An Anniversary to Spoon and Toast 66538 Neunkirchen(Saar)
Merzig. An ice cream at the ice cream parlor or a cocktail at the bistro – so that this year the 175th anniversary of the Evangelical Church Congregation Merzig can also be celebrated. The specially developed "Summer Editions" are intended to make the anniversary visible beyond the church doors and at the same time support a good cause.
On-site appointment at the Cortina ice cream café in the middle of Merzig's pedestrian zone with Pastor Andreas Reinhold and youth worker Julia Schneider. The Evangelical Church Congregation Merzig has been around since 1851. For this anniversary, the congregation has come up with an unusual concept. Of course, there is an event program with concerts and special services, which are also good and important, but "we also want to reach the people who do not come to our events," says Andreas Reinhold. They should also be made aware that there is something to celebrate on the evangelical side in Merzig this year. The idea: "We let people ‘stumble over us’ in places where people's everyday life takes place." Especially where they do not expect it. And since they are in Saarland, where culinary matters are highly valued, according to the Rhinelander who has been the pastor of the district town for almost four years, it was obvious to focus on something edible or drinkable. Several proposals quickly ended up on the table, foremost the summer specials: ice cream and cocktails, both of course in the "spiritual color" purple, which also adorns the church congregation's logo.
[advertisement placement="medium_rectangle" align="left"]The color scheme was perfectly implemented by ice cream café owner Emiliano Antoniazzi with his anniversary ice cream flavor “Elixir.” The ice cream impresses with an appealing pastel purple tone that draws the eyes from neighboring tables. The creation of raspberries and violets is a hit. And how does it taste? Testers Janine from Merzig and Lara from Losheim are already convinced. “Refreshing and fruity,” they say. Pastor Reinhold is also enthusiastic. “One could pathetically say that the ice cream offers a ‘foretaste of the Kingdom of God,’” he jokes. Perhaps the people who eat the ice cream might also develop a taste for church, he adds with a wink. At 2 euros per scoop, the Protestant “Limited Edition” is also not more expensive than the average ice cream price this season.
Location change to "Klex Bistro" just a few hundred meters away. Youth worker Julia Schneider, a regular guest of the place herself, immediately knew that she wanted to have the anniversary cocktail made here, "because there are always a lot of young people here".
Here, too, there was no need for a long persuasion process. Owner Halil Ay was immediately enthusiastic about the idea. The recipe was developed together, Schneider reports. The "Black Berry Mojito" was quickly created, featuring blackberry syrup, raspberries, but also mint and lime for a refreshing summer kick. Those who wish can choose the alcoholic version with rum instead of ginger ale. However, this is a bit more expensive at 11.40 euros, while the family-friendly version is available for 7.90 euros. Whether with or without alcohol: One euro per sold cocktail is donated by "Klex" to the Merzig food bank at the end of the summer season.
[advertisement placement="medium_rectangle" align="right"]For Halil Ay, it is also a matter of honor. "The Merzig church community is committed to people with little money," says the innkeeper, who gladly supports such social initiatives. Therefore, there have already been collaborations with the food bank in the past, which is run by the church community. He finds the idea of the cocktail "very great." On his own initiative, he designed menus for the summer special, which are now laminated and placed on every table. An eye-catcher: "People flip through, come across the insert – and order the special," he describes a frequently observed scene. The "Black Berry Mojito" is very popular. This is also confirmed by Julia Schneider, who has already actively promoted the cocktail among children, teenagers, and families in her daily work. "Anyone who likes sweet but not too sweet should try it," recommends the youth worker.
If the anniversary cocktail continues to be so well received, it could find a permanent place on the cocktail menu. Perhaps the Protestant anniversary will not end with the calendar year. Then a touch of violet would keep the memory of the 175th anniversary of the church community alive for a long time.
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The Protestant Parish of Merzig was founded in 1851, after the first Protestant families had settled in the area only after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. In 1865, the parish received its first Protestant church, which has borne the name "Friedenskirche" since 2014. The parish is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a program of events. The highlight of the celebrations is a gala event on November 8 in Merzig.
