Frankfurt community celebrates 30th anniversary of 6000 couple blessing

Married for 30 years - surely a good reason to celebrate! Some 25 members from the Frankfurt and Giessen communities met on October 14th, the 30th anniversary of the 6000 couple blessing in Korea, to spend this memorable day together. Rev. Paul An, our IW from Korea, joined the party, him and his wife being a participant of the 6000 couple blessing as well. We started at the famous village of Ruedesheim, from where we took the boat along the Rhine river to the historic city of Bacharach. Travelling on the Rhine river is always a treat, especially during the autumn season, when the trees and wine plants along the slopes turn colourful. Arriving at Bacharach, we first took a group foto near the oldest house of the village, dating back to the 14th century. We then climbed the steep road to the pictoresque ruins of the Werner chapel, a former church. From there we continued upward till entering the courtyard of the castle Stahleck, which is now functioning as a youth hostel. From there one has a gorgeous view towards the upper part of the Rhine river. We didn’t stay too long because of the chilly winds. We had lunch at the 15th century inn called “Posthof” which actually served over the centuries as a hostel and stable for the stage coach. There in the “wine chamber” we had exotic dishes, such as “Celtic saugage” an “Posthof roast”. Back we went by a boat called “Goethe”, after the famous German poet. This ship was built just before World War I, was sunk during World War II and restored afterwards. Till the 80ies it operated as a steam ship, before receiving modern Diesel engines. Even today it is driven by two huge water wheels on each side of the ship - an impressive testimony of workmanship “made in Germany” from 100 years ago! Our final meeting was in our church center in Frankfurt Sachsenhausen, where we had coffe and cake, looked at picture albums and played some music. A memorable day, spent together in a memorable fashion.