Tiny church at the center of the community

. 1 min read

The Rev. Heike Miller (right) visits with Dieter Kugelmann outside the United Methodist Church in Lorsbach, Germany, during Café Gegenüber, a weekly gathering for coffee, cake and conversation. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Story by Vicki Brown, photos by Mike DuBose
April 9, 2018 | LORSBACH, Germany (UMNS)
A weekly gathering for “kaffe und kuchen” hosted by a tiny 12-member United Methodist church has transformed one village and its relationship with the church while raising money for a life-changing education program in Ghana.
Lorsbacher Gemeinde (Lorsbach United Methodist Church) of the Frankfurt Church of the Caller Circuit began the Café Gegenüeber last year, with a trial opening during the summer months.
“We wanted to do it for the people here,” said Helga Saalbach, a member of the church. “A long, long time it was our dream to have a café. The main purpose was to raise money, next to give the love of Jesus.”