01.06.2004
Lutheran Minority Churches in Europe Call for Effective Media Networking
KALME Training Programs Have Enhanced CommunicationSIBIU, Romania/GENEVA, 1 June 2004 (LWI) – Participants in the general assembly of the Communication Committee for Lutheran Minority Churches in Europe (KALME) called for more effective networking of media work among Lutheran minority churches in Europe. They stressed the need to focus on the European dimension of the Lutheran churches’ work by exchanging ideas and projects that are implemented in their home churches and congregations.
In a statement following the May 21-26 KALME assembly in Sibiu, Romania, the 30 media representatives from 16 European Lutheran churches stated their intention to make the shared KALME Web site available in the future as a platform for the churches to present general information and current news. The assembly theme was “The Inter-confessional and Inter-religious Dialogue and Its Implications for the Churches’ Media Work.”
Concerning KALME’s future work, the assembly delegates appealed for further deepening of contact among the communication committee members. They urged leaders of KALME member churches to promote cooperation by delegating competent representatives to communication consultations, and by collaborating with the Lutheran World Federation in providing financial support for KALME’s work.
In reports about their churches’ communication work, most of the delegates noted that communication has been greatly enhanced by training programs in the areas of church publications, radio, television and modern information technology organized by KALME over the past 30 years. Consequently, the assembly participants resolved that the regional communication body should continue to offer seminars and additional training as requested by the member churches with the aim to strengthening their media work.
The delegates pointed out that contact among media workers was important during the period of the Iron Curtain as it enhanced the flow of information between East and West. Intensive cooperation between church leaders and media representatives, they stressed, would continue to characterize KALME’s work. “We consider mutual assistance and enrichment in media work essential in fulfilling the mission of the gospel,” they said. KALME would continue to facilitate links between large and small churches in Europe and would serve as a forum where media experts and church leaders can meet.
KALME brings together media workers from 22 Lutheran minority churches in Europe. Its communication committee was founded in 1977 in Güstrow, Germany, to serve as a bridge in a divided Europe at that time.
Marina Chudenko (Russia) was elected KALME chairperson while Rev. Roland Kauffmann (France) was appointed deputy chairperson. Other officials on the four-member executive committee include Rev. Marco Uschmann (Austria) treasurer, and Karin Denghel (Romania), secretary. Elected to serve on the KALME board whose membership has been reduced from ten to eight were: Rev. Jerzy Below (Poland), Praxedis Bouwmann (Netherlands), Rev. Pavlis Bruvers (Latvia) and Meelis Süld (Estonia). (460 words)
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