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Ökumenischer Kirchentag (Ecumenical Kirchentag) 28 Mai - 1 Juni 2003 in Berlin These notes have been written in early August, as we experience, unusually for Britain, a prolonged heat wave with new records for highest regional temperatures. This helps to recall Kirchentag, since the temperature in Berlin was certainly plus of 30°C each day with plenty of sunshine, as the television programmes with excerpts from the event showed. The cotton scarves and Kirchentag ribbons, much favoured by visitors in the manner of football fans, were put to many uses as sunhats or sweatbands. Planning for the Ökumenischer Kirchentag was said to have commenced seven years ago, while for most of us travelling from the Gemeinde ([Lutheran] Parish), it started in January with securing a flight. For the first time, I made my booking through the Internet and very nearly failed, since the Lufthansa cancelled my flight and no one informed me. Another Portsmouth delegate made a more conventional booking with a Travel Agent and mentioned the cancellation, when we compared notes. My accommodation for the period Tuesday evening to Monday morning was with a delightful retired Pastor and Pastorin in the north of the City on the Line S1 close to Wittenau. They have been resident in the same quarter of the City for 40 years, so they were extremely helpful about the Bus, S and U Bahn networks. The Public Transport ran extremely well and long into the night, a wonderful resource for a visitor. If there is a criticism, there are no platform staff at busy junctions from whom one can seek help. Kirchentag attracted some 200,000 visitors, added to which on the Saturday there was a football cup final, adding 75,000 more. Events took place all over the City but the main ones were held within the complex of the International Conference Centre (ICC) and the Exhibition Centre with its many halls. International visitors, such as ourselves, were well provided for with an opening address from many dignitaries to make us welcome. There was a slight setback on account of the chosen venue having no provision for simultaneous translation. An interpreter was on hand but rarely used as the Speakers themselves switched into English from German. We then moved into smaller national groups of whom English visitors, surprisingly, numbered over 500. Sheila Brain, the UK link, told us we could not do 'everything' so to make a few chosen activities and to soak up generally the spirit and atmosphere of Kirchentag. For my part, the journey into the International Conference Centre took about an hour so my day started at 11.00 with the Theme One from four topics, Witnessing to Faith with simultaneous translation into English. Do human beings need religion? For what purpose does today's society need gospel? Here one listens but other events have Podium presentations followed by discussions, in which participation is encouraged. As a group, just to keep in touch, we met daily at about 1 o'clock in the International Visitors lounge, where refreshments were generously provided and donations accepted. Interpreters and guides were at our disposal all with the purpose to make sure we felt welcome. This, in itself, was a valuable experience as we met up with members from Pastorin Norina's widely dispersed congregations, and also happily Pastorin Claudia Andrews. I attended an opening service held in the Evangelische Pauluskirche Zehnlendorf at which the Bishop of London preached in English. During the sermon, he switched off his microphone and his strong voice carried to all parts of the church. Superintendent Harold Sommer summarised the sermon in German. He began by saying "You can see why I am a mere Superintendent with a microphone and not a Bishop". The following evening in the same Church, I attended a first class performance by some 150 young people of six scenes from the life of Francis of Assissi. It made up for the disappointment the previous night of the Abend der Begegung (Evening of Encounters), Unter den Linden (famous Berlin Street). There was much less of a crush than at previous Kirchentags but I did not find the same spirit, attending on my own. With my hosts, on Saturday evening, we attended a Festgottesdienst (Festival Service) in the vicarage garden of the Heiligensee Dorfkiche; (Heiligensee Village Church) 30 members of their London partner Church, St Stephen and St Thomas, Shepherds Bush with Rector were present. There was a downpour as events started. No one was daunted. The service was separated into parts conducted in English and others in German. On Sunday the closing service was held on the spacious area in front of the Reichtag (Parliament) in searing heat. The usual communion service was set aside in favour of the renewal of Baptismal vows in which both Churches find common ground. It was unacceptable to some commentators; I thought it was a brilliant solution since the whole congregation was encouraged to make the sign of the cross in water on one's neighbour's forehead thus retaining an act of supporting each other as normally happens with the distribution of the host. I decided against the service and used the network card given to us to travel to Potsdam, where the historic Potsdam Conference took place to decide the political and economic future of post war Germany. In the evening, I saw a performance of the Die Zauberflöte at the Komische Opera, Berlin. On Monday, some of us stayed at the Hotel Graf Pückler for two days before flying home on Wednesday. We made a collective three hour boat trip on Tuesday seeing some amazing sights of prominent buildings which make up the political and cultural centre of Berlin from the tranquillity of the water way. Again it was hot and we were impressed we were offered free use of sun block; sun hats were on sale at notional prices, and, we were by no means ripped off when it came to buying refreshments. It was a lovely trip made at the excellent suggestion of Norina, who was accompanied by her Mother, whom we were pleased to meet. So ended for me, my first visit to an undivided, vibrant Berlin to which I would be happy to return and stay again at the modestly priced Hotel Graf Pückler with its central location, fantastic breakfast and friendly staff. The confidence to do so stems from the warmth of protection that surrounds one at Kirchentag. Once again, many thanks to Norina for taking the initiative to urge us to shake off any inhibitions we may have and to book in for Kirchentag. ANDREW CLARK - a member of ST George the Martyr, Waterlooville and Friend of the German Speaking Lutheran Congregation in Portsmouth,. meeting monthly for a service at Joh Pounds Memorial Church. |
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