Pastor Anna Trapp: From the turnaround to innovative community work!

Pastor Anna Trapp: From the turnaround to innovative community work!

Anna Trapp, who grew up in Bad Wilsnack, Paderborn district, was elected as pastor after the previous pastor went to Kyritz. Trapp, who grew up in a Catholic environment, saw no future in the Catholic Church as a child because there are no female priests there. After graduating from high school, she began studying history at the Free University of Berlin, but soon realized that this did not meet her expectations. She also experienced alienation from the church and then decided to study theology. From 2005 to 2013 she studied theology at the Humboldt University in Berlin and learned Hebrew during this time.

After her 27-month vicariate, during which, among other things, she worked as a religious teacher for six months, she completed her vicariate on December 31, 2015. In 2016 she was sent to Bad Wilsnack on assignment to relieve the pastor there. After her election as pastor, she experienced a warm welcome in the community and initiated various projects, including working with young scouts in the community garden. The community was also involved in a major project to renovate the church.

Old bell and events in the Wunderblut Church

A special project concerning the return of the old bell was initiated by Christian Richter. There is also a group called “Wine and Conversation”, which is led by Andrea van Bezouwen. In April 2024, a rave party with techno music took place in the Wunderblutkirche, which was professionally organized and offered guests a special experience. However, Anna Trapp emphasizes that the church is not open to all things and also has a clear stance. No church services were held during the Corona crisis; online broadcasts were offered instead.

Funds from various sources, including federal funds and the church's own funds, were used to repair the Miracle Blood Church, in which a total of 4.2 million euros were invested over the last 7 years. A significant event took place on Whit Monday, May 29, 2023, when artist Leiko Ikemura presented glass church windows. On this occasion, Christian Stäblein, Bishop of the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia, gave the laudation.

Leiko Ikemura, who was chosen to design the stained glass windows, has lived in Japan, Spain, Switzerland and Germany. Her art addresses the history of the site, including cremation and host veneration. The glass work was carried out by DERIX Glasstudio in Taunusstein, and the project received support from the Ostdeutsche Sparkassenstiftung and Sparkasse Prignitz. For further information on Leiko Ikemura's work, those interested can: here read up.

– Submitted by West-East media