Last animal service in Vegesack: Pastor Keller says goodbye!

Last animal service in Vegesack: Pastor Keller says goodbye!

On June 10, 2025, an exceptional occasion took place in the Vegesacker Stadtkirche: Pastor Volker Keller held his 20th and last animal service. Due to the bad weather conditions, with rain and cool temperatures, the service had to be transferred to the church. This was only the second time in two decades that the event was not held outdoors, such as "https://www.weser-kurier.de/bremen/stadtteil-Vegesack/vegesack-wohnlicher- Heritage service-mit-volker-keller-doc80zq42pirs31407zok5"> Weser Kurier reported.

Keller remembered an earlier experience when loud organ music disturbed the dogs at the first service in the church. For the farewell service, however, the organist Rainer Köhler chose gentle sounds, including excerpts from the "Carnival of Animals". Pastor Keller expressed that animals have an inherent value and that God is present in creation.

a hustle and bustle in the church

The reactions of the animals during the service were diverse. While some were sitting next to their owners, others were excited. The Bernese Sennenhund Guido even had to be persuaded with treats and pats to enter the church. A service visitor proudly introduced her cat with a laminated photo.

The relationship between humans and animals was also discussed. Manuela Klatt presented various horseshoes and spoke about the close connection between man and horse. In addition to the animals of the parishioners, dogs from the Bremen animal shelter were also represented. Employees presented the dogs Flip, Ghost and August. A touching moment occurred, as a boxing mixture Henry, his former walk again.

The work of animal welfare

Brigitte Wohner-Mäurer and Karin Hensmanns informed about the voluntary work of the Bremen animal welfare association and were looking for new supporters. Pastor Keller received numerous gifts and words of thanks for his commitment to animal welfare. He expressed hope that the tradition of animal services will continue after his retirement.

The advantages of such services can also be viewed from a broader perspective. According to Evangelisch.de serve not only to strengthen the community, but also as a bridge for people who come to church less regularly. They also promote cooperation between different faiths, from Protestant to Catholic communities.

Animal welfare is viewed from a biblical perspective as a requirement of humanity. In the Book of Sayings it says: "The righteous takes care of the well -being of his animals, but the godless has no heart for them" (sayings 12:10). In the service, the relationship between humans and animals and the basic responsibility of man for creation also becomes clear. Like Tegernseer Tal Evangelisch , all animals are equivalent to humans and receive the order in the creation report.

With a last animal service, an important tradition in Vegesack ends. Nevertheless, the hope remains that this special form of prayer will continue to live in the future and that the special relationship between people and animals will be consolidated in the communities.