The German National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation visits Jerusalem
Hannover, Germany/Geneva (8 December 2017)
To symbolize the close ties between the Lutheran churches in Germany and the Lutheran World Federation and their partner in Jerusalem, a delegation of the German National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation (GNC/LWF), which recently visited Jerusalem, planted an olive tree on the Mount of Olives. At the same time, it was meant as a symbol representing such significant mutual efforts and endeavors.
Inspired by the Luther Garden in Wittenberg, the planting of the tree took place with the participation of one of the main visionaries of this initiative, the landscape architect Andreas Kipar. “Cultivation and growing together are two important aspects in the design of the Luther Garden in Wittenberg,” explained Kipar. “Each tree grows according to its own natural form, but only thanks to the fact that it grows together with other trees do we obtain the desired overall picture – this makes it an interactive monument in the best sense of the word.” The olive tree on the Mount of Olives stands as a link between the eleven LWF member churches in Germany, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), and the LWF’s long-standing faithful cooperation.
To strengthen trust and cooperation between the partners, representatives from the GNC/LWF visited Jerusalem and the Holy Land from 22 to 26 November.
A sign of support and solidarity
“We came to Jerusalem as guests. We wanted to see and understand what it means to be a Christian in this land. We know about the challenges and difficulties in this part of the world. That is why, for us Germans, the work of presence and peacemaking in the Lutheran churches and the LWF in this place is especially important. Our visit is also intended as a sign of support and solidarity,” said Bishop Gerhard Ulrich, chair of the GNC/LWF.
The program included a meeting with Munib A. Younan, bishop of the ELCJHL, and Ibrahim Azar, the newly elected bishop, who will begin his work in January 2018. With approximately 3,000 members, the ELCJHL is the only LWF member church in this region. A round-table meeting with ELCJHL members and other local churches revealed the complex and multifaceted situation of Christians in the Holy Land, who are a minority here.
I am always deeply moved by the loyalty and peacemaking work in this place, as well as by the prophetic witness of the LWF and the local Lutheran churches, admits Bishop Gerhard Ulrich.
Another aspect of this visit was to get to know the work of the LWF in Jerusalem, especially on the Mount of Olives, where the Augusta Victoria Hospital is located, which is under LWF administration. The German guests had the opportunity to gain a comprehensive insight and to hear about the current situation. A visit to the LWF vocational training center provided new perspectives on vocational education in various professions available to young Palestinians.
At the close of the visit, a joint worship service was held, attended by an Arabic-speaking congregation from the ELCJHL, and it took place at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives.
“I am always deeply moved by the faithful peacemaking work in this place, as well as by the prophetic witness of the LWF and the local Lutheran churches. It encourages respect, peace, and shared dialogue,” Bishop Ulrich added. “We have learned a great deal from our cooperation partners in this regard, and it will inspire us in our work after returning home.”
In the picture, from left: GNC/LWF General Secretary Norbert Denecke, LWF country representative Mark Brown, Giorgio Kipar, Luther Garden landscape architect Andreas Kipar, ELCJHL Bishop Munib A. Younan, GNC/LWF chair Gerhard Ulrich, and LWF Council member Provost Astrid Kleist.
Source: Lutheran World Federation news
Photo: Debbie Hill