Weekend full of diversity: CSD service and more in Cologne!

Weekend full of diversity: CSD service and more in Cologne!

On the weekend from July 4th to 6th, 2025, numerous Cologne Pride events are on the agenda in Cologne. The CSD service, which takes place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the Queeren Kirche Deutz, has the motto “We celebrate how we were created”. This event is accompanied by a festive atmosphere with glitter, prayer and energy for the upcoming demonstration. In addition, the ordination of Svenja Disselbeck will be celebrated in the Martin Luther Church in Hürth on the same evening at 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday, July 5th, the day begins with an organ vespers at 6:00 p.m. in the Trinity Church. This will be followed by another ecumenical service for Cologne Pride in the Antoniterkirche at 6:00 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by a Klezmer music concert in the Delling Evangelical Church, also at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a memorial walk to the air raids of 1943 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., starting at the KVB Westfriedhof stop.

Farewells and openings

But the weekend doesn't just have festive events to offer. At the same time, Pastor Sybille Noack-Mündemann will be farewelled in the Reconciliation Church in Holweide on Saturday. Sunday, which features other important events, begins at 10:00 a.m. with the opening of the Spökes children and youth center in the Melanchthon Church. A CSD pop-up will take place in the AntoniterQuartier in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

At 11:00 a.m. there will be the Pride blessing in the St. Johannes Church in Deutz, followed by the ordination of Pastor Christiane Averbeck at 3:00 p.m. in the Jesus Christ Church in Kalk. Finally, at 3:00 p.m. in the Heppendorf community center, the Apostle Paul Church will say goodbye, which is due to the demographic changes and energy requirements of the community.

Queer church services

In a supra-regional context, the Church of the Holy Spirit in Bern also invites you to a queer ecumenical service. This will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The aim of this service is to overcome patriarchal, heteronormative and discriminatory images of God. All interested parties, regardless of origin, denomination, sexual orientation or gender identity, are invited to celebrate together and exchange ideas.

After the service, an aperitif will be offered that not only serves as a networking opportunity, but also gives the opportunity to reflect on the five-year presence of the queer service in Bern. Music is designed by organist Marc Fitze and illustrator Anna-Lena Spring.

These events illustrate the ever-growing space for queer and inclusive services in both Cologne and Bern and thus send a strong signal for diversity and acceptance in the church.

Further information about the weekend can be found on the website Church Cologne and to the event in Bern Queer aging.