German Churches Reckon with Antisemitic History
A government report raises concerns that Nazi theology may not be a thing of the past. Read full piece
Germany Warns of Anti-Semitism Among Lockdown Protests
A German government official warned Tuesday (Nov. 24) that anti-Semitism is emerging as a common position among people protesting pandemic lockdown measures who otherwise come from widely differing political backgrounds.
German Baptists Join Statement Urging Christians to Avoid Coronavirus Conspiracies
German Protestants in the free church tradition — including Baptists — issued a statement urging a balance of religious freedoms and health needs during the pandemic, and also called on Christians to reject conspiracy theories sparking misinformation and distrust.
Dutch Protestant Church Admits Failing Jews in World War II
The Dutch Protestant Church made a far-reaching recognition of guilt Sunday for its failure to do more to help Jews during and after World War II, and for the church’s role in preparing ”the ground in which the seeds of anti-Semitism and hatred could grow.”
German Churches Plan to Continue Talks on Shared Communion
The German Catholic bishops’ conference and the council of the Evangelical Church in Germany plan to continue their discussions about shared Communion. Read full piece
Slow Music: Chord Change in Germany of 639-Year Organ Piece
Hundreds of fans attended a special kind of musical happening Saturday (Sept. 5) at a church in Germany: a chord change in an organ piece that is supposed to last for an entirety of 639 years.
Baptists in Cameroon, Germany Hit by Coronavirus Tragedies
Baptists across the world have been impacted by coronavirus as it upended in-person worship services, impacted local economies, and increased ministry needs. But the virus has also infected Baptists in various countries, including recent tragedies in Germany and Cameroon.
No Joyful Noise as German Churches Reopen Without Singing
While Germany’s federal government makes plans for tracing infection chains and reopening public facilities, churches across Germany are developing their own plans for how to restart worship with new regulations such as compulsory face masks, prohibition of physical contact, and restrictions on congregational singing.
Germany to Set out Rules for Religious Services Including Singing Ban
Lothar Wieler, the head of the German government’s disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, specifically warned on Tuesday that communal singing was ill-advised. “Evidence shows that during singing, the virus drops appear to fly particularly far,” he said.
German, Polish Baptists Confronting Coronavirus
Baptists in the neighboring countries of Germany and Poland are taking similar precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus, even as the two nations currently face drastically different situations from the global pandemic.