Only a few more days, then it's Christmas Eve.
In Schongau, special services are being offered again on this occasion - some of them in the open air.
Schongau - It was already foreseeable in autumn that there would be no "normal" Christmas this year, says Pastor Jost Herrmann. That is why the
Evangelical Church
in Schongau thought early on how to organize the services for this important festival - and the community has become creative again. "We spared no effort or expense, but we wanted to show that Corona not only means doing without, but has also opened up technical possibilities," said Herrmann. "During this difficult time we wanted to give the Schongau residents an extraordinary service."
For the two
Christ Vespers
at 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the Protestant community uses the larger (Catholic) St. Anna Church in Schongau's old town.
"Here, believers and those interested can experience a traditional worship service in the dry and sitting," explains the pastor.
The service is accompanied by music.
The 3G rule
applies to the
Christ Vespers
as well as to a
mini service for families with small children
at 3:30 p.m. in the Trinity Church - each church in Bavaria decides that itself. Visitors should not forget proof, their ID card and a mask.
Service also for non-vaccinated people with a special nativity play
However, a service for non-vaccinated people should also be offered. “Nobody should be excluded on this day. Since we assume it will be quite difficult to get tested on December 23rd or 24th, we have an
outdoor service without 3G
planned, knowing full well that the weather can thwart our plans again, ”says Herrmann.
The service is planned for 5 p.m. in front of the Trinity Church.
Masks must be worn.
A special nativity play awaits the worshipers: in the run-up to the event, a total of 25 children acted out scenes from the Christmas story at twelve different places in and around Schongau, sometimes during heavy snowstorms.
This resulted in small films that are projected onto the big screen and onto the church tower and commented live with humor by angels, explains Herrmann.
The previously accepted Mary, Joseph, Shepherds and Kings then also come to the service and offer their gifts.
Please register for all four services - online or by phone (08861/7358).
Those who prefer to stay at home: The outdoor service is recorded in advance with music, prayers and sermons and can be viewed as an
online service
on the website of the Evangelical Church in Schongau
from Christmas Eve at 5 p.m.
Day nursery celebrations in the open air
The Catholic Church will also have day
nursery celebrations
in the open air
on Christmas Eve, as in the previous year, in
order to have more space: at 3 p.m. on the parish meadow at the Transfiguration of Christ and at 4 p.m. in the cloister courtyard.
In addition, on Friday, December 24th, at 5 p.m. there will be a Christmas Vesper on the parish meadow at the time of the Transfiguration of Christ.
Those who prefer to attend a service in the church and not in the open air can
do so
as part of the two
solemn Christmas masses offered
by the parish community: the first is scheduled for 9 p.m. in the parish church of the Transfiguration of Christ, the second at 11 p.m. in the City parish church Mariae Himmelfahrt - this is already booked, however, according to the parish.
Christmas Day in the Schongau parish community
There are also invitations to the churches on the Christmas holidays: On Christmas Day, December 25th, a
festive service will be
celebrated
in Mariae Himmelfahrt at 10 a.m.
A Christmas celebration of the
Word of God
at 6 p.m. will be accompanied by music with zither, harp and dulcimer.
The parish community Schongau, in cooperation with the Kolping Family Schongau, invites again this year to the common
forest Christmas
on Sunday, December 26th, at 5 p.m.
The meeting point is the car park at the end of Säulingstrasse in Schongau am Forchetwald.
A mask is required and the distances must be respected.
“It is important to us that all believers can celebrate Christmas appropriately.
Nevertheless, we ask that you adhere to the precautionary measures mentioned, ”the announcement said.
Second Christmas Day in the Schongau parish community
A
festive service is
planned
for Christmas Day at 10 a.m. in the Transfiguration of Christ
.
A
church service
at 6 p.m. in Mariae Himmelfahrt will be accompanied by music from the town band's winds.
Christmas services: registration required
Due to the pandemic, the parish community asks for a registration for all church services by Wednesday, December 22nd at the latest, under the telephone numbers 08861/71712 or 08861/4432 or by e-mail to pg.schongau@bistum-augsburg.de.
There is no 3G rule or the like here - all services can be attended regardless of the vaccination status.