Mannheim loses popular pastor: Gustrau changes to Hessen!

Mannheim loses popular pastor: Gustrau changes to Hessen!

After twelve fulfilled years, Dr. Maibritt Gustrau from the Christ Peace community in Mannheim. Her term of office as pastor is celebrated on July 27, 2025 with a festive service in the Christuskirche, which Dean will lead Ralph Hartmann. This occasion is rounded off by a reception in the forecourt of the church. From September 1st, Gustrau will compete in the Frankfurt and Offenbach city dean of Frankfurt and Offenbach, where she will take over a parish for ecumenism with a focus on inter -confessional dialogue and ghanapartner. [MRN News reports that ...] (https://www.mrn-news.de/207/08/mannheim-pfarrerin-gustrau-change-nach-hessen-verabschiedung-27-in-christuskirche- through-dekan-hardmann-592844/)

In her time in Mannheim, the pastor, who was ordained in 2007, initiated many important projects and changes. For example, it has established an intercultural church center at the Friedenskirche, which offers space for four other language communities. This center found a new home in the Evangelical Community Center Neuhermsheim after the peace church was closed in March 2025. With great commitment, Gustrau also initiated the first framework agreement for intercultural-ecumenical partnership in Baden, which caused it to beat important bridges between different cultures.

a life for ecumenism

dr. Maibritt Gustrau is not only active in Mannheim, but also participated in various intercultural projects in the cities of Heidelberg, Eberbach, Pforzheim and Karlsruhe. "The diversity in our community is a big profit," she says, stating that different people can be connected by the gospel. This conviction is based on the firm idea that ecumenism makes a valuable contribution to unity among the different Christian churches. The [ecumenism] (https://www.bistum-dresden-meissen.de/ diverse- interreligioeser-dialog/okumene interligios- dialog) in general, which has been funded since the 2nd Vaticanum, is a central concern for Gustrau and their future work in Frankfurt and Offenbach.

As part of her new task, Gustrau will be happy to take new ways in the interreligious dialogue. This dialogue is crucial to promote understanding between different cultures and religions and thus contributes to peace work in the world. During her time in Mannheim, Gustrau not only strengthened the Christian community through various initiatives, but also promoted the coexistence between different religions. One of their most important messages remains: looking for common ground and respecting differences.

Farewell and new beginning

"I take a lot of positive things from Mannheim," says Gustrau back. She is particularly grateful for the trust of the community, which she accompanied in difficult times. Her loyal companion, the Hahn Otto, who has been a fixture in her sermons since 2018, will accompany you on her way to Frankfurt and Offenbach. The Repair Café, which took place for almost a decade in the Friedenskirche, will also move to the Christuskirche and will take place there for the first time on July 19 to 2 p.m.

to say goodbye, Dr. Brigitte Hohlfeld, the chairwoman of the eldest circle, that the parish office in Mannheim will be filled. There are already offers that seem promising. The time for Gustrau in Mannheim is coming to an end, but her commitment to ecumenism and intercultural dialogue will take it into her new task.