Held every two years, Kirchentag fosters opportunities for productive networking and friendship building.
On Friday, May 2, as part of Kirchentag, General Secretary Rev. Michael Blair is preaching at an international celebratory communion service led by members of the United Church of Christ, USA. The service theme is “Be courageous, be strong; do everything in love and together,” and takes place at St. Petri Kirchengemeinde in Hannover-Dohren, Germany.
By the numbers, Kirchentag is impressive: more than 1,500 events within five days, drawing in 100,000 full-time visitors and engaging 30,000 active contributors. A joyous festival that occurs bi-annually, it offers a platform for profound discussions and critical debates on contemporary issues.
Student groups and youth organizations actively participate, with many volunteering as guides or assisting with accommodations and organizing the event. About half of those who attend are first-time visitors, while many return for their second, third, or fourth experience.
Kirchentag was founded by Reinold von Thadden-Trieglaff and his associates as a movement in Hanover in 1949, alongside the establishment of the German Federal Republic. Emerging as an open forum advocating for democracy, human rights, ecumenism, and the fight against discrimination, it emphasized independence from the institutional Church and a commitment to Christian faith intertwined with societal responsibility.