New blessing project: marriages and baptisms in Frankfurt and Offenbach!

New blessing project: marriages and baptisms in Frankfurt and Offenbach!

Katja Föhrenbach has been the pastor of the Maninegen project, which was launched by the Evangelical City Dean of Frankfurt and Offenbach, since March 1, 2023. This innovative project aims to offer alternative forms of blessings such as baptisms, weddings and funerals, also at special locations. The starting signal for Maingetegen was found in February 2024 with a team of 21 pastors from the region.

The project is coordinated by Föhrenbach with half a position. Their other half is still vacant. Despite her new area of ​​responsibility, she also remains active in Praunheim as a pastor. It emphasizes the importance of blessing as a "performative act" and wants to preserve traditions and go new ways with MAINANEGENT. The underlying idea is to convey God's blessing in different life situations and to help people at important moments.

The number of wedding ceremonies in the communities is declining. Föhrenbach reported that she was only able to carry out three marriages in the Church of the Resurrection last year. A possible reason for the falling interest in wedding ceremonies are the lack of parking space in the area. In order to counteract this trend, Maingegen in the youth culture church of Sankt Peter will take part in the "Simply marry" campaign on May 25th.

diverse blessing options

The offers from MAINEGENGENCE include a wide range of blessings that are tailored to individual wishes. According to MAINGENGEN support is offered for baptism, wedding, funeral and other blessings. The accompaniment by the pastors always takes place with the aim of helping in significant moments of life and offering support.

On the occasion of the "Simply marry" campaign, couples can choose between different rooms to celebrate their weddings or blessings. The event is supported by ten pastors and not only offers the opportunity to wedding, but also includes musical performances, sparkling wine and floral decorations. Bridal bouquets have to be organized by the bridal couples themselves.

Current statistics of the Evangelical Church show that the interest in church marriages decreases as a whole. According to the numbers of the Evangelical Church , these surveys are carried out, among other things, in relation to church membership, baptism and wedding ceremonies. The somewhat disturbing trends in participation in church ceremonies are also reflected in funeral system.

Föhrenbach and the team of Maninegen now want to counteract this trend through an enriched and contemporary design of blessing rites. The goal is to celebrate life moments with new formats and to revive the familiar view of the blessing.

The website www.maingelen.de is available for interested parties. Here future newlyweds and families can find out about the possibilities and find the right pastor for her blessing wishes.