○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Issue 3 — May 2003

Assembly Host Church National Bishop Bishop Margot Kässmann: Welcomes You to Our World Seeks Orientation and is Crying out to be Healed

Dear Assembly Participants, worship and prayer, to being Bishop Dr Margot Kässmann, your stewards, tour guides Evangelical Lutheran Church of I am delighted to welcome and friends in Christ. Hanover (ELCH), Germany, sees you to Winnipeg on behalf of Membership in the the LWF Tenth Assembly as an the Evangelical Lutheran Lutheran World Federation important opportunity “to verify Church in (ELCIC). (LWF) is very important to the our common roots in the Chris- National Bishop Raymond L. Schultz. Winnipeg is at the geo- ELCIC. In communion with tian faith and our Lutheran tra- © ELCIC graphic center of this huge other churches, we are able dition.” The 44-year-old bishop country and one of the oldest tional assembly of delegates, to experience the breadth of will be the keynote speaker at Lutheran settlements in west- guests and visitors. We will be God’s church in the world and the Assembly ern Canada. Many refugees and more than rewarded for our participate in initiatives that in Winnipeg. “I immigrants from Europe landed work by the richness and va- we cannot launch on our own. am looking for- here, then migrated to other riety of the experience that The LWF Tenth Assembly ward to the As- provinces where they started you will bring to us. theme “For the Healing of the sembly,” she Lutheran congregations. Hundreds of volunteers World,” offers us a powerful op- says. It is a It is a great privilege for and visitors from all parts of portunity to play a pastoral “great honor, us to host such an interna- Canada will be among you to role in the world’s affairs. I but also a make you feel at home and write to you against a back- great responsi- respond to your needs. We ground of war in Iraq and the bility” to be look forward to telling you use of force as a political strat- one of the main about this country and our egy. In contrast, our communion speakers. “I Bishop Dr Margot Kässmann. church’s life within it. We will address the ways in which hope I will be © ELCH look forward to hosting you at we express peaceful ways to up to it,” she support one another and the told Assembly Update. Prints of the LWF Tenth Assembly poster and creation that God so loves. As the keynote speaker fo- a postcard are available, free of charge, I am extremely grateful for cusing on the Assembly from the LWF Office for Communication Services. Bulk orders above five will be your partnership and look theme, “For the Healing of charged an administration fee of CHF forward to your coming with the World,” the Hanover 1.00 per poster and CHF 0.50 per card, great hope. bishop notes that “Our world plus postage. Grace and peace to you all, seeks orientation and the world torn by war and injus- Please contact: Raymond L. Schultz tice seeks healing. The Ms Beatrice Bengtsson ELCIC* National Bishop Lutheran churches should E-mail: [email protected] raise their VOICES FROM Tel: + 41/22-791-6368 *The ELCIC has 188,654 mem- Fax: +41/22-791 6630 bers. It joined the LWF in 1986. continued on page 9

LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 1 Sharing in the Gift of ‘Full Communion’ at the LWF Assembly

On 6 July 2001 in Waterloo, didn’t begin in Canada. It be- Anglican church sit on our , the Anglican Church gan with churches in Europe planning committees and are of Canada (ACC) and and in the process of begin- very much partners in the Canada’s largest Lutheran ning these talks in Canada we preparation of that. And body, the Evangelical began with some documents Archbishop Peers will be one Lutheran Church in Canada that had already been formu- of the honored guests at the (ELCIC) formally adopted The lated in Porvoo and else- Assembly. where. Then we developed a Peers: What Bishop kind of made-in-Canada pro- Schultz says about the par- cess. ticularly Canadian way we’ve The most unique part of approached things and are how it was approached approaching them is very im- among us is that after a series portant. There were a num- of meetings in which we came ber of decisions that were to some common agreements taken. One of them was that if on issues, it was determined we want to encourage local by our two churches that we initiative and local getting to were ready to move into—I know each other, the leader- wouldn’t call it an experimen- ship had to give some en- tal relationship—but it was couraging signals and do National Bishop Raymond Schultz (left) Waterloo Declaration, hailed interim sharing of the Eucha- some modeling. So at least and Archbishop Michael Peers (right) in as a major step forward in ex- rist where we began to have once a year, for about eight dialogue with Michael McAteer about pressing the visible unity of a life together and to take a years now, the bishops of various issues including church unity. © ELCIC the Church. look at how that was working each church have their own The relationship of full out. meetings at the same time communion is not a merger of And in the course of that and in the same place and the two churches. It affirms we discovered that it wasn’t some common time together their mutual recognition of necessary for us to come to discussing issues, not just An- each other’s orders of wor- very many agreements in or- glican-Lutheran issues. It ship, sacraments, and or- der to know we had a future means that within your first dained ministries while each together, that we could trust year as bishop you are not national church maintains its each other and work to- only going to meet every distinct identity, structures gether and that then we bishop of your own tradition, and governance. would begin with a mutual you are going to meet every For Assembly Update No. 3, process for approaching the bishop of the other tradition. the ELCIC National Bishop developments as they have Raymond Schultz and ACC arisen since then. Assembly Update: Arch- Primate, Archbishop Michael I think it’s working very bishop Peers, what sort of a Peers spoke with former well, and the reason I think role would you like to see the Star religion editor, it’s working is because there Anglican Church play in the Michael McAteer, about their is the opportunity to make re- LWF Assembly? churches’ experience with sponses based on situations Peers: I’m certainly de- the gift of full communion. that arise. The most obvious lighted to hear that the Dio- (Excerpts from the inter- example that comes to mind cese of Rupertsland, and the view follow:) is that our two churches are Anglican Church in Winnipeg exchanging clergy so that are taking a significant role in Assembly Update: Perhaps clergy of each denomination the organizing and the plan- you could give us a brief his- are serving congregations in ning. I think that many people tory of how this came about. the other. But also, in many here would have the sense How it all started? How the kinds of local events happen- that a worldwide event is tak- idea was promoted? How is it ing at the grassroots. At the ing place in this city and in working? national level, we are prepar- this diocese. Schultz: The coming to- ing for the [LWF Tenth] As- gether in full communion sembly and members of the

2 LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 LWF Assembly—An Opportunity to Share Gifts from the Communion

What would an LWF Assem- ing a smile, extending a elements of an assembly— bly be without the many hand or lending a sympa- from the participation in gifts and contributions from thetic ear. Contributions are the market of possibilities, the communion of Lutheran made in varied ways and ev- to the energetic assistance churches that bring such a ery gift, every small contri- of the many volunteers and, multicultural event to life? bution is a part of the whole of course, to the material Yet it is not just a matter picture, helping to give the support. of material gifts. Every par- Assembly its very special It is an invitation to all ticipant makes his or her features. participants to set out for own special contribution to Assembly Update would Winnipeg with open eyes the Assembly—in the ple- like to introduce some of and to discover the gifts we nary discussions, talks in these gifts and give a share with one another at the village groups, by offer- glimpse of those essential the Assembly.

A Gift from the Mount of Olives

Each year, Augusta Victoria head of each person who has Hospital (AVH), located on come forward for this gesture the Mount of Olives, East of healing. Jerusalem, receives a special The AVH is operated by gift. Oil pressed from fruits of the LWF through its Depart- the 800 olive trees on the ment for World Service (DWS) property is used on patients program in Jerusalem. In or as income to offset AVH’s 2000 LWF/DWS-Jerusalem be- © LWF/R.Hinz operational costs. gan a project to produce Olive oil from the AVH will bottled olive oil for sale to of olive oil sold in the first be used at two healing ser- AVH visitors. The bottles are year was enough to cover ex- vices during the LWF Tenth made from hand-blown glass penses and make a small do- Assembly. For the anointing, a in Hebron, and the olive oil is nation to the LWF for the hos- minister will dip his or her produced in a press in Beit pital. thumb in oil and make the Jala near Bethlehem. The in- A second project started sign of the cross on the fore- come from some 130 bottles in 2001 focuses on the need to continue planting new olive trees on the property. For a specific donation, individuals, churches or organizations could have a tree planted on the Mount of Olives, with a commemorative plaque stat- ing the donor’s wishes. A third project launched in 2002 provides individuals, churches or organizations with an opportunity to donate a gallon of olive oil toward Since 2000, proceeds from the Beit Jala- AVH patients’ needs. The hos- produced olive oil are pital primarily uses the oil on contributing to the many local dishes served to Augusta Victoria Hospital finances. patients. In Palestine olive oil © LWF/H.Putsman is a gift of life and health.

LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 3 Healing, Becoming Whole, Being Healed— Sharing Experiences

What experiences can you or evening, July 25, will be a the healing theme. Whether your church contribute to the good opportunity for this. it be health, relationships, theme of healing at the LWF By April 15, the Geneva conflicts, the environment, Assembly? Or would you just secretariat had received pro- death or loss—the need for like to listen and learn from posals from all the regions for healing is great, but so is the others about their experience this evening of exchanging wealth of experience in the of healing? The market of pos- experiences. The proposals Lutheran communion. sibilities planned for Friday illustrate the broad scope of

Bangladeshi Women Bring Rainbow Colors to the Assembly

Left: For many zation in northwestern Bang- While her life in this chal- Bangladeshi women, the ladesh. It employs a large lenging part of the world is production of silk is an important source of number of women in sericul- not as smooth as silk, her income. © ELCA ture—silk production—giving work brings hope to the fam- them an opportunity to earn ily. “I want to improve my Right: Pulling strands of silk thread off cocoons is an income to support their family and the lives of my one of the first steps in families. children. I want my children the production process. The process begins in vil- to go to school and receive a © ELCA lages, where many women proper education.” work together to cultivate Through the RDRS, Bangla- mulberry trees. Worms are deshi women will be bringing fed the mulberry leaves and a special gift to the Assembly raised to a cocoon stage. In in Winnipeg. Silk scarves in 2001, a total of 15,000 mul- the seven rainbow colors, and berry plants were grown in arrayed with the LWF Tenth homesteads and 40,000 co- Assembly logo, will be offered coons were produced. Around to Assembly delegates. The 300 women were trained in co- women’s interwoven golden coon rearing, while more con- silk strands are a special gift tinued working in the silk fac- of the Lutheran communion. tories within RDRS working ar- eas. One of these women, Fulfuli In Bangladesh, most people’s Rani, works two hours daily in livelihoods are linked to the the shade of the overhang of rice harvest. When the rice is her house, a carefully crafted growing, or when families do building made of mud and not have enough to eat or sell thatch roof. She pulls natu- as a result of the frequent rally golden strands of silk floods or droughts in this thread off cocoons in a boiling land with many rivers, people pot of water and winds them are in danger of going hungry. onto a reel. Rani says, “With- But the silk worm pro- out the silk worm production, vides an alternative. Rangpur I would have to leave the vil- Dinajpur Rural Service lage and go somewhere else, (RDRS), an associate program maybe the city to earn some of the LWF/DWS, is the larg- money for my family. Now I do est non-governmental organi- not have to.”

4 LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 Some 500 Volunteers Expected at LWF Tenth Assembly

Host Church Lauds “Enthusiastic, Energetic and Faithful Sharing of Gifts”

A key element of the prepara- tions for the LWF Tenth As- sembly in Winnipeg is the re- cruitment and management of the many volunteers who will be present to ensure that the event runs smoothly. By the end of March, more than 300 volunteers had com- pleted the application form in- dicating their availability, lan- guage capability and work area preferences. Two thirds of the ELCIC staff display the LWF Tenth Assembly bib that will be sported by registered volunteers are from volunteers in Winnipeg. the ELCIC, the Assembly host © ELCIC church; the other third is split between the Evangelical tural sensitivity issues, proto- Commenting on the signing-up Lutheran Church in America col tips and how to be “Ready process so far, Ms Rhonda (ELCA) and Anglican Church of for Work.” At the orientation, Lorch, ELCIC Director of Ad- Canada. It is expected that ap- volunteers were invited to sig- ministration said, “The com- proximately 500 volunteers will nal their commitment by sign- mitment of time and talent by be registered prior to the ing a poster displaying the our volunteers has been as- opening of the Assembly, in- Volunteer Mission State- tounding. The Assembly will cluding a corps of 100 ment: benefit from the enthusiastic, youth to assist in the July energetic and faithful sharing 27 Sunday celebration “To work as a volunteer of gifts.” event. team in an open, friendly, A second orientation will The ELCIC began helpful and warm be offered on July 20 for vol- the first of two spirit, reflecting unteers from outside the local volunteer orien- the love of area. tation programs Christ, to all During the Assembly, vol- on April 3. It who participate unteers will sport a bright was a light- in the Tenth As- yellow event bib and name hearted focus sembly of the badge holder so that they on the history Lutheran World will be clearly visible to all. of previous as- Federation.” semblies, cul-

The LWF Tenth Assembly logo is available in an animated format on CD-ROM. Orders can be placed with the LWF Office for Communi- cation Services. An administration fee of CHF 3.00 per disc will be charged, plus postage. © LWF/affox

Please contact: Ms Beatrice Bengtsson E-mail: [email protected] Tel: + 41/22-791-6368 Fax: +41/22-791 6630

LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 5 On-line with Support from Lutherans in the USA

Since August 2002 the LWF gether with the LWF staff, de- Assembly web site has pro- veloped an appealing and vided all necessary informa- easy-to-use web site. A few tion about the Assembly in its weeks later it went online in four official working lan- the four languages—English, guages: English, French, Ger- German, French and Spanish. man and Spanish. This Since then new pages, docu- project was made possible ments and information are with support from the ELCA made available on-line almost communication department. every week. The LWF Office The first plans for an As- for Communication Services sembly web site began provides content for the As- shortly after the June 2000 sembly web site and ensures decision to hold the global that it is up-to-date, while LWF event in Winnipeg. In their counterparts in Chicago September 2001 staff from deal with the technical issues the LWF and ELCA discussed related to hosting the site in an initial proposal in the North America. latter’s office in Chicago. Vi- Why not take a look? sions and plans soon became www.lwf-assembly.org a reality. The ELCA has some 5.1 In May 2002 ELCA web million members and has manager Rex Paisley visited been an LWF member church Geneva for a week and to- since 1988.

Marking Your Presence with an Inuit Structure

The inukshuk or “image of and where it is safe to go. the human spirit” is an Inuit— The Evangelical Lutheran an Aboriginal cultural group Church in Canada offers this inhabiting enclaves in coastal inukshuk as a symbol of your areas of Canada—structure presence at the LWF Tenth built to guide travelers, mark- Assembly. ing where others have been

The Inukshuk, traditionally used as an orientation image for the Inuit, will be offered in Winnipeg as a sign of security and well being. © Robin Karpan

6 LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 A Good Idea “Made in Italy”

Everyone distributes ballpoint for Europe, Rev. Dr Andreas pens – small companies, global Wöhle took back a proposal players and also church orga- to Geneva that a special pen nizations. So it comes as no sur- be developed for the Tenth prise that they are left lying Assembly. The Italian church around everywhere and also has had 3,000 such pens break easily. Dean Jürgen made for the global LWF Astfalk of the Evangelical gathering in Winnipeg this Lutheran Church in Italy (ELKI) summer, with the aim to give can tell a quite different story. each church delegate a pen. Every year the Italian A white window in the pen’s church has ballpoint pens deep blue surface has six dis- Astfalk hopes that this sup- The idea to produce pens came from Italy. It is hoped that these ball points will made especially for its synod play options—the Assembly port from Italy will contribute win the hearts of Assembly delegates in members. They are unique in theme, “For the Healing of the to communicating the positive Winnipeg. that they have two windows World” in four languages, En- aspects of the Assembly in © LWF/H.Putsman displaying six short messages. glish, French, German and Winnipeg at congregational The ballpoint pen has become Spanish; the event and venue; level, and that the delegates very popular with ELKI synod and date. The Assembly logo is will regard it as a pleasant members, Astfalk has ob- imprinted on a broad, white memento of Winnipeg. served, and so very few tend clasp just below the base, The ELKI has around 7,000 to be thrown away or lost. which like the narrower writ- members, and joined the LWF Enthusiastic about this ing point is gray in color. in 1949. idea, the LWF Area Secretary Refugees Share Their Skills with the Lutheran Communion

When Burundians fled civil Crafted from used food sacks, these baskets made by Burundian refugees in war in their country nine Tanzania, embody a people’s hope and years ago, they had to leave optimism. everything behind. Every- © LWF/TCRS thing, that is, except their skills. These traditional Burun- dian baskets are woven by refugee women in the camps run by the Tanganyika Chris- tian Refugee Service (TCRS), the country program of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for World Service, based in western Tanzania. In various shapes and sizes, the baskets are made gives them hope for the fu- and peace and reconciliation from the used plastic sacks in ture. activities throughout the which the refugees’ food ra- The TCRS cares for camps and in the host com- tions are delivered. This 140,000 Burundian refugees, munity. The baskets will be work not only makes a small overseeing their basic food, used during worship at the contribution to a cleaner en- shelter, and sanitation needs. LWF Tenth Assembly in vironment; it also helps to In addition, the program sup- Winnipeg. supplement their income, and ports secondary education,

LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 7 Slovenian Women Light Up Assembly Worship with Their Handicraft

congregation members as the Assembly. In this way, the well as a market and exhibi- Assembly already casts its tion stall for items that gener- light on the congregations that ate income for the church’s will be hosting delegates and regular or specialized work. other participants from the For the last five years, such global Lutheran communion workshops have been a cen- this summer. tral aspect for a group of Prior to the Assembly, one women in Murska Sobota, of the candles will be lit in northeastern Slovenia. Though the Ecumenical Center a small community, it has been Chapel in Geneva, where the strengthened by the women’s LWF is based. Staff members activities in parish work in- will bring it to Winnipeg. cluding sharing the various During the Assembly, the skills that they are endowed candles will be “en-lightening” Above: A group of women from Murska One of the main features at with. the services celebrated by a Sobota, northeastern Slovenia, put final worship services during the One such talent is to deco- world-wide communion in touches on one of the candles made for the LWF Assembly. Their artwork LWF Tenth Assembly in rate candles of all shapes and Winnipeg, after which they “illuminated” Easter worship services in Winnipeg will be large sizes. Murska Sobota’s women will be returned to the con- Winnipeg and Geneva. candles bearing the LWF were enthusiastic about con- gregations for use. The © Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia Tenth Assembly logo. These tributing their gifts to the LWF candles will be a lasting, tan- will be lit during worship in Tenth Assembly. As a one-time gible memory of the LWF Right: The candle used in the the various congregations, as project, they deco- gathering, of shared Ecumenical Center Chapel. © LWF/H.Putsman a symbol of God’s moving rated ten large cer- hopes and joint spirit among people. emonial candles with prayers, connecting The candles represent a the LWF Tenth As- people all over the much-valued tradition of sembly logo. With world, from Slovenia handicraft workshops from support from other to Winnipeg. the Evangelical Church of churches, nine of The Evangelical the Augsburg Confession in these candles were Church of the Slovenia. Organized by a dy- shipped to Winnipeg Augsburg Confession namic group of women at so that they could be in Slovenia has congregations or wider par- lit in congregations around 20,000 mem- ish levels, the workshops during Easter wor- bers, and joined the have a two-fold aim. They ship services and in LWF in 1952. serve as a social point for the weeks prior to A Special Contribution from the Regions— Crying Out for Healing A very special contribution cate across the boundaries • Heal our divisions from the regions to the As- that usually separate us.” sembly will be the cries for The cries will be shared • Liberate from bondage healing that have been col- from the Assembly floor and lected from churches there. will relate to the theme of the • Rectify injustices “Participants will be bringing day: a lot of concerns for healing • Empower us to act to the Assembly,” says LWF • O God, the healer, libera- Tenth Assembly content co- tor, savior of the world • Fulfill your promises, O ordinator, Rev. Dr Karen God Bloomquist. “We need to be • Forgive and heal able to hear and learn from one another and to communi- • Reorder power

8 LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 Wear an LWF Assembly Logo Pin, Support Zimbabwean Women’s Handiwork

Either Elisabeth ported by Zimbab- These pins imprinted with the LWF Tenth Assembly logo represent a special sign Lunga or Margaret we’s Lutheran Devel- of “Healing for the World.” Majo painted these opment Service (LDS), © LWF/K.Richter ornamental pins a recently localized made from a bottle operation of the LWF cap. They met in Department for World the early 1990s in a Service. The LDS now home economics operates as a related course organized by organization of the a social worker in Evangelical Lutheran Zimbabwe’s capital Church in Zimbabwe Harare. An instruc- (ELCZ). The ELCZ has tor noticed the 110,000 members. It women’s artistic tal- joined the LWF in ent and encouraged them to These ornamental pins are 1963. start decorating bottle tops. a symbol of partnerships in Similar pins in different They wash each cap, apply the Lutheran communion that colors bearing the LWF several layers of paint, includ- are aimed at breaking the Tenth Assembly logo are cur- ing the base and background cycle of poverty through sus- rently being distributed color, paint the artwork, apply tainable development—from throughout the communion. varnish, and attach the pins to rural agricultural projects to They will be made available the bottle tops—their full-time small businesses in urban ar- in Winnipeg. occupation! eas. The women’s work is sup-

This multicolored wooden cross is a gift from the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod. Salvadoran crosses are traditionally used to tell short stories about poverty, war and hunger, and at the same time talk about belief in God and hope for change. The cross will be a feature of worship at the Assembly. © Salvadoran Lutheran Synod

Bishop she was ordained in 1985 and this position until her election together with her husband, as bishop of Hanover. Margot Kässmann served in the Frielendorf par- From 1983 to 2002 ish. In 1989 she earned her Kässmann was a member the See page 1 doctorate from Bochum’s Ruhr Central Committee of the University on the topic “Pov- Geneva-based World Council VOICES FROM Winnipeg on both erty and Wealth – A Challenge of Churches, and served on issues,” she stresses. to Church Unity.” From 1990 to its Executive Committee from Elected bishop of the 1992 she coordinated the de- 1991 to 1998. Kässmann and Hanover church in 1999, velopment service of the Evan- her husband have four Kässmann is currently the sec- gelical Church in Kurhessen- daughters. ond of three women bishops in Waldeck, and worked as a con- The Hanover church has Germany. After studying theol- ference director at the Protes- just below 3.3 million mem- ogy in Tübingen, Edinburgh, tant Academy of Hofgeismar, bers and is the largest Göttingen and Marburg, she 1992–94. She was appointed Lutheran church in Germany. became an assistant pastor in general secretary of the Ger- It was one of the founding Wolfhagen in 1983. After com- man Protestant Kirchentag in members of the LWF in Lund, pleting her theology degree Fulda in 1994, and served in Sweden, in 1947.

LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 9 Participating in an LWF Assembly for the First Time Bishop Kigasung: “The Assembly Was Very Special to Me”

For Papua New Guinea our way around the place bates with no problem. I was Bishop Wesley Kigasung, the and not get lost; what are we even surprised that I was excitement about attending a expected to do as delegates able to participate in the world Assembly for the first and how much is expected of worship service and also had time in one’s life presents us. Then there are the con- the opportunity to contribute mixed feelings. Kigasung, 52, cerns about the main issues to an issue on the Assembly head of the Evangelical to be discussed at the assem- floor. Lutheran Church of Papua bly and whether the del- The Assembly to me was New Guinea (ELC-PNG), was egates will be able to com- very special in the way it Bishop Dr Wesley Kigasung. © Lutheran Church of 46 years-old when he partici- prehend everything said and brought people of different Australia/W.Zweck pated for the first time, in a discussed. races, nationalities and lan- Lutheran World Federation As a young theologian at- guages together as a com- (LWF) Assembly. Seven tending an LWF Assembly for munion of believers and months after the 1997 LWF the first time, those were the Christian witnesses. The ex- Ninth Assembly in Hong Kong, type of questions in my mind pression of life in worship and China, he was elected bishop as I went to Hong Kong, China culture and studies brought of his church. Kigasung, who for the LWF Ninth Assembly. together the different dimen- will be a delegate to the 2003 But I must say that I was im- sions of human life and expe- LWF Tenth Assembly in pressed with the way I was riences which were so rich Winnipeg, Canada, spoke to able to find my way around and powerful.” Assembly Update about his ex- the Assembly venue, between The ELC-PNG is one of the pectations and experiences meeting places, eating two LWF member churches in at the last Assembly: places, hotels, and so on— Papua New Guinea. It has “What will we see there; with much ease and I experi- 815,000 members, and joined who will we meet; what kind enced less fear of being lost. I the LWF in 1976. of atmosphere are we going was able to follow all the pro-

to experience; will we find ceedings, discussions and de-

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

• How to attend as a Visi- Assembly Briefs tor either full-time or for a few days.

E-mail: Contact • How to Volunteer for the [email protected] Information Assembly. Assembly Web Site The Assembly Office has • News and Media with overall responsibility for co- www.lwf-assembly.org news releases from the ordinating preparations for Pre-Assembly Consulta- the Assembly. The Assembly Web site offers tions. practical information including: The Lutheran World • The Assembly Study Federation • Categories of Participa- Book and Assembly Up- Assembly Office tion such as delegates, dates in format for down- 150, route de Ferney advisors and visitors. loading. P.O. Box 2100 CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland • A Brief History of previ- • Assembly Worship and ous assemblies. the Assembly Songbook Tel: +41/22-791 63 71 or 63 72 Fax: +41/22-791 66 30

10 LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 Bavarian Pastor Julia Helmke: In Hong Kong Everything was New and Exciting

Everything was new and ex- tended by around 120 young ward to the event in a re- citing - so says Rev. Julia Lutherans from all over the laxed way. She advises new- Helmke, describing her expe- world. “We ‘rehearsed’ the comers in particular, not to riences as a youth delegate of Assembly with committees be intimidated and shy of the Evangelical Lutheran and plenary meetings, we dis- people who act as though Church in Bavaria at the cussed the topics, we got ac- they know everything and 1997 LWF Ninth Assembly in quainted—at every meal, at seem to treat the global gath- Hong Kong, China. Currently late-night sessions on the final ering as only a matter of daily a pastor in Munich, Germany, resolution, at crisis sessions, routine or an inner group for Julia, 33, will be one of the dancing, in the interpersonal church policy-makers. An as- delegates representing her ups and downs,” she recalls. sembly, she notes, is too Rev. Julia Helmke. church at the Tenth Assem- The worship services unique and valuable for every © U.Fruechtnicht bly in Winnipeg. She talked were wonderful points of rest individual. And she encour- about her first LWF Assembly and an indescribable source ages every participant to experience with Assembly Up- of strength during the Assem- speak up and ask questions date editors. bly. It was very inspiring to even in a language that they In the run-up to the LWF sing and pray together, meet do not speak fluently. Ninth Assembly, Rev. Julia at the Lord’s Table, and hear Helmke is convinced that Helmke was confronted with the Word of God in many lan- “attending an assembly is an a host of important questions. guages and interpretations. honor, a gift, a mission and a How could she represent her She is still enthusiastic about time filled to the brim with church, what forms of active this opportunity to meet with God’s presence.” participation were foreseen? Lutherans from all over the And, above all, what would world. The concept of world- be expected of her as a wide communion began to be- youth delegate? come clearer. Helmke began to gather Her motto for the forth- experience during the prepa- coming Assembly—To be

ratory youth conference, at- open-minded and look for-

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

CH-1211 Geneva 2 • Ordering information for Assembly Switzerland Assembly documents. Documents Tel: +41/22-791 64 54 • Links to Tourism Winnipeg, All participants, including Fax: +41/22-791 66 26 hotels, etc. full-time visitors, pay a regis- E-mail: [email protected] Registration tration fee of USD 150 and re- ceive the Assembly docu- Pre-Assembly Update ments. Youth Conference Additional copies may be Participants have already ordered for a cost by con- The Pre-Assembly Youth Con- submitted their initial regis- tacting: ference for youth delegates tration forms and have been and stewards will be held 12- sent travel and visa informa- The Lutheran World 18 July 2003 at Guelph, tion. A final mailing in late- Federation Ontario, Canada. Information May includes the draft As- Office for Finance and is available at: sembly Agenda and the As- Administration www.lutheranworld.org/ sembly Handbook. 150, route de Ferney Youth/PAYC.html The LWF Report, “From P.O. Box 2100 Hong Kong to Winnipeg 1997– 2003,” will be posted in a separate mailing.

LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003 11 LWF Assembly Update No. 3 May 2003 Winnipeg Convention Centre

Published by: The Lutheran World Federation Office for Communication Services PO Box 2100 The Assembly plenary ses- The Center opened in 1975 tire convention center facility 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel. +41/22-791 61 11 sions and registration take with three levels of over plus meeting rooms in the ad- Fax +41/22-791 66 30 place in the Winnipeg Conven- 160,000 square feet (almost joining Delta Winnipeg Hotel. [email protected] tion Centre (www.wcc.mb.ca) 15,000 square meters) of

www.lwf-assembly.org which is also the location for meeting and exhibition space. the Assembly offices. The Assembly will use the en- Printed on recycled paper by SRO-Kundig, Geneva

© Winnipeg Convention Centre

City of Winnipeg

With 671,000 inhabitants, in 1870, and then large num- Winnipeg enjoys a rich popu- bers of Ukrainian, Icelandic lation mix, with people from and German immigrants. all corners of the world com- Since the 1960’s, immigra- ing to make the city their new tion from Europe has given home. With more than 50,000 way to immigration from Cen- First Nations, Metis and Inuit tral and South America, Asia people, Winnipeg has the and Africa. Winnipeg’s rich largest Aboriginal community diversity is celebrated annu- of any city in Canada. Scot- ally during two weeks of tish settlers arrived in 1811, Folklorama when pavilions followed by English and throughout the city offer the French Canadians after the food, music and dance that province of Manitoba joined express Canada’s cultural the Canadian confederation mosaic and heritage.

12 LWF Assembly Update / No. 3, May 2003