THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508020227
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
ON JULY 15, a 22-member delegation sponsored by the Evangelical Church of the Union (EKU) in Germany arrived in Hampton Roads as guests of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ.
German delegates were dispersed among several UCC churches in Hampton Roads and western North Carolina. Six of the ambassadors made Suffolk their home base, residing with local families for part of their three-week church exchange program.
For their first week here, the Germans visited Nags Head. They took an educational excursion with their American hosts to ``The Lost Colony,'' and the more adventuresome gave hang-gliding a try.
``For most of us, it was our first swim in the Atlantic Ocean,'' noted Jorg (George) Ebeler, a German social worker and volunteer youth leader with the group. During their stay in North Carolina, the Germans attended the United Community Church, led group devotions and sang German hymns to their new American friends.
``It was a wonderful week for all,'' Ebeler added.
On July 24, the Germans, escorted by their American hosts and UCC youths, gathered at Harbor Park in Norfolk to watch the Tides take on the Columbus Clippers. ``It was a great night, a wonderful experience,'' said one German youth.
Last week, Suffolk host families and German guests zigzagged across Hampton Roads, absorbing the sights and sounds of American culture. Some visited historic Jamestown and Williamsburg. Others took a day at Busch Gardens. And several groups went to Nauticus in Norfolk.
``I have also seen a lot of malls,'' added Swantje Wigger with a smile. ``All the malls,'' added her American hostess Jenny McGahee with a laugh.
German youths seemed especially impressed with the reasonable prices of American sportswear. For example, Levi jeans are ``cheap'' in the States when compared to their $100 price tags in Germany.
``The malls were a new experience,'' Ebeler noted, ``and one we really enjoyed.'' As for American food, the Germans found it ``too sweet.'' To them, Tidewater weather is ``too humid,'' and iced beverages are ``too strange.'' But their first-ever youth pool party and game of ``HORSE'' (basketball) gained rave reviews.
In general the Germans found American culture a close parallel to German life. ``It's really quite the same,'' Siggi Zitzmann noted.
``Everywhere people are working hard to earn money,'' Ebeler said.
Reflecting on spiritual life in Germany, Zitzmann noted her amazement over the way churches operate in the United States. ``It's surprising to see your system compared to ours. Our ministers are paid by the state and here ministers seem dependent on their congregations,'' she said.
When German guests visited Suffolk Christian Church, they were amazed at the size and number of churches in the downtown area. In general, their congregations are smaller, their churches more scattered and their denominational choices either Catholic or Protestant.
Zitzmann also pointed to the recent influx of German youths into churches. Ebeler noted how special youth services might attract 80 to 100 young people. ``It's a special kind of worship - more rock songs, different texts and youths participating,'' Ebeler explained.
``Churches have recognized the need to go another way to go to the youths,'' Zitzmann said.
This week the German ambassadors headed for Lenior, N.C., for a week at Johns River Camp. Daily devotions and spiritual instruction will be interspersed with camp activities such as rafting and mountain hiking.
As the Germans reflect on their experiences in the United States, they agree the exchange and interaction have been meaningful. ``Now I feel more open to people of other countries. We've gained much from seeing how you live and work and play,'' Ebeler noted.
Last summer, five local youths and their chaperones traveled with other American ambassadors of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ to visit churches and learn about the culture in Germany's Rhineland. Local youths included Meredith Darden, Jennifer Jones, Jenny McGahee and Miki Parker of Suffolk Christian Church, Suffolk; Nelva Boone of Corinth Chapel U.C.C., Suffolk; and Trelvoise Myrick of Bethlehem U.C.C. on Bute Street, Suffolk.
Adult chaperones for the Hampton Roads group were the Rev. Diane Snowa, a U.C.C. minister, and Aubrey Smith, Suffolk businessman and member of Suffolk Christian Church.
This German-American exchange program dates back to 1980 when the Evangelical Church of the Union in Germany proposed ``Full Communion,'' a covenant in mission and faith, to the United Church of Christ in America. In 1981, the U.C.C. accepted this proposal and the summer student exchange program began. Since that year, Germans and Americans have exchanged representatives on alternate years. by CNB