From left to right: British Columbia Synod Bishop Gerhard Preibisch, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod Bishop Elaine Sauer, National Bishop Susan Johnson, David Foxhall, Justine Foxhall, Saskatchewan Bishop Cindy Halmarson, Eastern Synod Bishop Michael Pryse

ELCIC bishops met with David Foxhall, the Government of Canada’s head of development program in Ramallah, and Justine Foxhall. During the meeting the bishops expressed their dissatisfaction with the governments recent position on the conflict in Gaza. Appreciation was expressed for the humanitarian aid that has been committed to Gaza, but the bishops underlined their concern for a long-term solution for peace with justice in the region.

But this day also brought hope and much needed assistance for Al Ahli in the form of several trucks filled with medicines, medical supplies, blankets, and food that arrived in convoys coordinated by UNRWA. The hospital to date has received some limited assistance through various aid agencies, but the trucks arriving today represent a huge boost to the hospital’s ability to continue its urgent humanitarian mission of medical care for anyone in need, even under the current dire circumstances. The hospital’s location in the very heart of Gaza City is now placing added responsibility on its work, which is being carried out so bravely and selflessly by the hospital staff.

The materials that reached Al Ahli Hospital come from the overwhelming generosity of many partners and friends: US AID; the several members of Action by Churches Together International (ACT) acting through the ACT Palestine Forum who coordinated the purchase and transport of supplies; and the dozens of individual churches, agencies, and persons around the world whose hearts have responded to the needs of the hospital. The assistance from US AID has been exceptional in helping in several other areas of need through a variety of collegial contacts.

Bishop Suheil and the Diocesan family are deeply grateful for this gracious outpouring of generosity and support. And Suhaila Tarrazi, Director of Al Ahli, speaks with a voice touched by emotion in thanking the many friends and supporters who have offered their prayers and assistance.

Bishop Suheil states, “We are so grateful for the immediate and exceptionally generous response in prayers and monetary gifts. In addition, the generous donations of medical and urgent humanitarian supplies such as food, blankets, plastic sheeting, bedding, fuel, and even detergent for washing clothes and linens make all the difference.

We are inspired and touched deeply by the devotion of Suhaila, Dr. Maher, and the Medical, Nursing, and related Staffs at our Hospital in Gaza.”

“You can rest assured that we are doing all that is humanly possible under these most complex and difficult circumstances to insure the safety and well being of the Hospital and its Staff,” the Bishop continued. “Funds that flow from the Diocesan account will be
transferred as quickly as possible to Al Ahli Hospital to meet the many rising costs associated with the treatment of such a large number of in-patients. Because of the circumstances, these patients and their families are now being provided for at essentially no cost. We are advancing necessary cash to the Hospital for this purpose and are able to do this thanks to the generosity of so many, from locally in this Diocese, our Global Anglican family, international partners, and the many individuals who have sought to help through their monetary gifts.”

The hospital staff, although fatigued, remains in good spirits while facing the many challenges in attending to patients like Mohan’nad. Knowing that there are people who care for them and support them brings comfort and sustenance in these difficult days.

(Files from Anglican Communion News)

Forty-four bishops representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) are participating in a weeklong series of meetings with religious, political and community leaders in Israel and the West Bank, and visiting religious sites. Their visit, concluding Jan. 13, also focuses on support and encouragement for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), which is timely because of the war in Gaza.

Some 500 trees are to be planted here eventually. Before they left, the bishops visited a local Palestinian man’s home, now surrounded on three sides by a tall metal barrier. Newly constructed Israeli settlements surround his home on the other side of the fence on land that was once his, he said. The bishops prayed at the barrier before leaving.

In remarks here, Adnan Husseini, governor of Jerusalem, Palestinian Authority, said life in the area was difficult for residents because of the barrier. “We need permission to move in and out of the wall,” he said. “If we want to build a Palestinian state, we have to move in this state.”

The bishops visited this area to do two things, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. “We will cry out songs of lament for all people, and we will plant olive trees here as a sign of commitment for the generations to come … to see olive trees, not walls.”

The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, ELCIC national bishop, promised to remember the people.

“We promise we will return home and continue to accompany you,” she said. “We will speak to our governments, and we will work for a just peace for all in this land.”

Earlier in the day, the bishops visited the Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah, a coeducational school. The school is one of four schools and four educational programs operated through the ELCJHL. The bishops and spouses were entertained by the school’s Al Raja Dance Troupe, and conversed with several students.

Majdi Habash, an 11th grader, and Mohammad Omar, a 10th grader, said they don’t know whether they will leave the West Bank once they complete school. They said their parents worry that they won’t return.

Omar said he hopes “the U.S. will look at us and Israelis as equals” under the new Obama administration. He said he wants the administration to help Palestinians and not give more weapons to Israel.

People in the United States do not have a clear picture about Palestinians, said Deema Beides, an 11th grader. “Please tell the truth about us,” she told the bishops. “We’re not fighting for something that is not ours (land). The conflict is not about religion.”

“Please let (others) know the truth,” said Rana Burqan, a 10th grader. “Let them know that children in Gaza have a right to live. There’s no difference between Muslims and Christians. We’re all Palestinians.”

The bishops concluded their day with dinner at the International Center of Bethlehem. Several local church representatives attended.

(Files from ELCA News.)

Further details on the 2009 Bishops’ Academy Trip to the Middle East can be viewed online: http://2009bishopsacademy.wordpress.com/

Information about the Evangelical Lutheran School of Hope is at http://www.elcjhl.org/ed/schools/hope/hope.asp on the Web.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 162,000 baptized members in 613 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.

Bishop Cindy Halmarson

Good Tuesday from Bethlehem. Our trip has been an incredible time of learning and walking with the people of the ELCJHL who are struggling to live in his holy land together. Life for families and youth is difficult for those who live behind the separation wall erected by Israel. The most basic routines of going to school, work, farmer’s fields or church is hindered by checkpoints and sometimes random exclusions. Visiting other cities is not permitted. The ELCJHL is a leader in educating Palestinian Christians and Muslims.

On Wednesday we conclude our time with ELCJHL and go on to Galilee. We have been safe and well received most everywhere. Thanks to those who have accompanied us in prayer during our journey.

Bishop Cindy

Today was another emotional day. We saw a Palestinian home that is completely surrounded by the Israeli security fence with a six foot area around three sides. On the other side are Israeli settlers. Settlements are illegal under article 4 of the Geneva Convention but there they are.
 
We went to the Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah. What an amazing group of students. We had conversation with Grade 10′s in our group. They are articulate, bright politically savvy youth, Muslim and Christians/ male and female studying together. It was a great story of hope being with them.
 
We experienced two checkpoints complete with soldiers carrying machine guns coming on board our bus to check passports. It was very unnerving.
 
This afternoon we planted olive trees right along a part of the Israeli security fence near Bedo. It was a symbol of our hope for the future and our solidarity with the Palestinian people who are unable to cross the wall to get to their farms.

Where is God? Where is my neighbour?

Yesterday we had a tour of Augusta Victoria Hospital, an LWF hospital and were inspired by the work they do. We also saw the geriatric ward that is being paid for by CLWR and CIDA. The director was most appreciative of our Canadian contributions. There is a plaque with a Canadian flag on the wall in this area.
 
We had a very tense day today. We travelled to Hebron which is a highly conflicted area. There are about 400 Israeli settlers in a mainly Palestinian community. The army is everywhere, with plenty of checkpoints. There were some anxious moments when we had to go single file through some of those checkpoints, just as every day, most Palestinians have to do. A member of the world council of churches EAPPI team had to accompany us everywhere we went as well. We are housed in Beit Jala, right next to Bethlehem, at a place called Abraham’s House.
 
Tonight we had a wonderful meal with ecumenical leaders in Bethlehem. Tomorrow we are off to the Church of the Reformation. We will attend worship then have a meal with a local family. It has been difficult to have much conversation with local people. We are kept tightly ordered in our groups and no one is encouraged to separate from the group. It will feel like freedom.
 
We also had a tour of a mosque in Hebron today. In 1992, 29 people were killed by an Israeli during worship. This is a very honoured place for the local people and we were honoured to be in their place of worship. We saw the tomb of Abraham and Isaac within the mosque as well.
 
Please continue to pray for us as we travel and learn with our Israeli, Palestinian and American colleagues. Two questions are often asked here- Where is God? and Who is my neighbour? These are questions for all of us, so it is a wonderful experience to be in this context and talk about such things together.
 
Thanks for your prayers. We’d love to hear from all of your too.
Peace to all.
 
Elaine and Rick

A Quieter Day

Today was a quieter day. We walked to worship at Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala. The congregation is small but full of children. They sang during the offering, a very familiar song, Seek Ye First. What a wonderful sound in Arabic. We followed with the singing of the Lord’s Prayer in Arabic. It is amazing to be in a different time and place and feel so close to our own worship.
 
After worship we were invited to family’s homes for lunch. The Palestinians expect you to stay all day and often invite you for the night. A short visit of three hours was not enough for them but that was all we could manage with the schedule set up for us. We heard of how it takes 18 checkpoints to get to Jordan from here and we heard it takes 5 for a worker to get to Jerusalem for work each day (up to three hours each way).
 
We found that women here are highly educated but are low on the totem pole in terms of advancement and salaries. The family we visited has 8 daughters, seven have masters or PhD degrees but most are in low paying jobs. They are often disappointed at lack of employment and at least three of them are working overseas. They wish they could work here though.
                                  
We spent a brief time in Bethlehem Square, next to the Church of the Nativity, taking in the local scenery. Elaine bought, guess what, a nativity set. Then we arrived at a Palestinian Tourism reception and each of us received one more as a gift. Now we have three to bring home. The reception was to build and encourage us to support tourism in Palestine as well as Israel. For every dollar we spend in the Holy Land, only 5% ends up in Palestine. Even though some countries’ travel websites discourage people from staying in the West Bank, Bethlehem and Jericho are safe sites and are certainly worth the visit. Many countries, not including Canada, now acknowledge this.
 
Part of our itinerary tomorrow is to visit Lutheran Schools, plant olive trees next to the security wall and meet with the Canadian Consulate officials. It should be an opportunity to express our concerns about the situation and Canada’s response to it.
 
Peace
Elaine and Rick

Forty-four bishops representing both churches are participating in a series of meetings Jan. 6-13 with religious, political and community leaders in Israel and the West Bank, and visiting religious sites. Their visit also focuses on support and encouragement for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).

ELCJHL congregations and bishops who preached were:
+ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beit Sahour, Beit Sahour: The Rev. Bruce H. Burnside, ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin (based in Madison)
+ Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem: The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop (Chicago)
+ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope, Ramallah: The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, ELCIC national bishop (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
+ Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Beit Jala: The Rev. Margaret G. Payne, ELCA New England Synod (Worcester, Mass.)
+ Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem: The Rev. Floyd M. Schoenhals, ELCA Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod (Tulsa, Okla.)

The Jerusalem congregation celebrated worship in Arabic and English, led by the Rev. Ibrahim Azar, pastor of the Arabic- speaking congregation, and the Rev. Mark Holman, pastor of the English-speaking congregation. The worship theme was Jesus’ Baptism.

In his sermon, Hanson told the congregation that God’s word of promise for all is that “the heavens are still opened and the Spirit of God is still descending.”

“In Baptism God commissions us and promises us the strength of the Holy Spirit for the struggle for peace with justice. How good it is that, even in the midst of occupation and war and violence, we have something to say, and that is that Jesus the Christ, crucified and risen, continues to accompany us,” the ELCA presiding bishop said.

“The liberating gift of Christ through faith by God’s grace is that Christ continues to accompany us as we accompany you, Palestinian Christians, in your struggle for justice and peace,” he said.

Some of the visitors for worship at the Church of the Redeemer represented four ELCA seminaries: the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia; the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.; and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. Students and faculty from the seminaries were in the Middle East as part of their “J-term” programs in which the Lutherans tour and study in different regions of the world each January.

Following worship the North American bishops, spouses and staff were hosted by member families for lunch throughout Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Information about the 2009 Bishops’ Academy is at: http://2009bishopsacademy.wordpress.com/

(Files from ELCA News)
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 162,000 baptized members in 613 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.

Bishop Elaine Sauer

In the Holy Land – Day 1
From the plains of Tel Aviv we climbed towards Jerusalem. The roads became steeper and steeper. Biblical imagery of the fortress of Jerusalem came to mind often. As we looked out of our vehicle we saw terraced housing, a remnant of a time past but as we came closer to the city we found modern towers, bridges, glass reflecting light. There was a sense that we had entered a place caught between the ancient and the contemporary. With anticipation, we looked for a sense of the spiritual, a sense of this ancient place of God.  
But Jerusalem is just another city, a bustling place like others encounter around the world. Skateboarders bounced off barriers at the city hall, daily workers ate their lunches along walls of the office buildings, marketers yelled out their goods. Our expectation for something spiritual would need to wait another day.

In the Holy Land – Day 2
Intertwining between religious, political and personal life is reflected in our schedule- we worshipped with Holy Communion at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer; we walked to the Temple Mount but were refused entry because of political and security concerns. Police and armed guards are clearly in evidence; a walking tour of the holy sites was intended to inspire us personally but does so minimally. Only putting a prayer in the Wailing Wall evokes feelings. The stations of the Via Delarosa, the Church of the Sepulchre are interesting to see but promote little inspiration or sense of spiritual presence. The incense at the Church of the Sepulchre caused a personal allergic reaction so I had to leave the place quickly.

Palestinian merchants in the market place did cause a personal, political and faith reaction though. Some called on us to pray for peace in Gaza.

In the Holy Land – Day 3
It has been inspiring to meet leaders from all across North America, committed to this study tour. Being here re-emphasized the importance of accompaniment. I have been living a white middle class faith, occasionally tested but never to the point where I had to make a choice between preserving my life or taking a risk and encountering violence and perhaps death. When this study tour was arranged, there was limited peace in the Holy Land. A 2006 ceasefire assured that we would be free of violence and war, that we would be protected as we travelled. In the week before we departed Canada, that reality changed. We were no longer sure of our safety and we knew that a heightened anxiety was evident in our family. Daily we reflected on the purpose of the trip and looked to scripture to guide us. We were committed to the original purpose of the trip, my spouse and I did not waver, and we rested in that choice.

We knew that in making a commitment to “accompaniment” with our sisters and brothers of the Holy Land meant that we knew risks would be taken. We knew as one of our sons stated, that 150 bishops and spouses would be one big target for potential violence. We knew that suicide bombers walked in the marketplace and touched everyone in a variety of ways every day. What consistently came to mind was that a middle class North Americans we have choices to make about our own safety. That is not the case for people in the Holy Land. If I were, as a North American chose to stay home, what kind of commitment was I making to “accompaniment”? That I would accompany them as long as I was safe and secure? A commitment means we accompany under all conditions.

The prayers of our friends, family, colleagues in ministry, synod family were gifts that cemented our choice to come on this study tour. People praying for us and the people of the Holy Land. This was a pillar of our faith that strengthened us for the journey, lessened our anxieties and helped prepare us to “accompany” our friends here.

Thanks be to God.

In the Holy Land – Day 4 
Today we spent the day in meetings with Israeli officials and guides where they shared their perspective. It is interesting to see how people view the same events differently, depending on their context. Our second purpose for this study tour was to become more fully aware of what the people in the Holy Land encounter on a daily basis. Many spoke of their dream for peace- political leaders, religious leaders, even our waiter serving us in a restaurant.
 
We were also reminded of who tends to the traumatized as a solution for peace is sought. An inter-religious council works diligently together to ensure that pastoral and spiritual care occurs for all. There are approximately 10,000 Christians in this area of the world; 30% of Israeli’s are religious Jews. But in the midst of the trauma and violence and war, these small numbers together with their Muslim neighbours are caring for one another and participating in the process for peace. Praying for peace, just as we care called to do.

The Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Bishop’s Blog page can be viewed here: http://mnosynod.wordpress.com/

Clergy and bishops of the ELCA, ELCIC and ELCJHL led a worship service at Jesus' baptismal site in Jordan Jan. 6.

About 60 people, including about 10 bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), worshipped at the site of Jesus’ Baptism on the banks of the Jordan River on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6. Joining the bishops were members of Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Amman, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).

Epiphany is a Christian commemoration of the visit by the three wise men or magi to the infant Jesus.

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan gave land at the site to the ELCJHL, which plans to build a chapel and retreat center, said the Rev. Munib A. Younan, ELCJHL bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop and president of the Lutheran World Federation, said the baptismal site “will be a site of renewal of our Christian faith and our baptismal vocation to establish peace with justice first here in the Holy Land.” He said the site reminds Christians to be peacemakers, especially while the conflict in Gaza continues.

Worshipping at the historic site on Epiphany is a reminder “of the gifts of forgiveness and salvation we receive through our Baptisms,” said the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, ELCIC national bishop. “We thank our Lord and Savior for the gift of peace that we are asked to share, especially during time of conflict in Gaza. May this site and the remembrance of our Lord’s Baptism continue to help strengthen us to be peacemakers in our world.”

In remarks to media before the service, Younan thanked the king for the gift. “We are a church that wants to serve justice,” Younan said. “We want all violence in Gaza to end. We want the occupation to end. We want to live in peace and justice in a two-state solution.” Jerusalem should be a shared city for all people, he said.

Hanson, Johnson and Younan also shared a 20-minute private audience in Amman with His Majesty King Abdullah II. They discussed the future of Jerusalem as a shared city with universal access to Holy sites; the king’s commitment to the continued presence of Arab Christians in the Middle East; improved relationships between Christians and Muslims; and the urgent need to end the conflict in Gaza and respond to the humanitarian crisis, Hanson said. The king suggested continuing the conversation when he visits the United States in February to meet the new U.S. president, Barack Obama, the ELCA presiding bishop added.

The North American Lutheran bishops, spouses and staff left Jordan and traveled into Israel to Jerusalem, where they joined several other bishops from both churches. Forty-five bishops are in Israel Jan. 6-13 for their annual academy, a time for theological study and reflection. The bishops have planned a series of meetings with religious, political and community leaders in Israel and the West Bank. Some ELCA bishops canceled plans to join the academy because of the fighting in Gaza.

In opening remarks Jan. 6, the Rev. Dean Nelson, bishop, ELCA Southwest California Synod, Glendale, said the bishops’ visit has three purposes: to support and encourage the ELCJHL, to learn what living in the region is like for Israelis and Palestinians, and to advocate for peace for all people. Later the same evening, some bishops, spouses and staff attended an Orthodox Christmas celebration in Bethlehem.

The North American Lutheran bishops’ visit has gained greater visibility because of fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, compounded by rapidly declining living conditions for local residents. Since the fighting began right after Christmas, nearly 600 people have died, many of whom are Palestinian civilians.

(Files from ELCA News)

Further information about the Bishops’ trip is available online at: http://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/default.cfm

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 162,000 baptized members in 613 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.

In a statement released today, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko says, “The present bloodshed and destruction will not secure peace for either Israelis or Palestinians. It will only plant the seeds for more conflict, marginalizing the peacemakers, breeding despair, promoting radicalization and strengthening the appeal of violence.”

Reports citing local medical sources put the Palestinian death toll at more than 550 and nearly 3,000 civilian injuries, since Israel launched its 27 December operation on Gaza, including ground assaults since 3 January, aimed at stopping Hamas militants from firing rockets and mortars into southern Israel. Hamas says it has killed five Israelis by rocket fire and in combat.

Pointing to the impact of the Israeli siege on the entire civilian population of Gaza during the six-month ceasefire, Noko notes the blockade “imposed severe suffering on the entire civilian population of Gaza, fostering despair and rage rather than promoting an atmosphere for negotiations and peace.” He adds however, that attacks by Hamas and other militant organizations “are condemned by the LWF as an unacceptable response threatening the lives of another civilian population.” Equally, while Israel has an obligation to protect its people and territory, its current military operations “are disproportionate to the actual threat and have resulted in an intolerable number of civilian deaths and injuries.”

The general secretary expresses grave concern for the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, urging the Israeli government to ensure full humanitarian access to the people compelled to survive this conflict “without electricity, medical supplies, or sufficient food or water.”

Citing the LWF’s long-standing support to its member church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) in various activities fostering the establishment of peace with justice in the Holy Land, Noko insists the root cause of the Middle East conflict must be addressed. “The interpretation of God’s promise to Abraham and differing understandings of who may rightfully claim his legacy, which lie at the very heart of this conflict, can only be resolved by dialogue and reconciliation among all his children,” he says.

He criticizes both parties’ short-sighted focus on political gains through “displays of armed power,” rather than on the “difficult search for peace,” saying this approach was a betrayal of the Israeli and Palestinian “peoples’ hopes for a peaceful future.”

Noko released his statement as a delegation of bishops from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, led by LWF President Bishop Mark S. Hanson, proceeded with their visits with Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian religious, community and political leaders, under an annual event hosted by the ELCJHL.

He appeals to all LWF member churches to pray for peace, advocate for justice, and convey these concerns to political leaders. “Without a just peace in the Holy Land, there can be no true or sustainable peace for any of us,” Noko concludes.

The full text of the general secretary’s statement is available on the LWF web site at: http://www.lutheranworld.org/LWF_Documents/LWF-Statement_Gaza_Jan_2009.pd

The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 140 member churches in 79 countries all over the world, with a total membership of over 68.3 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

(Forwarded from Lutheran World Federation)

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 162,000 baptized members in 613 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.