R.E.A.L. #3 – Continuing Education for Women

From February 5 to 8, 2026, we, as women, gathered at the Hotel Aqualux in Bad Salzschlirf, Germany, to participate in the continuing education program R.E.A.L. #3 – talk, experience, guide, live. This training program, offered by women for women, supported by the Women's Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Germany and Switzerland and accompanied by Friedensau Theological University as an educational partner, opened up a space for encounter, exchange, and mutual growth.
Working together on topics in different groups was particularly enriching. It was not just listening, but a lively interaction in which our thoughts flowed, experiences were shared, and faith became tangible in a very practical way through texts, prayers, and singing, as well as creative impulses and joint activities.
A precious moment was the joint preparation for the beginning of the Sabbath. We designed this evening as we would have wished it for ourselves—as an invitation from God to encounter him, to immerse ourselves in silence, and to draw new strength and peace from his presence.
A highlight and challenge of this weekend was creative writing on the topic of “You and your relationship with God.” In this task, we delved deeply into our personal experiences. Writing about my relationship with God allowed me to reflect on how my life has changed since I consciously chose Jesus —that is, since I began to follow him concretely —and how God works in my life—often in small, inconspicuous moments I might otherwise have overlooked. It allowed me to organize my thoughts and put what was inside me into words. Sharing our thoughts led to an intense and touching time. It felt as if we were opening up our innermost spaces and bringing them to light; we experienced a deep sense of mutual support and healing. The focus was on what was close to our hearts: the experience that God is with us in our daily lives, carries us, and gives us gratitude and new vitality. These insights had a lasting impact on our shared experience and left a deep impression on our hearts. There was an atmosphere of trust and appreciation that encouraged us to get involved, to shape things, and to grow together.
We returned to our homes with renewed hope and strengthened faith, carrying deep in our hearts the certainty that God's love accompanies us in every moment of our lives and awakens us to new life. A particularly joyful moment at the end was when some of the women who had attended all three seminars received a certificate of completion from Friedensau Theological University—a visible sign of their perseverance, commitment, and heart for this shared learning experience.
My personal conclusion: It was a wonderful opportunity to grow in community, rediscover ourselves, and experience God's guidance in a very special way. My personal thanks go to all the participants and seminar speakers, because it was only through your openness, your trust, and your loving, respectful interaction that this weekend became such an enriching, inspiring, and unforgettable experience. I would like to encourage every woman to register for this seminar.
You can join at any time. For example, at the end of October with R.E.A.L. plus on the topic of ‘Intercultural Pastoral Care’. Or in April 2027 with R.E.A.L. #1 in Northern Germany.