Midweek Meditation: Carols and Shepherds

What happened when angels appeared to practical, down-to-earth shepherds? Will reflects on the origins of the beloved Service of Nine Lessons and Carols and explores how those shepherds experienced a sudden shift in perspective—awakening to God’s goodness and love. The simple message of joy and salvation still transforms us today.

Read the Meditation here.

A Note from the Chaplain

Anglican Church of Freiburg: Good News

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 12:4–5

We are pleased to share joyful news with the parish. The Anglican Church in Freiburg (ACF) now has a full Parish Council, with all vacancies filled in accordance with the requirements of the German Verein laws and that of the Church of England.

At the Extra-ordinary General Meeting of ACF held on 14 December, some offices were thoughtfully reorganised, and new members were duly elected to fill the remaining vacancies. We give thanks for all those who have generously agreed to serve on the Parish Council and take up leadership responsibilities within our community. We also extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in the Special General Meeting and contributed to this important moment in the life of our parish.

With a complete Parish Council now in place, ACF looks ahead to 2026 with renewed confidence, hope, and a strengthened sense of shared ministry.

The Parish Council of ACF now will comprise

• Chaplain: Vinod Victor
• Church Wardens: Solveyg Fischer and Laurence Nodder
• Secretary: C. F.
• Treasurer: Christine Gihring
• Asst Treasurer: Bernard Halford
• Members At Large Axel Kroeger
  Daphne Norwood
  Helen Rose Wilson
  Faith Oguejiofor
  Roberto Abrego
  Amira Abudayyeh
• Member of Synod and CAECG: Catherine Tibaaga (with Solveyg Fischer)

Apart from the Council we will also have Hans Haenle and Nicholas Ghinn as our Auditors.

May God graciously guide our next steps, drawing us into deeper fellowship and greater unity, and strengthening us to faithfully fulfill the mission entrusted to us.

Vinod Victor

New in 2026: Open Kitchen

We’re excited to announce Open Kitchen, a new monthly initiative as part of our ‘Fragrance in Freiburg’ refugee project that offers something truly meaningful: the chance to cook a meal from home.

For residents at the refugee camp, the inability to prepare their own food has been a significant challenge. They miss the comfort of cooking dishes from their home countries and the simple joy of being in a kitchen. Open Kitchen will welcome a small group of refugees to our church kitchen each month, where they can cook, share a meal, and enjoy an evening of warmth and fellowship.

We Need Your Help:
We’re looking for 2-3 volunteers for each event.
Here’s what’s involved:

• Pick-up: Collect our guests from the refugee camp around 4:00 PM (it’s a 20-minute walk to church)
• Welcome them: Open up the church and help them feel at home in our kitchen
• Cook and share: Chat, cook together, and enjoy the meal they prepare (they’ll bring their own ingredients)
• Clean up: Help tidy the kitchen and lock up at the end of the evening

No special skills needed—just a friendly presence and a willingness to spend a few hours building connections over food. The dates for the beginning of 2026 are Thurs, 15th Jan and Thurs, 19th Feb.
To volunteer, please contact us via the ACF website, per email or speak to Christine or Roberto.

Let’s make our church kitchen a place of welcome, one meal at a time.`

Weekly Photo: Sacred Places & People on the Move

Each week, we are presenting to you one of the entries of the ACF photography contest. All photos will in turn be added here to the ACF website.
Enjoy!

Mark Your Diary: Special Events

As we journey through Advent and Christmas, we have many wonderful events coming up (listed below), and for some we still need helpers—please get in touch with the specific organizers, reply to the weekly newsletter, or use the contact form on our website if you’d like to contribute.

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols – Thurs, 18th Dec, 8 pm

at St Ursula’s Church, Rathausgasse 50, 79098 Freiburg
This is one of the highlights of our church’s year: a beautiful service based around nine Bible reading interspersed with old & new Christmas hymns and carols sung by the ACF choir, singers of the Old Catholic Church, and the congregation.

Please mark the date in your diaries and get in touch by replying to the weekly newsletter or via the contact form on our website if you can help with the following:

• bringing plates of finger food (i.e. Christmas cookies or savoury items)
• setting up for the service and fellowship time (arrive at 7:30 pm)
• clearing up afterwards

Thank you for your involvement!

Blue Christmas – Mon, 22nd Dec, 7 pm

Join us for a contemplative service that honors the complexity of the holiday season. This is a sacred space for those experiencing grief, loss, loneliness, or simply feeling out of step with the usual festive cheer. Together, we’ll create a compassionate moment to acknowledge pain, hold space for sorrow, and remember that hope can emerge even in our most challenging times.

Christmas Day Eucharist – Thurs, 25th Dec, 11:30 am

Friends, you are invited to join us for one of the most special services of the year! We’ll be celebrating Jesus’ birth on Thursday, 25th Dec at 11:30 am with a joyful Christmas Day Eucharist.

“Joy to the world,
the Lord has come!”

Christmas & New Year’s Break

From 26th December until 4th January all ACF’s weekday groups will pause. During that time there will also be no Wednesday emails! If you need any ACF related information, do check our website or send us a message. Should you need some entertainment during the Christmas & New Year’s period you may want to check out this YouTube playlist of Nativity stories retold by children. It will certainly put a smile on your face.

Of course we’ll gather for worship on Sundays at 11:30 am at church!

Music, Art & Worship: Special December Events in Freiburg

In December other churches in Freiburg are also invite to all sorts of special events involving all senses. You can find an overview here on the Freiburg Ecumenical Calendar.
Some highlights include:

• Visual Art: a tour of the dance macabre at the Freiburg Old Cemetery (Sat, 13th Dec, 11:15 am), a tour of the Christmas nativity painting at the Freiburg Münster (Sun, 14th Dec, 5 pm), and the Haslach nativity path consisting of 52(!) nativity scenes throughout Freiburg Haslach (23rd Dec – 7th Jan)
• Music: a carol singing flash-mob at Kaiser-Josef-Straße organised by the Methodist Church (Thurs, 18th Dec, 5:45 pm), a Christmas carol sing-along with reflections at the Freiburg Münster (Fri, 26th Dec, 5 pm), and an open evening of New Years Eve music and reflections at the Münster (Wed, 31st Dec, from 10 pm onwards)

Churches across Freiburg have prepared these events with dedication and joy. Come along and be inspired by our city’s diverse expressions of our joint faith.

Cafe Church: Celebrating Epiphany – Sun, 4th Jan, 11:30 am

Join us for something a little different! On Sunday, 4th January at 11:30 am, we’re trying out a new style of worship with our first Cafe Church service.

As we celebrate Epiphany and the journey of the wise men, we’ll gather around tables for singing, conversation, and prayer in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Coffee and tea provided! This is a wonderful chance to reconnect after Christmas and enjoy fellowship together. Christine will be leading us, and everyone is welcome—no need to sign up, just come along on the day. The more the merrier!

Questions? Reply to our Wednesday Email or message us through our website.

Shared Lunch – 11th Jan, after the service

On Sunday, 11th Jan we’ll have our first Shared Lunch of 2026! Please bring food for the buffet and look forward to a nice time of fellowship, chatting, and good food.

Alpha at the ACF – starting 19th Jan

Discover Alpha, starting 19th january, on Mondays at 7 pm! Join us for 10 weeks as we explore the Christian faith in a friendly, low-pressure environment. Invite your friends, or come yourself.

This group is especially for those wondering about the meaning of life and people new to the Christian faith. Together, we’ll delve into life’s big questions and build meaningful connections. Head over to our Alpha webpage for more information. Please do note that you’ll have to register in order to take part.

We need your help too! Be a prayer support, lend a hand, or provide food. Let’s journey together and experience the joy of faith. To get involved or provide support, please contact us!

Greetings from Esther Norwood

Dear ACF,
Thank you for all your encouragement and for taking part in hearing my update from Ukraine yesterday! As mentioned, I have created a small “wishlist” of items that my ministry and I need, as well as a few personal needs I may still have. Feel free to contact me or my mother, Daphne, about how you might be able to help or if you would like to donate material items.
Have a very merry Christmas and a blessed and happy New Year!
Esther

Recap: Racial Justice Conference in Berlin

The Diocese in Europe’s 3rd International and Ecumenical Racial Justice Conference concluded in Berlin this December with a powerful vision—communities shaped by the hospitality of Christ that challenge fragmentation and hostility. Building on previous gatherings in Freiburg and Bad Boll, the conference committed to move “from lament to action,” creating spaces that respect the dignity, identity, and belonging of every human being. Read the full conference statement and discover how our diocese is embracing diversity, re-examining democracy, and challenging hostility. Representatives from the ACF help organise the event and attended, too.

Read the full report and conference statement here.

Christmas Greetings

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we wish you peace and joy this Christmas season. Thank you for being part of our church community. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This Week & Regular Rhythms

The coming weeks at the ACF

• Compline
  Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 9:00 pm
  on zoom
• Singing Group Practice at St Ursula church
  Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:30 pm
  In preparation for the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
• Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
  Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 8:00 pm
  at St Ursula Church, Rathausgasse 50, Freiburg
• Morning Worship
  Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 11:30 am
  Led by Rev’d Vinod Victor
• Blue Christmas
  Monday, December 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm
  A contemplative Christmas service for all those who feel less festive this season
  Led by Christine Ghinn
• Christmas Day Service (with Holy Communion)
  Thursday, December 25, 2025 at 11:30 am
  Led by Rev’d Vinod Victor
• Morning Worship
  Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 11:30 am
  Led by Solveyg Fischer
• Café Church: Epiphany
  January 4, 2026 at 11:30 am
  Led by Christine Ghinn

Click here for the ACF zoom link and here for the ACF calendar for the coming months.

Regular ACF Groups

• Wise Ones – gathering of the older ACF members, aged 55+ 
  Coffee Afternoon at Café Schwarzes Kloster, Rathausgasse 48 at 3 pm on 31st Oct 2025
  Wine & Cheese Evening at church at 6 pm on 21st Nov 2025
• Young Adult Group – for young people 18 years+
  every last Saturday of the month at 6 pm at the vicarage (Ludwigstr. 6)
• Men’s Breakfast
  every first Saturday of the month at 8 am at church
• Freiburg North Homegroup
  Fortnightly on Thursdays at 8 pm – at a private home in Gundelfingen or Sexau. Check the church calendar here for our upcoming meeting dates.
• Freiburg Central Homegroup
  every second Saturday of the month at 6 pm at a private home in Freiburg Herdern / near Habsburgerstraße
• Women’s Prayer Group
  monthly on Thursdays, either on zoom or in person at church. Check the church calendar here for our upcoming meeting dates.
• Men’s Prayer Group
  every first Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at the vicarage (Ludwigsstr. 6, Freiburg)
• ‘Unboxed’ – fun community events
  once or twice a months at different times & locations. Check the church calendar here for our upcoming meeting dates.
   

To learn more about our regular groups and gatherings click here, and to view & subscribe to the ACF calendar click here.

The pastor is just a call away!

Call, text or WhatsApp Rev’d Vinod Victor on +49-176-46614418 or +91 9447 151017, 
or email him at chaplainfreiburg@gmail.com.

Service & Events Calendar

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News Archive

Find past news items on the following pages:

• The Anglican Church Freiburg – Our News Archive!
• The Church of England
• The Diocese in Europe and
• Our ecumenical friends in Germany

Craft Materials for Refugee Children Wanted!

For our regular ‘Fragrance in Freiburg’ work at the refugee center various craft materials are needed to be able to offer the kids during our visits something fun and creative to do. Find below a list of items that would come in handy and send a message or contact Roberto if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support!

• Luftballons (balloons)
  Example: different colours and sizes.
• Moosgummi (EVA foam)
  Example: colourful sheets for craft projects.
• Aufkleber (Stickers)
  Example: children’s stickers with shapes, animals or symbols.
• Schleifenband / Band (Ribbon)
  Example: decorative ribbon for crafts or packaging.
• Kartonschachteln (cardboard boxes)
  Example: empty small cardboard boxes (e.g., from pasta, cosmetics or cookies), clean and in good
  condition.
• Knete (Modelling clay)
  Example: colourful clay for children.
• Raffiaband (Raffia ribbon)
  Example: natural raffia craft ribbon for decoration.
• Filz / Filzstoff (Felt fabric)
  Example: felt pieces in various colours.
• Perlen von 4–5 mm (Beads)
  Example: plastic or wooden beads for threading.
• Flüssigkleber (Liquid glue)
• Farb-Filzstifte (markers)
  Example: craft glue for paper, cardboard or light materials,

Save the date: Weekend Away – 14th-17th May 2026

Friends, it’s time for you to mark your diaries for one of the absolute ACF highlights each year: During the Ascension Day Weekend (Himmelfahrt) we will spend some lovely days in the Alsace mountains as a church family. You can come for 1, 2 or 3 nights – whatever your schedule allows. All necessary information will follow later.

Alpha at the ACF – register now

Join us for 10 weeks as we explore the Christian faith in a friendly, low-pressure environment. Invite your friends, or come yourself. The meetings will take place on Monday evening, starting when enough participants have registered.

This group is especially for those wondering about the meaning of life and people new to the Christian faith. Together, we’ll delve into life’s big questions and build meaningful connections. Head over to our Alpha webpage for more information.

Supporting the ACF financially

We’re so grateful for your support and prayers for our church. We are independent from any external funding sources, such as German taxes (Kirchesteuer), the Church of England, or other institutions. We depend on the generous donations of our members and friends to cover all our expenses (the minister’s salary, rent, insurances, diocese contributions, …). Unfortunately, our reserves are running low and we need your help to keep going.

We want to continue to serve God and our community with love and faithfulness. That’s why we’re asking you to consider donating to the ACF on a regular basis. By setting up a standing bank order, you can help us plan our budget and resources more effectively. It’s easy and secure, and you can cancel or change it anytime. Thank you for your generosity and God bless you!

Would you like to help fund the work of the ACF?
The best way to help is setting up a monthly direct debit to
Anglican Church Freiburg e.V.
Sparkasse Freiburg
IBAN: DE29 6805 0101 0002 5119 20
SWIFT / BIC: FRSPDE66
Other giving options, such as online donations, are laid out here on our website.

If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to contact our treasurers at treasurer@anglican-church-freiburg.de or pick up a Donate Flyer from church.

Praying for each other

If you have personal matters that you would like to be included in the public intercessions during our Sunday morning church services, we encourage you to reach out to our chaplain Vinod Victor (see contact details below). Your concerns, joys, and requests can be shared with the congregation, allowing us to support and uplift one another in prayer. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the chaplain and let your voice be heard during our Sunday services.