Ecumenical Faith Week in Haltern

The Ecumenical Faith Week, themed ‘Gegen den Strom’ (Against the Stream), is being held in Haltern from September 12 to 20. Organized by various religious groups and local initiatives, the event features an intercultural festival, workshops, and church services.

The program includes an interview with politician Wolfgang Bosbach by ZDF presenter Stefan Leifert, alongside an exhibition and a community event titled ‘Longest Table in Haltern’.

As the event progresses, organizers have emphasized its goal to explore the role of the church amidst social and political change. Rather than focusing on declining membership, the week aims to highlight the potential of communal spiritual gatherings and address the tension between private spirituality and public religious expression. The program involves the Catholic, Protestant, and New Apostolic churches, as well as local sports associations and community initiatives.

Due to the event occupying the marketplace throughout the day, the Haltern am See weekly market is being relocated for the duration of the week. The markets scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, and Friday, September 18, will instead be held in Kardinal-Graf-von-Galen-Park. Vendors will operate in the park from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with the market scheduled to return to its regular marketplace location on September 22.