Darmstadt elder Martin Fekete enjoys lunch  with Mnazakan Poghossjan from Armenia.

Youth bowling winners display their trophies  awarded during the dance evening.

The children's choir sang two songs during the  morning service on the Last Great Day.

217 people from 14 countries kept the Feast of Tabernacles from September 27 to October 4 in the scenic resort town Schluchsee, located in the southern Black Forest about 25 miles north of the German-Swiss border. Most of those in attendance were from Germany, along with worshippers from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, England, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and special guest Mnazakan Poghossjan from Armenia.

Donations made to a special UCOG fundraiser provided the airfare for Mr. Poghossjan to fly from the Armenian capital Eriwan to Frankfurt. Mr. Poghossjan is the only member of the United Church of God in Armenia. This year the church in Germany was the official sponsor for Mr. Poghossjan's trip, making his visa application at the German embassy in Armenia much easier. During the Feast German-language members considered ways to help Mr. Poghossjan's employment situation. He has been out of work for one year.

Beautiful weather provided a pleasant atmosphere for the annual day outing during the Feast. This year's trip took Feastgoers to the historic city of Rottweil and to Hohenzollern castle, home of the Hohenzollern line of kings. A children's party, a senior's activity, a go-cart race for youth and the traditional dance evening with live dance music rounded out the social activities during the Feast.

Two Bible studies for each group were conducted during services for the children and youth. In addition to daily worship services, Feastgoers in Schluchsee had the opportunity to participate in an interactive evening seminar on how to welcome new people to church services. A film evening featured a critical analysis of the theory of evolution. The film was simultaneously translated into English for those who did not understand German.

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 new small FM transmitter provided this year by UCOG.

Guest speaker Robert Berendt gave two sermons during the Feast, one in English and one in German. Mr. Berendt is well known to German members from his five years of service as pastor in Bavaria and Austria. Local members appreciated the opportunity to talk to Mr. Berendt as a UCG Council of Elders representative in their own language.

In addition, two other visiting elders spoke during the Feast: Jim Cowell from San Diego, California and Gerhard Marx from English. Both men delivered their messages in German. Besides Mr. Berendt's English sermon, the festival video presentation and two sermonettes were given in English.

During the afternoon service of the Last Great Day, a warm round of applause was the response to the announcement that Helga Habich had been baptized during the feast. Helga attends services with her husband Joerg in Darmstadt and Dormagen.

• Paul Kieffer, October 5, 2007