CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Kathy J. Magnus, associate director for international personnel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Global Mission, has been appointed regional officer for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in North America, effective Jan. 1.
LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947, the LWF now has 133 member churches in 73 countries, representing 60.2 million of the world's nearly 64 million Lutherans. The LWF is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The ELCA is a member of LWF.
LWF's North America Regional Committee appointed Magnus during its meeting here Nov. 26-27. Members of the committee include ELCA and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In her new role, Magnus will serve as a member of the LWF Department for Mission and Development staff. She will be located in the ELCA churchwide offices here.
Magnus is a member of the board of directors for Church World Service, New York, and a member of the central committee of the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland. From 1991 to 1997, she served as vice president of the ELCA. From 1988 to 1997, Magnus served as an assistant to the bishop and executive for leadership development, ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, Denver.
"We look forward with great anticipation to the many gifts that Kathy Magnus brings to this position. Our churches have taken significant steps towards a greater understanding of what it means to be in communion with one another. Magnus' knowledge and experience will further enhance the maturing of our relationship as churches in this region," said Robert H. Granke, secretary, ELCIC.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said, "Magnus is a highly collegial, creative and goal-oriented church professional with significant domestic and international church experience. As former vice president and chair of [the ELCA's] church council, Magnus was a key spokesperson and strong motivational leader in our church. We are pleased that her competent leadership is now offered to the wider Lutheran communion."
Magnus succeeds the Rev. Arthur Leichnitz, an ELCIC pastor, who served as the first North America Regional Officer since 1998. On Jan. 1, Leichnitz will become coordinator for the LWF Global Assembly to be held July 21-31, 2003, Winnipeg, Canada.
The Rev. Donald J. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh, and member of the regional committee, said, "Pastor Leichnitz has established a strong regional office, conducted a regional consultation among the North American churches, and faithfully brought the perspective and concerns of North American member churches to the LWF table in Geneva. He has strengthened relationships between our churches in North America and brought new awareness of the common challenges we face in Christ's mission in the North American context and globally."
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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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
