Living Faith

Evang elische Kirche --schlesische Oberlausitz 2

Living Faith

Evang elische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz 2 Contents

2 3 Preface 5

I n Life and Faith Facts and Figures Faith 9 The -Brandenburg 75 Church Service 9 The History of Silesian Baptism 01 Upper 46 Confirmation 11 The EKBO Record Office 76 Weddings 11 Deaneries and Dioceses 86 Funeral 31 The Evangelical Church and the Protestant Social Services at Words and Action one Glimpse 96 Parishes 71 Organisation and Structure 07 Mission 02 Finances and Budgeting 27 Pastoral Care and Counselling 22 Church Tax 75 Children and Young People 42 Joining Our Church 87 Religious Education 62 Adresses and Schools and Universities 82 Publishing-Information 08 Theological Studies 23 The Protestant Academy of Berlin 43 Church Services Office 63 Women and Families 83 Art and Culture 14 Church Music 74 Evangelical Social Services 84 Ecumenical Relations 05

The Domkirche, Berlin 4 5 Preface

Churches are God’s houses for humankind. Our regional church comprises both the By entering them, we leave our everyday federal capital and areas sparsely populat- world and enter an atmosphere of silence ed, like the and Silesian Upper Lusa- and concentration. Churches are God’s tia. Church buildings will be found at houses for humankind – even if there is no Breitscheidplatz in Berlin, at the hamlet of divine service conducted. This is done in an Thomsdorf in the region of Uckermark, at affectionate way: The Word of God is inter- Cathedral Island in the city of Brandenburg preted for every one of us, and in the com- or at the park of the summer palace Sans- munity of Bread and Wine we can once souci in Potsdam. In the middle of our life more trust in life. Thus, every church serves they serve as a sign for the comforting cer- as a sign that God invites us to discover life tainty faith offers to us. together with Him in individual contempla- The brochure »Living in Faith, Believing in tion, in common celebration and even in Life« wishes to show you the wide-ranging everyday’s world. offers of the Evangelical Church of Berlin- I would like to pass on this invitation to you: Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia. The The Evangelical Church celebrates con- booklet provides a short introduction into ducts divine services on Sundays and on ecclesiastical life, informs you about the numerous special occasions. It accompa- various fields of activity and serves as a nies people in important moments of life useful reference text, containing figures, such as birth and confirmation, marriage facts and key addresses. and funeral. The Evangelical Church offers I would be pleased if you got to know our pastoral care and counselling. Education church. It creates open spaces for you to and faith belong together. Parishes run day meet God. nurseries and accompany young people through their youth ministry. Children and My best wishes to you! young people are taught in Evangelical Yours faithfully, schools. The Evangelical Church is commit- ted to adult education as well. The Protes- tant Social Services care for people who are in need of help. The Evangelical Church also takes a share in art and culture. And it Bischop Dr. Markus Dröge looks beyond regional matters at the ecu- menical ambitions of the global community of Churches.

Bishop Dr. Markus Dröge 6 IN LIFE AND FAITH 7 In Life and Faith

St Matthew Church, Berlin 8 IN LIFE AND FAITH 9

We are loved and accepted by God, regardless of our achievements

Faith Church Service

Christian faith means trusting in the grace Divine Service unites people living in the of God, preached by and witnessed same locality with a celebrating community. through His life and death. Therefore faith On the one hand the service draws up on a does not primarily mean believing in dog- centuries-old tradition of faith, on the other mas but it rather is a lively relationship with hand it is determined by the people holding God in Jesus Christ. Faith imparts the cer- it and giving a particular shape to it. The tainty that we are beloved and accepted by heart of the service is about celebrating the God – regardless of what we do or achieve. presence of God. We meet Him when hear- Therefore, faith becomes the foundation of ing words from the , when commonly our life. Everyone who receives love is able partaking of the Lord’s Supper, singing and to pass it on – moved by the Holy Spirit faith praying. The sermon expounds the mes- is revealed through love. sage of the Bible for our time. The service is concluded by saying the blessing God ac- The basis of Christian faith is the Bible. companies us with. Above all we owe our faith to the witnesses who tell us about God in the books of the Old and the New Testament. The confes- sions of Early Christianity and the reform- ers have shaped our faith as well. They can be found in the hymn book of the German Protestant churches. 10 IN LIFE AND FAITH 11

The Domkirche, Berlin

Baptism Confirmation Weddings

Baptism is the sacrament of the beginning: Of course, grown-up people can be bap- First of all, confirmation intends to streng­ At the service a man and a woman When people are baptized in the name of tized as well to become members of the then the individual believer through the invoke God’s blessing for a successful the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Evangelical Church. Adult baptism is pre- blessing of God und his »yes« to baptism. ­marriage and make a promise of marriage they confess their Christian faith und ceded by talks with our clergymen and Young people are thus encouraged for their before God and the congregation. The cer- ­become members of the Church. So they ­clergywomen. The talks serve to deepen life’s journey that is also a journey guided emony focuses on love and forgiveness, entrust their life to the protection and guid- the faith of the person to be baptized and by God. The Creed belongs to confirmation. which are vital to a marriage based on the ance of God. Through baptism God promis- enable him or her to provide comprehensi- Therefore young people get to know essen- love of Christ. Both the congregation and es His closeness and His devotion to every- ble information about what he believes. tial beliefs in confirmation class and seek the couple pray for their common journey one’s life with all its ups and downs. Since Adult baptism includes confirmation. together for something strengthening their through life. The sermon delivered in this the promise of God concerns our whole life, lifes. Confirmation class is the time of a sin- service draws on the wedding motto that is many parents have their children baptized gular community experienced during confir- to guide the couple along their common fu- soon after birth. Parents, godfathers and mation trips and various celebrations. ture path as a biblical motto. The prepara- godmothers vicariously confess the faith Through confirmation young people are giv- tory meeting with the prior to the their children shall grow into. Thus, baptism en the right to take Communion, to act as service deals with expectations connected is also a celebration of joy and of gratitude godfathers or godmothers, to have a church to the beginning of the marriage. The proce- to the life given by God. wedding and to elect the parish council. dure for the service is set and the biblical marriage motto is chosen. In this context questions concerning the formation of the marriage will have to be clarified if one of the partners does not belong to a church or if he or she is a member of a non-protestant denomination. Church marriage is preced- ed by civil marriage. 12 IN LIFE AND FAITH 13

Funeral

The death of a person is a turning point for all After the mourning ceremony the deceased who have been close to him or her. The cer- is laid to rest in a coffin or urn. The Christian tainty that no one will be forgotten by God funeral gives confidence to the family at a and that God’s judgment on human life ex- moment when everything seems to have ceeds any human judgment conveys deep changed. comfort to us. All people mourning their loved ones are promised: Our deceased loved ones are in the good hands of the Lord. The funeral service appreciates the life of the deceased and strengthens our faith that we will rise from the dead in Christ. We can trust that God imparts a new existence to our de- ceased loved ones.

Georgen Parochial Cemetery, Berlin 14 Words and Action 15 Words and Action

Service on the Occasion of the First Day at School St Paul’s Church, Berlin-Schöneberg 16 Words and Action 17

Young people and those young at heart live and celebrate their faith together

Parishes

1.357 parishes form the centre of the EKBO’s The parishes are places where people be- life. According to the Grundordnung – the longing to different generations live and Church constitution – they are responsible celebrate their faith. Doing local church for proclaiming the Gospel in word and work always means doing social service deed. They are managed by parish councils. and offering society a humane culture that These councils consist of elected parishion- is based on the belief in God. This is ers and of the clergymen and clergywomen. achieved by supporting orientation – for ex- On the basis of the Bible, the Protestant ample in confirmation class or in adult faith and the order of our church, the par- ­education – or by caring for sick people and ishes perform all functions in their own re- mourning people, by visiting people at sponsibility. home or by promoting congregational life. Moreover many parishes support people First of all, the life and action of our church living on the fringe of society and needy becomes visible in congregational life. This persons in the so-called developing coun- is where people assemble to hold church tries. services. This is where parishioners meet to participate in working groups and initia- Together with the priests, paid staff and a tives: from the parent and child group and growing number of volunteers contribute to the youth group to the pensioners’ group, a welcoming parish – at the church office from a group performing visiting services to and in social work as well as in the manage- the church choir. ment of parish facilities.

Village Church, Uckrow 18 Words and Action 19

St Matthew Church, Berlin

City Churches As a rule, the local church comprises all The EKBO is home to 1.1 million people. In In large cities, tourists are welcome at the Let us mention some city-centre churches church members living in the area of the Berlin, about 19 per cent of the population city-centre churches that act as a place of of the EKBO: the Berliner Dom, St Mary’s parish. Nevertheless, every member may belong to the Evangelical Church, in lived faith. They can be found at central Church, St Matthew Church at the Kulturfo- join another parish. As a rule, the Reformed Brandenburg there are about 17 per cent points within easy reach and are open each rum and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church ­ parishes are congregations not being based and in Silesian Upper Lusatia there are day. Regular worship at noon and in the in the federal capital; St Peter’s Church on parish boundaries, but made up of about 19 per cent. evening, organ music and church services in ­Görlitz; the Church of St Nicholas at ­interested people. In addition, there are allow space and time for spiritual reflection. ­Potsdam; the Abbey Church at ; congregations where people meet who The regions of the EKBO vary significantly – St Gertraud’s Church at / Oder; the have little contact to or lost touch with the from rural areas that are sparsely ­populated The city-centre churches are characterized Brandenburg Dom in the town of Branden- parish of their dwelling place – for example to the biggest city of the Federal Republic by a combination of ambitious cultural and / . students’ associations. Yet the members at of . The parishes share the ­desire charitable offers. Oratorios of Johann Se- a conference of the Protestant Academy to encourage people in their belief in God bastian Bach can be performed and needy Berlin or of a divine service at a hospital or and to explain the question about God to persons be supported at the same time. prison form a congregation, although of a people not yet being familiar with the trust temporary nature and in a different sense. in the Lord. 20 Words and Action 21

Mission

Today, mission means communicating to all The Berlin City Mission performs a specific The comprehensive social welfare work of In the heart of Berlin – somewhere between people the love of God we meet in Jesus missionary and diaconal task: mission, ­social the Berlin City Mission concentrates on the local prison and the Federal Chancel- Christ. It invites us to faith, to baptism and to welfare work and encounter. It is an inde- supporting homeless people: by providing lor’s office – mission, social welfare work the community of the Church. Mission is a pendent organization within the Evangelical heated buses functioning as temporary and exchange are promoted at the ­»Zentrum respectful dialogue, it takes seriously other Church in Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper shelters, by their city-centre presence, by am Hauptbahnhof« which is run by the Berlin people’s convictions and it makes people Lusatia – we might perhaps say: »Evangelical offering improvised sleeping accommoda- City Mission – a place of faith, love and hope. aware of the biblical promise of God’s free Church – second programme«. It comprises tion and transitory homes. Moreover, Berlin grace. It addresses people who are not com- 20 City Mission parishes and missionary City Mission is committed to help people www.berliner-stadtmission.de mitted to being members of a denomination projects. Furthermore, the Berlin City Mis- with mental handicaps, to assist former of- as well as people who once have left the sion holds church services at uncommon fenders and senior citizens. It also runs Church. places, for example on pleasure boats or at travellers’ aid offices. Berlin Central Station on Sundays and statu- The character of the congregations and the tory holidays. In this way it strives to com- City-centre guest houses and hotels in the good deeds of individual Christians are im- municate with people who have had little Berlin borough of , holiday hotels on portant factors when we try to win people contact to the Church to date. the Baltic Sea coast and the Luther Hotel in for the Christian faith. Our church promotes Wittenberg offer accommodation (rated at various schemes of missionary work. The two to four stars) for tourists and business staff of the »Missionarischen Dienste« advis- travellers and provide conference rooms. es and accompanies parishes, church ­districts and church aid agencies in their missionary work. 22 Words and Action 23 accompanying, encouraging, comforting

Pastoral Care and Counselling

One of the most important tasks of Christian Honorary staff of the church telephone and pastoral support to people who experi- ­after an attempt at resuscitation of a rela- believers is to provide spiritual counselling counselling service at Berlin, Cottbus, Frank- ence a life crisis, who have religious ques- tive had failed, in case of cot death or sui- to other people. In addition to the , furt / Oder, Potsdam and in Upper Lusatia are tions, who need relationship counselling or cide. Crisis counselling is also provided for ­salaried and honorary staff of the parishes prepared to take calls day and night. The require advice regarding occupational as- victims of a crash, a fire or a crime. They ac- one may have pastoral talks with everyone church telephone counselling service oper- pects. company policemen when the news of prepared to take advice. They visit parishion- ates ecumenically. No matter what their someone’s death has to be announced. ers on the occasion of birthdays, in order to ­individual attitude, denomination and philos- Furthermore, 95 Evangelical counselling They advise and support people affected by prepare baptism, confirmation or marriage, ophy of life is: People will find a dialogue centres specializing in various problem are- an emergency. and in case of illness or of a funeral. Besides, partner there, even if they wish to remain as have been established within the terri- staff members pay visits in order to cultivate anonymous. tory of the EKBO. Do not hesitate to contact At the airport chaplaincy travellers and air- contacts within the congregation. our Social Service Agency, the »Diako- port staff can have a confidential chat or a The life counselling service at the Berliner nisches Werk«. short break and attend worship. Moreover, there are special services offered Dom situated in the city centre offers indi- to everyone in need. Pastoral care for hospi- vidual advice and crisis counselling, pastoral People suffering from health problems can The »Pfarramt für interreligiösen Dialog« tal patients qualifies as a special services. care, relationship counselling and supervi- count on pastoral care specialising in peo- (Pastoral Office for Inter-Faith Dialogue) This is where and church workers sion to people of all ways of life and of all ple suffering from deafness, hearing loss, ­advises people within EKBO on inter-faith make use of their additional training in pas- ­nations. Clergy, psychologists, marriage blindness as well as AIDS. Pastoral care is matters and coordinates EKBO groups ac- toral care, counselling and supervision. They counsellors and other staff with additional provided for policemen, customs officials tive in that field. It also serves as a link are employed in communal and non-profit skills work for the life counselling service at and soldiers. Pastoral care for prisoners is ­office to world religions and non-Christian hospitals, in denominational and private Berlin Cathedral. This function requires a provided, too. faith communities which are present in the hospitals. The pastoral counsellors visit pa- professional qualification. The association area of Berlin, Brandenburg and Silesian tients in the hospital ward. They can be »Beratung + Leben GmbH – Evangelisch- In emergency cases the fire brigade or the Upper-­Lusatia. ­addressed by relatives and hospital staff, Freikirchliche Beratungs- und Sozialdienste police immediately alert the crisis counsel- ­regardless of one’s religious belief or de- Berlin und Brandenburg” act as a sponsor for ling service. Thoroughly trained pastoral nominational status. counsellors who are bound to maintain con- counsellors accompany people during the fidentiality. They lend their psychological first hours after an accident, for example 24 Words and Action 25

Children’s Service at Berlin Cathedral

Pastoral Care and Counselling

Children are a gift of God. They are entrust- There are many offers for children and Whichever offers children find in their par- Advanced training for young people who ed to our care, but we are not to view them young people. They range from »children’s ish: There will be playing and singing, laugh- want to be a team leader has become very as property which we have at our disposal. days« at regular intervals and »contact ing and crying, talking and disagreement, popular. Thus, they can share their experi- God appreciates children. He Himself be- places« with social project offers. From the questions, answers and prayers. Children ences with the younger ones, for example comes a child and takes pleasure in the 1950s onwards, Christian religious instruc- want to experience their congregation as a at confirmation class. The EKBO also offers words and spontaneous sounds uttered by tion has occupied an important place in the whole: with their heart, mouth and hands. basic and advanced training for volunteers infants and babies. Jesus praises the little eastern territories of our Church. Children who can become approved youth leaders. children as the real grown-ups in the King- feel part of a big community where they are The congregational activities offered to They want to take an active part, speak out dom of God and he confronts the adults welcome. By participating in Christian reli- children are complemented by confirma- for their own interests and motivate other with children as paragons. This is why chil- gious instruction once a week, they are in- tion classes, meetings of the Junge Ge- people. dren are not only warmly welcome, but spired to contribute in preparing church meinde (Young Congregation) and other they shall be part and parcel of our congre- services and to rehearsing nativity plays at groups within the Evangelical youth minis- Children and young people have to be part gations. They are essential for the congre- Christmas or to taking part in retreats of try. Many activities, for example retreats of a lively and inviting church. The motto of gations and the vitality of our church. There the congregation celebrating the beginning and youth services, are organised by the the »Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Evange- are many offers for them. For boys and girls and end of term. The EKBO has many other Kirchenkreise (deaneries) and accompa- lischen Jugend in Deutschland« (Federation the playgroup or the parent and child group offers like children’s Bible clubs, children’s nied by the Evangelical Children and Youth of Protestant Youth in Germany), the AEJ, can be the earliest opportunity to meet the church festivals, pre-school circles, mini Ministry of the Church Services Office, the takes priority for us, too: »Guided by Christ – Christian congregation. Another independ- clubs, children’s afternoons, amateur dra- »Amt für Kirchliche Dienste« (German ab- Diversity as a Chance – Self-Determination ent and important offer is contributed by ma groups or children’s choirs and instru- breviation: AKD). The annual regional youth of Children and Young People«. Evangelical day nurseries where children mental music circles. camp, attended by about 1.000 young people, are looked after. In 1998, the »Association is considered to be the most important event. www.akd-ekbo.de www.ejbo.de of Evangelical Day Care for Children in the Area of the Federal States of Berlin and Brandenburg, registered charity« was founded to support the individual sponsors. 26 Words and Action 27

Religious Education

School has to equip pupils with knowledge Searching for the Meaning of Life: ­Human Advocating the Dignity of Man: Perform- Religious education in Berlin and Branden- to orientate themselves and get along in all existence involves looking beyond everyday ance is what counts in our highly competi- burg is a voluntary teaching subject ­at spheres of life. They are to be enabled to life: Where do I come from? Why do I live? tive society; however, many people are school. In the scope of the school system take their own decisions and act as respon- Where am I going? There is no easy answer pushed to the fringes or live in the shadow the Evangelical Church supports the co-op- sible citizens. Therefore religious education to these questions. Religious education of prosperity. But the dignity of a person eration of religious studies with the subject matters also to children and young people helps to approach these subjects. The ex- does not depend on his or her performance! of ethics, the subject of code of conduct, who do not believe in God or who have perience of man as pictured in the old texts Religious education draws attention to the ethics and religion (German abbreviation: been taught different religious views than and stories of the Bible will come alive if misery of other people and increases LER) and other teaching subjects. All pupils they will come to know in Protestant reli- ­pupils deal with them. Thus, they can devel- awareness of discrimination and injustice – are to learn how to deal with differing con- gion class. Religious education aims at tak- op a distinct attitude towards their ways of in our own living environment and on a glo- victions tolerantly and are to be enabled to ing on four tasks: life and towards social coexistence. bal scale. It reveals the chance to help other enter into religious dialogue with everyone people and to promote justice. Protestant prepared to do this. Understanding the World: Our environ- Pondering on Faith: People confess their religious education contributes to religious ment is shaped by the Bible and the tradi- faith in God – in many religions. But where freedom at school. The different regions of The federal state of Brandenburg makes tions of Christianity and other religions – as is God? Why does he not avert disaster? the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Branden- provision for pupils attending religious regards literature, fine arts, music and ­Religious education tells pupils how people burg-Silesian Upper Lusatia offer religious studies instead of the state-operated LER. ­architecture; the rhythm of the calendar, search for God or how they deny Him, and education depending on their respective Pupils may attend both subjects as well. law, commercials and the media. Religious how faith in the Lord resists humans fancy- ­legal framework and administrative struc- education illustrates the religious language ing themselves as omnipotent beings. They ture. This fact determines the churches’ Religious education in the Free State of Sax- and religious symbols and makes pupils fa- reflect on happiness and responsibility, on contribution to religious education. ony is a teaching subject in its own right at miliar with the origin of feasts and customs doubt and limitation, and they learn to treat all schools. Attending religious studies or of the world religions. By learning all about living religions with tolerance and respect. the alternative ethics class is mandatory, religions, cultures and their history pupils marks are given and promotion to the next will be able to orientate themselves in our grade depends on those marks. world much better. 28 Words and Action 29

Secondary school »Zum Grauen Kloster«, Berlin

Schools and Universities

Education is regarded as a prime task of the tical aspects and putting emphasis on Evangelical Church. According to the refor- craftsmanship and natural sciences; »Hu- mation’s view faith and education belong manistische Gymnasien« (A-level second- together at any rate. In parishes, day nurs- ary schools, proposing classical languages eries and schools as well as in adult training training); comprehensive schools, interde- Evangelical education connects life, learn- nominational schools and a new type of ing and faith. For we believe that faith and school, Evangelical elementary and com- reason belong together. prehensive schools under the motto »From ABC to A level«; special-needs schools and Meeting God on one’s way, finding a crea- integration schools testing new forms of ture of God in every child, in everyone – this learning; vocational schools training social is the foundation of the Christian image of pedagogues and day nursery teachers. humanity and it is the basic idea of the Evangelical schools consider themselves to Evangelical education, too. be school congregations. Together they de- vise rites, celebrate worship and observe Our independently operated schools play the feasts of the Christian year. an important part in the public school sys- tem. They are open to all children, regard- About 15.000 boys and girls within the EK- less of their religious, social or ethnic origin. BO’s territory attend schools supported by foundations, parishes, church districts or The Evangelical Church offers various types our Social Service Agency. The School of schools: Progressive teaching elementa- Foundation of the Evangelical Church in ry schools, often founded at the initiative of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia parents or parishes; »Realschulen« (inter- established in 2004 has prospered con- mediate secondary schools) pursuing prac- stantly. In 2012 this foundation was in 30 Words and Action 31

Berlin Evangelical College

charge of 33 Protestant schools and 11 The Evangelical Elementary School Frank- formance. The classes one to six constitute motes reading in class). They also supervise Protestant day nurseries situated in 24 lo- furt / Oder has been a member of the Evan- an open full-time school where the age- homework of children who need support. cations within our territory. The Hoffbauer gelical School Foundation since 2006. 200 group levels are mixed. The comprehensive Foundation is a major educational provider, children are taught at this school; it focuses school enables pupils to achieve a qualifica- There is the Berlin Oberlin Seminary, an Evan- too. It supports 30 educational institutes. on music teaching. Boys and girls come to tion corresponding to their gifts and inter- gelical professional school for social pedago- know what their voice is like. After two or ests: the »Erweiterter Hauptschulabschluss« gy where youth care workers are trained. We would like to present to you four exam- three years pupils may be able to compose (qualifying for an extended lower secondary They co-operate with an Evangelical »Fa- ples of schools supported by the Evangeli- their own tunes. English is taught from the education certificate) or the »Mittlerer Schu- choberschule« (higher secondary vocational cal School Foundation. Further information first class on in a playful way; Polish lan- labschluss« (a certificate of intermediate school) – leading to the »Fachhochschulreife« is to be found on the web page of the guage is an optional subject. education). Moreover, they may move up to (university of applied sciences entrance qual- School Foundation. the 11th year of the secondary school. By ification) – and an Evangelical »Berufsfachs- The Evangelical School at Berlin-Charlotten- means of these offers the school wants to chule« (vocational school) – offering profes- Recently, the Evangelical School Berlin-­ burg comprises an elementary and an inter- guarantee equal opportunities to its pupils: sional training in the social sector. Friedrichshain was incorporated into the mediate secondary school. Project weeks from the first day at school to final second- School Foundation. The school started its and prevocational placements provide in- ary-school examinations. The Evangelische Hochschule Berlin (Berlin lessons at the beginning of the 2009 / 10 sights into the workaday world and into the Evangelical College) traditionally offers school year. It aims to combine an Evangeli- world as it will be after graduation. To many All schools belonging to the school founda- studies in the »social work and social peda- cal profile with a progressive teaching ap- pupils taking classes in German and English tion come up with comprehensive offers. gogy« sector. It also offers study courses proach. The school occupies a former indus- opens up the possibility of attending senior The offers include the project »Learning to enabling graduates to manage religious ed- trial building. 32 pupils are now being taught classes at a »« (secondary Argue Correctly«: Pupils are trained as ucation in parishes and schools or to take in two ­classes at the former Gladbeck Foun- school to A-levels) after taking their final ­so-called »conflict pilots«. There is another an executive position in health and nursing dry where once the so-called »Goldelse« exams at a »«. offer being worked out in co-operation with management. The university enjoys a good ­(Statue of Victoria) – located on the Berlin the Social Service Agency: it is called »Part- reputation beyond Berlin and Brandenburg; Victory Column – and the Fountain of The Neukölln Evangelical School combines an nership in Everyday School Life«. Honorary 50 per cent of the students come from the Neptune – located at Alexanderplatz – were elementary and a comprehensive school for staff – often retired people – work at these other German federal states. manufactured. boys and girls, regardless of their school per- schools as »Lesepaten« (someone who pro- www.schulstiftung-ekbo.de 32 Words and Action 33 Inspiring people

Theological Studies

There are many good reasons to study the- principles enabling students to judge cur- ology. It is the wish to help; or to deal with rent questions of Christian ethics more eas- people and to be available for them; to live ily. Practical theology enables students to one’s faith and to get people interested in speak about God intelligibly to everyone the Gospel or to lead and organise a parish. and to know how a Christian parish is led.

In the years ahead, our church will have to It is no easy task to advocate the message fill pastors’ livings. Those young people of the Gospel in our society, to interpret life who are about to start their studies of in the light of faith and to make faith acces- ­theology or to graduate successfully from sible. As one might say, it is a somewhat university stand a good chance of being ad- ­demanding but worthwhile vocation. For mitted into the parish ministry of a regional theological studies it takes students who church. have enthusiasm for Christian values and who delight in meeting people. Until then, diverse studies will have impart- ed substantial knowledge to the graduates. The classical languages of the Bible – He- brew, Greek and Latin – allow students to gain access to the sources and origins of Scripture. Ecclesiastical history and sys- tematic theology make accessible the abundance of Christian tradition and pave the way for expressing and advocating the truth of Christian faith. They also teach 34 Words and Action 35

Evangelical Educational Centre on the French Cathedral, Berlin Schwanenwerder peninsula, Berlin

Schools and Universities

On behalf of our church, the Protestant Accompanying social and ecclesiastical re- Every six months, the academy publishes a The Protestant Academy Berlin is support- Academy Berlin enters into extensive con- form processes is a focus of the academy’s comprehensive conference agenda. In the ed by the Evangelical Church in Berlin- versations with different social groups. The work. A major concern of its meetings is course of a year, more than 5.000 people Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia and Protestant Academy is supported both by German history: the history of opposition to participate in the meetings. The academy the Evangelical Church in Germany. It is a the EKBO – the Evangelical Church in Berlin- National Socialism, the post-war era, the makes use of the Französische Friedrichs- non-profit organization. The Protestant Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia – and and the unification tadtkirche for day and evening events. The Academy Görlitz has a focus on the Europe- the EKD – the Evangelical Church in Germa- process. The meetings arranged by the Educational Centre on Schwanenwerder is an integration. ny. It passes on debates to parliament, the academy promote good relations between used to host conference participants from government, the embassies, cultural insti- Germany and its Eastern European neigh- all over Germany. www.eaberlin.de tutions and several associations in the spirit bours. Furthermore, the focus is on the of a protestant world view. The academy ­ecumenical, inter-faith and intercultural wants to promote critical disputes and ­dialogue. The academy’s activities are de- seeks to make a strong contribution to the termined by interdisciplinary talks with ex- public debate. perts on human, social and natural sciences. The conversations deal particularly with questions on medical ethics and social poli- cies. There are regular discussions about business ethics as well. 36 Words and Action 37

Haus der Kirche (Church House), Berlin

Amt für kirchliche Dienste*

The offers of the Church Services Office are sic education for parish pedagogues and Thus, the Church Services Office has an im- Its head office is located at Goethestrasse primarily addressed to volunteers, part- basic and ongoing training for sacristan portant share in the educational mandate of in the Charlottenburg borough of Berlin. time and full-time salaried church staff. services in the parish. The Office functions the EKBO: Christian faith and the Gospel This is where events and meetings of all Their offers are to provide an opportunity to as the church headquarters for youth minis- story of Jesus Christ must be explained and fields of work of the Office take place. The delve into the Gospel and to reflect on indi- try, for the work with children, for women’s passed on to the people, taking into ac- Haus der Kirche is also home to the Evan- vidual, vocational and social matters in re- ministry and family education. They also count the conditions and problems of the gelical Media Centre, the technical pool, a spect of the Christian message. provide support for the management of respective era. Our everyday experience, library including the musical library and subsidies and fees. Another important task temporal knowledge and thinking have to a lending service for games, called the The Church Services Office serves the pur- is to supply teaching materials, books and be reconciled with the experience of faith »Spielkarussell« (»games merry-go-round«). pose of training and counselling volunteers other media, playing and technical equip- as described in the Bible. Therefore the Advanced training of clergy including cours- and salaried staff of our church. Its respec- ment, since there is a growing demand for Church Services Office participates in social es of lecture and training and advanced tive departments offer training courses such things. debates, especially on matters concerning training covering Christian education main- covering preaching and the pastor’s minis- women, young people and school policies. ly take place on the Dominsel in Branden- try, pedagogical work aimed at children and burg / Havel. About half of the events and young people within a parish and at school offers of the Church Services Office are and covering other fields of work. They also held in deaneries and parishes and in provide ongoing education for Ge- co-operation with local persons in charge. meindepädagogen (parish pedagogues) and religious studies teachers as well as the ba- www.akd-ekbo.de

*Church Services Office 38 Words and Action 39

Women and Families

The Evangelical Women’s Ministry and Fam- they thus promulgated the charity of God Big events like the Regional Meeting and At Potsdam, it maintains close ties to the ily Education constitutes a special subject also to those who had alienated themselves the Women’s Kirchentag (Church Congress) Evangelical Hospital for Geriatrics, which in the Church Services Office of the Evan- from the Church. allow both celebration and the exchange of was founded by the Women’s Aid in 1945. gelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg-Sile- information and experiences. The women’s The ecumenical bond is expressed through sian Upper Lusatia. During the time of National Socialism Bible ministry and family education can be un- the relationship between women in Germa- study came to the fore. It has remained a derstood as part of a female network within ny and women in South Korea or Mozam- The Evangelical Women’s Ministry and core area of the work until today. During the church and society. They, too, establish ties bique and in preparing the Women’s World Family Education grew out of a former as- time of the GDR family retreats offered by to people keeping a distance to the Church. Day of Prayer inviting women of all denomi- sociation called Evangelical Women’s Help the Women’s Aid created a free space shel- nations and taking place on the first Friday in Germany. At the end of the 19th century, tered from the atheistical education mo- As an office the women ministry and family of . women got together in the parishes for nopoly of the government. Family retreats education publicly advocates the interests »Frauenhülfen« meetings (Women’s Aid supported parents who wanted to educate of women and helps to shape the life of our Groups). This was initiated by Empress their children in the Christian faith. This church and society and shows its Evangeli- ­Auguste Victoria (1858 – 1921). They re- spirit has been kept alive for more than 100 cal profile in co-operation with other organ- sponded to the distress of their fellow- years and has been enriched by new as- isations. women by transforming temporary assist- pects through the efforts of women’s minis- ance into organised aid. They founded day try and family education. The development The women’s ministry has a leading function nurseries and nurses’ stations, had houses of the parishes and the advanced training in the advisory board »Aid for the Victims of built, took care of a visiting service, provid- and counselling of volunteers and salaried Trafficking« and it is a member of the Branden- ed for neglected children and promoted the staff are particularly important. The knowl- burg Council Regarding Women’s ­Issues recreation of mothers. Rooted in their faith edge gained through feminist theology is and the Women’s Council Berlin. thoroughly evaluated. The correspondence course »Feminist Theology« is offered in co- operation with other regional churches. 40 Words and Action 41

Exhibitions at St Matthew’s Church, Berlin

Art and Culture

The roots of family education lie in the increasingly provided in parishes, as open Since its beginnings, the Church has been The following institutions deal particularly Mother’s Schools and even more in the Par- work, in day nurseries and in co-operating closely related to the arts. The theologian with matters of culture and fine arts: ents’ Schools. The first Parents’ School was institutions. Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher saw founded in Berlin in 1919. By offering new art and religion as two souls being on St Matthew’s Foundation kinds of events, the Parents’ Schools were In addition, the Evangelical Family Educa- friendly terms. EKBO Cultural Foundation the first schools to particularly address fa- tion works closely with the Marriage and In 1999, the Evangelical Church founded ­the thers. They went beyond maternal and child Family / Single Parents Desk of the Arch- The Church itself is part of the culture of its cultural foundation St Matthew’s. The cul- care by offering lectures on various peda- bishopric Berlin and the Evangelical Action time. The Church cannot exist without dia- tural foundation serves the purpose of gogical topics. Since the sixties, pedagogi- Group for Family Matters, registered ­charity logue and without understanding the sym- ­conducting and promoting the dialogue be- cal suggestions for children, parents and (German abbreviation: eaf). bols and expressions of the culture that sur- tween the church and the arts. The founda- both have been a focus of the activities. For rounds it. By talking to artists the Church is tion has its office at the Brandenburg Dom, that reason, the image change of families www.akd-ekbo.de stimulated to find a language witnessing to one of the most significant places in the cul- and women and the integration of fathers the reality of God in this world and initiating tural development of Berlin and the region have led to renaming and extending the critical reflections and a wide world view. of Brandenburg for the last 800 years. The Mothers’ Schools and the Parents’ Schools. The arts express the reflection about God in main venue is St Matthew’s Church, which Their new concept is called »Familienbil- language, pictures and metaphors involving is located in the Culture Forum – between dungsstätte« (Family Education Institution). architecture, painting, literature and music. the Berlin Philharmonic, the Paintings Gal- The dialogue with art shall be conceived as lery, the New National Gallery and the Na- Every year, the Evangelical Family Educa- a quest that tries to promote encounters of tional Library. tion Association runs a course including people and seeks to sharpen people’s per- more than 600 offers for the whole family. ception of the foreign and our own culture. The foundation celebrates worship, offers The focus is on a comprehensive training Maintaining the dialogue with artists serves organ devotions and organises art exhibi- agenda and on counselling and accompany- the parishes, agencies and institutions of tions, readings and concerts in the »city ing volunteers and paid staff. Projects are the Church. Our regional church music di- and cultural church« of St Matthew’s, which rector is in charge of all matters concerning is open every day. sacred music. 42 Words and Action 43

Art and religion are two friendly souls

The Art Commissioner The art commissioner advises parishes and The art commissioner exercises his office church councils on questions of art and cul- as a secondary function. His office is locat- ture, arranges contacts with artists and cu- ed at »Kirche am Hohenzollernplatz« in the rates exhibitions of contemporary art. Wilmersdorf borough of Berlin. He can also be contacted through St Matthew’s Foun- The art commissioner provides pastoral dation’s office. care for artists, helps to maintain contact with members of the art scene and pre- www.stiftung-stmatthaeus.de pares and holds artists’ worship, for exam- ple the project series »Ash Wednesday for Artists« and »My Psalm«, both including a reception of artists and cultural workers by the . In addition to that, the art com- missioner contributes to the annual art ­auction for the benefit of migrants and ­refugees.

St Matthew’s Church, Berlin 44 Words and Action 45

Art Auction of the Evangelical Church Church Construction Office The EKBO’s »Art Auction for the Benefit of Mi- The Church Construction Office, which is lo- grants and Refugees« is an initiative actively cated in the Consistory, is responsible for supporting the integration of migrants and all construction measures taken within the refugees. The EKBO Commissioner for Migra- EKBO. It counsels parishes, church institu- tion and Integration organises the annual tions and its architects. It pays special at- auction together with a team of volunteers. tention to the preservation of church build- The revenue from the sale of the works of art ings, the conservation and maintenance of donated to the EKBO allows us to support up their artistic decoration and arranges for to 20 projects. The former bishop Dr Wolf- appealing designs of the sanctuaries. Be- gang Huber together with celebrities like sides, the Church Construction Office deals Günter Grass, Elvira Bach, Katharina Thal- with the general use of churches and re- bach and the film director Fatih Akin became quirement planning of buildings owned by patrons of the auction. Bishop Dr Markus the church. As regards the redesigning of Dröge continues this project. In 2005 the art church buildings, church windows and fur- auction was given an award by the »Alliance nishings, the Church Construction Office for Democracy and Tolerance« which called co-operates with the EKBO’s art commis- it an exemplary idea. sioner. Since 2010 an Advisory Board on ­Architecture, Monument Preservation and www.kunstauktion.ekbo.de Arts appointed by the church’s governing board may be consulted through the Church Construction Office.

www.kirchenbau.ekbo.de

Parish Church S. Mary’s, Müncheberg Library and Parish Community Centre 46 Words and Action 47

More than 21.000 people sing in church choirs

Church Music

Music plays a major role in the life of most There are many more offers to perform mu- congregations. The variety of musical activ- sic publicly, such as the »Weeks of Singing« ities is reflected by various forms of Protes- or training and advanced training to work tant faith. The spectrum ranges from the as a part-time or full-time church musician. traditional repertoire of church music like There are about 2.000 organs in the area choir, organ and brass bands to gospel, pop, covered by EKBO – among them some 50 in- meditative music and avant-garde music. struments of particular historical value – which form an artistic heritage that should The musical life in our church is guided by be preserved and actively used. some 175 full-time choirmasters and organ- ists trained as B- or A-class church musi- www.musikinkirchen.de www.c-seminar.de cians. There are many part-time and volun- www.kirchenmusikerverband-ekbo.de tary choirmasters and organists, too. ­However, the backbone of church music life is formed by more than 21.000 singers who engage in about 950 choirs in Berlin, Brandenburg and Silesian Upper Lusatia. In addition, there are about 3.300 brass band players and a further 2.900 musicians re- hearsing their music in groups and circles. Protestant church music allows a distinc- tive arrangement of divine services and is accentuated by EKBO’s sacred music events. These events are visited by more than 600.000 people annually. 48 Words and Action 49

Diakonie*

Social welfare work – the help for people in German Evangelical Church«. Evangelical in- Advice centres for child guidance, family gelical Youth and Welfare Foundation), the need given by the Church – is based on the stitutions joined together in this committee counselling, marriage counselling and life Fürst Donnersmarck Foundation, the »Paul story of the Good Samaritan told by Jesus. in order to help people in need. 100 years counselling can easily be found within the Gerhardt Diakonie« and the »Hoffnungstaler The Good Samaritan offered to help without later, Protestant Christians founded the Aid EKBO. There are debt counselling offices Anstalten Lobetal« near Bernau. asking about the background, group mem- Agency of the Protestant Church in order to and offers for migrants. The regional asso- bership or conviction of the person con- heal the wounds caused by World War II. ciation of the Protestant Social Services The Protestant Social Services, the Berlin cerned. The preamble of the statutes of the The »Inner Mission« and the »Aid Agency« within the EKBO also provide hospice care, Mission, the Commissioner for Migration Diakonisches Werk Berlin-Brandenburg- united to become the Diakonisches Werk women’s shelters, addiction care and psy- and Integration and the EKBO’s Commis- Schlesische Oberlausitz, registered charity (Protestant Social Services). chological care. sioner for Pastoral Care for Ethnic Germans (German abbreviation: DWBO), outlines its assist parishes in their ministry to migrants, diaconal mission: »Social welfare work Today, the work of the Protestant Social The work of the DWBO and its member or- refugees and ethnic German immigrants to gives witness to God’s love for His world Services is as necessary as it has been in ganizations is supported by a large number Germany. that we encounter in Jesus Christ. It wants the past. Even if need looks differently now, of voluntary workers. to help people suffering physically, mental- we shall always offer our undiminished help. The Protestant Social Services and their ly, spiritually and socially. Thus, no one will The »Evangelisches Johannesstift« (Evangel- member organisations have developed be excluded. This is based on the ministry More than 52.000 full-time employees work ical St John’s Foundation), located in the many offers for migrants and try to make of Jesus Christ and on the testimony of the for the 437 member organizations of the Berlin borough of Spandau and founded by their services and institutions available to Holy Scriptures«. DWBO. There are, altogether, 1.420 social fa- Johann Hinrich Wichern, is a well-known people of all cultures. cilities. They help through words and action: ­diaconal institution – just like the Stephanus The Diakonisches Werk is the central Evan- by in-patient and out-patient care, by help- Foundation in the Berlin area of Weißensee, www.migration.ekbo.de ing disabled persons, running hospitals, by www.eui-dwbo.de gelical association of the Voluntary Welfare the Deaconess’s House Berlin Lehnin, www.dwbo.de Work. The origin of the Protestant Social short-term and day care, by offering a crisis the »Martinshof Rothenburg Diakoniewerk«, Services dates back to 1848. At that time, hotline and running travellers’ aid offices. the Hoffbauer Foundation on the Potsdam Johann Hinrich Wichern founded the »Cen- peninsula of Hermannswerder, the »Evange- tral Committee for the Inner Mission of the lisches Jugend- und Fürsorgewerk« (Evan-

*Protestant Social Service 50 Words and Action 51

Berlin Mission Building

Ecumenism

Bearing in mind the Charta Oecumenica present, the council comprises 30 church- Swedish, Anglican-Episcopal, Francophone land, the Evangelical Church of Czech published by the European churches in es: the Roman Catholic Church, free church- Protestant, Chinese and Japanese congre- Brethren in the Czech Republic and Slova- 2001, the Evangelical Church in Berlin- es such as the Methodist and the Baptist gations and with the Korean Han In congre- kia, the Lutheran congregations on the Vol- Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia consid- Church, EKBO, Orthodox churches and ex- gation, all of them based in Berlin. ga in Russia, the Anglican dioceses London ers itself to be called to witness to the unity patriate congregations established by our and Chichester in the United Kingdom, the of all Christians as a gift of God. Through European neighbour churches. The first We are associated with Lutheran, Reformed »Fédération protestante de France« and the baptism we belong to the one Body of ­Ecumenical Kirchentag held in Berlin in and United churches in South Africa, Tanza- Diocese of Gothenburg in the Church of Christ, just as well as Christians of other 2003 created irreversible impulses towards nia, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and the Sweden. Truth and reconciliation after the churches and other countries. Within the growing unity. About every three years, the Holy Land due to a common history we end of World War II, peace and freedom af- EKBO and all over the world, we form a member churches of the Berlin-Branden- share. The churches founded by missionar- ter the end of the cold war, creation of a community with Christians of all denomina- burg Ecumenical Council and the members ies of Berlin Mission became independent a united Europe – these processes may also tions, all nations, all languages and all cul- of the Berlin-Brandenburg International Con- long time ago. Today, our close relationship be traced back to an ecumenism reaching tures. To be Protestant is to be ecumenical- vention of Christian Congregations, a regis- is expressed through many partnerships beyond the borders. By co-operating with ly-minded. tered charity, stage the Berlin City Church maintained by our regional church or by churches and congregations in and Festival. parishes. We work closely with the Luther- in the Czech Republic, we wish to set a We experience that unity and that sense of an Church in the Holy Land in the fields of common example for a living faith in the re- belonging together locally with our sister There are multi-faceted relations between school education and vocational training. gions on both sides of the border. We also churches of other denominations, other EKBO and the congregations belonging to We co-operate with the Gossner Evangeli- established a close church fellowship with languages or other backgrounds. Over the the International Convention of Christian cal Church in India in the fields of church the United Church of Christ in the USA. last 100 years, the number of members of Congregations which has its headquarters music and theological education. the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Branden- in Berlin. Many of these congregations reg- Keeping in touch with the churches of the burg-Silesian Upper Lusatia has decreased. ularly celebrate their services in churches We maintain a close fellowship with the worldwide ecumenical movement, we sup- However, our church is aware of its roots belonging to EKBO parishes. Based on inter- Protestant churches in our European neigh- port justice, peace and the integrity of and accepts its responsibility towards church agreements, we cultivate good con- bouring countries who are related to us ­creation. After the »Decade to Overcome ­society as a whole. It is a member of the tacts especially with the Dutch, Finnish, through their confessions – particularly the Violence« was introduced by the World Berlin-Brandenburg Ecumenical Council. At Lutheran diocese Breslau / Wrocław in Po- Council of Churches in Berlin in 2001, we 52 Words and Action 53 A Part of a Worldwide Christianity

entered, for instance, into a partnership of the worldwide ecumenical movement with the Presbyterian Church in Cuba. and Christian churches and congregations Through intercession, practical assistance in the vicinity as well. In this way, the inte- and ecumenical programmes, we try to gration of church and mission is being contribute to the struggle against starva- ­realized as it was suggested by the World tion and poverty and we participate in relief Council of Churches at its general meeting campaigns after major disasters – for exam- in New Delhi. Berlin Mission is supported ple, the fight against the AIDS pandemic in both by EKBO and the following institutions: South Africa, the famine in East Africa and the Evangelical Church of Anhalt, the »Jeru- the triple catastrophe of an earthquake, a salemsverein« ( Society), the Ger- tsunami and a nuclear reactor accident in man East-Asia Mission and, on a provisional Japan. basis, Gossner Mission. Besides, EKBO gathered other ecumenical services under EKBO concentrated its ecumenical and glo- the umbrella of Berlin Mission: the Church- bal missionary activities in the »Berlin Mis- es’ Development Service, »Inter-Faith Dia- sion«. Both EKBO and Berlin Mission are logue« and »Migration and Integration«. In ­situated at Georgenkirchstraße in the Berlin following this holistic approach, EKBO and borough Friedrichshain, the site belonging Berlin Mission attempt to pay tribute to an to the former »Society for the Advancement insight which the theologian Eberhard Jün- of Evangelistic Missions amongst the Pa- gel brought home to the German churches: gans«. Due to its missionary activities in the that mission would have to be ecumenical past, Berlin Mission cultivates relations in the future. with churches in the Holy Land, in India, Eastern Asia, South Africa and Tanzania. Of course, there are relations to the churches Ecumenical Kirchentag (Church Convention), Berlin, 2003 54 FACTS AND FIGURES 55 Facts and Figures

Brandenburger Dom 56 FACTS AND FIGURES 57

The History of Berlin-Brandenburg

The Middle Ages In 948, King Otto I found- Berlin region. In the early 13th century, the ed the missionary bishoprics Brandenburg Cistercian monks established further mon- and Havel, both mandated to the archbish- asteries, for example Chorin near Eberswal- op of Magdeburg in 968. However, the Slavs de. Around the end of the 12th century, the considered Christianity as the religion of episcopal sees Brandenburg and the conquerors. Time and again, violent became cathedral towns. The reform order conflicts occurred. It was not until the 12th of the Premonstratensians dominated the century that Christian faith became wide- cathedral chapters at Brandenburg and spread. At that time colonization had start- Havelberg, whereas the Cistercians promot- ed under the rule of Margrave Albrecht the ed the economic development of the region. Bear. Immigrants from the Rhineland coun- Since the 13th century, the mendicant or- tries and from central Germany, who ders of the Franciscans, Dominicans and brought with them their beliefs, religious Augustinians – the Carthusian Order joining customs and hopes, were chosen to colo- sub­sequently – strongly influenced piety nise the region. within the towns.

In the 12th century, the Bishopric of Lebus In 1539, the was introduced to was established by a Polish duke. Lebus was the region of Berlin and Brandenburg. For a suffragan diocese of the Archbishopric of the first time Elector Joachim II took Com- Gniezno and had a far-reaching ­influence. In munion »in both kinds« (bread and vine) in 1170 / 71, Cistercians founded the first mon- accordance with the Lutheran rite. This astery east of the River , Zinna near Jü- ­significant event happened at St Nicholas’s terbog. Ten years later, another monastery Church in Spandau on 1st November of that was founded near the town of Brandenburg, year. In 1540, the Reformation insights of Lehnin, which became very important to the Martin Luther were incorporated into the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Berlin new church order. 58 FACTS AND FIGURES 59

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Otto Dibelius

In 1613, the territorial prince, Elector ­ideas. Gerhardt disputed the right of the In 1817, the Prussian king Frederick William ministrative body located at Berlin: the ­Johann Sigismund, converted to the Re- state to interfere in church affairs. Having III introduced the union between the Lu- Evangelical High Consistory. It had been formed confession. Thus, he became the shifted without a rectory for three years, he theran Church and the Reformed Church. ­authorized to give instructions to the eccle- regional church leader. The Reformed con- followed a call to Lübben in the Spreewald The principal Protestant theologian of the siastical provinces until they became inde- fession was a Protestant denomination area in 1669. Lübben belonged to at 19th century and co-founder of the Berlin pendent regional churches after 1945. shaped by the Genevan Reformer John that time. He died there in 1676. University, Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleier- Calvin. Contrary to common practice at macher, championed the union, but op- 1870 As regards church buildings, Berlin saw that time, the people did not have to adopt In 1685, the Great Elector issued the Edict posed the government’s interference in an unprecedented construction boom from the confession of the territorial ruler but of Potsdam. He offered the Huguenots – church affairs. A common Communion the 1870s until the beginning of . were allowed to remain Lutheran which who were being persecuted in France due service became possible then. An uniform most of them wanted to do. Ever since, to their Reformed beliefs – a new homeland church administration was created and an In 1918, the close relationship between though, there have been numerous Re- in the Prussian Brandenburg. Some 20.000 uniform order of service was introduced – »throne and « was severed by the abdi- formed parishes in Berlin and Brandenburg. came, giving a strong impulse to both econ- despite strong protests by many parishes. cation of William II (who had been both Ger- omy and science. Huguenots and their de- However, the Lutheran or the Reformed man Emperor and King of ) – the 1657 Having been a provost at Mittenwalde scendants were among the leading figures confession of the parishes was left un- Prussian king had always been the regional (in the Margraviate of Brandenburg), Paul during the following decades. changed. church leader. In 1922, the Evangelical State Gerhardt became a pastor at St Nicholas’s Church became the independent »Evange- Church in Berlin in 1657. Both Luther and In 1691, Philipp Jakob Spener followed a In the 1820s, a foundation phase of mis- lische Kirche der altpreußischen Union« Gerhardt rank as great Protestant song call to St Nicholas’s Church, for Berlin was sionary societies and diaconal associations while introducing a new constitution. Many writers. Many of Gerhardt’s hymns were set known to have an open attitude towards re- had begun which persisted until the end of church officials did not really like the Wei- to music by Johann Krüger, who worked as ligion. He was appointed a provost and that century: Berlin Mission, the Central mar Republic. They preferred the German a cantor at St Nicholas’s Church in Berlin ­consistorial councillor there. At that time Committee for Inner Mission and the Berlin Nationalist point of view. Yet the Weimar from 1622 until his death in 1662. In 1666, he had long since been recognized as the City Mission, to name but a few. Constitution had provided a favourable Paul Gerhardt was removed from office by ­»Father of Lutheran Pietism in Germany« by framework for politics. To be sure, the con- the Great Elector after having disobeyed an friends and opponents alike. In 1850, the Evangelical State Church in stitution separated church and state. How- order prohibiting criticism of Reformed Prussia established its own supreme ad- ever, it guaranteed the churches – as public 60 FACTS AND FIGURES 61

Built in 1964, the Versöhnungskirche (Reconciliati- on Church) had been situated within the so-called »death strip« of the since 1961.

In 1985, the church building was blown up. In 1999, ten years after the Berlin Wall had fallen, the parish opened a new church building: the »Kapelle der Versöhnung« ().

corporations enjoying the right of self-ad- as the theological programme for the Con- had been ceded to Poland. The East-West- In 1970, having intensively discussed the ministration – a number of rights, including fessing Church throughout Germany. The conflict came to demarcate the former ter- matter, the Regional Synods made arrange- the one to collect taxes. The duties the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was ritory of the church. Now the Christians in ments for a greater degree of autonomy of state was legally tied to were continued; re- born at Breslau (Wrocław today) in 1906, the east and the west had to face two fun- both the eastern and western part of the ligious studies was taught at state schools. was in charge of the theological seminary of damentally different forms of government Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg, the at Finkenwalde (Po- and society. Especially in the fifties, the still affirming their solidarity. From then on it In 1933, the National Socialists and the merania). In April 1945, he was executed at church and many of its members in East was possible to modify certain passages of »German Christians« supported by them Flossenbürg concentration camp. Berlin and all over the GDR were subjected the Grundordnung – the church »constitu- tried to force the Protestant Church to tow to severe oppression by the government. tion« –, should conditions require reconsid- the line. To their mind, Jewish Christians In 1945, the »Evangelical Church in Berlin- eration. The statements that had been made were to be excluded from obtaining a church Brandenburg« was established. Otto Dibel- 1961 The building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 about the Scriptures and the Protestant con- office by introducing the so-called »Aryan ius was to become its first bishop. His time forced the Synod and the Church Governing fession before adopting the Grundordnung paragraph«. The »Confessing Church« was in office lasted until 1966. The Evangelical Board to split up and hold meetings sepa- of 1948 remained a unifying element. established in opposition to the German Church in Berlin-Brandenburg became an rately. Bishop Otto Dibelius who resided in Christians. Martin Niemöller, who was a independent member church of the »Evan- was not to enter and In 1972, both Regional Synods modified the pastor in the Berlin area of Dahlem at that gelical Church of the Union« (it had been the GDR, just as his successor, Kurt Scharf: church law in order to have a bishop elect- time, was one of their best-known mem- one of the ecclesiastical provinces of the Soon after the Berlin Wall had been erected, ed in the eastern part of the Evangelical bers. In October 1934, the Second Confes- »Evangelical Church of the Old Prussian Un- the GDR authorities did not allow him to re- Church in Berlin-Brandenburg: Albrecht sion Synod at Dahlem proclaimed a state of ion« before) and of the »Evangelical Church turn to his residence in East Berlin. In 1966, Schönherr was elected bishop. Since 1967, church emergency. New church governing in Germany« (EKD). The Evangelical Church despite the refusal of entry, Kurt Scharf was he had already been in office in place of bodies were established and legitimized by in Berlin-Bandenburg was particularly af- elected bishop of the – whole – Evangelical bishop Scharf who was still not permitted the confessing parishes – not by the public fected by the division of Germany that be- Church in Berlin-Brandenburg by the Re- to enter the territory of the GDR. From 1972 authorities. In May 1934, the First Confes- came increasingly evident: The gional Synod East and the Regional Synod onwards, Scharf was exclusively in charge sion Synod had adopted the »Barmen Decla- (New March), amounting to a third of the West at separate conferences. of the western part; Schönherr was exclu- ration« in the town of Barmen (today a bor- former church territory of Brandenburg, sively in charge of the eastern part. ough of Wuppertal). The declaration served 62 FACTS AND FIGURES 63

Becoming the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia by unification in 2004

In 1977, Martin Kruse succeeded Kurt Scharf In 1991, there were a single Synod again, a and became bishop of the western part. In single Church Governing Board and a single 1981, Gottfried Forck succeeded Albrecht Consistory. In autumn of that year, Bishop Schönherr as bishop in the eastern part. Gottfried Forck retired. Martin Kruse be- came bishop of the reunited regional church. In 1989 and already during the years preced- ing the fall of the Berlin Wall, groups critical of In 1994, Dr Wolfgang Huber was elected the GDR system found support in the ­parishes bishop by Synod. of the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Branden- burg. For example, Berlin’s Zion Church Par- In 2004, the Evangelical Church in Berlin- ish with its »environmental ­library« and the Brandenburg associated with the Evangeli- Church situated in the Berlin cal Church of Silesian Upper Lusatia: they area of became famous be- became the Evangelical Church in Berlin- cause of that. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia. The quite a number of people working for the Synod and the governing board were unit- church accepted political responsibility; it ed; a new Grundordnung was introduced. In was at this interim period that only few GDR November 2003, Bishop Wolfgang Huber citizens could take a political office because was elected Chair of the Evangelical Church their records were unblemished. By this time, in Germany. In January 2004, he was con- the Evangelical Church was the sole institu- firmed as bishop by the EKBO Synod. tion that had cultivated a democratic practice through its synodical tradition. In 2009, Bishop Wolfgang Huber retired. The Regional Synod elected Dr Markus Dröge as In March 1990, the Regional Synods of the his successor. eastern and of the western part held their first meeting since the Wall had fallen. St Peter’s Church, Görlitz 64 FACTS AND FIGURES 65

Bischop Klaus Wollenweber Bischop Dr. Wolfgang Huber

The History of Silesian Upper Lusatia

968, Otto I founded the Bishopric Meissen In 1525, Görlitz became Protestant. In other In 1635, John George II, Elector of Saxony, In 1815, the Kingdom of Saxony was or- which was in charge of a mission territory towns, too, the Reformation made further concluded the Peace of Prague, receiving dered to surrender more than half of its including what is now called Upper and progress. As time passed, the towns and Upper Lusatia and as a fief. ­territory to Prussia, for it had fought on the Lower Lusatia. At a later time, Upper Lusa- territorial estates of the Margraviate of Up- side of Napoleon until the Battle of the tia became an archdeaconry comprising per Lusatia gained more freedom. Thus they In contrast to the other Bohemian crown ­Nations near Leipzig. Lower Lusatia was the seven archpresbyteriates Bischofswer- could independently decide whether they lands, Upper and Lower Lusatia did not passed on to Brandenburg; the northeast- da, Kamenz, Löbau, Reichenbach, Görlitz, wanted to introduce the Reformation or not ­experience the Counter-Reformation. The ern part of Upper Lusatia became part of Seidenberg and Lauban. – this is to say without asking the territorial Protestant parishes near the border of Si- the province of . By these political prince. The Collegiate Foundation Bautzen lesia became a spiritual refuge to many changes, the parishes of the administrative In 1221, the Collegiate Foundation Bautzen and the convents retained their spiritual Evangelical Silesians who had not been districts of , Rothenburg, Görl- was established. Its provost also belonged function and manorial system. In this way, guaranteed religious liberty by the Peace of itz and Lauban were affiliated to the Consis- to the Cathedral Chapter Meißen. In addi- Upper Lusatia has been an area allowing dif- Westphalia in 1648. The churches subse- tory of Breslau (Wrocław today). They were tion to the Collegiate Foundation, the ferent confessions since the Reformation. quently built near the border provided integrated into seven Kirchenkreise (dean- ­Cistercian convents Marienstern (near Ka- The Holy Trinity Church at Lauban and the space enough to receive many Silesian wor- eries) and participated in the development menz) and Marienthal (near Ostritz) as well Petridom at Bautzen became Simultankirch- shippers. of the Evangelical Church in Prussia since as the convent of the Order of St Mary en (shared churches) where both Protestant Frederick William III had proclaimed the Magdalene at Lauban were the most signifi- and Catholic services were held. At Bautzen, In 1722, the town of Herrnhut was founded Prussian Union (between Lutheran and Re- cant spiritual centres in Upper Lusatia. this continued to the present day. by Moravian expatriates. In 1742, the town formed Churches) in 1817. of Niesky was founded as a colony of ­ From 1319 to 1635, Upper Lusatia, Lower the Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine (Moravian In 1946, the Synod of the Evangelical Church Lusatia, Silesia and Moravia belonged to the Church). Pietism as represented by the Im- in Silesia met in Breslau. It confirmed the lands of the Bohemian Crown. In 1346, the perial Count of Zinzendorf and Pottendorf Church Governing Board mainly comprising Upper Lusatian towns Kamenz, Bautzen, had a significant bearing on religious life representatives from the Silesian Confess- Löbau, Zittau, Görlitz and Lauban estab- within Upper Lusatia. For instance, Friedrich ing Synod presided over by Revd Ernst lished a federation which was to play an im- Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher was a promi- Hornig and elected in 1945. The Synod portant role in shaping the future of the area. nent proponent of this pietistic movement. 66 FACTS AND FIGURES 67

The EKBO Record Office

­announced that the church districts east of man unification in 1990, the history of this Since 1999, the EKBO Record Office has the Evangelical Church in Silesian Upper Lu- the River Neisse, which by then were being regional church could once more be ex- been located at the Berlin Church Archives satia will remain at the archives of the held in trust by the Evangelical Church in pressed by its name. Centre – together with the Evangelical Cen- Deanery Association at Görlitz in order to Berlin-Brandenburg, still belonged to the tral Archives in Berlin, the Berlin Mission facilitate local and regional studies. territory of the Evangelical Church in Silesia. In 1992, Synod decided on changing the Archives and the Diocesan Archives of the name into »Evangelical Church of Silesian Archbishopric Berlin. The Berlin Church Ar- The Church Registers Office is a special de- In December 1946, Church President Ernst Upper Lusatia«. chives Centre is a service centre that in- partment of the EKBO Record Office. This Hornig and several members of the Church cludes a public hall seating 30 people and significant department deals with enquiries Governing Board were banished from Bre- In 1997, after a festive service in Schwei- provides for 30.000 metres of shelf space about entries into the church registers re- slau. They moved to Görlitz. dnitz / widnica, a partnership agreement for written materials. garding family research, inheritance mat- was signed between the Breslau Diocese of ters and legal aspects. Private, scientific In 1950, despite losing 90 per cent of its ter- the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poland The EKBO Record Office serves the purpose and commercial genealogists are welcome ritory and of its members, the Regional Syn- and the Evangelical Church of Silesian Upper of collecting, preserving and making avail- to use the reading room. It provides reading od decided upon continuing the Evangelical Lusatia by Bishop Klaus Wollenweber (Görl- able archives material and historical library devices capable of re-enlarging microfiches. Church in Silesia as an autonomous regional itz) and Ryszard Bogusz (Breslau / Wrocław). holdings owned by the Evangelical Church church. On 14 November 1951, ­the Kirche- Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia. The EKBO Record Office serves as head of- nordnung was adopted. In 1952, Ernst Hornig In 2000, the Church Governing Board sug- Valuable cultural goods of the last five cen- fice for the Association for the Ecclesiastical was inducted as Bishop of Görlitz by Bishop gested reorganising the eastern churches turies may be surveyed by researchers. The History of Berlin-Brandenburg, registered Otto Dibelius. of the Protestant Union. As a result of an Regional Synod, the Church Governing charity, and the Forum for Memory Culture. extended and struggling decision-making Board, the Consistory and other EKBO insti- In 1968, the name of the church was process, the »Evangelical Church in Berlin- tutions passed on their historical adminis- www.landeskirchenarchivberlin.de changed into »Evangelical Church of the Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia« was trative documents to the Record Office. Görlitz Territory«, since the GDR authorities constituted by 1st January 2004. Historical documents formerly owned by had demanded the term »Silesia« be dropped in the future. Not until after Ger- 68 FACTS AND FIGURES 69

Uckermark Havelberg- R Oberes Perleberg- Wittstock- Haveland Wittenberge Ruppin

Sprengel Potsdam - Barnim R Oranienburg Oderbruch Nauen- Rathenow R Deaneries and Berlin The Evangelical Church Falken- Sprengel Berlin see Dioceses Fürstenwalde- and the Diakonie (Pro- R Strausberg Potsdam R testant Social Services) Mittelmark- An Oder und Kirchenkreise Brandenburg at one glimpse R -Fläming (Deaneries) in the Sprengel Görlitz Berlin Diocese: 2010 Diakonie (Protestant Social Services) Berlin Stadtmitte Cottbus Parishioners 1.089.357 Social service centres 81 Niederlausitz Charlottenburg Honorary staff about 44.000 Day nurseries 396 Lichtenberg-Oberspree including including places in day nurseries and Senftenberg- Neukölln Spremberg Parish Council members about 9.000 day nurseries about 21.000 Nord-Ost Parishes 1.357 Seniors’ residences 21 Hoyerswerda Reinickendorf Nieder- Deaneries 32 Counselling centres 95 schlesische Schöneberg Oberlausitz Reformed deanery 1 Institutions for handicapped persons 252 Spandau Salaried staff in parishes, deaneries and at Hospitals 27 Steglitz regional church level about 8.500 Short-term care facilities 47 Teltow-Zehlendorf including pastors about 960 Day care facilities 45 Tempelhof Groups meeting on a regular basis Educational institutions 31 Wilmersdorf in the parishes about 6.000 Regional Diakonische Werke (Evangelical social services) 24 R Reformed Parishes annually about Migration-related facilities 104 Baptisms 7.271 People confirmed 5.332 Marriages 1.593 Marriage services 864 Funerals 13.688 70 FACTS AND FIGURES 71

Parish Deanery Diocese *

Parish Council Deanery Synod Regional Synod with each parish (with each deanery and several instituions Represented Several deaneries Chairperson represented) constitute a diocese, chairperson: Elders Pastors which is managed by a President of Synod

General Church Governing Deanery Council Superintendent Board Parishioners

Superintendent Pastor Pröpstin / Probst

Consistory directed Elections membership by President

*Regional Church Organisation and Structure

The Evangelical Church in Berlin-Branden- The Landessynode (Regional Synod) is the Bishop Dr Markus Dröge is in charge of The Consistory has a collegial order. The burg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO) is based supreme governing body board of the EKBO. ­promoting the sense of community within college comprises the President of the Con- on its parishes. The local executive boards Its term of office lasts six years. Most mem- the EKBO. He represents the Evangelical sistory, the Pröpstin and the heads of de- consist of lay and clergy persons with equal bers of the Regional Synod are elected by Church in Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Up- partments. The President acts as chair of rights. At present, there are 1.357 parishes deaneries, the church departments and in- per Lusatia in public, taking account of the the college. The Pröpstin / Probst – who is in which are administered within the frame- stitutions; some of them are appointed. The decisions of Regional Synod and the Church charge of all theological matters concern- work of 32 deaneries. In addition, there is a Regional Synod usually meets once every Governing Board. ing the Consistory – deputises for the Presi- Reformed deanery. Its congregations are six months. During the intervening periods dent as chairperson. A legally trained head not based on parish boundaries, but made it is represented by the Church Governing The Consistory is responsible for the cur- of department within the Consistory depu- up of interested people. It has preserved its Board. However, the latter has many more rent business and all matters of the EKBO. tises for the President as administrative Reformed individuality among a large tasks assigned to it. The Church Governing They co-operate closely with the other two ­director. The respective consistorial depart- number of Lutheran and United parishes. Board, its term of office lasting six years, governing bodies of the EKBO – the Region- ments correspond to the most significant too, is elected by the Regional Synod. Some al Synod and the Church Governing Board. fields of activity of the EKBO. Thus, theolo- A Kirchenkreis (deanery) is administered by members of the Church Governing Board It is responsible for the legal supervision of gians and lawyers make joint decisions in Deanery Synod consisting of representa- belong ex officio both to the Church Gov- the parishes and the deaneries and for the the college. The Church Governing Board tives of all parishes. Between the meetings erning Board and the Regional Synod: the administrative supervision of the clerics, supervises the Consistory. of Deanery Synod the deanery is run by the Bishop as chairman of the Church Govern- the superintendents and church officials. Deanery Council which is usually presided ing Board, the President of the Regional The Consistory also serves the important by the superintendent pastor. Several dean- Synod as deputy chairman, the President of purpose of advising parishes and deaneries eries constitute a Sprengel (diocese) in the Consistory, the Pröpstin and the gener- on legal and spiritual matters. which a general superintendent has over- al superintendents. sight provides pastoral care and leads visi- tations. The EKBO consists of the dioceses Berlin, Potsdam and Görlitz. A spiritual mod- erator represents the Reformed parishes. 72 FACTS AND FIGURES 73

100% Expenses 2011 The budget was 317.529.864,63 EUR

52,44% General church services, e.g. worship, church music, diaconal work Finances and Budgeting 166.524.329,16 EUR

The 2011 budget of the Evangelical Church After deducting the costs of essential items 1,14% Special church services, e.g. pastoral care for prisoners in Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusa- such as the financial provision of clergy and or hospital patients tia amounted to 317.5 million EURO. The ma- church officials and the EKD allocation, 67 3.624.966,76 EUR jor part of the budget – 169.9million EUR – per cent of the taxes, the financial adjust- was raised by way of church tax. That ment and the general government funds are 0,76% Ecumenism / Worldwide Mission 2.406.379,59 EUR ­corresponds to a share of 54 per cent. Since used to support parishes and church dis- 2001, the church income from taxes has tricts and their work and to operate church 0,29% Public Relations / journalism considerably dropped. Since 2005, there administration offices. 33 per cent of the 930.047,53 EUR had been an upward trend which stopped taxes are intended for the work of EKBO. subsequently. A sum of 28.8 million EUR – 16,93% Education / Science / Religious Education about 9 per cent – comes from the fiscal The EKBO budget does not include revenues 53.758.425,84 EUR transfers which comes from the Evangelical which parishes gain by Gemeindekirchgeld

Church in Germany (EKD). These funds pro- (parish dues), donations and collection 6,88% Management / Administration vided by the western member churches of money and which they may use for their 21.833.525,11 EUR the EKD serve to support the financially own purposes directly. By collecting church weak member churches in the newly dues a number of parishes are able to have 11,21% Building maintenance and material costs for parishes formed German states. About 17 per cent a large sum at their disposal. Church dues and deaneries, expenses for EKBO landed property of the church revenue – 51,6 million EUR – may be collected from all full-aged parish- 35.596.410,61 EUR are government funds and state grants ioners having incomes of their own. Church

which are used, for example, to finance reli- tax paid in the previous year can be taken 1,07% Allocations to the Union of gious studies at schools or day nurseries. into account for payments of parish dues Evangelical Churches (German abbreviation: UEK) and the Evan- on application. gelical Church in Germany (EKD) 3.404.341,00 EUR

9,28% Other Expenses 29.451.439,03 EUR 74 FACTS AND FIGURES 75

Church Tax

Funding of the day nurseries and the Evan- them are older than 50 years of age – and, Church tax reflects the separation between Church tax is the financial contribution of gelical schools is provided by the respective unfortunately, because of an increase in un- state and church. At the beginning of the the church members. Church membership institutions, not by the EKBO budget. The employment. For some years now, EKBO 19th century, the state confiscated a large begins with baptism. It lasts for a lifetime. ­institutions are sponsored by parents’ con- has responded to this problem by being part of church property. In return, it took Only church members having their own tax- tributions and state grants. The day nurser- committed to consolidating the budget. As over a large proportion of the financial able incomes (that is, paying wage tax, ies are usually supported by the parishes; a rule, additional expenses will only be ap- means needed by the church and the par- ­income tax and capital gains tax) have to the Protestant schools are generally sup- proved if expenses are saved in other areas. ishes. The growth of population, the begin- pay church taxes. Everyone having a low or ported by the Protestant School Foundation. If possible, increased expenses which can- ning industrialisation and the growth of the no taxable income does not pay church tax. not be avoided – for example those caused cities required intensified commitment and This includes children, young people, stu- At all levels, funds are used in accordance by tariff increases – have to be compensat- social work by the church. By the time the dents, retired persons, unemployed per- with the budgets that are adopted by the ed by cuts in other areas. These measures state was no longer able to fulfil its obliga- sons, people out of regular employment or committees elected at these levels. The fig- are bitter and inevitably affect the services tions towards the churches, they were per- welfare recipients. Of course, the church ures of the budgets are published regularly. offered by the church. However, responsible mitted to raise their own taxes. In 1919, the opens its doors for all people. The annual financial statement gives public financial management contributes to open- church tax was anchored in the Weimar account of the use of funds. ing up new opportunities in order to pro- Constitution as the primary source of The amount of church tax to be paid is de- claim the Gospel to the people and to live up ­financing the churches. The German Feder- pendent on the amount of the wage tax, in- In the future, the church tax receipts will to the missionary calling of the Church. al Republic adopted this provision of the come tax or capitals gains tax to be paid. drop because of the changing age structure Weimar Constitution. It is to be found in Ar- Thus, it is determined by the individual of the church members – more than half of ticle 140 of the German Grundgesetz. ­financial means of the church members. As for the Evangelical Church in Berlin- Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia, the church tax rate amounts to nine per cent of 76 FACTS AND FIGURES 77

Monthly Gross Single Married Married Married Wages 1 Child 3 Children Tax Class I Tax Class III Tax Class III / 1 Tax Class III / 3

1.000 EUR 1,06 EUR 0,00 EUR 0,00 EUR 0,00 EUR

1.500 EUR 9,13 EUR 0,00 EUR 0,00 EUR 0,00 EUR

2.000 EUR 19,53 EUR 3,38 EUR 0,00 EUR 0,00 EUR

2.500 EUR 30,38 EUR 11,45 EUR 1,67 EUR 0,00 EUR

3.000 EUR 42,14 EUR 21,11 EUR 9,10 EUR 0,00 EUR

Five Examples from the wage tax table 2012

the wage tax, income tax or capital gains tion – church tax will be split equally be- taxes. Consequently, more money is left to cause of weak people remains independent tax. It should be stressed that the church tween both churches. If one of the spouses the actual calling of the church. This gov- of the individual viewpoints of financially tax rate does not amount to nine per cent belongs to the Evangelical Church and the ernmental service is paid for by the church- strong donors. The principle of a just and of the income. other does not belong to a denomination es. In Berlin, it amounts to 2.5 per cent of social tax system is supported by taking authorised to collect taxes, »Special Parish the church tax revenue; in Brandenburg into account the economical means and The church parliament – to be exact, Region- Dues« or church tax will be collected. This and in Saxony, it is 3.0 per cent of the personal situation of every single person. al Synod – decides on the amount of the requires joint tax assessment. The legisla- church tax revenue. To be sure, the state church tax rate. Synod passes church laws tor assumes that a spouse not earning mon- has neither decision-making authority nor Church members being ready to support that have to be approved by the government. ey or having a low income takes a share in influence on how the church tax is used. The the work of the church – by their church tax, the family income. The income tax amount tax office collects the church tax and trans- donation or collection money – enable us to Families and child allowances are taken to be paid by the spouses jointly is used to fers the total amount to the respective perform different functions. We would like into account when calculating church tax. asses the financial standing of the church ­regional church. to express our deep gratitude to all the peo- The church tax is limited to a maximum of member. It serves as a basis to calculate ple who provide financial support to our three per cent of the taxable income. »Cap- the »Special Parish Dues«. Merely the spouse In their annual tax declaration, church mem- church. ping« is granted by the government. Inci- belonging to a church is subject to taxation. bers can claim special expenses to be rated dentally, there is no need for sending an The amount of the parish dues people are as tax exempt. Thus, the taxable income will ­application to the Evangelical Church in asked to pay is calculated according to a be reduced. Everyone leaving the church Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia. graded church fee table. saves his church tax, but has to pay a higher wage tax or personal income tax according If one of the spouses belongs to the Evan- Church tax is collected by the tax offices. to his respective tax rate. People with in- gelical Church and the other spouse be- As far as the churches are concerned, it is comes that are heavily taxed save less than longs to the Roman Catholic Church or to the most economical means of collecting 50 per cent of their former church tax. another denomination authorised to collect taxes – both spouses being liable for taxa- Based on a sound system for levying church tax, the work of the church, the freedom of the sermon and the attempt to support the 78 FACTS AND FIGURES 79

Berliner Dom St. Marienkirche (St Mary’s Church) Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin-Mitte Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 8, 10178 Berlin (letters from abroad: D-10178) Tuesdays from 16:00 p.m. to 18:00 p.m. Fridays from 16:00 p.m. to 19:00 p.m. St. Nikolai-Kirche (Church of St Nicholas) Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche Am Alten Markt, 14467 Potsdam (Emperor William Memorial Church) Wednesdays from 15:00 p.m to 18:00 p.m. Breitscheidplatz, 10789 Berlin-Charlottenburg Telephone 030 · 20 451 100 Mondays from 16:00 p.m. to 19:00 p.m. calls from abroad 0049 · 30 · 20 451 100 [email protected] Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche (Church of the Holy Cross) Zossener Straße 65, 10961 Berlin-Kreuzberg Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m.

Joining Our Church

Every parish office can act as an office for To begin with, there is a conversation with a joining our church. In addition, everyone clergyman or clergywoman dealing with may join, rejoin or convert to the Evangeli- questions, expectations and wishes of peo- cal Church in Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian ple considering to join the church. It is quite Upper Lusatia at four offices specially deal- possible to rejoin our church immediately af- ing with this matter: at the Berliner Dom in ter the conversation, however, all necessary the borough of Mitte; at St Mary’s Church, documents such as the identity card, the located in the borough of Mitte as well; at certificate of baptism, the certificate of con- the foyer of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial firmation and the notice of resignation will Church in the Berlin borough of Charlotten- have to be made available at the meeting. burg; at the Church of the Holy Cross in the Berlin area Kreuzberg. You are welcome to The path of adults towards baptism is shaped meet a clergyman or clergywoman ready to by a number of conversations or baptism talk to you: at the foyer of the Kaiser Wilhelm seminars enabling them to provide compre- Memorial Church on Mondays from 16:00 p. m. hensible information about Christian faith to 19:00 p. m.; at St Mary’s Church on Tues- and clarifying questions on Christian faith. days from 16:00 p. m. to 18:00 p. m.; at the Church of the Holy Cross on Thursdays from www.willkommen-in-der-kirche.de 10:00 a. m. to 13:00 p. m.; at the Berliner Dom on Fridays from 16:00 p. m. to 19:00 p. m. ­Appointments may also be made by phone.

Berliner Dom 80 FACTS AND FIGURES 81

For further information Publishing Information and adresses see: www.ekbo.de or call 0049 · 30 · 24 344 121 Publisher I mage Sources Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg-­ Bildungswerk der EKBO Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO Education Service): 34 corbis images: 28 Pastor Dr. Volker Jastrzembski Jens Bösenberg: 4–6, 18, 22 Press Spokesman Janni Chavakis: 8 Georgenkirchstraße 69, 10249 Berlin Evangelischer Pressedienst / epd Telephone 0049 · 30 · 243 44-290 (Evangelical News Service): 14–15, 58–59, 64 Fax 0049 · 243 44-289 Evangelische Bildungsstätte auf [email protected] Schwanenwerder (Evangelical Educational

Design Centre on Schwanenwerder): 35 NORDSONNE IDENTITY, Berlin Evangelische Fachhochschule Berlin/Berlin www.nordsonne.de Evangelical College (S. Feucht): 31 Evangelisches Johannesstift / Evangelical St John

L ithography and Printing Foundation (Marc Berger): 48 DZA Druckerei zu Altenburg GmbH Ev. Kinder- und Jugendarbeit (Evangelical Children and Youth Ministry): 24

1st English Edition getty images: 26, 27, 33, 38, 46, 79 February 2012, Matthias Heyde: Title Jörg Schneider and Christof Theilemann Peter Himsel: 40 Jörg Kuß: 51 NORDSONNE IDENTITY: 12, 20, 37, 56, 67, 75 www.oekt.de: 53 Hans-Uwe Salge: 54–55 Sebastian Schobbert: 43 Werner Schüring: 65 Ulrich Schwarz: 45 Leo Seidel: 10, 11, 16, 25 UNICOM: 29 Frank Vater: 63 Evangelische Versöhnungsgemeinde (Evangelical Reconciliation Parish): 60 Evangelische Versöhnungsgemeinde (Verena Jaeckel): 61 www.ekbo.de