Guest speaker Gary Antion from Cincinnati  with his wife Barb at the hall in Schluchsee.

Members at the Schluchsee feast site watch  the special video presentation from Cincinnati.

223 people from 15 countries kept the Feast of Tabernacles from September 23 to 30 in the scenic town Schluchsee, located in the southern Black Forest about 25 miles north of the German-Swiss border. The largest group in attendance were from Germany, along with worshippers from Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland and the United States.

Messages throughout the Feast focused on God's wonderful plan of salvation and the "high hopes" for the time when all people will be able to live in a secure and happy world. Two interactive Bible studies were conducted for the teenagers, and children participated in special Bible classes. Ambassador Bible Center coordinator Mr. Gary Antion was the guest speaker in Schluchsee. He gave two sermons and also gave an ABC seminar explaining the book of Jonah. The seminar was very much appreciated by a large audience.

A variety of activities offered brethren plenty of time for fellowship and enjoyment, starting with a welcome evening after the first Holy Day. For the children, there was an afternoon of Kegeln (nine-pin bowling). The teens once again tested their driving skills with go-karts and also competed in a friendly round of Kegeln. Seniors enjoyed each other's company with a traditional Kaffee and Kuchen ("coffee and cake") social. Special treats for the ladies were the women's breakfast and an afternoon interactive Bible discussion. The family dance was once again a major highlight for all ages, with live music representing nearly every genre.

This year's bus trip was an excursion to the beautiful flower island "Mainau" at the lake of Constance. For the athletically able, volleyball provided an opportunity for recreation and camaraderie. The week wrapped up with a farewell evening after the Last Great Day

With messages being preached alternatingly in German and English, a team of translators provided a valuable service for those who did not understand either English or German. The translation was made available via FM radio, with a small FM transmitter provided last year by UCOG. In addition to speakers from Germany and the United States, one speaker from the Netherlands gave his messages in English.

UCOG once again provided financial assistance for Mnazakhn Poghossjan to attend the Feast in Schluchsee. Mr. Poghossjan speaks fluent German and is the only member of the United Church of God in Armenia. The German congregation sent him home with a suitcase full of clothing.

With help from the Wilhelms and other members in the Darmstadt church, Mr. Poghossjan, his wife and daughter planned to attend the Feast in Germany. However, the German embassy in Yerevan refused to grant all three of them a tourist visa. At the last minute, Mr. Wilhelm's congressman in Berlin requested that visas be granted to Mr. Poghossjan and his daughter, who were then able to attend the Feast in Schluchsee. The German congregation sent them home with two suitcases full of clothing and an MP3 player so Mr. Poghossjan can listen to MP3 sermons in German from the Vereinte Kirche Gottes.

During the feast two baptisms took place and the new members were joyfully welcomed by their spiritual family when their baptisms were announced during services on the Last Great Day.

• Paul Kieffer, September 30, 2010