We are not ashamed of the Gospel

The meeting of European communicators will explore the theme “We are not ashamed of the Gospel”. Questions to be touched on are, amongst others: What does this mean for church communicators theologically and practically? How does this find expression in the LWF as a communion of churches? How do Lutherans deal with the Gospel in the public space? Does the Gospel give tools to address fake news?

As the meeting takes place in Strasbourg, France, participants will use the opportunity to visit European institutions, the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg and the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine (UEPAL).

Latin America and the Caribbean and North America Training of Facilitators

The activity seeks to promote the DPC model for facilitators in the LAC and North America regions that will offer church – church support. Facilitators will be involved in forms of accompaniment, when needed, in cases of mediation.

Two goals:

1. Participants understand the nature of conflict; enhance skills to use tools to navigate through conflict seeking change through the principles of dialogue and mediative action.
2. The regions count with a HUB support for mediation that is linked to the Sustainability Institute (InS/EST) to develop curricula and engage in trainings.

Language: English with translation into Spanish and Portuguese

Churches around the globe hold services marking Reformation Day

To mark the 20th anniversary of the landmark ecumenical document, the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ), Catholic and Lutheran leaders celebrated together in Geneva’s St Pierre Cathedral in June with representatives of Anglican, Methodist and Reformed churches who have also affirmed the historic agreement. For their shared worship service, they used an ecumenical liturgy, available on-line in four languages, which all Lutheran churches are encouraged to adapt for their own needs as they mark Reformation Day.

Prayer Service for the 20th anniversary of the JDDJ

Diversity and Identity - Different Kinds of Gifts, but the Same Spirit…

(1 Corinthians 12, 4-6)

Member churches from the LWF Central and Eastern Europe region meet to strengthen regular exchange and cooperation and to decide on concrete actions as a follow-up to the resolutions of the 12th LWF Assembly in Namibia as well as the LWF Council meeting in Geneva. 

From the perspectives of their specific regional contexts they will discuss the following main topics in the plenary and in group discussions: 

• The Ministry of the Churches in CEE; 
• Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identity 
• Being Church in the Public Space 
• Theological Education and Pastors’ Vocation in CEE 
• European Church Leadership Consultation in 2020 
• LWF Assembly in 2023 

The Consultation 2019 takes place on the invitation of Archbishop and LWF Vice-President for CEE Urmas Viilma of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.

LWF Strategy 2019 – 2024

Registration Deadline: 31 May 2019 

Language: English and German

Awareness, Action, Accountability

The 16 Days of Activism for ending Violence Against Women and Children is a global awareness-raising campaign. This annual campaign, 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day) works to end sexual and gender based violence.

Together with international partners, faith based organizations and global advocacy groups around the world, we work to break the silence, stop the stigma and end Sexual and Gender Based Violence. We encourage LWF Member Churches and Country Programs from around the Communion to creatively engage with the 16 Days campaign, and we offer resources to facilitate their work. Awareness is not enough. Let us move into action and embolden accountability to end SGBV and stand together to promote Gender Justice.

Strengthening the public role of churches in view of populist exclusionary policies

How can churches resist the increasing politically driven aggressive and divisive public discourse? And, how can they foster societies that embrace respect for diversity and inclusion? The Lutheran World Federation seeks to stimulate discussion around these questions through a new publication titled Resisting Exclusion - Global Theological Responses to Populism. 

The authors are church leaders and theologians from around the world, who share their experience of populist strategies, inviting readers to engage with these contextual views and action.  

To order copies of the publication in hard copy, please contact:

Ms Pauline Mumia Communication Officer: Theology and Publications Editor Contact by email +41 22 791 6371  

Download publication

Related news

Read more The LWF seeks to stimulate discussion around this question through a new publication titled Resisting Exclusion - Global Theological Responses to Populism. The volume in the LWF Studies series (2019/1) offers analyses and theological perspectives on the public role of churches in view of populist exclusionary policies.

New publication: Resisting Exclusion - Global Theological Responses to Populism

LWF Related Organizations, member churches funding partners meeting

Since its founding, the LWF has relied on the faithful and generous financial support of member churches and church-related organizations. These partners meet each year to review the LWF’s work, understand the current priorities and agree the working relationship for the forthcoming year.

The focus for February in particular will be to update partners on the work of the LWF.

At this meeting, partners will also have the opportunity to share their own organizational plans and priorities.

Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope

Register for the webinar which has been planned by the Season of Creation steering committee and takes up this year's theme "Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope". 

Speakers: 

• Ruth Valerio - Tearfund 
• Rei Crizaldo - Micah Global 
• Martin Kopp - Commission on Ecology and Climate Justice of the French Protestant Federation  
• Fr. Joshtrom Kureethadam - Ecology and Creation Sector of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development 
• Ruth Padilla deBorst - Latin America Theological Fellowship  

Moderated by:  

• Chad Rimmer - The Lutheran World Federation  
• Dave Bookless - A Rocha 

Online Registration

Jubilee for the Earth

Join the opening prayer for the 2020 Season of Creation.

This year’s theme, “Jubilee for the Earth”, invites us to consider the integral relationship between rest for the earth and ecological, economic, social and political ways of living.

This particular year, the need for just and sustainable systems has been revealed by the far-reaching effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The ecumenical Season of Creation lasts from 1 September (Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) until 4 October (Feast day of St. Francis). This is an invitation to engage in a month of prayer, symbolic acts and campaigns to give thanks for creation and renew our human vocation to care for it.

Online registration

Many churches in the ecumenical family observe the “Season of Creation” (also known as Creation Time) between 1 September and 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, as observed by some Western traditions. For the Lutheran communion, this liturgical season of prayer and action is an opportunity to affirm LWF’s commitment to address a central crisis of our time – climate change. “Jubilee for the Earth” is the 2020 theme for the “Season of Creation”.

Season of Creation videos

LWF Season of Creation page

Jubilee for the Earth: Season of Creation 2020 Celebration Guide

Season of Creation 2020

The ecumenical Season of Creation lasts from 1 September (Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) until 4 October (Feast day of St. Francis). This is an invitation to engage in a month of prayer, symbolic acts, and campaigns to give thanks for creation and renew our human vocation to care for it.  

The 2020 theme, “Jubilee for the Earth”, invites us to consider the integral relationship between rest for the earth and ecological, economic, social and political ways of living. This particular year, the need for just and sustainable systems has been revealed by the far-reaching effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Celebration Guide contains liturgical resources, prayers and meditations, and calls to action and advocacy. It can be used by individuals or congregations to nurture the moral imagination to restore right, just, and sustainable relationships with the Earth and among all species.

Many churches in the ecumenical family observe the “Season of Creation” (also known as Creation Time) between 1 September and 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, as observed by some Western traditions. For the Lutheran communion, this liturgical season of prayer and action is an opportunity to affirm LWF’s commitment to address a central crisis of our time – climate change. “Jubilee for the Earth” is the 2020 theme for the “Season of Creation”.

Season of Creation videos

LWF Season of Creation page

Jubilee for the Earth: Season of Creation 2020 Celebration Guide