A woman through whom the love of God became tangible

Gerda Reiser, who as secretary to Bishop Franz Schäfer had left many blessings in the UMC in Central and Southern Europe, passed away on March 26, 2024.
 
Gerda Reiser was born on October 17, 1935, the youngest of three children. Her life was shaped by the church - and she shaped the church with her life. As the daughter of parents who had found their spiritual home in the Methodist congregation in Olten, she took part in church life from a very early age. Later, as a teenager, she sang in the choir in Zofingen, and while taking organ lessons in Zurich, she occasionally took on organ duties in the Zurich-Altstetten congregation. She was also involved in Sunday school and vacation camps for children and young people - valuable times not only for the participants, but also for herself. Decades later, she organized the senior citizens' get-together in the Zurich-Wollishofen congregation, which was attended by a large group of elderly people, and she was very active in all other church events of the Zurich 2 UMC.
 
She began her professional career with a commercial apprenticeship in Olten. Her later service as management secretary at CVB Buch + Druck gave her the opportunity to leave her mark on her church and beyond. When Claire Dünner, Bishop Franz Schäfer's secretary at the time, retired at the end of May 1978, completely new perspectives opened up for Gerda Reiser. From June 1978, she worked part-time in the Bishop’s Office of the UMC in the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe, and on January 1, 1979, she took up her full-time position as Bishop Schäfer's secretary. This varied, intensive activity enriched and fulfilled Gerda Reiser greatly. In addition to general secretarial work, she established and mediated contacts between people and also with political offices abroad. She helped people in need wherever and however it was necessary. And last but not least, she also organized trips for the bishop to the Eastern Bloc countries, which were difficult to access at the time.
 
Edward Puslecki, former General Superintendent of the UMC in Poland, said of her ministry: "For us in Poland, she was like a mother - she cared for the Polish Methodists as well as for our church as an institution." And Ana Palik-Kuncak, former superintendent of the UMC in Serbia, said: "I am one of those who are very grateful for her life and her service. Her love protected and supported me." Pastor Esther Handschin from Austria, who was a regular guest of Gerda Reiser, put it this way: "When I think of Gerda Reiser, the first thing that comes to mind is the warm friendliness with which I was always received, and which made me feel welcome. Through her, I experienced the love of God." And when Bishop Franz Schäfer retired in the spring of 1989 at the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe in Baden, he concluded his last episcopal address with the following words: "Hardly anyone can measure or imagine the tireless dedication with which Miss Gerda Reiser has served our Central Conference and worked in the Bishop's Office over the last ten years. She deserves a special word of thanks and recognition at this point."
 
After Bishop Schäfer's retirement, Gerda Reiser did all kinds of secretarial work for him, but also increasingly took care of his household. Above all, she gradually became a surrogate grandmother to Bishop Schäfer's grandchildren after the early death of his wife - or a "cheerful actual grandmother", as Bishop Schäfer's descendants themselves affectionately put it.
 
Gerda Reiser was a "joyful, always helpful and grateful" woman. This is how those who were closest to her remember her. And many who had the privilege of sharing a part of her journey would probably agree. She was characterized by a strong faith that allowed her to walk many an extra mile faithfully, reliably, with an alert mind and an open heart for many people. "My support is God. I know God is with me. He is always with us. Even when we don't realize it or don't want to realize it." Secure in this trust, she ended her earthly life on March 26, 2024.
 
Urs Schweizer, Assistant to Bishop Stefan Zürcher, Zurich (Switzerland)