Communication Creates CommunionThe Lutheran World Federation
LWF
LoginALN MenuSubscribe ALNHelpRead ALNALN 51 May 2010ALN 50 March 2010 ALN 49 January 2010 ALN 48 December 2009 ALN 47 October 2009 ALN 46 July 2009
OnlineThere are 48 unlogged users and 0 registered users online.You can log-in or register for a user account here. Search Box |
Register to gain access to more information and privileges on the siteIf you need help please click here 30
LWF Vice President for Asia is Ms Eun-hae Kwon, South Korea
Posted by: LWI on Friday, July 30, 2010 | Read 14 times
 New LWF Council Holds its First MeetingSTUTTGART, Germany/GENEVA, 30 July 2010 (LWI) – A new treasurer and seven vice presidents for The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) were elected by the LWF Council meeting in Stuttgart (Germany) 28-29 July, two days after the LWF Eleventh Assembly closed its business. The LWF council, also newly-elected at the Assembly, was led by Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. The bishop was elected LWF President at the Assembly. The Council elected Ms Christina Jackson-Skelton from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as Treasurer. She will also chair the Program Committee for Finance and Administration. The seven LWF vice presidents represent the LWF regions. The vice presidents also chair the Program Committees while the LWF goes through a renewal process which will be concluded in 2012. The vice presidents are: From Africa – Bishop Alex G. Malasusa, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, serving as chair of the Program Committee for Mission and Development; From Asia – Ms Eun-hae Kwon, Lutheran Church in Korea, serving as chair of the Program Committee for World Service 29
Lutherans Take Historic Step in Asking for Forgiveness from Mennonites
Posted by: LWI on Thursday, July 29, 2010 | Read 17 times
 Assembly Participates in Powerful Service of RepentanceSTUTTGART, Germany, 22 July 2010 – In what Bishop Mark S. Hanson, President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), described as possibly “the most significant legacy this Assembly will leave,” the Eleventh Assembly of the LWF today took the historic step of asking the Mennonites for forgiveness for past persecutions. Delegates unanimously approved a statement calling Lutherans to express their regret and sorrow for past wrongdoings towards Anabaptists and asking for forgiveness. Hanson described the act of repentance and reconciliation as “communion building and communion defining. “We will not just look back; we will also look towards together to God’s promised future.” 24
Palestinian Bishop Elected President of the Lutheran World Federation
Posted by: LWF Assembly on Saturday, July 24, 2010 | Read 63 times
 Bishop Munib A. Younan is a Passionate Campaigner for Peace and Inter-Faith Dialogue in the Middle EastSTUTTGART, Germany, 24 July 2010 – Bishop Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) has been elected President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) by the Eleventh Assembly here, a gathering of 418 delegates and others from the LWF member churches. 23
Five Churches in Asia Join LWF
Posted by: LWI on Friday, July 23, 2010 | Read 48 times
Membership Reaches 145 Churches and 70.1 Million Members
STUTTGART, Germany, 21 July 2010 – Five new churches, all of them in Asia, have joined the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The LWF Council approved their admission at its meeting 18-20 July. Three of the new churches are from Myanmar: the Lutheran Church of Myanmar, founded in 1995 with 1,620 members; the Myanmar Lutheran Church, founded in 1998, with 2,150 members; and The Mara Evangelical Church, founded in 1984, with 21,573 members. Also joining the LWF membership were the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in India, founded in 2007, with 15,400 members; and the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nepal, established in 1943, with 676 members. The five new churches bring the number of LWF member churches to 145 in 79 countries. LWF member churches now have a combined membership of 70.1 million (70,094,735). 23
“Lutherans and Catholics Can No Longer Afford Our Differences”
Posted by: LWI on Friday, July 23, 2010 | Read 43 times
 Cardinal Kasper Says There Has Been “No Ecumenical Winter”STUTTGART, Germany, 21 July 2010 – Addressing the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) today, the recently retired President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity said that he felt “deep emotion and gratitude” looking back on “these years of such rich and enriching cooperation with the Lutheran World Federation.” Walter Cardinal Kasper said that “Lutheran-Catholic relations have been since the beginning of our international dialogue … in my heart and will remain in my heart.” Referring to his recent book about the ecumenical movement, Harvesting the Fruits, Kasper said, “I was more than surprised to see such a rich harvest and that we have achieved much more than we could even dream before. There has been no ecumenical winter.” 23
“It is Time to Restructure”
Posted by: LWI on Friday, July 23, 2010 | Read 54 times
 Good Stewardship Demands Secretariat Changes: LWF TreasurerSTUTTGART, Germany, 21 July 2010 (LWI) – There has been a positive development in the Lutheran World Federation’s (LWF) membership fees, LWF Treasurer Mr Peter Stoll said in his report to the Eleventh Assembly. Since the 2003Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada, fees have increased from USD 2.6 million to USD 3.2 million in 2009. Nevertheless, there are still churches “in the North as well as in the South” that do not pay their membership fees, Stoll said. Although the financial situation of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is stable, efforts must be increased in order to secure its future in the longer term. Funds in the Endowment Fund, founded in 1999 with a long-term target of CHF 50 million, amounted to almost CHF 12 million at the end of 2009. The next goal is to reach CHF 20 million by 2017. Now is the time to financially restructure the LWF headquarters, said Stoll. All departments have faced financial deficits, he said, urging efforts to achieve balanced budgets. The Treasurer asked the Assembly to consider decentralizing the headquarters in order to “create more synergy with the resources of the member churches and regions,” and restructuring the seven LWF regions and all the departments of the LWF offices in Geneva, Switzerland, where the organization has been located since it was founded in 1947. 22
“In Fellowship and Care For One Another, We Recognize the Face of God”
Posted by: LWI on Thursday, July 22, 2010 | Read 55 times
 General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko Relates “Daily Bread” to Caring for the WorldSTUTTGART, Germany, 21 July 2010 – A changing world, a more inclusive communion of Lutheran churches, closer ecumenical relations and the challenge of serving others are some of the issues the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will address in the years ahead, said General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko in his report to the LWF Eleventh Assembly. Referring to the Assembly theme, Noko said that “daily bread” had strong “spiritual significance.” It was in the act of breaking bread that the risen Lord Jesus was revealed to the travellers on the road to Emmaus, he said. “And it is in fellowship and care for one another that we recognize the face of God.” 22
A World in ‘Pain’ But Lutherans Gather in ‘Confident Hope’
Posted by: LWI on Thursday, July 22, 2010 | Read 51 times
 LWF President Calls Churches Attention to Celebrating Their Common HeritageSTUTTGART, Germany/21 July 2010 – Lutherans gather in Stuttgart, Germany, for their international assembly at a time when “the world is in pain,” said Bishop Mark S. Hanson, President of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) when he presented his address to the once-every-six years gathering, taking place in this southern city of Germany. “Wars rage, the creation groans under the weight of our consumption, refugees wander in search of shelter, illness and death come to those who lack access to clean water and health care,” said Hanson, who is also Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, “You bring to this assembly the cries of the people in your communities,” the LWF president said to the more than 400 delegates and hundreds of other participants attending the meeting hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg. The assembly theme is “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread.” 21
A Soul-Searching Assembly
Posted by: LWI on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 | Read 67 times
 The theme for the LWF Eleventh Assembly LWF is based on the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread.” The LWF Council chose these familiar words as a point of orientation for all that we say and do. Thus, a rich variety of experiences is anticipated during those seven days in July 2010 in Stuttgart, Germany.It will be a time of celebration, for God does indeed give daily bread, even “without our prayer,” as Luther explains in the Small and Large Catechism. More than that, God regularly provides not only the necessities, but also the finer things of life. It is our duty and delight to praise God and to give thanks for such generosity. But that is only part of the story. The other piece is troubling. The Eleventh Assembly will also be a time of soul-searching. The good things that God keeps giving to “us” do not reach all of “us.” We will want to reflect and pray about why it is that so many among “us” die of starvation. 20
Hunger is Not God’s fault, It’s Our Fault
Posted by: LWI on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 | Read 58 times
LWF Eleventh Assembly to Focus on Alleviating Hunger in all Forms
STUTTGART, Germany, 19 July 2010 (LWI) – “Hunger is not God’s fault; it’s our fault,” said The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Bishop Mark S. Hanson at the opening press conference of the federation’s Eleventh Assembly. Introducing the Assembly’s theme, “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread,” the president said, “If people lack what they need for daily life, it is because we have failed to ensure that the good things of God’s creation are justly and equitably distributed to all.” Follow what's happening from the Assembly website: www.lwf-assembly.org 14
Lutherans Meet in Germany for LWF Eleventh Assembly
Posted by: LWI on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 | Read 118 times
 Archbishop of Canterbury to Deliver Keynote Address in StuttgartGENEVA, 14 July 2010 (LWI) – In about a week’s time, Lutherans from around the world will meet in Stuttgart, Germany, for the Eleventh Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF). "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread" is the theme of the 20-27 July event, hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wuerttemberg. The LWF comprises 140 member churches in 79 countries, representing more than 70 million Christians. An estimated 1,000 people, including 418 delegates from the member churches will participate in the assembly, held mainly in the Liederhalle cultural and congress center. Occurring normally every six years, the Assembly is the LWF's highest decision-making body. Follow what's happening from the Assembly website: www.lwf-assembly.org 14
Opening & Dedication of Sabah Theological Seminary Multi-purpose Education Centre
Posted by: STS on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 | Read 99 times
 Construction of the multi-purpose 6-storey Education Centre which started in May 2008 was finally completed in early 2010 and on 1st May 2010 the Dedication Service for the Centre was conducted successfully. The Celebration was well attended by about 1,000 people from far and near. All Glory is due to our Lord! It was also a time of wonderful fellowship with friends and we are truly touched by the outpouring of love, care and concern. Thank you for your prayers and kind words. The Centre covers a built-up area of 64,024 square feet and the complex comprises of a 900-capacity auditorium, a recreation hall, a 2-storey library block and a conference room for 100 participants. In additional it comprises a mini chapel, 12 classrooms and 13 lecturers’ apartments. 08
LWF Youth Holds LWF Pre-Assembly in Dresden
Posted by: LWF Youth on Thursday, July 08, 2010 | Read 128 times
 Over 120 Participants ExpectedGENEVA, 28 June 2010 (LWI) - Over 120 young Lutherans from the 140 member churches of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will gather from 11 to 17 July in Dresden, Germany, to prepare for the LWF Eleventh Assembly convening the following week. The Assembly is the organization's highest decision-making body, meeting every six years. The Pre-Assembly Youth Conference (PAYC) will take up the Assembly theme "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread." This concerns not only the question of food security but also broad religious and social issues such as HIV and AIDS, illegitimate debt and climate change. 30
ALN51 Released!
Posted by: LWF-Asia on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 | Read 152 times
Dear readers
We are pleased to announce the release of ALN51. Just click on the newsletter on the right. As promised, this issue brings you a special feature in honour of the late Rev Dr Kunchala Rajaratnam of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church. Several Lutheran partners of the Mekong Mission Forum (MMF) had also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mission and ministry cooperation in Cambodia. Do you know there are more than one Lutheran church in Myanmar? The Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod had also just ordained their first woman pastor. Read all these and more in this issue of the Asia Lutheran News (ALN). Please forward this link to those who may find the news helpful and relevant. ALN Team 27
Consultation on Contextual Theological Education in Mekong Region
Posted by: CCA on Sunday, June 27, 2010 | Read 135 times
 Dr Hope Antone, Joint Executive Secretary of Faith, Mission and Unity (FMU) delivered the keynote address of the Consultation on Contextual Theological Education in the Mekong Region from June 17-20, 2010, held at the Myanmar Institute of Theology, Yangon, Myamnar.This is the 5th joint consultation organized by the Mekong Mission Forum (MMF), Association of Theological Education in Myanmar (ATEM) and Judson Research Center of Myanmar Institute of Theology (JRC-MIT). Previous consultations had tackled the topics of Ethnic Minority (2006); Dialogue (2007); Identity (2008); Mission and Development (2009). |
Latest ALN in PDF  Asia Lutheran SearchType in your keyword and this Google search will check only Lutheran websites in Asia. Click on partners   New web linksLWF youth Blog RSS feed. Click on title to readJovenes Latinoamericanos en NeuendettelsauRoger, We will alway remember you General Secretary Elect Rev. Martin Junge Addresses the Assembly |