This is a text-only version of an article first published on Monday, 10 June 2013. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
by Tony DickinsonGOD'S gift of manna provided the backdrop to this international festival.
So did continuing conflict in Syria, the Eurozone crisis and the threat from extremist groups.
Nine people from this diocese and a similar number from our twin diocese of Växjö were among 120,000 participants in the five day event in Hamburg. There were tears - not least at Thursday's Bible study as Bishop Stephen Bouman described his experience as a pastor in New York City during the days after 9/11.
Forty-seven children attending his (Lutheran) parish's school lost at least one parent. There was also much laughter.
Satirical cabaret is a German tradition even at Christian festivals.
Concerts and other celebrations provided encouragement.
The sight of two young women, a Christian minister and a refugee from Iran, sharing reactions to St John's account of the feeding of the 5,000 brought hope for the future of inter-faith understanding, as did the Friday night celebration.
Bread was broken and wine was shared in ways that enabled Christians, Jews and Muslims to celebrate together. British participation was highlighted at the final service when the Rt Revd Nick Baines of Bradford (Anglican co-Chair of the Meissen Commission) preached.
It was also visible through the Meissen stand in the Market of Possibilities and the Saturday evening Eucharist celebrating 22 years of the Meissen Agreement between the Church of England and the Protestant Churches in Germany. There were also individual speakers from the UK, including Ruth Dearnley, CEO of Stop the Traffik, who lives in Bucks and is married to a vicar.
"Five great days" was the overwhelming response, days enriched by the presence of people from our Swedish partner diocese.
Now to begin preparations for Stuttgart in June 2015!Tony Dickinson is European Officer for the Diocese of Oxford.