CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A high-level delegation of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) led by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and LWF president, and the Rev. Ishmael Noko, LWF general secretary, is visiting Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Feb. 10-17. The delegation will meet with LWF member representatives there, ecumenical partners and political leaders.
The visit, aimed at strengthening the identity of the Lutheran communion in West Africa, is an opportunity for the LWF president and general secretary to bear witness to the experiences and challenges of the region's member churches, according to a news release from LWF.
On the delegation's first stop, Nigeria, the challenges, difficulties and new opportunities for the region will be presented during a seminar of the Lutheran Communion in Western Africa, with a major focus on HIV/AIDS. The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria and Lutheran Church of Nigeria will host a festive worship service attended by representatives of other denominations and leaders of the LWF member churches in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The delegation will also meet with local government officials.
Liberia and Sierra Leone have experienced long periods of internal strife and violence in the wake of civil war in the 1990s. The LWF continues active engagement in building peace and overall development efforts in both countries, the news release said.
In Liberia the LWF delegation will be hosted by the Lutheran Church in Liberia and will meet with staff of the LWF Department for World Service (DWS) program. They will also meet with staff of the Phebe Hospital, Suakoko, Liberia.
The hospital, built in 1921 with Lutheran support, was extensively damaged and looted during recent conflicts. A significant highlight of the visit will be the reopening of the recently reconstructed hospital, which Hanson and Noko will attend.
In Sierra Leone the delegation will meet with officials of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, representatives of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, and officials of the HIV/AIDS National Secretariat.
Throughout their visit, the president and general secretary will reaffirm the solidarity of the global Lutheran communion with the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone who have suffered war, and assure continued support, the LWF news release said.
The visit to this region will also be an opportunity for the LWF leaders to reflect on the 50th anniversary celebrations of the All-Africa Lutheran Consultation planned for later this year.
The LWF is a global communion of Lutheran churches. The LWF has 138 member churches in 77 countries throughout the world, representing nearly 65 million Lutherans.
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*Julia Heyde is an intern with the LWF Office for Communication Services, Geneva.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
