LWF Member Churches Encouraged to Urge Governments to Sign Treaty

GENEVA, 12 April 2013 (LWI) – The first-ever global Arms Trade Treaty will be an important tool for peaceful and non-violent resolution of conflicts, with justice and respect for the dignity and rights of every person, says Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan, President of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

Mekong Mission Forum Says Biblical Foundation Key to Identity

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia/GENEVA, 10 April 2013 (LWI) – Lutheran churches in Asia’s Mekong Delta are developing a stronger identity by strengthening the biblical and theological basis for diaconal and church ministries, participants in the annual Mekong Mission Forum (MMF) said.

Meeting 4-7 April in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 45 participants representing 16 member churches and mission partners discussed ways to revitalize the theological foundation of MMF’s work and enhance Lutheran identity in the region.

LWF’s Gratitude for Generous Support from Churches and Partners

ZA’ATRI, Jordan/GENEVA, 28 March 2013 (LWI) - “We received the shelters during the rains, but before the snowfall. Our first night in the prefabricated shelter was the first night we felt safe and warm in Za’atri refugee camp,” Omm Yaser recalls, with tears welling up in her eyes.

Thanks to humanitarian support from The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and other organizations collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the family of the 55-year-old mother and grandmother was protected from freezing and cold temperatures between December and March. They can sit together in the family’s “winterized room,” which is connected to the main prefabricated shelter attached to another four shelters, currently home to the household of more than 20 people.

Theologians Gather for Second LWF Hermeneutics Consultation

EISENACH, Germany/GENEVA, 26 March 2013 (LWI) – As theologians from 20 countries gathered to gain new understandings of the Psalms for the 21^st century they were reminded of the relevance of the ancient biblical writings to situations of contemporary violence.

“Singing the Songs of the Lord: Contemporary Interpretations of the Psalms from Lutheran Perspectives,” is the theme of the 21-27 March consultation taking place at Eisenach, Germany, jointly hosted by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for Theology and Public Witness (DTPW) and the University of Jena.

Lutheran Church Leaders Attend Enthronement

CANTERBURY, United Kingdom/GENEVA, 21 March 2013 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge has welcomed with joy the enthronement today of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, saying it comes as Anglicans and Lutherans embark on a new phase of cooperation.

“The new Anglican-Lutheran International Coordinating Committee (ALICC) is meeting for the first time later this year, and I am convinced that this is a strong sign of our ongoing commitment for joint witness,” said Junge, who took part in the enthronement ceremonies at Canterbury Cathedral in England.

Timely Delivery of Safe Water through LWF’s Cooperation with Local Communities

GENEVA, 21 March 2013 (LWI) – “Water Cooperation” is the theme for this year’s World Water Day, marked globally on 22 March.

For The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), World Water Day 2013 is an opportunity to highlight how decades of collaboration with local and international partners facilitate the timely delivery of safe drinking water to people caught up in conflict and weather-related disasters across the world.

LWF Leaders Meet with Pope

VATICAN/GENEVA, 20 March 2013 (LWI) – In an audience with Pope Francis earlier today, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan offered the new pontiff a painted cross from El Salvador to help inspire his new ministry.

“May this serve as an encouragement so that you offer your pastoral experiences in Argentina as gifts for this new service into which you have been called. We pray for your contributions to become a blessing for the church,” Younan said.

Lutheran Leaders Attend Inauguration Mass

VATICAN CITY/GENEVA, 19 March 2013 (LWI) – Leaders from The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) attending the inauguration mass of the pontificate of Pope Francis earlier today in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican, said the first Latin American pope’s concern for the poor gives him common cause with Lutherans.

“Nobody should be lost – this is the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said LWF President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan. “The compassionate service to the poor across the denominations is a compelling way of witnessing to this message.”