place. They have more room, and we are thankful they are apparently able to stay for a while, since Alisha has announced she is expecting a baby in late April. Cherie plans to spend Thanksgiving with them and her brother, Earl and family, in Nashville . Then she will return to Tennessee in early April to be there for the delivery, and spend the summer helping out. Alisha plans to continue her MDiv studies.

In September we drove to Lucerne , Switzerland , to spend a couple days with Justin. He spent most of the summer at the music festival in Aspen , Colorado , and flew directly from there to Switzerland . We enjoyed seeing Lucerne , and got to hear Justin play with the Festival Academy Orchestra. The next week, when he was back in Salzburg , we drove over to take him his computer, clothes, and other things he had stored with us, and to help him move into his new apartment in the city.

Justin is beginning his second year at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg . Last spring he was officially admitted to the Master's program, and he successfully completed the prerequisite German language studies. He continues to stay busy as a substitute for the chamber orchestra,  Camerata Academica Salzburg, and has played with them twice since his return, acting as principal for one concert in Vienna . A couple weeks ago we were able to attend one of the concerts in the Salzburger Festspielhaus. This month Justin is touring with a French orchestra in Germany and France .

Our parents continue to do o.k. My mom has to be careful because of her rheumatoid arthritis, but is very active. Dad has slowed down after the small stroke, and struggles, Mom says, but is still getting around pretty well, and is able to keep up his work as a senior companion. They live in Springfield , Oregon . Cherie's Dad, Jim, and his wife Alice, are doing great. Right after we left they took off on a long car trip to visit family in Texas , Arkansas , and Tennessee . Alisha and Marty were able to go to Nashville to visit with them at Earl and Liz's (Cherie's brother and sister-in-law).

Financial Update   We are beginning our third year in Tübingen. Many thanks to those of you who have supported us with your prayers, and to those who have supported us financially!  We ask for continued support in both areas, as the value of the dollar continues to drop.  In this time of economic and political uncertainty, we continue to face the daunting task of raising over 20% more in US dollars, just to break even with where we were two years ago. We need your prayers now more than ever! For specific financial information, contact the EES office in Atlanta (see below).

love,

Scott and Cherie Caulley

items for your prayer list:

· New Colloquium and Vesper Service participants

· The Theological German Course

· Frau Janca

· Dina Luik

· Prof. Betz

· Increased financial support ; the continuing exchange rate problem

visit the EES web site at www.eesatlanta.org