Team of lecturers from the FAU presented “images” for work in the congregations

A group of around 30 participants stayed in Friedensau for the training weekend of the Religious Education Institute (RPI) from 21 to 23 April 2023. They took part in the RPI continuing education, course 1, which had the larger theme of "Images and how we deal with them". Teachers from Friedensau Adventist University (FAU) participated in imparting knowledge with three of the four basic topics. Dr. Friedegard Föltz, lecturer in social pedagogy and head of the B.A. Social Work programme, spoke on the topic of "The child through the ages" – her focus was on the image of the child. Prof. Stefan Höschele, Professor of Systematic Theology and Adventist Studies, filled his part on the topic of "Interpreting Life with God". His sermon addressed general perspectives on life which religious people can adopt.

The image of the "congregation for all generations" was drawn by Alexander Schulze, Ph.D., Dean of Theology. The fourth basic theme, "Image of Me", was developed by theologian Detlef Schildt, who works for the RPI as an author and speaker.

The Religious Education Institute of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was founded in Darmstadt in 1999 and "primarily serves the needs of children's services and church religious education as well as family diakonia in local congregations." It serves as a platform for further education for lay people working in the three areas. Thus the motto of the RPI is also "Accompanying Faith". The Institute offers three training courses: 1. ecclesiastical children's education, 2. ecclesiastical religious education, 3. family diakonia. The sponsors of the RPI are the German-Swiss Association (DSV), the North German Association (NDV) and the South German Association (SDV) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Further information and registration: https://sta-rpi.net.