A GERMAN preacher took to the pulpit to preach to worshippers on Remembrance Sunday - 100 years after the start of World War One.

Reverend Christa Hunzinger, of the European Lutheran Church, whose diocese stretches across Northern Germany, visited St Luke’s Church, Ferryhill, yesterday (Sunday, November 9). The churches have been in partnership since the 1980s.

Rev Hunzinger said: “We decided that we would like to focus on reconciliation for our partnership work.

“I was thankful to be invited to preach at St Luke’s in Ferryhill. It is not taken for granted that a German should be able to preach from a former enemy.”

Keith Lumsdon, St Luke’s Vicar, said: “I asked her to come across to speak on Remembrance Sunday and it was a wonderful act of reconciliation.”