Encouraging impulses for everyday life
We look back on ELM Women's Day 2025 with gratitude, appreciation and joy - a day that left us with many enriching impressions.
As soon as they arrived at the coffee bar, it was clear how much the women from different regions were looking forward to this joint meeting. For many, it was an opportunity to see familiar faces again and make new contacts.
The morning began with a warm welcome from Indra Grasekamp, who has been responsible for the Women's Day for many years as a consultant for global spirituality at the Ev.-luth. Mission in Lower Saxony. Music and an act of anointing opened the space for the day together.
Music and prayer opened the space for the day together.
Together, Indra Grasekamp and Anja Werner used spiritual and physical impulses to lead us directly into the topic "A test of courage - faith on the waves of life". With a mixture of humour, experience and clear observations, Anja Werner made it clear how closely trust, doubt and courage are intertwined in life. Her exercises from spiritual body learning offered practical points of reference: Many experienced them as a helpful opportunity to become more aware of their own bodies and release inner tensions. The following sentence was heard several times later: "I felt seen and newly encouraged - I'll take that home with me." A short anointing ritual rounded off the morning.
The open atmosphere continued over lunch at the Hermannsburg Protestant Education Centre. Between delicious food, conversations and short breaks, there was an uncomplicated exchange about the morning's impulses, but also about everyday topics, personal experiences or current challenges.
In the afternoon, there were five workshops to choose from, which catered well to the different interests of the participants:
- Gospel music, which not only gave musical joy, but also conveyed emotional strength.
- Artist Trading Cards, where small works of art were created that visualised personal aspects of faith.
- New paths for the church, a space for ideas, questions about the future and concrete considerations about how the church can be organised today.
- Peace trails in nature that combined tranquillity, movement and food for thought.
- The "time to change" exhibition in the Ludwig-Harms-Haus, which addressed global issues in a vivid and interactive way.
When the results were collated in the late afternoon, a diverse picture emerged: some took away new thoughts, others a concrete idea, others simply a feeling of clarity or relief. Many described having found something for their everyday lives - even if it was sometimes only a small but helpful impulse.
The closing with prayer and blessing summarised the day once again. It was a quiet moment that strengthened the sense of community and provided space to sort out what had been experienced. The fact that the day was so well-rounded and inviting was not least due to the careful preparation and the fine sense of atmosphere that Indra Grasekamp and her organisation team brought to the planning. Many noticed in the small details how much passion and attention had gone into the organisation.
ELM Women's Day 2025 made it clear how valuable places for dialogue, self-reflection and encouragement are. We leave this day strengthened - connected in a diverse community and accompanied by thoughts that carry us forward when life gets turbulent.
