Unity through Repentance: The Journey to Wittenberg 2017
Chapter 17
Trento, 2014
You’ve read Chapter 17, and you’re hungry for more? Don’t worry, we got you!
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US Website - Trento Meeting
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Podcast Page - Trento Teachings
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German Website - All Meetings
Traveling with a Toddler
Our late-in-life surprise daughter Clara was 2 years old when we traveled to Trento.
Our sons Justus & John Patrick also went with us.
The Exercise of the Pearls
After several days of intense repentance and the resolution of a public conflict in the group, the Lord graciously poured out JOY as we ended the Trento gathering in 2014 with The Exercise of the Pearls.
Those representing each tradition brought forward 3 words representing gifts they had to offer to the body of Christ. These were symbolized in pearls* which were dropped into a bowl of water. The water, representing the Church, received these gifts as they dropped to the bottom.
* Fun fact about the pearls, that I learned after the book was published. In the book I describe Amy as preparing the exercise and bringing the pearls from the US. In fact, she did not do this. She had not planned to do this exercise. But when she arrived in Trento, Verena Lang mentioned, “I brought some pearls, I do not know why - we should find some use for them!” This reminded Amy of the quote from the Cantalamessa book, and that was when she came up with the exercise. Another “surprise of the Spirit!”
Trento, Italy!
The Langs chose Trent for our next meeting place, because of the Council of Trent (1545 to 1563)
Modern day Trento is an absolutely beautiful city
Cadine (the small city just outside Trento where Mariapolis is)
The headquarters of the Focolari worldwide, who were started by Chiara (Clara) Lubich
The Focolarini gave us a warm welcome on the first night
A lovely letter of welcome from the Mayor of Trento
We also received a welcome letter from the Archbishop of Trento
Musical Themes
Trento was the first meeting that Phillip Owens attended. Claudia Wiedenmann, who had served so beautifully as the worship leader for the first two meetings, could not make it to Trento. So Phillip stepped in as worship leader. He did wonderfully!
The Lord gave us three theme songs during this meeting, that carried all the way through to 2017. One was the 70’s classic Sing Hallelujah To The Lord.
A second was a song in Hebrew that Shacar taught us, Kadosh (Holy) … see pictures below for the words.
The third was a song written by Kathy Kanewske, Agnus Dei (O Lamb of God). We handed out the sheet music, and the Germans (who unlike most Americans know how to sing and know how to pronounce Latin!) immediately joined in with the Latin descant. Beautiful!
More Pictures from Trento
The famous Rublev icon of Abraham's Three Visitors at the Oaks of Mamre
Shachar meditating on the icon, which also represents the Holy Trinity
We placed bread and wine front and center in Trento - not to take the Eucharist together, but to show precisely that we could NOT yet take communion together in integrity, because of our divisions
Franziskus gave a beautiful teaching on how the Rublev Icon represented the unity of the Trinity ... with a seat at the table for mankind!
Verena giving her foundational teaching on Martin Luther as a prophet to his own Catholic church - which rejected his prophetic message
Verena's first diagram, showing that the "healthy" church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets
Verena's second diagram - when the apostolic has elevated itself and minimized the prophetic, the church is out of balance and unhealthy - this was the situation in Martin Luther's day
Panorama of the prayer chapel at Mariopolis
Praying the Lord's prayer together in the chapel
The evening service in the prayer chapel, after Verena's talk
Thomas addresses the group gathered in the chapel
The amazing moment when Franziskus, auxiliary bishop emeritus of Mainz, kneels to repent for his predecessor Albrecht abusing his apostolic authority by rejecting Martin Luther's 95 Theses. Burkhard, a Lutheran pastor, kneels beside him to receive his repentance and offer forgiveness.
Catholic and Lutheran reconciliation - beautiful!
We held our repentance prayer time in the chapel
Prince Michael Salm repenting for the sins of his ancestors, the nobility of Germany
We took a group pilgrimage into the city of Trento
Castle where the city of Trento tortured Jews until they confessed to the murder of 3-year-old Simon in 1475
Repentance to the Messianic Jews, in the church which to this day celebrates Simon of Trent as a saint (he is officially discredited by the Catholic church)
Fr. Winopal & Br. Pietro repenting to Richard Harvey for Catholic murder of Jews, particularly in response to Simon of Trent, since this church holds a chapel dedicated to him
Prayer in the Trento Cathedral, where the Council of Trent was held (in part)
The Trento cathedral (check out the really cool covered staircase on the side)
Prayer time in the ecumenical chapel in Trento
Above Trento - in the background you can see the Italian alps, with glaciers
On pilgrimage!
Br. Pietro
Duane & Patty
The Langs, Sr. Damiana, and Werner
Julia & Patty
Group photo on the overlook above Trento
Cecily with her father, Prince Michael
The old city of Trento from the overlook
Spaghetti ice cream!
Brainstorming output of one of our sessions, showing potential locations for future meetings. Rome won the day. meetings. Rome ended up being the location for the next meeting.
Another brainstorming output - potential partners for the initiative. Many of these ended up becoming dear friends and co-laborers in the work of reconciliation.
Group prayer
Ludwig leading worship
Jo Hoffman and his prayer journal, which had a prophetic entry concerning Wittenberg 2017
Richard Harvey sharing about his 2 book projects on Luther & the Jews (1 popular, 1 academic)
Johanna sharing about Kisi Kids, & the possibility of connecting them with the Wittenberg 2017 movement
Praying for Danny Malakowsky
Praying for Richard Harvey
Small groups were rich times of discussion and prayer
Amy followed Franziskus' talk about the Rublev Icon, with a deep meditation on the unity of the Trinity
We were so thankful for our "side-by-side" translators. In this case, Jo Hoffman translates for Hans-Peter Lang.
Thomas & Jack Cotita
Duane & Br. Pietro
Sandi & Shachar, both filled with joy
Burkhard sharing
Ludwig
Prince Michael Salm
Thomas ... being dramatic, as usual!
Thomas & Prince Michael
We all became closer friends through our shared grief and joy
Amy teaching
Franziskus teaching
Amy
Richard speaks up during a session
Hans-Peter giving a history lesson of politics and geography during Martin Luther's time
Johannes Fichtenbauer gave a teaching
Sr. Joela presenting a report on the efforts to have the Judensau taken down
This photo of Richard really shows his large and generous spirit
Prince Michael sharing about the situation in his own family
Thomas & Richard
Thomas ... still being dramatic
Thomas showing the behind-the-scenes organization happening in the US and Europe
Verena with Br. Pietro
Danny shares about the course he developed, History & Nature of Church Divisions
Sandi & Cecily
Thomas with Clara
The Shabbat wine-pouring ... overflowing, to show the lavish love of God for his people
Burkard, Sr. Damiana, Br. Pietro
Prayer for Sr. Joela
Prayer for the Langs
Saying goodbye at the end of the meeting
Meeting Program with Links to Audio Recordings
3rd Wittenberg 2017 Working Group Meeting
Trento,
Italy, 27-31 May 2014
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Tuesday, 27 May |
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17:00 |
Arrivals & Registration |
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18:30 |
Dinner |
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19:30 |
Focolarini |
Welcome |
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Brief Statement of Blessing from Cardinal Schönborn of Vienna |
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Thomas & Amy Cogdell |
History & Vision of Wittenberg 2017 |
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21:00 |
Open time |
Fellowship, rest etc. |
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Wednesday, 28 May |
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07:45 |
Breakfast |
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09:00 |
Phillip Owens |
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09:30 |
Amy Cogdell |
Trinity and Unity |
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10:00 |
Break |
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10:15 |
Franziskus Eisenbach |
Meditation about the Rubliew (Rublev) Icon |
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10:45 |
Participants |
Silence, contemplation to hear God |
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11:10 |
Plenum |
Collection of the impressions, Group Response |
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11:50 |
Break |
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12:00 |
AHOP -Team |
Bridge Prayer |
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12:30 |
Lunch |
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14:30 |
Hans-Peter/Verena Lang |
Historical facts in policy and church 15th and 16th century |
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15:30 |
Break |
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15:50 |
Franziskus Eisenbach |
Word – Sacrament – Charisma, Part 1 |
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Johannes Fichtenbauer |
Word – Sacrament – Charisma, Part 1 |
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17:00 |
Sr.Joela |
Pretended misuse of consecrated hosts as a weapon against Jews |
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17:30 |
Sharing groups |
Prayer, collection of topics for repentance |
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18:30 |
Dinner |
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19:30 |
Team |
Planning of the prayer for repentance |
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20:00 |
Team/Participants |
Prayer for repentance |
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21:00 |
Open Time |
Fellowship etc. |
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Thursday, 29 May |
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07:45 |
Breakfast |
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09:00 |
Shachar |
Worship in English & Hebrew |
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09:30 |
Benjamin Berger |
A Messianic - Jewish View |
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10:15 |
Break |
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10:30 |
Richard Harvey |
Simon of Trent |
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11:15 |
Small Groups |
Prayer & Discussion |
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12:00 |
AHOP - Team |
Bridge Prayer |
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12:30 |
Lunch |
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14:00 |
HP & V. Lang |
Council of Trent – introduction |
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14:30 |
Tour |
Departure by bus to the city of Trent / Places of the council |
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17:00 |
Team |
Pilgrimage / Prayer / Repentance |
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18:30 |
Dinner |
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19:45 |
AHOP - Team |
Bridge Prayer |
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20:15 |
Evening Program |
Testimony Prince Michael Salm: Reflection on a Catholic/Lutheran marriage and the family history |
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21:00 |
Open time |
Fellowship, rest, etc. |
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Friday 30 May |
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07:45 |
Breakfast |
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09:00 |
Philip Owens |
Worship |
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09:30 |
Duane Grobman & Thomas Cogdell |
Looking Forward to Meetings Through 2017 |
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10:30 |
Break |
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10:45 |
Sr. Joela |
Report on the Judensau |
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11:00 |
Richard Harvey |
Report on the Luther book(s) |
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11:15 |
Daniel Malakowsky |
Developing a Course on “History of Church Divisions” |
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12:00 |
AHOP-Team |
Bridge Prayer |
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12:30 |
Lunch |
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14:30 |
Johanna Binder |
Kisi Kids & Wittenberg 2017 |
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14:50 |
Patty Keyuranggul |
The Situation in the US |
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15:30 |
Break |
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15:50 |
Participants |
Small groups/discussion/prayer |
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16:50 |
Plenum |
Report from the small groups |
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17:20 |
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Pearls of each denomination |
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18:30 |
Dinner |
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19:45 |
AHOP-Team |
Bridge Prayer |
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20:15 |
Duane Grobman |
Group Debriefing & Feedback Session |
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Saturday 31 May |
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07:45 |
Breakfast |
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09:00 |
Phillip Owens |
Worship |
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09:30 |
Participants |
Benediction , blessing each other |
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10:00 |
END |
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