Dear Colleagues,

September, with all its charm, has arrived. A new academic year unfolds before us, bringing both farewells and welcomes: we bid adieu to dear ones moving on to new chapters of life, even as we open our hearts to those who will be joining our community here in Freiburg. As summer gently yields to autumn, September reminds us that change is not only inevitable but can also be embraced with joy and gratitude. May this month be for you a season of blessing and renewal.

We are glad to see more and more people taking interest and innovative initiatives in the Fragrance in Freiburg project.

Our Work with the State Reception Center for Refugees in Freiburg

We are glad that the Fragrance initiative has enabled us to meaningfully engage with the refugees and asylum seekers even as they are initially received in the State at the Reception Center for Refugees in Freiburg. We had participation from friends residing in the Center in all our fragrant events. Roberto and Priscilla are going to the center twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and engaging with the people meaningfully.

Kindly find a message from Ms. Dreher Maren from the Landeserstaufnahmestelle für Flüchtlinge in Freiburg (State Reception Center for Refugees in Freiburg):

“If you have upcoming events planned feel free to share with me! I am not sure, how many participants were there throughout the last weeks, but it is always nice to be able to invite people from the camp to something. They get the feeling of being welcome and being able of finding a place, if they wish – although not everyone may make it to a certain event. Sometimes the idea of opportunities is already a silver lining!”

Inviting us to a further initiative Maren wrote, “Also we are planning a cultural exchange café/ get together on Wednesday evenings from ~ 18.00 to 20.00pm. The idea is to get together with snacks and sodas and talk about the life in Germany and social expectations in differences and similarities to countries, where people have been born. The last times a large group from french speaking countries joined and we had some difficulties to communicate. We were wondering if you might have somebody french speaking in your communicty who would like to join and translate a bit. Or anybody else who would like to engage themselves here in the camp. The idea is to also create a space, were people feel comfortable and can ask quesions…

With regard to the series of conversation salons that we had for which we had good participation from the centre, she wrote-  “For the conversation salon: I can encourage you to redo the programme. The people who joined from the Camp really enjoyed the activity so much and felt sad, when the series was paused”.

Please also note that a  Meet & Greet event with LEA Freiburg will take place on September 26th as part of the Intercultural Weeks 2025 on the square of the old synagogue. Under the motto “ Refugees and employees from the LEA Freiburg meet Freiburg residents,” we want to create spaces for encounters, inform people about refugee stories, countries of origin, and the asylum process, and encourage exchange and volunteer work.

We appreciate your support! We’ve planned a children’s table where children (from the LEA or Freiburg) can paint. If anyone has any questions about life at the LEA or volunteering, we can easily refer anyone interested to you.

Even without help at the painting table, we would be very happy if you came by or invited neighbors, colleagues and friends!”

I am very grateful to Maren and her wonderful team for making us part of the journey of welcoming refugees. I am also grateful to all those who own this initiative. We are working on the next phase of the Conversation Salons for the last quarter of the year and more details will be available soon.

Other September Initiatives

Publication and Research Project

We are currently in the final stages of a research initiative and working on  publications that bring together the rich academic and practical experience of several of our members in the field of migration and refugees.

The research project explores the theme “Artistic Self-Expression as a Marker of Identity and a Mechanism for Social Integration,” examining how creative practices can help displaced individuals affirm their identities, build resilience, and foster meaningful connections within new communities.

Our main focus will be on art as a tool of self-discovery and self expression and as a pathway to integration. We will have a one day intensive art workshop with the title- “I, You, Us” as the next step. We are looking at possible dates in the coming weeks where Megan Gentry, a certified Art Therapist from the University of Freiburg, will be our lead resource person.

Please do get in touch with us if you are interested to be part of these initiatives so that we could share with you further details.

The publication which we are working on aims to contribute valuable insights to ongoing conversations on migration, identity and belonging while the research project would exclusive focus on the transformative power of art and self expression in defining identity and bridging cultural divides.

Hospitality: Inviting Refugees for our Hikes and to our Homes

Hospitality, expressed through inviting refugees to join us on hikes and into our homes, can be a profound and tangible expression of Christian witness. At its heart, the gospel calls believers to love the stranger, break down barriers of fear and prejudice, and embody the radical welcome of Christ. Sharing nature walks and meals provides opportunities for genuine human connection, where stories are exchanged, dignity is affirmed, and a sense of belonging is nurtured. Such acts of hospitality demonstrate the love of Christ not merely through words but through presence and relationship, reflecting the biblical call to care for “the least of these.” By opening our homes and hearts, we bear witness to a Kingdom that transcends borders and celebrates diversity, allowing both host and guest to encounter God’s grace in fresh and transformative ways.

Our regular events, including the Men’s and Women’s Breakfasts, Young Adults meet and the Wise Ones gatherings, will explore ways to expand our tables and create a more welcoming and inclusive environment. The Women Breakfast on Sept 20 will have Dr. Irambona Pacis as the speaker.

United Nations- International Organisation for Migration

The main focus of the work of the United Nations–International Organization for Migration (UN-IOM) is to promote safe, orderly, and dignified migration for the benefit of migrants and society as a whole. Its work centers on assisting governments and migrants with migration management, offering humanitarian aid to displaced persons, and addressing the root causes of forced migration such as conflict, poverty, and climate change. IOM supports voluntary migration programs, refugee resettlement, and the protection of migrants’ rights while combating human trafficking and exploitation. It also provides emergency response during crises, helps integrate migrants into host communities, and works with governments to develop evidence-based migration policies. By fostering international cooperation and emphasizing human dignity, IOM plays a key role in making migration a positive and sustainable force globally.

Our key volunteers will join a webinar with IOM in September to see what are the possible ways of collaboration in Freiburg and beyond. Anyone interested to be part of this webinar please do let us know.

Blessing of School Bags

The Service of Blessing of School Bags planned at 11:30 am on Sunday the 14th September is a meaningful opportunity to pause with gratitude for the gift of learning and the resources we often take for granted. As children and families bring their bags forward for blessing, we are reminded to be humble before God, recognizing that education is a privilege not afforded to everyone. This simple act invites us to pray not only for the students and teachers in our own community but also for millions around the world who are denied access to schooling due to poverty, conflict, or discrimination. It becomes a moment to nurture compassion, inspire a sense of responsibility toward others, and commit ourselves to work for a world where every child has the chance to learn and flourish.

Photography Context

In September, we will conclude accepting entries for our photography contest. This year, we invited participants to reflect on the theme “Sacred Spaces and People on the Move.” Migration reshapes not only lives but also the very notions of safety and sacredness. While the journey often seeks new alternatives, along the way both safe and sacred spaces can take unexpected and profound forms.Our call has been to capture these realities in their most authentic and original expressions. We believe such images will invite people to look more closely at how the meaning of sacredness evolves in the context of human movement.

Friends from the Streets- Freunde von der Straße, September 21

We invite you to join us in a simple yet powerful act of love—befriending our brothers and sisters who live on the streets and sharing a meal with them as a tangible expression of God’s grace. This is not just about meeting a physical need; it is about seeing their dignity, listening to their stories, and reminding them that they are deeply valued and loved. When we sit together, share food, and build friendships, we reflect the heart of Christ, who welcomed and cared for all without distinction. Come and be part of this beautiful witness of compassion, where both giver and receiver are blessed, and where love becomes real in action. We will join our host congregation Petrus Paulus in offering an afternoon meal on Sunday the 21st September. We will have a combined service at 10:00 am and then set up for the afternoon.

A joint council of the two hosting congregations will meet on Tuesday the 9th of September to finalise the minute details of the planning.

Our Ecumenical Engagements

The Archdeaconry Synod of Germany and Northern Europe of the Diocese in Europe of the Church of England will be held in Bad Boll from the 4th to 7th of September focussing on the relevance of a common creed like the Nicean Creed for fostering ecumenical unity today. The meeting of the Council for Anglican and Episcopal Churches in Germany will meet in Bonn from the 11th to 13th of September and will focus on being an intercultural church in a multicultural world with Bishop Martin Snow from Leicester being our guest speaker.

We are also excited about the ACK celebrating its 50th Anniversary on the 23rd of September. There will be an ecumenical thanksgiving service at 06:30 pm at the Munster follwed by a reception for which registration is expected.

Unbox

Our last Unbox event, Sip and Paint, was a wonderful success. Around twenty-five  participants came together to paint, giving shape to their emotions and experiences in subtle and creative ways. A group of young people from the refugee camp, who spoke Turkish, joined us as well—their presence added depth and meaning to the gathering. Artistic expression is, after all, a language of the soul, and it is important that we continue to create spaces where such expression can flourish.

Looking ahead, our next Unbox event will be a Youth Night Out, generously hosted by one of our families in the Black Forest. We will share more details with you soon.

Combined Service with the Old Catholic Congregation

Combined services hold a special place in strengthening ecumenical bonds between our churches, offering a visible and heartfelt expression of our unity in Christ. As we worship together, we grow in appreciation for one another’s traditions, liturgies, and perspectives, fostering mutual respect and deeper fellowship. These shared gatherings not only enrich our worship but also inspire collaboration in ministry, outreach, and community life—reminding us that the Church’s witness to God’s love extends far beyond denominational boundaries. In this way, combined services nurture a spirit of solidarity and reinforce the truth that, despite our differences, we are one body in Christ, called to serve God and our communities together. Our next Combined Service with the Old Catholic Church will take place at St. Ursula on Sunday, 28 September 2025, at 11:00 am, and will be led jointly by Markus Laibach and me.

May I wish all of you a blessed September. May we continue to intercede for global peace and for justice to prevail.

Vinod Victor