Charity in focus: Festival service inspires Bürgstadt!

Charity in focus: Festival service inspires Bürgstadt!

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, a festive service took place in the old churchyard of Bürgstadt, which marked the start of the annual street and courtyard festival. The event attracted a large number of visitors and the beautiful weather helped ensure that the tables were well occupied. Pastor Jan Kölbel warmly welcomed Mayor Thomas Grün, local councilors and various association delegations. The service was accompanied musically by the Fränkische Rebläuse band, which provided the festive setting.

The service highlighted the important topic of being there for others, helping and being helped. In his sermon, Kölbel highlighted the parable of the Good Samaritan and emphasized the importance of charity. “It’s about not just hugging friends, but also treating strangers and difficult people with compassion,” said the priest. His message was clear: every person is called to be merciful and to help others, regardless of their background or history.

Charity in focus

The idea of ​​charity runs through many religions and cultures. In Christianity it is emphasized in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. “You should love your neighbor as yourself,” demands the Old Testament, while in the New Testament Jesus even calls for loving your enemies. This shows how deeply rooted this concept is in faith and daily life. In addition, great attention was paid to volunteer work and everyday help, which express respect and regard for other people, such as: Sunday paper represents.

The event in Bürgstadt also highlighted the importance of festivals and carefree celebrations in the community. Such events promote togetherness and strengthen social bonds. A hearty breakfast with the “8 francs” and a delicious lunch rounded off the event and invited people to a social get-together.

A common concern

Charity is not only a central aspect of Christianity, but also of great importance in Judaism and Islam. Similar to Christianity, Judaism encourages good deeds, and Islam uses the terms “Zakat” and “Sadaqa” to view helping those in need as a religious duty. The interreligious connection of these values ​​shows how important mutual support and respect are in human coexistence. Proverbs like “If you don’t want something done to you, don’t do it to anyone else” put this message into an everyday context.

In today's world, the practical commitment of organizations such as Diakonie and Caritas to disadvantaged people is essential. They contribute to the realization of the commandment of charity and offer important help in various areas of life.

The service in Bürgstadt was therefore all about community, helpfulness and life-affirming values ​​that are linked by charity. The event once again shows how important it is to support one another and be there for one another - a message that is more important than ever in our society today.

For more information about the parish and its activities please visit the official website.