Travel-Learning Experience: Berlin, Germany
June 26 - July 2, 2024
(June 25 Departure for June 26 arrival. Wittenberg add-on ends trip July 3)
Faith, Lies and Spies: The Life and Ministry of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
with Dr. Andrew Root
We will explore big questions of theology and culture together through the lens and story of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor and theologian during World War II, was both a major figure in the Confessing Church, and a double agent working against the Nazis. His theology of the Church and the role of Christianity in the secular world have shaped the Reformed tradition and influenced generations of Christians, and The Cost of Discipleship, (1937) is a classic text of Western Christianity.
Our home base for this travel and learning experience will be the Historic Bonhoeffer Haus, where Dietrich and his siblings plotted the conspiracy to kill Hitler, and where Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Gestapo on April 5, 1943. Dr. Root, (aka., our own Andy!), author of Bonhoeffer As Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together, whose own work and thinking has been deeply shaped by Bonhoeffer, will guide us through the story of Bonhoeffer's life, and into Bonhoeffer's theology of "place-sharing," where we encounter Jesus Christ, who comes into this life with and for us, when we share deeply in the lives of others.
All this is set in the vibrant and historical city of Berlin, in which, for all intents and purposes, the 20th century began (with the Declaration of WWI in 1914), and ended, (with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989). Many Berlin sites, such as the wall and various museums and Confessing Churches, are included in this travel-learning experience.
We'll end the trip with an optional day trip to Wittenberg, to jump centuries earlier in our Reformed Tradition with the story of Martin Luther and the beginning of the Reformation. This day includes train to and from Wittenberg, guided tour of Luther House, City Church and Castle Church, and time to explore Wittenberg, with an additional overnight in the Berlin hotel and a July 3 departure.
Weaving in reflective, prayer practices, Rev. Kara Root (Pastor Kara!) will invite us into a spirit of receptivity. How might God meet us in this unique and focused encounter with with the world beyond us, the people beside us, and the lives of those gone before us?
We are excited to also be led by our wonderful trip coordinator, Arlene Flancher!
(There is an option to include additional traveler(s) who may want to share in the group meals and tours, but not attend the class).
Space is limited to 22 participants
REGISTRATION OPENS AT 8 AM CENTRAL TIME ON OCTOBER 1 TILL FEBRUARY 1, OR UNTIL SPOTS ARE FILLED.
Scroll to bottom to communicate interest
SPOTS TENTATIVELY HELD as of 9/20/23: 17
with Dr. Andrew Root
We will explore big questions of theology and culture together through the lens and story of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor and theologian during World War II, was both a major figure in the Confessing Church, and a double agent working against the Nazis. His theology of the Church and the role of Christianity in the secular world have shaped the Reformed tradition and influenced generations of Christians, and The Cost of Discipleship, (1937) is a classic text of Western Christianity.
Our home base for this travel and learning experience will be the Historic Bonhoeffer Haus, where Dietrich and his siblings plotted the conspiracy to kill Hitler, and where Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Gestapo on April 5, 1943. Dr. Root, (aka., our own Andy!), author of Bonhoeffer As Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together, whose own work and thinking has been deeply shaped by Bonhoeffer, will guide us through the story of Bonhoeffer's life, and into Bonhoeffer's theology of "place-sharing," where we encounter Jesus Christ, who comes into this life with and for us, when we share deeply in the lives of others.
All this is set in the vibrant and historical city of Berlin, in which, for all intents and purposes, the 20th century began (with the Declaration of WWI in 1914), and ended, (with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989). Many Berlin sites, such as the wall and various museums and Confessing Churches, are included in this travel-learning experience.
We'll end the trip with an optional day trip to Wittenberg, to jump centuries earlier in our Reformed Tradition with the story of Martin Luther and the beginning of the Reformation. This day includes train to and from Wittenberg, guided tour of Luther House, City Church and Castle Church, and time to explore Wittenberg, with an additional overnight in the Berlin hotel and a July 3 departure.
Weaving in reflective, prayer practices, Rev. Kara Root (Pastor Kara!) will invite us into a spirit of receptivity. How might God meet us in this unique and focused encounter with with the world beyond us, the people beside us, and the lives of those gone before us?
We are excited to also be led by our wonderful trip coordinator, Arlene Flancher!
(There is an option to include additional traveler(s) who may want to share in the group meals and tours, but not attend the class).
Space is limited to 22 participants
REGISTRATION OPENS AT 8 AM CENTRAL TIME ON OCTOBER 1 TILL FEBRUARY 1, OR UNTIL SPOTS ARE FILLED.
Scroll to bottom to communicate interest
SPOTS TENTATIVELY HELD as of 9/20/23: 17
Trip Details:DATES:
The dates for the course will be JUNE 26 - JULY 2, 2024* which includes travel days (*Departure will be June 25 for June 26 arrival. With Wittenberg add-on, trip ends on JULY 3). (Participants book own airline travel) BERLIN COST: Estimate: $1850 for single occupancy, $1450 for double. Trip fee includes:
Approximately $3,610 (single) / $3210 (double)
TENTATIVE ITINERARY:
TIMING: Registration open October 1, 2023 - February 1, 2024. |
Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer?
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
And if you want a theological view check out Andy's book, (not just for youth workers!):
Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together, by Andrew Root Books about Bonhoeffer by German historians and scholars are also recommended.
NOT RECOMMENDED: Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy Unfortunately, as a NYTimes bestseller, this tends to be the first book that pops up for folks. It is not endorsed or recommended by the Bonhoeffer scholarship community. Metaxas writes in an ahistorical way with a distinctly American political agenda. 
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