The Anti-War House in Sievershausen, Germany

The story of the work of one of the members of the Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN) - St Martin’s Church and the Anti-War House in Sievershausen, Germany.

In 2014, John Witcombe (Dean of Coventry and the Community of the Cross of Nails presented a Cross of Nails to St. Martin’s Church and neighbouring Anti-war House to the parish of Sievershausen, Germany.

For many years the parish of Sievershausen has worked in reconciliation. In 1979 the “Dokumentationstaette zum Kriegsgeschehen und ueber Friedensarbeite” was founded - this is the association which supports the anti-war house.

They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)

This is the underlying principle for the work and worship of the community in Sievershausen. The anti-war house has become a lively event centre and developed a diverse programme that reflects their understanding of peace work as a political, historical and cultural task. There are regular exhibitions, lectures, readings, music, and theatre performances.

There is also a seminar house, which hosts people, to teach them how conflicts may be solved in a constructive way. Since the mid-1960s by Klaus Rauterberg peace workshops and lectures have taken place on this site. There is space for youth camps, seminars and a retreat centre. In recent years the church and anti-war house have invested time working together and have a close and supporting relationship.

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