Chaplaincy in the Birmingham German Market

Birmingham’s German Market attracts more than 5.5 million visitors a year and boosts the local economy to the tune of £400 million.

It’s the largest outdoor Christmas market in the UK, and the biggest German market outside Germany and Austria.  Many staff work very long hours and are away from their home and sometimes their families for several weeks.   Revd Elaine Hutchinson leads a chaplaincy service to those working in the retail business in Birmingham and felt God place it on her heart to offer a listening ear and friendship to the market holders.​

Armed with leaflets translated into both Polish and German, our regional correspondent Rachel Matthews, joined Elaine and fellow chaplain Revd Joe Roberts on one of their morning visits.