The wave of reconstruction sweeping the rest of the island seems to have side-stepped Bergen-Rotensee. "On many days, the lack of future prospects hits one right in the eyes," the pastor admitted.

Social Isolation

High unemployment and poverty "gnaw away at people, sometimes sapping their strength to face the future," explained Thieme, pointing out that even those with diplomas are often unable to find jobs. Every household is short of money - for daily
survival, in some cases, mere subsistence. Alcohol abuse has become a major problem in Rotensee, and violent behaviour has increased, as is evident in the willful destruction of telephone booths and bus shelters. This could be due to the fact that
adolescents in Rotensee have no place to meet.

"Out of frustration, some adolescents have already turned to drinking," he said.

Thieme attributed tsocial isolation. "For that reason, I am on the road all day long
visiting people who are lonely. I listen to them and sometimes help with administrative formalities," he said.

Giving people an alternative to their seemingly hopeless situation is the overriding objective, according to the Rotensee pastor, who hopes that renewed emphasis on church life would help in realising this. He pointed to the extremely encouraging
example of the collaboration with St Mary's parish in Bergen and the Rotensee neighborhood center where many encounters and services for children and adolescents are held.

"The open air worship which we celebrated last summer was a complete success. A hundred persons took part. This was totally unexpected. The atmosphere was simply excellent," said Thieme.

He is enthusiastic about the interest shown in one of the two worship services held in Rotensee so far, and plans to organise regular worship for children and adolescents in the future, and common services with St Mary's congregation in Bergen. And perhaps no longer in the neighbourhood centre, but rather in a church with its own team of collaborators.

Claudia Schubert is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, Germany, currently doing a special pastoral internship in the Lutheran World Federation Office for Communication Services.