INVOLVEMENT: WHAT WE CAN'T DO WITHOUT

Ina Plagemann, 18, from Hannover

The believerMost people do not visit a church after their confirmation at 14, but you, Ina, entered church community work. Why?

Working for the church is a family thing. My mother is active, and I ended up doing it while I prepared for confirmation. I even managed to convince my sister Eva, who is 14, to get involved.

What do you do?

I belong to a group that prepares the children's service. We think of stories and activites that make biblical topics interesting . A lot of the things we plan have to be tried out at home. I am also leading a camp for kids and a children's Bible week.

The children's service takes place Saturday mornings. Wouldn't you rather go shopping or relax after Friday night parties?

It's not important to me to be dressed in the latest fashion or to get drunk every week. It means a lot more to work with others and to teach children so they will think about faith the same way I do. I think it is great that there is something above man, something which created the world and from which you can expect help in difficult times, like when you have to deal with sorrow.

How do your friends react to this?

Even in my religion class a lot of people do not believe in God. Among friends, it is difficult to make others enthusiastic about visiting a church. At my age, church is considered uncool.

How does your faith influence your life?

One should accept people with all their quirks, even if one does not like them. Also, I think it is a Christian task to preserve the divine creation, so I could not do a job where I would harm nature, torture animals or use genetic technology.

Gregor Jungheim