SCHWENKFELDERS IN TWARDOCICE
THE VIEHWEG MONUMENT RE-DEDICATION
02.08.2003
On the second day of August 2003 took place a special fest for Schwenkfelders in Twardocice (formerly Harpersdorf, Pielgrzymka community, near Złotoryja in Lower Silesia) the Viehweg Monument was re-dedicated.
Lots of guests came from U.S.A, Germany and Poland, who were invited by David W. Luz, the president of The General Conference of Schwenkfelder Churches in the U.S.A. The ceremony started at 10 a.m. near the ruins of so called "The Border Church". Firstly all guests were welcomed by Mayor Stanisław Grzyb, catholic priest Andrzej Mucha and protestant pastors: Cezary Królewicz, Rev. Karen Gallagher and Dr Paul Eberlein.
After welcoming and prayers in three languages: English, German and Polish, those present gatherd into procession to the monument. The Laudate omnes gentes was sung with accompany of trombones. After arriving at the monument Fairest Lord Jesus/Beautiful Savior by Dr Larry Derstine was sung. Renewed consecration of monument, after its reconstruction in December 2001, took place during briefly liturgy given by Schwenkfelder Church pastor Karen Gallagher from Pennsburg in U.S.A. She said the monument is supposed to resemble the buried Schwenkfelders, who had lived in Twardocice in years 1720-1740.
During ceremony gathering people sang Thank You, Lord in three different languages. A brief reflection, refered to this event on basis of God's Word, was given by a priest Cezary Królewicz. The ceremony ended with prayers and blessing given by outstanding expert on Caspar von Schwenckfeld's life - a priest Paul Eberlein from Germany. After re-dedication there was time for long conversation at meal in an old protestant building, currently a local primary school.
After the meeting in Twardocice the couches with American and German pilgrims went to the Mount Grodziec visiting medival castle, monument of architecture where in the past Schwenkfelders were kept in prison.
Services : - translating (3 languages: English, German, Polish)
- local guide service
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