HANNOVER 25-29 May 2005
The Programme
| Preamble |
| The main Topics |
| Bible studies and themes |
| The Programme at a glance |
| Active Participation |
| Costs and Booking |
| Addresses |
"When your child asks, in time to come..." (Deuteronomy 6:20)
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This phrase comes from a particularly important section in Deuteronomy: the Jewish creed is also to be found in the chapter from which our slogan for the 2005 Kirchentag is taken. It will also help to focus the thematic work in lectures, panel discussions and forums.
The theme was deliberately chosen to make children the central focus of this Kirchentag, with an emphasis on listening to their questions, rather than always setting the agenda for them. And the response to the question is to tell a story - the history of what lies behind our actions and traditions. Hannover was the birthplace of the Kirchentag movement in 1949, at a gathering called "Kirche in Bewegung", Church on the Move. The present Bishop of Hannover is Bischofin Margot Kãßmann, former General Secretary of the Kirchentag. During her time with the Kirchentag she was particularly keen to develop the international dimension of the Kirchentag. The Hannover Landeskirche is the largest in the Evangelisch (Protestant) Church (EKD) and is predominantly Lutheran. The people and churches of Hannover are looking forward with great excitement to this fourth Kirchentag in their city, and are expecting 120,000 people to attend. The State of Lower Saxony has declared the duration of the Kirchentag to be a Kirchentagsferien - most regions close their schools for use as accommodation, but this is the first time it has officially been called a Kirchentag Holiday! There is a strong link between the cathedrals of Hannover and Bristol, and indeed the two cities are twinned. Top  1. How can we believe?Belief is more than a collection of articles of faith. Belief is a way of living. But do we always know what we believe? Can we state what distinguishes German Protestants from members of other denominations - and what links us with Christians of other churches? Do we know how to express our faith? Spirituality, identity and tradition - in dialogue with one another, with other Christians and other religions we ask what it is that gives meaning to our lives.2. How do we want to live?Life needs values. But they do not just fall from heaven. Values have to be communicated - in school, in the family, through the media, at work. But does this still happen? What about our formation of values? Above all: what are we worth to ourselves - in our bodies, in illness and death, in beauty and fitness? And: what gives us support and orientation in insecure times?3. How are we to act?Action brings people together. Community action needs a certain freedom of space. But there is less and less scope for political action: international organisations, the interconnections of the global economy and the global destruction of natural life are the order of the day. At the same time people have a growing yearning for a home. What world will future generations find? When our children ask us tomorrow about our action today, what will we answer?Top  The Bible is the book common to all Christians. Passages from it are at the heart of the Kirchentag: at the big opening and closing worship services, at the Holy Communion celebrations and "celebratory communions", and at the morning Bible studies. Worship services
Bible studies
Top  Wednesday, 25 May 2005
Thursday to Saturday, 26 to 28 May 2005
Sunday, 29 May 2005
Top  You too can help organise the 2005 Kirchentag in Hannover.You do not need to have church affiliation - but must be willing to link your offering with the theme, topics or biblical texts of the Kirchentag. The Kirchentag invites you to participate
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There are also daily rates for those who cannot make the full event.
You can come alone or in a group, as organised by many parishes, for example. You can also attend on single days only. Group leaders with groups from about 20 or more will receive a discount on their admission pass. Groups from a locality, e.g. a church group, can link up with a German parish through Aktion Brückenschlag. The advantage is in being able to make friends at least for the Kirchentag, and maybe longer. Ask for details. If you would like to come to the Kirchentag, get in touch with Sheila Brain, address below. You can register from Autumn 2004, but it would help if you could indicate your interest as soon as possible. No final commitment is needed until Spring 2005. Top  Sheila Brain is the British Correspondent to the International Committee. You can contact her
The Hannover Kirchentag office is at
The service telephone number for all questions is 49 511 87654-100 (fax 49 511 87654-312) and email: service@kirchentag.de The Kirchentag Central Office is at
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