Churches from Reading’s twin town of Dusseldorf will be part of a special anniversary service taking place at Reading Minster Church on Sunday, July 23.
The church is hosting a special Eucharist service to mark the 70th anniversary of the link up between Reading and the town from Germany.
The friendship between Düsseldorf and Reading began when the Mayor of Reading, Phoebe Cusden, answered a call from the Royal Berkshire Regiment, then occupying Düsseldorf, for help for people who were hungry and homeless following the war.
She sent help, visited Düsseldorf, and invited six children to stay. A return visit followed, and a regular annual exchange of young people in both directions developed.
Next Sunday’s service is part of a visit by Oberbürgermeister of Düsseldorf, Dr Thomas Geisel which will see him visit a range of events across the town including Reading Fringe Festival.
The service takes place at Reading Minster Church in Reading’s St Mary’s Butts from 2pm on Sunday, July 23.
And that’s not the only celebration taking place this summer for the twinning association.
Between Saturday, August 19 and Saturday, August 26, there will be a visit by members of Düsseldorf churches to Reading.
This continues the cycle of regular visits which began in the 1970s, and will see a group of people from the churches in Düsseldorf come to stay for a week with Reading church members.
As well as worship together, they will share several social events and a day trip.
For more details, click here
