Uckermark: 50th Protest for Peace – Together against the silence!

Uckermark: 50th Protest for Peace – Together against the silence!

Activists from the “Bridge Lights” protest movement have been gathering in Uckermark since the beginning of the year. Under the motto “Swords into plowshares” they demand peace and an end to the agitation. On December 19th, the members of the “Klockow 24” group will meet for the 50th time to draw attention to current politics. This is a reaction to the strict requirements of the Brandenburg police, who had forbidden the protesters from flying flags and signs nordkurier.de reported. However, in the neighboring region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania they were able to continue to advocate for their concerns because the regulations here are less strict. At the last meeting, the group was even able to welcome Pastor Thomas Dietz, who supported their peace efforts.

A moving farewell

Not far away, in Offenburg, an important farewell is being celebrated: Dean Frank Wellhöner is leaving his post after 21 years. In a celebratory service, numerous political and religious figures honored his work, which made him a “bridge builder” in the region. The regional bishop Heike Springhart honored his achievements, while the trombone choir provided musical accompaniment to the emotional event my-stuttgart.com reported. At the same time, the Offenburg Evangelical Church Community was experiencing change as new pastors were appointed to their positions to address the changing needs of the community.

While the protest movement in Uckermark fights for change, Wellhöner says goodbye with best wishes for his future. These two events underline the dynamic changes within Germany's religious and social landscape and show how much people's engagement is shaped by personal and social change.