Close to people | Stories from Bethel
We are looking for a glittering star
A brightly lit Christmas tree shines out at visitors to the Mamre Patmos School in Bethel. The pupils with disabilities made the decorations themselves. Some of the ornaments are rather chunky, others delicate - each of the children used their individual skills to make them. The bright yellow stars and colourful baubles hang criss-cross in the fragrant tree.
The whole school is beautifully decorated. The Advent morning circle begins in the Nasenbären class. Eight-year-old Johanna hesitates when her teacher says she can light the candle straight away. The girl looks around uncertainly. "I'll help you," says her classmate Sammy immediately and stands up. The two of them light the candle together. Working together and helping each other - that's what Mamre Patmos School is all about.
When the ceiling light is switched off and the sound of the guitar begins, it becomes contemplative. In front, next to the blackboard, the lovingly painted Advent calendar with its 24 parcels is lit up. Teachers Claudia Wiese and Anna Schulze sing the song "Dicke rote Kerzen" (Big Red Candles) and the children sing, hum and hum along. Then it gets exciting: who will be allowed to open the next parcel in the calendar today? Anna Schulze goes round - and hides a glittering star under one of the stools.
"Close your eyes!" she shouts as some of the children giggle and try to peek ahead of time. The excitement builds, and then the pupils are finally allowed to see who is getting a present today. Johanna proudly holds out the star to her teacher. "That means today's parcel is for you," says Claudia Wiese. It is a little difficult to open the package, but then a colourful crumpled ball with a smiling face is revealed. "That's great," exclaims Johanna enthusiastically.
This story simply told
Advent spirit at the Mamre Patmos School. The special school in Bethel is beautifully decorated. The Advent morning circle begins in the Nasenbären class. The candles on the Advent wreath are lit together. And a parcel from the Advent calendar is opened. Today it's Johanna's turn.
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Contact
Mamre Patmos School
Maraweg 29
33619 Bielefeld
Programmes & services
The Mamre Patmos School is a special school run by the v. Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel. 230 pupils with special educational needs in the areas of mental development and physical and motor development (here also in the learning programme) live and learn at the school.
