WIESBADEN, Germany -- Wiesbaden's Night of the Churches was even more ecumenical as the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden joined in the annual citywide event where churches opened their doors wider and later to all willing worshippers.
Chaplains, chaplain assistants and congregants of the community's Christian faith services -- Chapel Next, Gospel and Hainerberg Protestant -- teamed up to extend the garrison's welcome to churchgoers Sept. 5 at the Hainerberg Chapel.
"My goal was to make our host nation friends feel welcome and included," said Lt. Col. Harold Cline, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden chaplain, who said the decision to participate was made in January, and he and his staff coordinated details of participation with Dr. Roger Töpelmann and Pfarrer Jeff Myers, representatives from the city.
Cline said previous participation had been somewhat difficult for the garrison, because mission priorities often demand that the chaplaincy's focus be on the needs of Soldiers and family.
"We are often very busy -- turned inward," said Cline.
Cline said planning and coordination began well enough in advance to allow the garrison community to participate fully with the other Wiesbaden churches -- Alt Katholische Friedenkirche, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Bergkirche, St. Bonifatius, Dreifaltigkeit, St. Elizabeth, Johanneskirche, St. Josefs-Hospital Kappelle, Kreuzkirche, Lutherkirche, Maria Hilf, Marktkirche, Polnische Katholische Gemeinde, Ringkirche, Russisch-Orthodox Kirche, Sudfriedhof and KirchenFenster Schwalbe 6.
"This was a big event. A big event like this takes time to thoroughly plan," said Cline, who added that the chaplaincy worked out the logistical details such as food and drinks and venue, and the congregants took care of the agenda for the evening.
"Great job from the chaplains and the chaplain assistants. It was a blessing to get all the support from the chaplains in the community," said Sgt. 1st Class Faustin Desir, garrison chaplain assistant noncommissioned officer in charge.
The agenda featured musical presentations from choirs and bands of the various garrison services, and interpretive dance recitals. Additional performers on the agenda included the choir from the Kaiserslautern garrison Gospel service, the praise and worship ministry from Faith Temple Christian Center International and Stephan, a gospel rap artist.
"This exceeded my expectations," said Cline "I'm amazed at how the German community came in such large numbers," said Desir.
The event takes place annually on the first Friday of September, where the churches of the Wiesbaden ecumenical community -- Protestant and Roman Catholic, Anglican, Old Catholic and Orthodox -- opens its doors later to the community and plays host to a wide range of activities such as musical performances, meditations, video viewings and more. The event allows citizens to experience the churches in diverse and dynamic ways for several hours during the evening. Find more information at about the churches in Wiesbaden at www.wiesbaden.de.
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