March 22, 2007

LUND, Sweden, GENEVA – At the opening worship service of the 2007 LWF Council meeting in the Swedish city of Lund, Argentine Lutheran pastor Rev. Sonia A. Skupch reminded representatives of Lutheran churches from around the world that the power and strength of communion lies in being inclusive of "all God's people."

In a world where people become "nobodies" as a result of globalization, economic injustice, neoliberalism, violence, illiteracy and misuse of power, among other forces, the biblical message that "we are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household is a powerful message for us," said Skupch, an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Church of the River Plate in Argentina.

Worshippers at the Cathedral of Lund on 21 March included LWF Council members and church leaders attending the 20-27 March LWF Council meeting, Church Leadership Consultation and the LWF's 60th anniversary celebrations. Skupch, an LWF Council member, pointed out that despite the widespread poverty worldwide that has contributed to people "becoming nobodies" – invisible, anonymous and insignificant because they are not useful to the actual economic system – the gospel message gives people hope.

"There are no longer people who are invisible or anonymous. There are no longer people who have more right to live than others. All people are citizens through Jesus Christ," she stressed in her sermon based on Ephesians 2:17 – 22. "We are not a group of crazy people dreaming of a better world. We are the people of God, ... with names, identities and stories to share. [And] there in lies our hope, our strength, our faith and joy," she said.

She urged participants in the LWF meetings to "deepen our communion through God" during the days together in Lund and after the meetings as echoed in the events' theme, "Living in Communion in the World Today."

An estimated 500 people including over 100 church leaders are attending this year's Council meeting, church leadership consultation and the LWF 60th anniversary celebrations. Also attending are officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, LWF staff and co-opted staff, and participants in the three-year LWF international training program for young communicators. The Council is the governing body meeting between Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the President, Treasurer and 48 persons elected by the Assembly. Other members include advisors, lay and ordained persons, representing the different LWF regions.

Lutheran World Information