Called anew to "love our neighbors as ourselves"
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Picture by Thomas O. Allam, a student at one of the schools in the northern Kenyan Kakuma Refugee Camp, where the LWF Department for World Service is responsible for education programs. © LWF/Thomas O. Allam/DWS Kenya-Sudan |
LWF 2009 New Year Message Urges Mutual Sharing of Burdens
In the 2009 LWF New Year message, general secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko invites the Lutheran communion to reflect on the Apostle Paul’s calling to churches to bear each other’s burdens in order to fulfill the law of Christ. In contrast to the self-reliant, independent approach the world prizes, mutuality and interdependence are hallmarks of the kingdom of God. Violence and injustice would be overcome in a society shaped by the values highlighted in Paul's pastoral message to the Galatians, Noko argues, and appeals for concerted effort in healing wounds and bridging divisions created by all kinds of unshared burdens.
Read the 2009 LWF New Year message in its entirety. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) 
Give Us Today Our Human Rights
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The LWF is renewing its commitment to uphold the dignity of all people with a new publication marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The special edition of Lutheran World Information, “Give Us This Day Our Human Rights”, looks at the Declaration through the lens of the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer–Give Us Today Our Daily Bread –, the theme for the LWF Eleventh Assembly in July 2010.
Explore the connection between Martin Luther’s teaching on this petition and the Declaration. Read perspectives from across the Communion on rights of all kinds: to food, education, legal protection, security, resettlement, sovereignty, interreligious dialogue. Download liturgical material for use during Human Rights Day events. More on "Give Us This Day Our Human Rights"…
"We Cannot Rest on Our Laurels!"
On the heels of the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, LWF HIV and AIDS Desk coordinator Veikko Munyika looks back on Lutheran contributions to the global fight against AIDS, highlighting the ecumenical approach and strong theological foundation of the LWF Campaign Against HIV and AIDS.
For Munyika it is clear, however, that much remains to be done in combating HIV and the accompanying stigmatization and discrimination. At the top of his list of growth areas for the worldwide communion: education and training at all levels of the church.
Read his reflections, learn about AIDS projects within the LWF, download resources and more on the new LWF AIDS Campaign pages!
