AS LONG ago as 1949, a group came from Aachen, on the German
border, to visit Halifax, in the diocese of West Yorkshire
& the Dales, to see how the local authority was
organised, and how they could rebuild their schools and education
department. It was part of a British government scheme to help the
residents of German cities destroyed by bombing to rebuild their
lives.
Since then, there has been a close relationship between Aachen
and Halifax. At first, there was no church involvement, Canon
Hilary Barber, of Halifax Minster, says; but, in more recent years,
they have "shared their experiences of living in God's world,
celebrating the goals and achievements, and sharing times of
challenge and hardship".
Since Halifax Parish Church became Halifax Minster, there has
been a renewed sense of friendship, especially as the Meissen
Commission is encouraging ever closer relations between the Church
of England and the Evangelical Church of Germany. Exchanges have
been going on, and Canon Barber has been invited to visit the
Aachen diocese with a preaching programme, and to share in an
ordination.
This year, the choristers from Halifax Minster made a pilgrimage
to the Aachen region, singing in the cathedrals of Aachen and
Cologne, the parish church of Solberg, and in the Anglican church
in Cologne. The Mayor of Aachen hosted a civic reception for them
all.
Plans are now advanced for both a church and civic delegation
from Aachen to be present at the Remembrance weekend in Halifax, in
November, in this anniversary year of the First World War. It will
include the Mayor and the regional MPs of Aachen, representatives
of their diocesan synod, and of the German armed forces, as well as
the German Embassy in the UK. Notably, there will be colour parties
from both English and German armed forces.
"Some people won't like it," Canon Barber says, "but the Spirit
calls us to take risks for the sake of the gospel and the peace of
the world. Bonhoeffer would remind us of the costly discipleship at
the heart of the call to follow Christ."