- 35 Eastern Avenue
- Reading
- RG1 5RX
About Us
Reading Düsseldorf Churches Interchange seeks to enable and foster personal friendship, understanding, learning and mutual respect among Christians of all denominations in Reading and Düsseldorf.
Established in a time of great difficulty in the late 1940s, the overall Reading Düsseldorf Association (RDA) is the overall twinning link between our two cities. Now over 75 years old, it affords wonderful opportunities to explore many aspects of life and culture that we share in common. It is as strong today as ever and has many thriving aspects.
Reading Düsseldorf Churches Interchange (RDCI) is one of these aspects and has been in place for 50 years. RDCI has developed strong links between Christians in Düsseldorf and Reading and, among other activities, presently runs week-long exchange visits twice in every three years, with a programme based around a topical theme.
Participants stay in one another’s homes, visit places of interest, share meals, discuss hot topics, attend worship and enjoy one another’s company. In between exchange visits there are other social events and an annual service, and we also keep in touch via online meetings. RDCI welcomes new participants.
Our most recent visit to Düsseldorf was in June 2023, with the theme ‘our changing climate’. These visits are full of interesting encounters and experiences. RDCI participants visiting an open cast lignite coal mine near Düsseldorf during the 2023 exchange visit, to learn at first hand more of the issues around the visit’s theme, ‘our changing climate’.
The next visit to Reading will be 5-12 July 2025, with the theme ‘migration’.
Anyone interested in participating in RDCI and/or in an exchange visit is encouraged to make contact to learn more. Hosting is a rewarding, though by no means required, element.
Local organisers in Reading include: Henry Pares (henry.pares@gmail.com), Hilary and Francis Jakeman (hilary.jakeman@gmail.com & francis.jakeman@gmail.com), Alan Tonkyn (alan.tonkyn@btinternet.com), Sally Cairns (Sally.a.cairns@gmail.com) and Mark Clements (mrc195@aol.com).
Any of us can tell you more and answer questions of any kind. Everyone’s interest and involvement is most welcome - please just contact any one of us.