International community in Berlin: Diversity and challenges united!

International community in Berlin: Diversity and challenges united!

In the vibrant metropolis of Berlin, the English-speaking community has taken on an important place through its cultural wealth and diverse church services. More and more people who speak English or who have come to Germany from abroad are finding a spiritual home here. Particularly under the leadership of the Nigerian priest Sylvester Ajunwa, the community thrives and showcases a wonderful cultural mix. This mission has deep historical roots that date back to 1957, when the All Saints Chapel on Hūttenweg was built specifically for US soldiers, as katholisch.de reports.

In the decades that followed, the chapel played a central role for the American military community until it was finally transformed into today's English-speaking mission in 1998 through the merger of American and British military communities. The headquarters of this lively community is St. Bernhard on Queen Luise Street, Dahlem, where five other locations in Berlin now also offer English-language services. This diversity is reflected not only in the language, but also in the music and cultural traditions that are brought into the liturgy, such as Ghanaian sounds or African rhythms.

A home for many

The English-speaking community in Berlin has made it its mission to offer a home to Christians from all over the world. This message is also supported by [ekbo.de](https://www.ekbo.de/deine-landeskirche/kirchengemeinden/ Fremdsprach-gemeinden), which points out that these foreign-language communities represent an important destination for tourists, immigrants and asylum seekers. Experiencing church services in one's home or native language allows many to feel comfortable in a foreign environment and to make human connections that transcend language barriers. This is particularly relevant at times when intercultural issues require special attention - a necessity that may have faded somewhat into the background during the Corona pandemic, but can be revived at any time.

“The challenges of interculturality and migration have become more than ever,” emphasizes Ajunwa. “Here we have the opportunity to grow spiritually across language and background.” This perspective underlines the human connection that exists in a native language community and makes faith a platform of enrichment for all. In addition, believers from different locations come together at special festivals, which helps to strengthen the community.

Difficulties and outlook

But the community also faces challenges. Ajunwa speaks openly about the archdiocese's financial situation, which can control its growth and activities. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic. It is a constant balancing act, which also entails the need to coordinate with German-speaking congregations in the organization of joint services, especially when it comes to the choice of liturgical language. Here, the Latin heritage is often used, which many see as the unifying language of the church.

The changes within the community are also noticeable: more and more children are growing up with German as their mother tongue, which leads to a colorful community. These developments and the integration of German-speaking believers open up new dimensions for the community, which is gradually facing the challenges of the modern church convention. Ajunwa sees diversity as a great opportunity for spiritual enrichment, and so the English-speaking community in Berlin looks to the future with confidence.