INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Viola Raheb, director of Lutheran schools in Jerusalem and Palestine, brought greetings Aug. 9 from Bishop Munib A. Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and Palestine (ELCJ) to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
Timeliness was key when the churchwide assembly was called by Raheb "to stand for a few moments of silence for those on both sides of the fighting and to pray for those who have been killed today in the bombings and for those who are being killed at this moment by the shellings at the West Bank."
Raheb presented Jerusalem crosses to Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson and the Rev. Robert N. Bacher, ELCA executive for administration, "As a sign of our love and gratitude from the Palestinian Lutheran sisters and brothers for all that they [Anderson and Bacher] have done for this companion synod, the ELCJ."
The ELCJ grew out of mission schools and orphanages initiated by European missions in the mid-19th century. People became interested in Lutheran teachings and eventually established congregations. Redeemer Lutheran Church, founded in 1898 in Jerusalem, became a hub of church activities, serving Arab, German and English-speaking members.
The ELCJ joined the Lutheran World Federation in 1974. The ELCJ currently has 2,000 members in six congregations: five in Palestine (Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beir Sahour) and one in Amman, Jordan. Membership has declined due to emigration caused by the difficult economic situation and unstable political climate.
The ELCJ is the only indigenous Lutheran church in the Middle East. It has a special calling to work for reconciliation among those who have been victimized by war, to concentrate actively on peace education, and to initiate dialogue among Christians, Muslims and Jews for truth and reconciliation.
Bishop Younan's letter continues, "We are grateful to the ELCA for all that you have done, for your zeal and prayers for the mission of the Lord, both in the United States and in our country, Palestine. We thank you for the continuing concern, two ELCA companion synods, for allowing Augusta Victoria hospital to stand on its feet, for your accompaniment in allowing our church to continue its struggle in mission, and above all, for your response in initiating prayer vigils for us so that justice and reconciliation may commence."
In conclusion, Raheb said that, "53 percent of our people live under the poverty line with an income of $2 a day. Our people are living under siege -- we have to postpone meetings, schools are sometimes closed because of the danger, the situation is grave. We feel called by God to carry the cross of Christ, more and more working for peace, for justice, and for the dignity of all human beings, and we know our mission is your mission." -- -- --
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
