Chaplain’s Letter: Caring for the Earth God Loves
As the leaves turn and the air cools, Vinod invites us to notice the world around us and to see it as God’s gift, not just something we use. This month’s letter looks at what caring for creation means for us as a church, from how we use our buildings and energy to how we think about AI and its hidden energy use.
Read the October Chaplain’s Letter here.
This Sunday, 10:30 am: Joint Service at St Ursula Church
On Sunday, 11th Oct at 10:30 am we have the pleasure to join our sisters and brothers of the Old Catholic congregation for our cherished twice-yearly joint Holy Communion service. The service will be led in German and English by clergy from both congregations at St Ursula Church, Rathausgasse 50.
We’re very much looking forward to worshipping together, to sharing in communion, and to celebrate our friendship!
Please note that there will not be a service at our own church location that Sunday.
Vinod’s New Books
The two books, authored by our Chaplain Vinod Victor, are now available and can be collected from church. Any contribution towards this will be used for the Fragrance Project
Fragrance in Freiburg: The Aroma of Welcome, Hope and Belonging, published by ISPCK, tells the story of our shared journey of hospitality, friendship and solidarity, as strangers become neighbours and guests become hosts. It is a narrative of our engagement with the people in the peripheries, specially the migrants and those living as refugees and asylum seekers.
A Fragrant Community: Being the Aroma of Christ in a Rapidly Changing World, published by CSS, brings together fifty pastoral letters reflecting on discipleship, belonging, justice and hope. These letters were written each month to the congregation in Freiburg and became the basis for our engagement the rationale for our reaching out to those in need.
Both books have grown out of our life together at the Anglican Church Freiburg. We hope they will offer encouragement for your own journey and make thoughtful gifts for friends and family.
Mark Your Diary: Special Events
Upcoming Ecumenical Events in Freiburg
As a diaspora church, we value our connections across Freiburg’s faith community. Here are some ecumenical events happening over the next few weeks—different in style and focus, but all worth your time.
Letting Go and Releasing – 18th October, 5 pm. An ecumenical service with blessing for anyone going through separation or divorce. Held at Thomaskirche in Zähringen. A gentle, honest space.
Faith in conversation with AI – 22nd October, 7:30 pm. What does ChatGPT mean for faith? Two speakers explore the possibilities and limits of AI from a Christian perspective at the Methodist Church. Free; donations welcome.
Intercultural connections: Music, Language & Belonging – Wed, 7th Oct, 5 pm
We’re hosting an event that brings people together around the things that connect us across cultures: music, language, and personal stories. On 7th Oct at 5 pm you are invited to ‘Intercultural connections: Music, Language & Belonging’ as part of the 2026 Freiburg Intercultural Week.
This event aims to create meaningful connections between people from different cultural backgrounds through shared experiences of language, music, and personal stories. Instead of focusing on theoretical discussions, the event encourages participants to actively engage with one another, discovering both differences and common human experiences such as belonging, identity, and communication.
Save the Date: Upcoming Events
Here’s a very brief overview of other special services and events coming up:
- 10th Oct – What Next? A Young Adults’ Creative Night
- 1st Nov – All Saints Day Requiem Eucharist
- 8th Nov – Remembrance Sunday
- 14th Nov – Young Adults Welcome Night
- 15th Nov – Safeguarding Sunday
- 29th Nov – Advent Sunday
- 16th Dec – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols (8 pm, St Ursula Church)
- 21st Dec – Blue Christmas (7 pm)
- 6th – 9th May 2027 – ACF Weekend Away
Adopt a Sloth (dishes included)
Three new residents have moved into the ACF kitchen: sponges shaped like sloths. After every service, they are up for adoption. Adopt one, and you join a few others for a short kitchen shift: washing up and putting things back in order.
Our three new helpers are Brother Lawrence (who encountered God’s presence while working in a 16th century monastery kitchen), plus the ACF’s patron saints Saint Boniface (patron saint of Germany) and Saint George (patron saint of England and of Freiburg).
Every sloth needs a home, and every kitchen needs a few extra hands. Next Sunday, come and meet them and adopt one. It only takes a little time, and it’s a good way to get to know someone new while doing the dishes.
This Week & Regular Rhythms
This week at the ACF
- Intercultural connections: Music, Language & Belonging
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
event in conjunction with the Intercultural Week 2026 - Men’s Prayer Group
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 7:00 pm
at the vicarage (Ludwigstraße 6, Freiburg) - Compline
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
on zoom - Open Kitchen
Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 4:00 pm
We are hosting people from the refugee centre to cook and eat together.
This is not a drop-in event open to ACF members in general. Please get in touch if you’d like to volunteer. - Joint Communion Service with the Old Catholic congregation
Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 10:30 am
at St Ursula Church, Rathausgasse 50
Led by Pfarrer Markus Laibach & Rev’d Vinod Victor
Please note: There is no service at our usual location today! - Freiburg Central Homegroup
Monday, October 12, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Hosted at a private home near Freiburg city center. New participants welcome! Get in touch for further details.
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 30th Oct 2026
Wine & Cheese Evening at church at 6 pm on 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. - Freiburg Central Homegroup
Fortnightly on Mondays at 7:30 pm – at a private home near Freiburg city center.
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) - ‘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
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
- Our ecumenical friends in Germany
- The Anglican Communion and the Church Worldwide
Discipleship Resources: Fruitfulness on the Frontline
Those of us who were at the 2025 ACF Weekend Away will remember the resources from the LICC (London Institute for Contemporary Christianity) that inspired all of us to see us living out our faith in daily life in a new and refreshed light. Margaret Rittman, who led the retreat with her husband Malcolm, has been in touch to draw out attention to the launch of the LICC’s the brand new Fruitfulness on the Frontline!
It carries the amazing truth that God is already working through each of us in our everyday lives – we just need eyes to see it. Whether we’re in the studio, on the school run, or out with friends, Monday to Saturday life matters deeply to God. We can bear all kinds of fruit with him, day by day.
Designed as a complete suite of resources, you can jump into the new resource wherever works best for you. There is a small group course, a podcast, a 14-day devotional journey, and more.
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 in 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.
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.
