Midweek Meditation: Forced out of your comfort zone
Carnival and Lent—back to back, yet completely opposite. Annabel offers a fresh, playful perspective on these contrasting seasons.
Lent 2026
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the church year’s 40 day period of reflection and introspection before Holy Week and Easter. Learn more about our Ash Wednesday service and the Lenten midweek groups below and view the whole Lent and Holy Week program here on our website.
Our Story Online: Fragrance in Freiburg
We’re delighted to share that the ACF has been featured in an article by the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. “Fragrance in Freiburg” tells the story of how our church is welcoming and walking alongside refugees and asylum seekers in our city – from shared meals and open kitchens to art therapy, conversation salons, and a much-loved programme for women and children.
We encourage you to read and share the article – it’s a joy to see our community’s story told so warmly. Read “Fragrance in Freiburg” here
Mark Your Diary: Special Events
Ash Wednesday Communion Service – 18th Feb, 7 pm
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection, repentance, and preparation for Easter. We invite you to join us for a communion service on 18th Feb at 7 pm as we enter this sacred time together. The service will include the imposition of ashes, a reminder of our mortality and our need for God’s grace. Whether you’re familiar with this tradition or experiencing it for the first time, you’re warmly welcome.
If you’d like to learn more about the significance of Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, watch this short video here.
We look forward to beginning this journey through lent with you.
Click here for all Lent & Easter information here at the ACF.
Wise Ones – Friday, 20th Feb, 6 pm
All older adults (55-ish years plus) are invited for a wine and cheese evening at church. Our very own Solveyg Fischer will be speaking about her journey of faith.
ACF Lent Group – Thursdays, 26th Feb until 26th March, 7 pm
Voices from the Margins – Encountering the Cross in Different Contexts
Have you ever wondered how Christians in other parts of the world, or in different circumstances from our own, understand the cross? This Lent, we’re inviting you on a journey to see the Passion of Christ through fresh perspectives.
Over five Thursday evenings starting 26th February, we’ll explore how different communities have encountered Jesus’ death and resurrection in ways that speak powerfully to their own struggles and hopes. We’ll look at liberation theology, black theology, feminist theology, and queer theology as examples of how the gospel is lived and understood from the margins. Each week will open up new ways of seeing familiar stories – perspectives born from real experiences of suffering, exclusion, and redemption.
Whether you’re theologically curious or simply want to broaden your horizons, you’re welcome. No prior knowledge needed – just bring your questions and openness to learn from voices we don’t always hear.
This Lent group is being prepared and led by Christine Ghinn, and will take place on Thursdays at 7 pm at church. If you’d like to come, please let Christine know or contact us via the church website – though spontaneous attendees are warmly welcome too.
Online Lenten Study ‘Hopemakers: From Hostility to Hospitality’ – Wednesdays from 25th Feb
Our Diocese in Europe is offering a six-week online Lenten study course that we’d encourage you to explore. Titled “Hopemakers: From Hostility to Hospitality,” the course was developed within the Deanery of Germany as a follow-up to last year’s Racial Justice Conference, and is open to anyone across the Diocese and beyond.
In a world increasingly marked by division and exclusion, this study invites us to reflect on the Gospel call to repentance, reconciliation, and radical welcome. Through Scripture, prayer, and shared reflection, participants will explore how we can confront racism, dismantle barriers, and become communities of hospitality and hope.
The sessions take place every Wednesday during Lent via Zoom, beginning on 25th Feb at 8:00 pm CET. Click here to find out more and download the program. To register and receive the Zoom link, write to racialjusticeconference@gmail.com.
Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2026: Vale Silves Community Centre
This Lent, Bishop Robert is inviting us to support the Vale Silves Community Centre in the Algarve, Portugal – a charity that has been serving vulnerable families, children, and elderly people for over 30 years. Today, the Centre provides daily home care for 50 elderly residents, many of whom are bedbound, runs a food bank three times a week, and offers childcare and meals to support working families. Some of those it serves live on as little as €60 a month.
The Centre operates with very limited resources and depends heavily on donations to continue its vital work. This Lent, we have an opportunity to help ensure that the most vulnerable in that community continue to receive compassionate and dignified care.
Full details can be found here on the diocesan website.
Draw Near: Life-Giving Habits for Lent
Looking for a personal Lent practice to complement our church Lent course? The Church of England’s “Draw Near” offers daily reflections exploring six essential aspects of Christian discipleship: worshipping together, praying, exploring the Bible, sharing communion, offering service, and sharing the good news. This 40-day journey is designed to help us cultivate habits and patterns that draw us closer to God during the weeks leading up to Easter.
- Daily reflections via Everyday Faith app: You can read and listen to daily Lent reflections from 18 February through the Everyday Faith app, the new daily devotional app from the Church of England, which is available to download here.
- 40acts: Join thousands this Lent for a 40-day generosity challenge – building habits, deepening faith and reflecting the heart of Jesus through everyday acts. Find out more.
Whether you use this alongside our church Lent course or as a stand-alone practice, we hope these reflections will enrich your Lenten journey.
This Week & Regular Rhythms
This week at the ACF
- Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7:00 pm - Women’s Prayer Group
Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 8:00 pm
on zoom - Wise Ones Wine & Cheese Evening
Friday, February 20, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Speaker: Solveyg Fischer
A group for all oder ACF folks of 55-ish years and upwards.
Bring your favorite wine to share or a bottle of something non-alcoholic. We’ll supply the cheese and good cheer. See you there! - Communion Service
Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 11:30 am
Led by Rev’d Vinod Victor - Alpha Course
Monday, February 23, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Exploring the basics of Christian faith in a relaxed atmosphere.
For registered participants only.
Click here for the ACF zoom link and here for the ACF calendar for the coming months.
Regular ACF Groups
- Singing Group – practice usually on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month after the service. New singers of all levels are always welcome!
- Wise Ones – gathering of the older ACF members, aged 55+
Coffee Afternoon at Café Schwarzes Kloster, Rathausgasse 48 at 3 pm on 27th March, 29th May, 31st July & 30th Oct 2026
Wine & Cheese Evening at church at 6 pm on 20th Feb, 24th April, 19th June, 25th Sept & 27th Nov 2026 - 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. - 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) - Women’s Breakfast – delicious breakfast, good conversations & inspiring speakers
5 times a year on Saturdays at 9 am at church. Upcoming dates: 14th March, 9th May, 18th July, 26th September, 21st November - ‘Unboxed’ – fun community events
irregularly 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
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
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.
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.
Want to host a Homegroup?
Due to the Gentry family’s recent move away from Freiburg, we currently have one fewer home group than before,. We’d love to establish a new one to keep building community and connection among us: a place where we can grow in faith, support one another, and share life together in a more intimate setting.
We’re particularly hoping to find someone who would like to host such a group in their home, ideally near the city centre. The We’re flexible about the rhythm – whether weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or whatever works best for the group. And don’t worry if you’ve never hosted or led a home group before! Excellent courses and materials are available to help guide discussions, and we’ll provide full support in setting up and leading the group.
If you’d be willing to host, co-lead, or simply join a new home group, please speak with Vinod or send a message via the website contact form.
ACF Safeguarding Policy
As a church community, we are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone, especially children and vulnerable adults. Please find here our safeguarding policy, which outlines our procedures and responsibilities. We ask all members to familiarise themselves with this important document as we work together to promote a safer church.
Most of our volunteers are currently undertaking safeguarding training to ensure we maintain the highest standards of care and protection. A big thank you to everyone who has already done so! If you’d like to learn more about safeguarding training, emergeny contact people, helplines and more, please visit our website here.
If you have any questions or concerns about safeguarding, please don’t hesitate to speak with our safeguarding officers Judith & Ceri, who are here to help and support you.
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,
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.
Freiburg Anglican Church 