LWF vice-presidents look back on the Reformation anniversary
LWF news.
The Reformation continues. The commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation has been significant in the churches belonging to the LWF. Across the communion, it marked events with diversity and colour, reflecting the atmosphere of unity and church life in each region. It took place with worship services, festivals, concerts, exhibitions, apps, media events, and memorial services with the participation of ecumenical partners. In this creative and contemporary, inspiring way, Lutherans told the story of the Reformation and of church life.
In interviews given to the information service of the Lutheran World Federation, seven of its vice-presidents share their reflections on the events of the anniversary celebrations and on the commitment to carry out further reformation.
Trees and the spirit of the Reformation
In Estonia, the planting of 500 apple trees “means that we must not lock up the church and confine church life within walls, but we must be the church where the people are,” says Urmas Viilma, Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church and Vice-President for Central Eastern Europe.
The planting of trees was an analogy for the spirit of the Reformation in Indonesia, says Asia Vice-President Desri Maria Sumbayak of the Christian Church in Indonesia. Starting from a small seed, with care and attention, a tree finally bears fruit. “This means that we must keep the spirit of the Reformation alive within ourselves, in our churches, and in Asia as well.”
Commemorating together with like-minded people
In one case, the church in Germany collaborated with Catholic partners to prepare for the glorification of Christ, emphasising unity over division, said Central Western Europe Vice-President, Provost Astrid Kleist of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany.
“The true gift of the gospel is that we are set free to serve our neighbour,” said Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton, Vice-President for the North America region, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
In North America, many of the anniversary commemoration events were deliberately ecumenical and were organised jointly with Roman Catholic brothers and sisters. “The true gift of the gospel,” said the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Vice-President for the North America region, Elizabeth A. Eaton, “is that we are set free to serve our neighbour.”
Anyone can bring about change
In Cameroon, ten churches came together in a ceremony witnessed by Muslims, among whom Lutherans live. “I am amazed at how they (the churches) have a desire to involve all social strata, women, young people,” said Africa Vice-President Rev. Dr. Jeannette Ada Epse Maina of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon. “Keeping that in mind, we can continue the Reformation, knowing that every person can bring about change through who they are and what they do.” Nordic countries Vice-President, Archbishop Antje Jackelén of the Church of Sweden, holds a similar view: “we need to think… not about renewing ourselves, but about the need to be renewed.”
It is very important that the churches of Latin America and the Caribbean feel a sense of belonging to the community and the communion, “said Rev. Dr. Nestor Friedrich, President of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil and Vice-President for the region. “Knowing that we belong to a larger organisation with a common agenda, that we share common principles, is a source of strength for us as people, as communities, as churches. It is a tremendous benefit to belong to the Lutheran World Federation.”
The addresses of all 7 LWF vice-presidents (in English) can be watched here.
Source: Lutheran World Federation; Geneva, Switzerland 6.04.2018.