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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 29.06.2008 |
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| You Are the People of Hope, Not of Despair, Says Namibian Bishop |
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LWF Vice President Kameeta Preaches at Thanksgiving Service
ARUSHA, Tanzania/GENEVA, 29 June 2008 (LWI) – “The Word of God is taking you and me into the kindness of God,” declared Bishop Dr Zephania Kameeta, Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) at a colorful, music-filled thanksgiving service on 29 June in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha.
“Especially during the dark days of life, when we talk about the suffering of creation and about our own suffering, we should look back and remember the days when we experienced the kindness of God,” Kameeta, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Vice-President for the African region reminded the more than 500 Sunday morning worshippers at the Arusha Town Lutheran Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).
The thanksgiving service was also attended by LWF Council members, who had been invited to join various congregations around the ELCT Arusha diocese.
“The Council has come together in Arusha to discuss about the suffering of creation, and about the suffering and death of humankind,” said Kameeta, referring to the this year’s theme “Melting Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro: A Witness of a Suffering Creation.” It is important, he went on to say, that people do not forget what God does for God’s people. Suffering separates people from God and God’s promises, cautioned the Namibian bishop. He noted suffering caused people to rebel against God, making them to forget to pray. He urged those assembled not to forget prayer and to believe in the goodness of God.
He referred to the letters of Paul in the New Testament and the numerous reminders therein that God looks favorably upon all humankind. These letters were written at a time when Christians were being persecuted, noted the ELCRN bishop. Precisely for this reason they are for us today a witness of hope. “The word of God has the power to lift you up, to wipe away your tears and to take away your sadness and worries,” he emphasized.
“Suffering makes people less human. Suffering makes us think we are nothing,” he affirmed, and cautioned against lingering in the darkness of suffering, but instead urged people to reach out for God’s word like a tiny child thirsting for milk. “You are the chosen people of God. You are not the people of despair, but you are the people of hope—also in difficult times. You are called to hope. God will never give up on you. The Word of Jesus Christ lasts forever,” stressed Kameeta.
The thanksgiving service included a festive procession in which blessings were pronounced for harvest offerings brought to the foot of the altar. After the service, the chickens, corn, bananas, fruits and even a calf donated to the congregation were auctioned off on the church square to those present. The proceeds will benefit the church’s diaconal projects.
Norwegian pastor Rev. Sven Oppegaard, representing the LWF National Committee in Norway, in his greeting to the host congregation said, “We are united as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, everyday and especially, when we are celebrating worship.” On behalf of the LWF Council, Oppegaard, former LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs, thanked congregation members for their hospitality and generosity.
Three choirs from the Arusha diocese provided music for the thanksgiving service. (557 words)
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