We are delighted: the Vorpommern Ecumenical Pilgrimage Initiative continues to grow. The Pomeranian Protestant Church District (PEK) will become a member of our association. The Church District Council passed this resolution in July and, at the same time, appointed Pilgrimage Pastor Ellen Nemitz to represent the PEK’s interests within the Pilgrimage Initiative.

This step will strengthen regional pilgrimage work and ecumenical cooperation. Four major pilgrimage routes run through the PEK’s area: the Via Baltica, the Birgitta Trail, the Greifen Trail and the Marian Pilgrimage Route around Lake Kummerow.

More and more people are going on pilgrimages – in search of guidance, a break, better health, or to send a message of peace, community and the preservation of creation. The Church can accompany them on this journey and open up spaces for spirituality, encounter and faith.

Over the past four years, the Pilgrimage Initiative has developed numerous programmes, trained volunteers and established the pilgrims’ chapel at St Jakobi in Stralsund. A key priority remains the maintenance of the pilgrimage infrastructure, with well-marked routes and welcoming hostels.

Together, we wish to further strengthen Vorpommern as a spiritual pilgrimage region. For pilgrimage brings people, churches and landscapes together and fosters hope.