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“Wear a mask. Respect the regulations and restrictions. The disease is still out there.” This is Ms Sandrine Ilunga’s message to fellow youth, as DRC eases COVID-19 restrictions and her church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo, reaches out to students and their families. PHOTO: ELCCo
15 Oct
COVID-19: DRC church keeps students and their families protected
Rapid Response Fund, coronavirus, COVID19, MC/COVID19, Diakonia, LWF member churches, Communion Building, emergency relief, Youth
15 Oct
The ELCCo COVID-19 response initiative is supported by the LWF Rapid Response Fund (RRF), through which requesting churches received an amount of up to EUR 5,000 toward efforts aimed at reducing the...
Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Rastafari representatives discuss faith perspectives on debt relief, inequality, reparations and reconciliation. Photo: LWF
14 Oct
Interfaith appeals for fairer economic system
Public theology, Theology, Interfaith, Advocacy, Economic justice, Finance
14 Oct
At a webinar, jointly organized by the LWF, WCC, WCRC and CWM, representatives of various faith communities spoke about the insights that their religious traditions offer on issues of debt,...
Kavre District, Nepal: Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
13 Oct
Asia: Strengthening communion relations in time of pandemic
Member Churches, Communion Building
13 Oct
Appearing online after a long recovery from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Bishop E. Vijaya Bhaskar of the South Andhra Lutheran Church in India, expressed gratitude and thanks.
The World Association for Christian Communication has published a new report on countering hate speech online. Photo: Unsplash/Dan Edge
13 Oct
Turning hate speech into ‘hope speech’
Theology, Lutheran Engagement in the Public Space, Ecumenical, social media
13 Oct
The World Association for Christian Communication has launched a new report exploring how to respond to and counter hate speech online. 
During the award ceremony of the Augsburg Peace Prize: (from left) Augsburg mayor Eva Weber, former president of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck, Reinhard Cardinal Marx, and Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. Photo: Ruth Plössel/Stadt Augsburg
12 Oct
The prophetic courage of joint witness and action
Augsburg Peace Prize, Ecumenical
12 Oct
On the occasion of the award ceremony for the Augsburg Peace Prize on 10 October, Rev. Dr Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, sent his congratulations to the two prize-...
Headquarters of the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. Photo: Public domain
12 Oct
Debt cancellation: a moral imperative during pandemic
Economic justice, LWF General Secretary Martin Junge, COVID19, Advocacy
12 Oct
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Martin Junge has written to the heads of global financial institutions urging them to consider the moral imperative of debt cancellation...
Traditionally baked Ethiopian bread being shared out with participants at a global consultation on Lutheran identities in Addis Abeba in October 2019. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
9 Oct
Spirituality at the heart of Lutheran identity
Lutheran theology, Theology, Lutheran identity, LWF member churches, Communion Building, Reformation
9 Oct
The LWF webinar on 7 October featured Finnish pastor, Rev. Dr Kirsi Stjerna, a professor of history and theology at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. The webinar,...
Daw Ma Saw Myint, head teacher of an LWF-run temporary Learning Space in Myanmar, experienced herself the limited opportunities for girls and women. She is trying to keep adolescent girls in school. Photo: LWF/ S. Thandar
8 Oct
COVID-19: Empower girls to determine their future
Gender, Women, girl, child, Protection, Myanmar, Kenya, South Sudan, Jordan, early marriage, Education, girls, International Day of the Girl Child
8 Oct
On International Day of the Girl, the Lutheran World Federation is raising awareness about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on girls in vulnerable communities. LWF is calling upon the...
Representatives of different Christian churches and ecumenical organizations gathered online to mark the closing of the 2020 Season of Creation and pray for a ‘Jubilee for the Earth’. Photo: LWF/JC Valeriano
7 Oct
Christian leaders pray for reconciliation and ‘Jubilee for the Earth'
Theology, Climate, Ecumenical
7 Oct
LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Martin Junge joined representatives of other Christian world communions and ecumenical communities on 4 October for an online prayer service to close the 2020 Season of...
The first group of eight students at the new ICT center of the Nepal Evangelical Lutheran Church in the southeastern city of Biratnagar. Photo: NELC
6 Oct
Nepalese church opens ICT center to promote youth employment
LWF member churches, Diakonia, Youth
6 Oct
The Nepal Evangelical Lutheran Church has welcomed the first group of students to its new information and communication technology center, set up to promote youth employment in Biratnagar city in the...
LWF General Secretary Martin Junge addressed the Faith for Nature conference which is taking place in Skálholt, Iceland, via video stream. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
6 Oct
Creation is a gift, not a commodity
ecotheology, Theology, Ecumenical, Interfaith, Advocacy, Climate
6 Oct
The survival of humankind as "created creatures in a created world" will depend "how we might seek fulfillment in life in gifts and resources that are not for sale," said Rev. Dr...
Children demonstrate hand washing at Kakuma refugee camp; Kenya. LWF has reinforced hygiene education to prevent a spread of COVID-19 in the camp. Photo: LWF/ P. Omagwa
5 Oct
COVID-19: Responding when social distancing isn’t an option
Diakonia, COVID19, WS / COVID19, emergency, livelihood, Livelihoods, Protection, WASH, Water, #withrefugees, Refugees, IDP, humanitarian
5 Oct
Unparalleled cooperation, resilience and commitment, but also an enormous challenge for field staff and the communities we serve – this is what a global health emergency has meant for humanitarian...
Vibrant and beautiful worship at the Njube Centre parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe. LWF General Secretary Martin Junge preached, local choirs sang beautifully and young people from the church offered powerful testimony to a society peace. Ecumenical partners of the ELCZ participated in the service. From 29 February-4 March 2020 the LWF General Secretary and a high level delegation visited Zimbabwe, its churches and people, to show solidarity and offer encouragement. Photo: LWF/A. Daniel
5 Oct
Worshiping together on Reformation Day
Theology, JDDJ, Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, Ecumenical, Reformation, LWF member churches, Communion Building, Reformation Day
5 Oct
Member churches of the LWF are called to engage more closely with one another as they prepare to mark this year’s anniversary of the Reformation on 31 October 2020. Ahead of the annual celebration of...
Rev. Elitha Moyo Gender Justice Coordinator for the ELCZ says, “We need to appreciate each other regardless of gender.” Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
2 Oct
Zimbabwe: Women and men working together for gender justice
Voices from the Communion, gender-based violence, COVID19, coronavirus, Gender Justice, LWF member churches
2 Oct
In this Voices from the Communion, Rev. Elitha Moyo Gender Justice Coordinator for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe talks about the importance of men and women being involved in the...
Chanset, an ethnic Khmu girl in northern Laos, with school uniform, books and other items provided by LWF as part of a program to provide access to quality education for girls. Photo: LWF/P. Simayvanh
1 Oct
LWF calls for urgent action on women’s rights
Gender, Gender Justice, Gender Justice & Women’s Empowerment, Statement, women's rights, women's empowerment, CEDAW, Advocacy, Women, Climate, SDGs
1 Oct
The LWF is urging world leaders, meeting at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on 1 October, to “safeguard the gains made in gender equality and women’s empowerment and to commit to further...
Ms Canaan Osagie speaking at the Symbols of Hope mid-September event in Benin City, southern Nigeria. All photos: SOH Nigeria
1 Oct
On a mission to break the myth about irregular migration
LWF member churches, Migration, Youth
1 Oct
The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria helped a returnee migrant set up the shop in 2019, through its Symbols of Hope (SoH) program. SoH is a global initiative by the LWF that enables member...
Women at a hand pump in Panyagor. The extremely poor sanitation conditions are exposing people to waterborne diseases at a time when they are also battling COVID-19 . All photos: LWF/ B. Germamo
30 Sep
LWF supports flooded communities in South Sudan
Diakonia, Livelihoods, livelihood, quality services, Protection, Jonglei, emergency, floods, WASH, natural disaster, Risk Management
30 Sep
The LWF is urgently calling for support to people affected by the flooding in South Sudan. Unusually heavy rains have caused the Nile to rise and created flood emergencies all along the river and the...
Young climate activists gathered in December 2019 at the COP25 summit in Madrid, Spain sound the alarm for climate justice. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
30 Sep
Prophetic young voices call for climate action
Climate, Climate Justice, Ecumenical, Season of Creation, ecotheology, Theology, Advocacy, Youth, Climate Change, Creation
30 Sep
Young climate activists from different Christian churches took part in a webinar during this Season of Creation to highlight how every person of faith has an urgent and crucial role to play in the...
Rev. Angela Trejo Haager of the Mexican Lutheran Church, one of the coordinators of the LWF Women and Gender Justice Network of churches in Latin America and the Caribbean. Photo: LWF/A.Danielsson
29 Sep
Bible studies highlight gender justice work
Gender, Gender Justice, Theology, Communion Building, Women, LWF member churches, Women in Ordained Ministry, women's empowerment, 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence
29 Sep
Women in ordained ministry across Latin America and the Caribbean are sharing biblical reflections to support members of their communities and shed light on their work for gender justice at this time...
An activist against sexual violence in conflict speaks up during an LWF event together with the Mukwege foundation in November 2019. LWF is working with the Mukwege foundation and SEMA, a global network of survivors to end wartime sexual violence in 21 countries. Photo: LWF/ L. Gillabert
28 Sep
Human Rights Council: Concern about sexual violence in South Sudan
Statement, Women, Advocacy, Human Rights, human rights council, Violence, gender-based violence, sgbv, Protection, Gender Justice
28 Sep
The LWF has expressed “deep concern” about the high incidence of sexual and gender-based violence in South Sudan.
Panelists discussing global responses to religious nationalism: clockwise from top left, ELCA pastor Rev. Angela Denker, LWF moderator Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, Dr Sathianathan Clarke of Wesley Theological Seminary and Dr Dicky Sofjan of the ICRS. Photo: Screenshot from the webinar
28 Sep
Resisting and engaging with religious nationalism
Interfaith, Public theology, Theology, Ecumenical, Advocacy, Lutheran theology
28 Sep
An LWF webinar on 22 September entitled ‘Ignore, Resist or Engage? Global responses to religious nationalism’, featured panelists from India, Indonesia and the United States, was jointly organized by...
The Lutheran Church in Grodno, Belarus, Rev. Vladimir Tatarnikov stands with supplies purchased with LWF COVID-19 Rapid Response Funds. Photo: The Lutheran Church in Grodno
25 Sep
COVID-19: Belarus church responds to schools needs
COVID19, coronavirus, Rapid Response Fund, LWF member churches, Communion Building, Diakonia
25 Sep
While the Lutheran Church in Grodno, Belarus sheltered demonstrators and rings its bells daily in civil resistance, schools in the country have opened for a new school year. Some are unable to afford...
The vice-presidents of the European regions: Pröpstin Astrid Kleist for Central and Western Europe, Archbishop Antje Jackelén for the Nordic Countries and Archbishop Urmas Viilma for Central and Eastern Europe. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
25 Sep
Digitalization offers opportunities, raises theological questions
European church leadership consultation, Leadership, LWF member churches, Communion Building, coronavirus, COVID19, digitalization
25 Sep
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic accelerated developments and changes that European churches and societies had been facing in the past years. Being church online raises new questions for...
The United Nations headquarters in Geneva where the 45th regular session of the Human Rights Council is taking place. Photo: Unsplash/Mat Reding
24 Sep
Statement urges lifting of unilateral sanctions
Human Rights, Humanitarian Access, Diakonia, Advocacy, Joint Statement, Statement
24 Sep
The LWF has joined with other faith-based organizations to underline the negative impact that sanctions have on the most vulnerable members of society.
A Greek volunteer waves at a refugee boat in the Aegean Sea, directing it toward a safe place to land on a beach on the Greek island of Lesbos. Photo: Paul Jeffrey
23 Sep
Christian organizations representing 2.8 billion people call for more compassionate EU migration policy
Advocacy, Joint Statement, Statement, Human Rights, Migrants, Europe, refugees protection, Ecumenical
23 Sep
LWF joined Christian organizations worldwide in a statement on the dire situation of migrants and refugees in Europe, calling for a more compassionate approach. Together, the organizations signing...
A slogan used during a recent Black Lives Matter protest in London. Photo: Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona via Unsplash
23 Sep
Humanitarian agencies pledge to end racism
Humanitarian Response, racism, Human Rights, Diakonia, Advocacy, Statement
23 Sep
The heads of major United Nations agencies and other groups working in the humanitarian sector, including the LWF, have issued a statement pledging to eliminate racism and all forms of racial...
Lutheran World Federation president Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
22 Sep
Witness towards the world, among the people of the world
European church leadership consultation, Leadership, LWF member churches, Communion Building, LWF President, President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa
22 Sep
“There is a ‘prophetic defiance’ in us not letting go of each other because of COVID-19, in us finding ways to be connected, devising paths to continue expressing the relationships into which God is...
"Solidarity should be the guiding principle governing migration and particularly refugee reception".  Refugees in Hungary, September 2015. Photo: Ujvári Sándor/MTI
22 Sep
Global religious leaders urge end to “broken state of European migration”
Advocacy, Joint Statement, Statement, Human Rights, Migrants, Europe, refugees protection
22 Sep
A dozen global and regional religious organizations released an advocacy statement on the situation of migrants and refugees in Europe that defines their calling as Christians to “welcome the...
In November 2018, representatives of the three European regions met in Moravske Toplice, Slovenia. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson
22 Sep
Being church in times of transformation
European church leadership consultation, Leadership, LWF member churches, Communion Building
22 Sep
For the first time, the LWF will host an online leadership consultation with about 100 participants from its member churches in Europe.
A group of girls head to a school in Jordan’s Sahab district that is supported by LWF for both Jordanian and Syrian children. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
21 Sep
Peacebuilding a priority for post-pandemic world
Ecumenical, Interfaith, LWF member churches, Peace, peace and justice, Peace-building, Waking the Giant, SDG, SDGs, Advocacy
21 Sep
Celebrating the International Day of Peace on 21 September, the Lutheran World Federation has signed on to a statement highlighting the urgency of peacebuilding for a post-pandemic world. This year,...
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