A seven-member delegation from the Evangelical Church of Westphalia (EKvW), led by Annette Kurschus, EKD Council President and President of the EKvW, toured Sibiu and its surroundings in early July 2023. During the trip, the delegation also paid a visit to the fortified church of Hosman.
Ruth István, tourism advisor of the Fortified Churches Foundation, and Mira Darvas, currently temporary castle keeper of the association European Youth Centre Fortified Church Hosman. / Centrul European pentru Întâlnirea Tineretului Biserica Cetate Hosman (CEPIT), welcomed the Westphalian guests, who were accompanied by EKR Secretary General Friedrich Gunesch and Ecumenical Officer Dr Elfriede Dörr, with lemonade, coffee and cake. After a guided tour of the fortified church ensemble, as well as explanations of the work of the Fortified Churches Foundation, the delegation was able to continue their journey strengthened and enriched with many new impressions.
The EKvW is made up of 454 parishes in North Rhine-Westphalia and has about two million parishioners. The church is based in Bielefeld and is a member of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). The president of the EKvW is Annette Kurschus (2012), the first woman to head the church. Since 2021 she has also been chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Parishes and institutions of the EKvW were and are among the sponsors of the CEPIT association, which has the goal of preserving and revitalizing the fortified church ensemble in Hosman.
Text and Photos: Stefan Bichler
