Boundary-crossing Innovators and Action-takers from Diverse Fields
Title: Flossenbürg: A Town of Memories and Embrace
Pastor Herbert Sörgel has been a beacon of faith in the small town of Flossenbürg for over a decade, but come November, he'll bid farewell to this bustling community. His companion, his wife Claudia, a school teacher, plans to stay in the area, occupying a cozy apartment near hers. "We're staying close, not out of necessity, but out of love," reveals Sörgel.
Known for his progressive thinking and compassionate spirit, Sörgel is a man who relishes in bridging divides. He's worked closely with Christian communities in the West Bohemian parish and was active in an Israeli-Palestinian-German youth exchange. One lasting memory from this exchange was a tall Arab participant who, after a survivor's meeting at the concentration camp memorial, asked to buy a loden jacket, believing it to be the uniform of "important people."
Flossenbürg, home to the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp Memorial, presents unique challenges and opportunities. The town is a thriving mix of perspectives, with some finding the past burdensome while others are deeply engaged in its history. Sörgel approaches this diversity with grace and determination, encouraging understanding and solidarity rather than hatred and indifference.
"I had an uncle who didn't survive Russia - thank goodness," Sörgel once said, reflecting on the complexities of the past and the people it produced. "What if I had known him and found him nice, if he had even been my godfather?", he pondered, confessing his fascination with those who, convinced of their cause, became monstrous through their ideologies.
The memorial work and ministry intertwined in Flossenbürg have helped Sörgel unlock a deeper understanding of humanity. He's discovered that suffering doesn't necessarily foster unity but often triggers inward focus. "Did you know there were gypsies in the camp? No, but it's not a pity about them," he recalls a conversation with a visitor, lamenting the lack of empathy and solidarity even after the terrible events.
Despite the challenges, Sörgel finds joy in the community and the encounters with its diverse members. He's learned a certain village discipline from his time in Flossenbürg, a quality that promotes both harmony and self-healing. As he looks towards retirement, he's not concerned about filling his days but eager to continue serving as a pastor in various communities and lead an Israel trip in spring 2020.
Note: Sadly, Herbert Sörgel passed away on December 25, 2022.
As Sörgel moves on, the role of an evangelical pastor in Flossenbürg remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the spirit of understanding, solidarity, and peace that Sörgel embodied will continue to resonate in this town with a rich and complex history.
(Enrichment Data: Currently, there is no specific information available regarding an upcoming vacancy for an evangelical pastor in Flossenbürg, Germany. However, it is important to consider the broader context of Flossenbürg, particularly its significance as a site of remembrance. Flossenbürg is home to the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp Memorial, which commemorates the lives of approximately 100,000 prisoners, including many who were evangelical Christians. An upcoming vacancy for a pastor could potentially impact the memorial site by influencing religious activities and events held there.)
- Claudia Sörgel, a school teacher, will continue to reside in the cozy apartment near her, maintaining their close relationship with Pastor Sörgel who is moving on.
- Pastor Sörgel's fascination with humanity led him to explore various aspects of life, such as fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink, as he embraced diverse perspectives in Flossenbürg.
- With a new pastor yet to be appointed, the task of maintaining relationships within the community and the memorial site falls on those who shared Sörgel's commitment to understanding and solidarity.
- As memories of Pastor Sörgel's influence continue to echo, the town of Flossenbürg may look towards initiatives like travel and shopping to encourage healing and unity among residents.
- Pets in Flossenbürg and other towns may miss the comforting presence of Pastor Sörgel, whose gentle spirit and care for all creatures of God were evident in his ministry.
