WINNIPEG – In a pastoral letter from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson and Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the joint Lutheran-Anglican communion in Canada expressed their “appreciation for the long and always deepening relationship that we share with the living stones who are our … [Read more…]
GENEVA, 14 March 2013 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has greeted the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, on his first day in office, expressing the Lutheran Communion’s joy for Catholics and urging continued dialogue with Lutherans. The Roman Catholic College of Cardinals elected Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on … [Read more…]
JERUSALEM, 31 January 2012 – The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Jerusalem is not only a time to come together in prayer, but also a chance to explore the rich diversity of Christian traditions in Jerusalem and to build relationships. People came from near and far to worship together in both unity and … [Read more…]
JORDAN/JERUSALEM, 16 January 2012 – On the Feast of Epiphany, 6 January, ELCJHL members and leaders gathered at the Baptismal Site at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan to celebrate the ground breaking for the new Evangelical Lutheran Pilgrimage and Retreat Center at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan. Celebrations began with a service of Holy Communion by the Jordan River with Bishop Younan preaching … [Read more…]
JERUSALEM, 14 December 2011 – Leaders and delegates from all the member churches that constitute the four families of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) gathered in Paphos, Cyprus 29-30 November for the 10th General Assembly. The meeting was hosted by the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, which was represented by its Archbishop his Beatitude … [Read more…]
AMMAN, JORDAN/JERUSALEM, 13 December 2011 – More than eighty women from the different Christian denominations in Amman, Jordan gathered together on 2 December in the church hall of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for an Advent celebration. The theme for the afternoon was the integral importance of the Arab Christian existence, witness, … [Read more…]
(l/r) LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge and President Bishop Munib A. Younan present Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with a Liberian cross fashioned from spent bullet casings as a symbol of the concern for peace and justice shared by the two church communions. © LWF/K. Rieth LWF Leaders Visit Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople CONSTANTINOPLE, Istanbul/GENEVA, 31 … [Read more…]
The WCC exploratory delegation visited the congregations, schools and educational ministries of the ELCJHL, as well as ecumenical and interfaith partners during their January visit. In the photo to the left, the delegation is pictured with with Mr. Simon Awad, director of the Environmental Education Center in Beit Jala, one of the Educational Programs of … [Read more…]
JERUSALEM, January 28, 2011 – Jerusalem Christians of all denominations have come together for fellowship and prayer during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 22-30). This special week of ecumenical prayer has been commemorated throughout the world for 103 years and in Jerusalem for decades. However, this year the World Council of Churches … [Read more…]
JERUSALEM, December 20,2010 – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among all people!” (Luke 2.14). It is from this proclamation of peace and good will that the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Christian Churches in Jerusalem begin their Christmas Message 2010. And the threads of praising God and hope … [Read more…]