At seven o’clock in the morning – and let us not forget that it was a public holiday – Elisa from Berlin’s Steglitz district is already in the urban railway, on her way to the Brandenburg Gate with a friend. They are determined to get there on time so that they can "see Barack Obama once". Elise is very much looking forward to hearing the discussion with the former American President and the Chancellor. "I believe that every one of us should accept more responsibility," says the young woman from Berlin – echoing the motto of the discussion, "Being Involved in Democracy: Taking on Responsibility Locally and Globally".

Two stations further on, a group of ten Kirchentag visitors of different ages, easy to spot because of their orange scarves, clamber aboard. No sooner have the doors closed than they burst into song: the classic Reinhard Mey hit "Über den Wolken". In no time at all half the carriage is singing along with more or less enthusiasm. The atmosphere is happy and carefree as the hands on the clock move round to eleven o’clock at the Brandenburg Gate too. Tens of thousands of people have congregated. In spite of the crowds, everyone appears to be relaxed. The crowds cheer enthusiastically as Barack Obama and Angela Merkel walk onto the stage.

Luther and Columbus

First of all the Chancellor pointed to what makes this Kirchentag, the annual convention of the German Protestant Church, so special. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The second special element this year is the visit of Barack Obama, she said. Her remark that Columbus, who was a contemporary of Martin Luther, built good relations at that time between Europe and America, brought a smile not only to the face of the former American President, but also to many of the faces in the audience.

Professor Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria and Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, and Kirchentag President Christina Aus der Au acted as facilitators for the discussion. One important issue was refugee policy. The Chancellor looked in some detail at the "dilemma" of trying to bridge the divide between Christian compassion and Realpolitik. It is always a question of trying to find "the best possible solution in each case" she stressed.

Thanks to refugee helpers

Angela Merkel praised the engagement of the numerous full-time and volunteer refugee helpers in Germany. They have demonstrated solidarity, she said, and have lent a high profile to their readiness to take in refugees. "And we can be grateful for this," said Angela Merkel. In her capacity as Chancellor, she said, refugee policy has been one of the most difficult issues she has faced. A great many refugees have been taken in. But some have had to leave Germany again. It is important to her, she said, that these people are not sent out into the towns and districts of Germany, where volunteers might invest a lot of time and effort, which was then for nothing at the end of the day.

She declared that she favours clarity and swifter asylum procedures. People who cannot be granted a residence permit must be returned to their home countries faster. It is important not to raise any false hopes, so that we can help those "who really need our help, because there are enough of them in the world".

Giving people opportunities in their own countries

The former American President too picked up on this issue. There is a lot of suffering in the world, but as head of government, or President, he said, one is also responsible for one’s own population. "Of course refugees are entitled to protection, but our resources are also limited," underlined Barack Obama. What is crucially important is to help people in their home countries, where they must be given "more opportunities". Development assistance, conflict resolution and investment in climate change mitigation are important instruments in this context, he said.

The official title of the discussion was "Being Involved in Democracy: Taking on Responsibility Locally and Globally". Four young people, two from Germany and two from Chicago (USA), also took part in the facilitated discussion.

Our faith puts us "in good hands"

When politicians engage in discussion at the Kirchentag, the annual convention of the German Protestant Church, the question of how they themselves engage with their faith must feature. Angela Merkel declared that she sees the Christian faith as a call to act "to the best of our knowledge and belief". But our faith also reminds us that we are only human beings, and as such we can make mistakes. This understanding, she said, means that she is sure that her faith puts her "in good hands". Angela Merkel spoke of "humility, which allows us to look at the strengths of others".

The Chancellor stressed, "We are called to freedom. But every one of us is called to freedom. And my freedom is not boundless. It is limited by the freedom of others." It is important, she said, irrespective of religious affiliation, to respect the dignity of every human being. In this context she pointed to Article 1 of the German Basic Law or Constitution.

"We must not think in months, but in years"

The Chancellor illustrated the fundamental optimism of the Kirchentag, with an example taken from her own life. In 1961, the year the Berlin Wall was erected, she was a schoolgirl, and all of a sudden she and her parents were no longer able to visit her grandmother. Berlin was a divided city. Nevertheless, there were always people who gave others hope and courage, like those imprisoned in Bautzen in East Germany. Many people were the but of ridicule for decades because they refused to abandon their hope that Germany would one day be reunited. "But the day came," said the Chancellor.

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"We must not always think in terms of months, but in terms of years." Even before German reunification, she considered how she could at last visit the USA, when she became a pensioner. "I was able to do it earlier," reported Angela Merkel. Her message was, we should not let obstacles and setbacks hold us back, but should always try, day by day, to keep hold of our own goals, and not to lose faith in them.

The 17-year-old Elisa and the tens of thousands of other visitors applauded long and loud at the end of the discussion, which was indubitably one of the highlights of the Kirchentag. But the convention will run until Sunday. And most visitors will also be going to Wittenberg.

The 36th annual convention of the German Protestant Church, the Kirchentag, is for the first time straddling two venues in 2017, Berlin and Wittenberg, as it commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The Kirchentag is held every two years, each time in a different Germany city. More than 100,000 people of all ages, different faiths and a wide spectrum of backgrounds come together. The slogan of every Kirchentag is the guiding thought that runs through all preparations and all events. It comes from a Bible quote and is adopted by the Executive Committee. The slogan selected for the annual convention of the German Protestant Church in Berlin und Wittenberg is taken from Genesis, Chapter 16, Verse 13 "You are the God who sees me".

Although most of the events will be held in Berlin, the largest celebration will be taking place in Wittenberg. On Sunday, people from all over the world will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in front of the gates of Wittenberg – on the meadows on the banks of he River Elbe, with a view across to the two churches, the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) and the Stadtkirche (Town Church). The celebratory church service will mark the highlight of the Berlin Kirchentag – giving thanks for God’s goodness and for the ability of different faiths to live together.