In the 20th century, Berlin saw the rise of Nazism, the devastation of war, and the segregation of their country and city by competing world powers, manifested in a wall which divided communities and families by force. In Berlin we find a story which resonates with every place experiencing conflict and we will also hear of Christians past and present who inspire with their approach to faith.
Draft Itinerary
Monday – meet in Coventry at the Cathedral for a tour and to find out more about the Community of the Cross of Nails, which SCM is a part of. In the evening the group will travel to London and stay in London overnight.
Tuesday – travel to Cologne, where the group will meet with the Community of the Cross of Nails there.
Wednesday – travel to Berlin, arriving in the afternoon.
While in Berlin, those who come on the trip will visit Bonhoeffer’s home, now a museum, and meet with some of the people who work there. We will make a parallel visit to the Niemoller house, the lead pastor of the Confessing (anti-Nazi) Church, and hear how the ordinary church goers stood up against the horrors of that time.
We will visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church, destroyed by Allied bombing in WWII and rebuilt integrating its ruins, much like Coventry Cathedral. It is an architectural gem, but more than that it is a place where the wrongs of the past are remembered, and the redemption of God is manifested in both building materials and in people. Later in the trip we will stop at the Chapel of Reconciliation at the Wall, another destroyed and rebuilt church from the time of the Berlin Wall, rebuilt by the youth of Europe from the mud and rubble of the death strip where victims on both sides of the wall are remembered every day.
We also hope to meet with Christian Students from Germany to spend time together and share stories of living faith today.
Friday – travel to Brussels, arriving in the afternoon.
Saturday – return travel from Brussels to London, arriving late afternoon.
FAQs
What is the particpation fee? The total participation fee is £670. This will include:
- hotel accommodation
- train travel from Coventry to London
- return train travel from London to Berlin via Brussels and Cologne, including seat reservations
- a 'Welcome Pass' which covers travel around Berlin.
What is not included?
- Meals and refreshments, including breakfast
- Travel insurance
- Other expenses
- Travel between your home town and Coventry on the outward journey, and from London on the return journey.
- a supplement of £58 for those aged 28 or over to cover the additonal cost of interrail passes.
Is a bursary available? Yes, Project Bonhoeffer invite participants to apply to their bursary fund for a grant of up to £400, and full details will be sent to you on reserving your space. All that applied last year were awarded a bursary.
Can I pay in instalments? Yes, you can pay the basic 20% deposit to secure your place and then pay the rest of the participation fee in instalments by arrangement with the SCM office. The final balance is due to be paid at least one month before departure.
Do I need to speak German? – No, though it will be lovely if you do. Several people on the trip have some German and Berliners are very generous in their willingness to speak English.
Do I need my own travel Insurance? – Yes. We strongly advise that you arrange this upon booking for the trip.
I’m not a member of SCM can I still go? – Yes, if you are eligible to be a member (i.e. you are a student or recent graduate). Why not become a member at the same time?
What is expected of me? – You won’t need to do any preparation, although we will suggest some things to read or watch which will enrich your trip. Our intention is that this will be an enjoyable trip which is stimulating and thought provoking, rather than like work! You’ll be expected to be courteous with and supportive of the rest of the group and those hosting us at the various sites. There might be some visits you might wish to miss, and this will be fine, it will just be helpful to let the group leaders know. If you are joining a visit, you’ll be asked to keep well to time to make sure we arrive at our destinations as planned.
What will a typical day look like? We will have breakfast near to our accommodation and head out together to one of the venues. When we get to one of the sites we will be visiting we will usually meet a host and been shown around the church or museum and have a talk about its significance. There will be chance to ask questions and for some interpersonal chat and some time to look around on our own. In some places we might be offered refreshments and if not, we will make sure there is lots of time for snacks and coffees. We will have some time off, time to rest/reflect/sightsee and gather again for a second visit in the afternoon. In the evening, after a break for rest and a meal we will hopefully meet up with German students for some socialising. Whilst group members are free to come and go there will be a group to join to go back to the accommodation together.
Why are we going on the train? Travelling by train will help us to keep the carbon footprint of the trip to a minimum, it will also be a great chance for the group to get to know each other as we travel. (Though if you want to have your headphones in all the way we won’t stop you!)
How much walking/how will we get around? There will be a fair amount of walking - imagine a day in a big city using public transport to get to various sites. We estimate that most stretches of walking will be no more than 20 minutes at a time. Berlin has a great underground system and a travel card will be provided which will cover the whole visit as part of the cost.
What will the accommodation be like? We are expecting to book shared twin and 'family' rooms in a budget hotel, and these kinds of hotels in Europe are almost identical to those you would find in cities here. Single rooms may be available at a small surcharge.
What if I sign up and then change my mind? To cancel an event booking, notice must be given in writing to scm@movement.org.uk or over the telephone. Cancellation fees are as follows:
- If cancellation is within one month of departure then 50% of the full participation fee is due.
- If it is within two weeks of departure then 75% of the full fees are due.
- If it is within one week of departure then 100% of the full fees are due.
Deposits are non-refundable. If you have been awarded a bursary then this may be repayable to Project Bonhoeffer.
Is there any commitment after the trip? If you take up the bursary from Project Bonhoeffer they will ask for some follow up, for example for you to share your reflections with students via the SCM and Project Bonhoeffer blogs, in Movement magazine or at an event.
What about food? During travel we will all personally either bring food with us or buy it on the way. In Berlin we will buy ourselves breakfast and other meals during free time. Berlin is well served for food outlets, so we anticipate all dietary requirements being met.
I have another question not answered here. Please get in touch with the office by emailing scm@movement.org.uk and we’ll do our best to answer any other questions you have.
| 20% Deposit | £135.00 |
| Minimum Participation Fee | £270.00 |
| Full Cost | £670.00 |
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