Zig-Zag.ch December 1997 Zig-Zog editorial staff: Renée Stahel, Maya Fiaux, Anne-Katherine Gilomen
I sometimes wonder what our communities, our team, need most. Whether through my readings or otherwise, it seems to me that we need fathers and mothers. This includes singles! The fact that my generation is gradually becoming the oldest is perhaps not unrelated to this feeling. While reading Henri Nouwen's book inspired by Rembrandt's painting of the Prodigal Son, I was struck by the following sentences: "Rembrandt made me realize that my ultimate calling is, indeed, to become like the father and imitate his divine mercy in my daily life. Although I am both the younger and the older son, I do not have to remain so, but to become the Father... Every son and daughter must choose to leave childhood consciously, before becoming father and mother to others. It feels good to be able to say: "These sons are like me". But do I want to be like the father? Not only the one who is forgiven, but also the one who forgives ... the one who welcomes ... the one who offers mercy... For me this could mean: listening, encouraging, maybe giving advice once. Occasionally even correct? Or have we been doing this too much for a while? What do you think? This is a program that is totally beyond me, that only God can put into practice.
Renée Stahel, we wish you time to celebrate, to rejoice and perhaps even to have a few moments of reflection during the days ahead! A hearty Merry Christmas. A pearl from Lucette Schneider, Gland, "As I retire, I have decided to strike a word from my vocabulary: the word fast!Letter from a reader, Vreni Gonzenbach, Uster The thought that the network 'of friendship should be strengthened between us has been on my mind for a long time; I have just become aware that this can happen via Zig-Zag. I often had the impression that only very high level articles were welcome. The daily newspaper, my daily newspaper, doesn't offer that. There is a way of being open to the neighbor you meet that God uses to pour out life-giving impulses. I think we need that among ourselves as well. It is the little things that give us a sense of belonging to each other. This summer in Caux, I experienced a little more of these frank relationships, between us Swiss, and I am very grateful for that.
Farewell to Marlies Lotti Spreng, Gümligen. The funeral service for Marlies von Orelli took place on October 13. I am grateful that I was able to attend. Marlies was a very dear and inspiring "false sister-in-law" for me. She never failed to fight for what she believed was right. During the ceremony, her life was recounted by her daughters and sons-in-law. Her favorite songs from the Psalter were quoted, as well as many passages from the Bible that had special meaning for her. Mention was made of her love for nature, for her relatives and her commitment to other human beings.
Finally, her true nature and her struggle with herself in relation to God were duly emphasized. Rut Simankova again made her apartment available to us, the Hajeks picked us up at the airport and drove us back, several friends provided us with food, there were mostly invitations and visits. It was a very rich time. We visited a friend in the hospital, another one showed us her textile creations at her home. Magdalena Kaplanova, a young woman who has been to Caux several times in the last few years, told us with great enthusiasm about the imminent visit of a Russian youth choir, whose director had been to Caux, where she had met her. She was able to organize a few concerts for them in different churches. The result was almost an ecumenical action, since a Catholic church, an Evangelical church and an Orthodox church participated in the event. She hopes that these concerts will be able to reduce the existing gap between Czechs and Russians a little. The new living conditions in the country are not easy. But we also found out that you can buy a lot more than before, for example fruits and vegetables. And many people in Prague are still very friendly! Neither on the streetcar nor in the subway did they let a lady with white hair stand! IT was always someone who offered his place. The action programs of the RAM (for example a seminar of "Foundations for Freedom") passed into the hands of the younger generation. This is very encouraging for the future. LETTER FROM ARGENTINA Hanni Blundell, La Tour de Peilz. During the last two summer conferences three young women from Argentina took turns being in Caux for the duration of the conference. They were busy in the bursar's office and in the kitchen. They are Florencia, Alejandra and Pilar, who all worked in the banqueting section of one of the best five-star hotels in Buenos Aires. All three left Caux with rich experiences. This is what a recent letter says: "I believe that the three of us together, we are doing a good job with our boss. At Caux we talked about the difficulties we might encounter in living the spirit of Caux in the current of what modern society demands of us. Sometimes life is difficult, when so many commitments seem to prevent me from living fully and also enjoying life. But then something shows me that everything has its justification at the right time. It happens when I reflect and have the will and opportunity to change. I know that this is the secret and I feel full of life again. INTERVIEW BY VRENI GONZENBACH Marielle Thiébaud, Lausanne While passing by the bookstore in Caux, I noticed a series of unusual photos. Where do they come from? The name of Vreni Gonzenbach is mentioned. I start looking for her. Rather tall, distinguished looking, standing straight, beautiful oval face with white hair, here she is, at 7 a.m.... in the vegetable peeling room. Zig-Zag: I heard that these beautiful cards with views of Caux are from you. Are you a professional photographer? Vreni Gonzenbach: - No. My photo-card work, which started many years ago, was (and is) something absolutely personal and intimate. At first, I thought of it for the permanent staff, as a contribution to their activity and to facilitate their relationships. Little by little, the circle grew larger... But it must be said that these cards could not be ordered or purchased. ZZ: But is it true that you offered the negatives to the Caux bookstore? How much? V.Go.: Yes, last year I decided to give my best negatives to the bookstore. I brought 60 of them, and 60 mounted cards ready to sell, if they found a buyer. In 1997, I brought my rainbows again. ZZ: Do you still have any activities? V.Go.: I have a one-room apartment. Besides my housework, I receive or visit people. My correspondence is about 500 letters a year. ZZ: Since you are here so early, may I ask how old you are and why you work this way? V.Go: I am 89 years old and I am here to help where I can. ZZ: How long have you known Caux? We see a green valley, at its top an ancient ochre-colored ruin and in its shadow a flock of sheep. In four days, our feet and minds met 2000 years of history. Our voices sang the eternal search for God through the hearts of men. The four themes of the Oratorio are: The sword, the choice, the miracle and the victory, God's victory when man listens and obeys. The church of St. Louis des Français was full, the Canadian and French Ambassadors to the Holy See were present, as well as ecclesiastical personalities. I came back rich to belong to these 2000 years of history, rich with an umbrella and with a festive heart! WE ARE MOVING Daniel and Monique Mottu, Geneva After twenty years in our beautiful apartment in the Cours des Bastions, which many of you know, the time has come to move. We have found an apartment that suits us perfectly at the gates of Geneva. As of January 8, our address is: 3A, chemin Prédu-Couvent, 1224 Chêne-Bougeries, tel/fax: 0223496808. We think with gratitude to Madeleine Borel, and later to her heirs, who, by paying a rent adapted to our situation, made it possible for our Geneva home to continue and support the tradition of welcoming Caux. How many exciting discussions have taken place within these walls. We are happy to think that we will be able to continue in this way, on a more modest scale. A bus connects us to the city center and the train station in 18 minutes. Let's hear it! NEW ADDRESS At the foot of the Caux mountain a great traveler stops by! After 45 years of sowing and harvesting in Latin America and also in Europe, Hanni Blundell is settling in an apartment that looks at our country! At Chemin du Vallon 55, 1814 La Tour-de-Peilz 0219449560 E-mail: HBLUNDELL@compuserve.com ATTENTION: The old phone number of Caux: 021 963 48 21 does not work properly anymore. Please use the newer number (which was installed a few weeks ago): 021 9629111 Also, if you have any questions regarding the use of Villa Maria, please contact Ulrike Keller. GOD Two faithful friends have left us. On November 24, Dorli Hahnloser's funeral took place. She had had several strokes and could no longer speak, but her son Ueli thinks she understood more than we can imagine. She passed away on November 17. (Family address: Boglerenstrasse 55a, 8700 Küssnacht) Shortly afterwards, on November 19, Margreth Hunziker-Hâberli passed away after a long illness. (Franz's address: Hornstrasse 6, 8714 Feldbach) We will report on the lives of these two women in the next Zig-Zag. Renée Stahel. Bernstrasse 74, 3072 Ostermundigen, tel: 031/931.52.85 Maya Fiaux, Rue de Lausanne 15, 1028 Préverenqes, tel: 021/803 48 51, fax: 021/8034852 E-mail:JMFiaux@compuserve.com - Anne-Katherine Gilomen Staldenstrasse 13 a, 3322 Schônbühl/ BEtel/fax 031/859 6424 E-mail: AKGilomen@compuserve.com CCP 18-16365-6
In memory of Marlies von Orelli-Wennner (July 7, 1918 - October 3, 1997), I wrote down several things about my mother's life for the church service on October 13 in St. Luke's Church in Lucerne. Monica and Folker worked on these notes with Christoph and me, and Pastor Alfred Kunz (whom we thank here especially for his joyful, consoling and challenging preaching and for the organization of the church service) asked the four of us to read these texts in church. Here are some passages from my notes; Our mother, Marlies Hildegard Ella Wenner, was born in St. Gallen on July 7, 1918, at the very moment when a wave of influenza broke out. Her older sister describes her as a cheerful and affectionate child who loved nature and movement. One day she heard little Marlies whisper to a fly on the edge of her chair "please, please, dear little fly, run away now!" She was also an avid reader, and devoured books.
As a child, she was independent and made small talk in the living room with her sisters' dance partners and admirers, who were 9 and 11 years older. A real little lady," her sister said. Her father, who was a pediatrician, got along particularly well with her. He would take her on mountain trips, the youngest, so cheerful. She was nine years old when her father died suddenly.
The family moved to her grandmother's house on Dufourstrasse. She loved living in this small house on the Rosenberg with her grandmother, mother and sisters. It was a home where art, especially singing and theater, played a big role. After high school and various "useful" courses, including a course in modern and careful cooking, which she completed with "honors," she trained in gymnastics and curative gymnastics in Berlin and Zurich. She worked in various clinics and hospitals. In her certificate, the head physician at the Rüti Hospital stated: "she is a trustworthy and skilful person, who makes good contacts."
In 1943 she got engaged to Konrad Von Orelli, a law student from Zurich. An eventful life followed: in 1946, the wedding took place in the Caux chapel, with the wedding waltz in the ballroom of the former Caux-Palace, a building that both of them, in a spirit they shared with many others, had converted into a conference center in the preceding months. In 1947 their daughter Marianne was born, followed by Monica in 1949. From 1948 to 1960 our family lived in Bern at different addresses. Our mother was a cheerful, sporty mother; she played with us, sang a lot, and it was wonderful to hear her tell or read stories. She patiently answered our thousand questions and frankly admitted when she didn't know the answer. Her quick temper sometimes led to outbursts, more frequent then than later. But what was good was that she could apologize sincerely, even to her children, after the storm had passed.
During this time she participated in Moral Re-Armament campaigns in Nigeria, Scandinavia and Britain. In 1960 we moved to Caux to the little house with the green shutters. In 1965 we moved to Lucerne. Mom adapted well to this change, but in 1968 a new, unexpected and painful chapter began: Dad was diagnosed with an unusual blood cancer. And in 1971, after a visit to the hospital, mom was the victim of a serious car accident, with burns, fractures and other injuries. She was hospitalized for a year and a half and gradually learned to breathe, see, speak, sing and even, to everyone's amazement, walk again. For the next twenty years, our parents' lives were marked by illness and disability.
Mom had kept her cheerfulness, her energy, her vitality, her sense of hospitality; her personality had been purified by the ordeal. Dad's death in June 1992 hit her hard, but she was able to regain her fullness of life surprisingly quickly. In May 1994, she suffered a heart attack and a ruptured aorta. For months she remained in intensive care and then had to undergo rehabilitation measures again in Montana. Once again she had to learn how to breathe, sit, walk, talk, pray and even sing (although this time it sounded a little hoarser!) In 1996 she moved to the Wohnheim Wesemlin Home for the Aged. There she fell asleep peacefully on October 3, after a few days of hard struggle against suffocation and pain. In her small pocket Bible, worn out by use, we found many underlined passages. Some were even marked with a thick or double line. For example, in the Epistle to the Galatians, chapter 5, verse 22: "These are the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.
She had left the family home at a very young age, was actively involved in her profession, was independent by nature and open to life. She had not felt particularly drawn to a Christian God, but had a deep respect for Creation. Speaking of the young student she loved, Koni von Orelli, who was full of enthusiasm, she found that he had "really crazy ideas" with these people from the Oxford Groups " who are always reading the Bible " - " with ideas so totally different from mine ". And yet, when he asked her to become his wife, she knew at once with certainty that she would answer "yes". She was ready to share his life. For love, she wanted to capture the fire that animated him, to discover his vocation. It took time. Quietly and without fuss, she began to get to know God and Christ. In her search, she was helped by the many hymns that her father, as a pastor's son, knew and loved to sing. Although she didn't talk much about it, she also helped us, her children, to find the way of faith.
After her accident, when she emerged from a coma that had lasted for weeks, it was these hymns that she asked to hear to regain the courage to live. Another passage that she had highlighted was found in Chapter 12 of the Epistle to the Romans, verses 9, 10 and 12: "Let your love be sincere. Flee evil with horror, hold fast to what is good. Let brotherly love bind you together with mutual affection." Mom tried to stay true to that. She only said what she believed to be right and true. She was ready to swim against the tide, to defend her point of view (which she did admirably!), for example, on the subject of education of children and in many other areas. One day, in order to learn that every human being has a unique value, we were intensely prepared to welcome for tea "a royal soul". While we were all dressed up and standing at the window, Mom rushed to an old family acquaintance, welcomed her solemnly and invited her to share all our goodies. To the question: "When will the royal soul come?", mom simply answered: "She is here!" "May brotherly love bind you with mutual affection. She always gave her heart: to her fiancé and later to her husband, especially during those long years of illness, and to many, many others. She was also very close to her older sisters and their families.
Over the decades, parents-in-law and sisters-in-law, and their families, became true friends. Winning an argument didn't interest him much. Building a true relationship, despite differing opinions, was her goal, and she often succeeded. Friends and acquaintances of Mom wrote to us: "Her incredible courage, her voice, her joyful laughter, the fruit of a wonderful sense of humor, all of this remains present - deep gratitude." And another letter: "I remember well his interventions in the discussion groups. It was direct and refreshingly realistic, complemented by Koni's imaginative depth." A friend from the time of her engagement writes: " When we were together, it was never superficial. You could open up to her without reservation. Her faith and piety were expressed through her love of the truth." In another letter we read: "Devoid of all sentimentality she was able to advise me, she took me seriously and was full of understanding. She was deeply sensitive to authenticity." We, the children, see again the thread of a life shaped by her direct and honest faith, by her capacity to listen to others, by her availability. We will always remember how strongly she could express her joy or her discontent. The expression on her face already indicated to the other person what she thought of him and his ideas. She could also build relationships through the simple radiance of her eyes and the clarity of her laughter. We are infinitely grateful for this life of fulfillment.
And now, a few more words about the year and a half she spent in the "Wasmeli" (as the people of Lucerne call her) home. It was a chapter for herself. During these last months, she expressed herself in a very direct and unvarnished way, without the filter of polite formulas. When the pain became unbearable, she sometimes shouted out loud: "Mischt! And once she even added: "Damn manure! and the Lord can hear it too." But she also knew how to express her gratitude: "How well I am surrounded here. They take such good care of me." She enjoyed the view of the big old fir trees in front of her window, with a multitude of little birds. Finally she even made friends with the cats. You see," she told me, "you're never too old to learn something... When her breathing became more difficult, our voices automatically became softer as we prayed the Lord's Prayer together. But you can't hear anything," she protested, "so pray a little louder." Even when she couldn't say the whole prayer with us, her "Amen" sounded clear and loud almost all the time.
We don't know what she perceived, at the very end, from the Bible verses read at her bedside and from our songs, nor what from the depths of her heart rose to God. On the evening of October 3, after singing her favorite song "Herr bleibe bei uns" (Lord, stay with us), I continued with: "Oh! wie wohl ist mir am Abend" (Oh! how good it is in the evening ..., that canon about the bells calling for quiet in the evening). And at the end of the last verse she sighed heavily, leaned her head to one side and fell asleep forever - just before the bell of the nearby Capuchin convent announced nightfall. At the end of the church service, we all sang together the song "Take mine in your hand" that she asked so often, especially in the last times. Take mine in your hand and guide me! Let your arm support me, I am yours! Without you I cannot take even one step. Take me therefore, O good Father, into your arms. Enrich my poor heart with your grace: for me its price surpasses joy and pain. At your feet rests your weak child. I know only one thing: to live believing. When in his benevolence my God instructs me, towards the goal I advance, even in the night. Take your hand in mine and lead me; let your arm support me, for I follow you.
End of November 1997 Dear friends, Many of you have known our mother. For me, two things are important: first of all, gratitude for our mother - and of course also for our father. Of course, like probably all parents, they also made mistakes sometimes. But Mom was honest in her decisions and true to her convictions. She didn't seem to care about other people's opinions. Perhaps this was also part of what gave her the strength to overcome the ups and downs of life. This brings me to the second point: we would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. It is only because of your prayers, your faithful friendship, your visits, your support in the most diverse forms, that our family has been able to live, and that from the beginning. This is how the whole family, especially our parents and ourselves, have been able to get through difficult times. On October 13, we were not able to talk after the ceremony as we would have liked to with many of the people we had seen at the church. We would also like to thank you for your friendship and loyalty. The warm and deep expression of your compassion that carries us will remain engraved, with gratitude, in our hearts.
Monica and Folker Mittag - von Orelli: We wholeheartedly join in these words of thanks and look forward to seeing you again soon and to continuing to work with so many of you. With grateful greetings and best wishes for a peaceful Advent, a bright and joyful Christmas and a God-blessed New Year. Marianne and Christoph Spreng - von Orelli.
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