ELCA Presiding Bishop Visits Palestinian Lutherans

     JERUSALEM (ELCA) --The Rev. H. George Anderson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), together with Lutheran and ecumenical leaders, took part in the consecration Jan. 5 of the Rev. Munib A. Younan as Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and Palestine (ELCJ).
     The service was at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jerusalem's Old City with about 800 worshipers in the congregation.
     "It is really for the ELCJ to work out what it believes God is calling it to do in the first years of the new millennium," Anderson said.
     Anderson spoke to a consultation, "Lutheran Witness towards the 21st Century in the Middle East," hosted by the ELCJ Jan. 3 at Beit Jala (near Bethlehem).  Younan made a presentation: "Let Our Church Be the Church."
     Younan called for a renewal of evangelism in the ELCJ.  He also called for full participation by lay people in the life of the church and worship, the ordination of women in the ELCJ and more involvement of youth and children.
     Younan proposed the creation of a Council for Lutheran Communion in Jerusalem, an outreach to Messianic Jewish Congregations in the area, and closer ties to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for mutual support and work.
     Anderson affirmed Younan's "sweeping vision."  He said, "It is essential for leaders in the church to point the way.  Only then can the energies of lay people be focused for mission."
     Anderson pointed to ways the ELCA might be able to be helpful, such as providing volunteer educators.  "We can help with education, employment and housing issues that face emigrants from the West Bank," he said.
     Anderson spoke to the need to stem the flow of Christian emigrants from cities like Bethlehem and Ramallah.  "The United States government has not been at the forefront in addressing the concerns of Palestinians here," he said.
     "We are ready to work with you to suggest areas in which our government might help," Anderson said.
     At Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, Anderson presented board member Johanen Bin with a copy of the ELCA's 1994 "Declaration to the Jewish Community," rejecting Martin Luther's writing against the Jews.
     "The document is not long, but acknowledges the role of Christian anti-Semitism, expresses sorrow and repudiates Luther's writings condemning the Jews," Anderson said.
     "Luther said we could trust that God is strong enough that we can lay our shame on God.  We want to pledge our own continual good will.  We want to further the cause of peace, security and justice for everyone, Christians and Jews alike," Anderson said.
     Calling anti-Semitism, "a contradiction to the Gospels," Bin said, "It is very important that  you are here, very symbolic that you wish to present this document.  We cannot and should not escape the past.  The Holocaust is part of every one of us, even those who were not there."  Bin added, "You are a messenger.  Tell them not to forget."
     Anderson participated in laying the cornerstone of Dar al-Kalima (House of the Word) Academy at Bethlehem.  The institution is a new ELCJ project supported by the ELCA.  Palestine Authority President Yassir Arafat also took part in the ceremony.
     The 1997 ELCA Youth Gathering provided $45,000 to help build the academy.
     Dar al-Kalima will "promote intercultural dialogue, contextual theology, music and art."  It will include a school for Christian and Muslim children, specializing in art and music and stressing theological connections.  There will be a museum of Palestinian heritage and a library, as well as an interfaith conference center.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html