Munich theologian Christian Albrecht presents the role of Christian rituals in a secular world

It focused on the spiritual and ritual accompaniment of people at turning points in life, such as childbirth, adolescence, entering marriage, coping with illness, and dying. Six conference papers illuminated the topic of accompaniment from diverse perspectives. 

The conference was opened by ETF Dean Jan Roskovec. Then Pavel Kolář from the Hussite Theological Faculty of Charles University spoke about the use of the anthropological concept of rituals in the liturgy. In the keynote lecture, Christian Albrecht from the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Munich pointed out the opportunity presented by the rites of baptism, confirmation, wedding, and funeral in the context of today's secularized society. They offer the opportunity to reach people who would otherwise be difficult to reach and open up a view of the individual's life story in the light of the Gospel. Empirical research on the current practice and interpretation of baptism in the ECCB was presented by Tabita Landová. She emphasized that the church today should strive for an open, inviting, and communicative practice of baptism that connects the understanding of baptism with its sensory perception.

The afternoon session was about accompaniment at the end of life. Monika Ulrichová shared her experience of using logotherapy to accompany the dying. Ondřej Macek discussed blessing as a possible part of spiritual care. Jana Hofmanová addressed the question of how to take into account the individual story of the deceased in the funeral farewell. 

The topic of accompaniment was far from exhausted. If the conference raised questions in its participants and opened up discussion and mutual exchange of views, then it fulfilled its purpose. 

Tabita Landová