Konstanz. 67 members of the district synod met by video conference on April 30th to hear highlights from the individual church fields of work on Corona in a digital district synod and then to start a conversation.
“Diakonie is charity – we have created ways to be there for people even in the pandemic,” emphasizes Christian Grams, managing director of the Diakonisches Werk. “People with mental illnesses in particular need our help to understand what is happening, what they are allowed to do, what not and to talk about their fears,” continues Grams. In the children’s apartment in Engen, many children are looked after during the lockdowns who have no technical equipment at home and no contact person for homeschooling. “Otherwise these children would fall through the net,” the managing director continues.
Clinic pastor and deputy dean Louisa Mallig emphasizes how tense the situation is in the intensive care units and how well the cooperation between the clinic management and pastors works in the pandemic. “We are there for everyone – the patients in the wards, COVID patients in the intensive care unit, we build a bridge to the relatives who are often not allowed in and look after the clinic staff in this challenging situation.”
School dean Martin Lilje emphasizes that religious instruction is also perceived as pastoral support, more so than before in the pandemic. However, the educational mandate must not take a back seat. Here, too, the tiredness of the students in digital lessons makes it difficult to convey theological content and to exchange ideas on questions of life.
In addition, from the perspective of the Synod, many new forms of spiritual gathering have emerged – both in the congregations and in youth work. Reading the Bible via WhatsApp, online devotions and digital game afternoons.
Nevertheless, a polarization can be seen here as well: people who want to hold on to the old and ask for them, and people who are open to new things and see opportunities.
After the spotlights, the synodals exchanged views on this topic. Spiritual life in its present form continues to be important. But the digital offers should also be continued after the pandemic, diaconal action should be brought back into focus and more specific offers should be considered for target groups. “The church must remain relevant in society and find suitable forms for it,” was the conclusion of the digital round.
Wochenblatt @: Oliver Fiedler- .
