Doing good makes people happy! (1) A year full of small acts of kindness
“It’s time to do good!” Our 2025 motto inspired brothers and sisters around the world. Over the past year, the congregation of Schwäbisch Hall in Germany focused on one particular aspect of our 2025 motto and organised activities around it—and did good.
We, the congregation of Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, were invited at the beginning of 2025 to bring the annual motto to life together. Each monthly campaign was to be understood as an offer and inspire the members to join the action on a voluntary basis. The activities were to be characterised by appreciation, small acts of kindness, and a lively exchange that was to make the 2025 motto visible. A verse from a children’s song accompanied the activities: “Little deeds of kindness, little world of love, help to make earth happy, like the heaven above.”
Small gifts maintain friendship! In March, the focus was on gratitude. Everyone was able to express their appreciation with small gestures, loving words, or a personal thank-you card. Cards were put out in the foyer of the church, which could be handed over personally or distributed anonymously. The idea was to raise awareness of the power of a simple but heartfelt “thank you!”
Nothing good happens unless you do it. In month of April, we turned thoughts about doing a good deed into concrete actions. We invited everyone to collect ideas and added them to the “Wall of Good Deeds”. In addition, greeting cards were prepared for members of the congregation who are no longer able to attend divine services. The cards were signed by everyone and were then either delivered by the Priest during a pastoral visit or were sent by mail.
Nothing brings people together like singing. In May, music took centre stage. The song requests collected from the members were integrated into the divine services. The service on 11 May had a special musical character and was intended to impart joy, confidence, and inner peace.
Pentecost inspiration. June was characterised by the experience of Pentecost. On the Saturday before Pentecost, the youth organised a joint preparation for the Pentecost service. It was open to all age groups and included various group activities. In addition, a board for SPIRIT-inspired thoughts was set up in the foyer of the church. Throughout the month, it was filled with impressions and sentences from divine services—beginning with the Pentecost service with the Chief Apostle.
Prayer works! Still! In July, the congregation was invited to rediscover the power of prayer. Our well-known “prayer box” was set up again. Concerns, requests, and expressions of gratitude could be submitted anonymously. The officiants regularly took some of the notes and prayed over them. And if they felt it was inspired by the Spirit, they could be incorporated into the sermon. In this way, communal prayer was consciously experienced as a unifying force.
Self-care: everyone thinks of themselves, but I think of myself. In August, we focussed on self-care. Referring back to Matthew 22: 39, it was made clear that self-love is a prerequisite for loving our neighbour. A wall with ideas for self-care had been set up in the foyer of the church. The members were able to take the cards that they felt were appropriate for them: attention, calm, rituals, indulgence, or small breaks from everyday life. Only those who take good care of themselves can also be there for others.
Small acts of kindness, every kind word … In September, the children of the congregation developed an activity around the annual motto. In Sunday School they collected ideas for small acts of kindness. Every Sunday, they drew lots to see which children would perform which tasks at home. Acts of kindness were therefore made tangible in a child-friendly way.
Sharing is caring. In October, the focus was on Thanksgiving. It was about gratitude for God’s creation and an awareness of the sustainable use of resources. In keeping with tradition, donations were collected for the Schuppachburg in Schwäbisch Hall: non-perishable food, hygiene articles, and monetary donations. The campaign met with great support in the congregation.
Sustainability is charity in action! November focused on the topic of sustainability—understood as an expression of responsibility for creation and charity. During an evening event on the theme of “Sustainable church”, it was emphasised that sustainability is not a trend, but a Christian attitude. Ideas were developed together on how this topic can be continued in the congregation in 2026. The month was rounded off with the traditional candlelight service, which brought hope, reflection, and warmth to the darker months of the year.
“It’s time to do good!” In December, we will participate in the “Gifts under the Christmas tree” campaign organised by the Diakonieverband Schwäbisch Hall. Christmas wishes from people in need will be hung from our church’s Christmas tree and can be fulfilled by members of our congregation. It is also possible to support the donation projects of humanaktiv (nak-karitativ). This is how we will end the year with active charity and practical help.
What remains: traces of goodness that accompany us. The 2025 annual motto “It’s time to do good” was implemented over the last months with great commitment, creativity, and passion. From gratitude to music, self-care, prayer, sustainability, active charity, right up to acts of kindness by our children, we managed to draw an arc from the beginning of the year to the end. Every activity—voluntary and inviting—contributed to the members being able to do good with and for each other.
Photo: NAK Schwäbisch Hall
And what is your story or action related to our 2025 motto? Please send all submissions, including a description and photos or, where applicable, video links, to the following email address: [email protected]