The Center started in 1946 in a small house; it moved to current building in 1964. The World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and the Ecumenical Offices are all located off the main building.
Started the day with morning prayer in the main chapel. It was interesting; especially when we all said the Lord's Prayer in our own language and then shared the peace.
We got a pretty extensive tour on the chapel and the meeting room in the main building, which was very interesting. The chapel is wheelchair accessible.
There are many different representations of Christianity in the world; there is a "museum" of such things in the lobby.
In the chapel, there are many gifts as well. The architect used his design to tell a story as well. Christians are united by baptism, therefore, we enter the chapel over "the River Jordan" in mosaic tials, as we walk by Jesus' baptism, as in mosaic tial. He has represented God by nature/creation thru stained glass and wooden window coverings.
There is a tapestry from Jamaica to promote Peace.
Crosses from South America; India (coming out of a lotus flower); rubble from WWII; and a cross based on the story "Swords to Crosses". We received a representation of this cross as well, made from an expended bullet.
Gifts are used as "payment" to the Ecumenical Center: organon the chapel from West Berlin; tapestry in 2nd room.
2nd room - tapestry covering floor to ceiling representing first churches from around the world; roof is a moving paper screen representing the Holy Spirit.
We then had meetings with different Lutheran World Federation employees. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition. In 2011, there were 145 member churches in seventy-nine countries all over the world representing over 70 million Christians.
LWF has a new logo. It has 6 different symbols in the pattern.
1. Hand - DIACONIA
2. Luther Rose - Identity
3. Dove - Reconsiliation
4. Cross - Faith
5. Circle - World/Communion
6. Leaves - Creation
There are 4 areas/offices
1. Humanitarian
2. Witness
3. Planning operation
4. Mission development
From the LWF Youth desk
Met in 2010
Developed 3 priorities for 2011-2017
1) sustainability
2) gender justice
3) LWF visibility and the role of youth
LWF churches priority
- youth participation (<30 yoa) in all aspects of LWF work
"Young people have a place and a voice in all aspects of church and commnion life, including decision making and leadership".
They follow "Ladder of Youth Programming and Participation", which I believe can be found on the website.
Tools of LWF Youth work
- virtual conferences
- virtual network
- communication through "youth media": Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Youth Blog
- publications and tool kits
- supporting local projects
Eg: climate; Eco-justice; youth leadership; gender justice
Theological Challenges and Possibilities.
Presenter did a bible study with us:
Act 17: 1-9
-tradition is as important as change
-basis for engagement is the scriptures
"Jesus is Lord"
-early core Christians confession
-Roman 10:9
-John 20: 29
-commitment to discipleship
-John 6:68
-key litmus test for hermeneutical reliability (1 Corinthians 12:3)
-site of resistance against hegemony (Acts 5:29)
Human rights and Advocacy (third presenter)
Universal declaration of Human Rights
- formed after WWII
- Article 18 - "Right to Religion" was written by a Lutheran
From the LWF program:
"Our understanding if Holistic Mission: mission is taken to mean participation in Gods mission and holistic mission as encompassing proclaim and service (diakonia) and advocacy.
Mission as advocacy for justice denotes the church's action in the public arena affirming the dignity of human life and promoting justice in the economic, social, and ecological spheres. Advocacy for justice, besides diakonia, must also belong to preaching and teaching - as seen in Jesus' message and ministry".
LWF strategy is from 2012-2017
LWF core funding comes from member churches
They have many Priorities, with many goals. The main goal this presenter focused on for Human rights was "the LWF is a reliable and effective voice for justice, peace, and human rights, and member churches have strong capacities for public witness on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed people".
He also focused on priority themes for global advocacy
1. Religious freedom and interfaith relations
2. Climate change and environmental protection (escalating impacts for already poor and vulnerable people)
3. Gender justice
4. Refugees, internally displaced persons and other forced migrants
5. Oppressed minority populations and indigenous people's, eg. Dalits and Roma
6. Economic justice
7. HIV and AIDS
Work of World Service office (fourth presenters)
- Humanitarian
-Development
Has approx. 6000 staff in 33 countries. They affect approx. 2 million people/yr. They receive approx. $110million in funds/yr.
New strategies have been developed for 2013-2019
- Human Rights
- Impartiality
- Community-based empowerment
- Right-based
- Programmatic integration
World Service around the world is broken down into three areas:
C=Country Program (2)
R=Regional Program (17)
A=Associate Program (10)
Programs
- Disaster risk reduction
- Sustainable livelihoods (as in Peru)
- Community led action for justice and peace
Organization Strategy
- Quality programs
- Effective communication
- Resource mobilization and finance management
- Human resources management
- Learning and knowledge management
It was interesting to here this presentation, as LWF has helped in Peru (and I just came from there).
Peru is now classified as an Associated program; meaning LWF - department for World Service has stepped back as programs run "independently"; support is financial
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