August 24, 2005

GENEVA – The annual meeting of the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) begins with a festive worship service in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the old city of Jerusalem on Tuesday, 30 August, at 17.00 hrs. Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) will preach.

The Council, at the ELCJHL's invitation, will be meeting August 31 to September 6 under the theme, "The Church: Called to a Ministry of Reconciliation." Plenary sessions will take place at the International Center of Bethlehem, which belongs to the ELCJHL.

The 49-member Council governs the LWF between Assemblies, held every six years. The current Council was elected at the July 2003 LWF Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It consists of the President, the Treasurer and 48 people both pastors and lay from the LWF member churches. Advisors, observers and guests will also attend.

A special highlight of this year's meeting will be a decision on the venue of the next Assembly. Following the 2004 Council decision to hold the Eleventh Assembly in 2010, the Council will on Monday, September 5, receive presentations from inviting churches and make its decision which invitation to accept and the possible venue.

Further highlights include reports on the Strategic Planning Process; the Future of the LWF in the Context of Ecumenical Reconfiguration/Changing Ecumenical Landscape; the Proposed Ecumenical Alliance for Development (PEAD); and an Interim Report of the Task Force on Family, Marriage and Sexuality.

From Wednesday, August 31 to Thursday September 1, the Council agenda includes the Address of LWF President, Bishop Mark S. Hanson; Report of the General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko; Report of the Treasurer, Mr Peter Stoll; and discussion on these presentations.

Program Committees for Communication Services; Ecumenical Affairs; Finance and Administration; International Affairs and Human Rights; Mission and Development; Theology and Studies; and World Service will meet with their own agendas from Thursday, September 1 and report back to the Council for discussion and action on Monday, September 5 and Tuesday, September 6.

In addition, audience with representatives of Israeli and Palestinian authorities is planned.

During the Council meeting, the LWF Office for Communication Services will provide a daily news service in English and German, and also offer a photo service. News will be posted on the LWF Web site under: http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html.

Lutheran World Information