The presence of the Lutheran World Federation in Wittenberg
The next director of the LWF Centre in Wittenberg, Germany, will be Inken Wöhlbrand (54), appointed to the post by the German National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation. Wöhlbrand will begin her duties on 1 October 2018. She will be the next director after Rev. Hans W. Kasch, who is retiring.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is present in Wittenberg through the LWF Centre. One of the centre’s main tasks is to organise seminars on Luther’s theology for participants from all over the world, while also organising conferences and hosting international groups of visitors in Wittenberg.
“In Inken Wöhlbrand we have gained a pastor for the LWF Centre who has a broad perspective and outstanding ecumenical skills,” commented GNC/LWF Chair Bishop Gerhard Ulrich. “From the very beginnings of her working life, she has gained experience with the church and its mission throughout the world. She is well acquainted with the Lutheran World Federation, its churches, and its programmes. Because of both her experience and her broad horizons and winning approach, she is an excellent choice for this post,” he emphasised.
To maintain traditions and develop new ideas
The new director looks forward to her upcoming duties: “I will go to Wittenberg with enthusiasm, curiosity, and openness. After the Reformation anniversary of 2017, we must continue to maintain the good traditions, as well as develop new ideas.” The LWF’s mission continues throughout the world and in Wittenberg, says Wöhlbrand. “I would like to make a contribution from my side.” About the international seminars she added: “Learning from one another and learning together with one another is always the central task in the work of the LWF Centre. Our theological seminars bring together people from all over the world. They not only provide theological knowledge, but also make the communion of the Lutheran World Federation very visible. The seminars show how we are connected throughout the world and how this union enriches us.”
Learning from one another and learning together with one another is always the central task in the work plan of the LWF Centre – Inken Wöhlbrand, the new director of the LWF Wittenberg Centre
Inken Wöhlbrand is a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany. She studied theology in Bethel, Bern, and Hamburg. After graduating, she spent time in South Korea and undertook preparation for pastoral training in Eutin, Germany. Wöhlbrand was ordained in Lübeck in May 1992. She has worked in the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany, founded in Hamburg, and as a pastor in Glasgow (Scotland) and Heikendorf (Germany), as well as together with the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (VELKD) and the German National Committee/LWF in Hanover. Since 2014, she had been a student chaplain at the West Coast University of Applied Sciences in Heide and also a pastor in the Meldorf congregation in the Dithmarschen district. She was also the Dithmarschen coordinator for the Reformation anniversary. The LWF Centre is an institution that reports to the German National Committee/LWF. It operates on behalf of the LWF and in consultation with the LWF. Alongside the director, the staff consists of a lecturer and a project assistant. Wöhlbrand is the second director – after Hans W. Kasch.
Hanover, Germany/Geneva
3.04.2018.
Source: Lutheran World Federation news