Worship at Hartenstein, Germany

Since the war began in February, millions of Ukrainians have fled the country, and many have found refuge in Germany. Some members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) have settled in areas where there are congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) and are worshipping with them.

To show their thankfulness to the ELFK for receiving them so willingly and helping them in their time of need, a plan was developed to send some people from Ukraine to personally thank their fellow Christians in Germany. A four-member Ukrainian musical group, Baroque Plus, went to Germany to give concerts during the week of October 10-16. During that week, three ELFK congregations (Hartenstein, Nerchau, and Zwichau-Planitz) hosted special worship services, making use of three languages: German, Ukrainian, and English.

In addition to strengthening the bonds of fellowship between members of the ULC and ELFK, the concerts and services also served as an outreach opportunity to other Germans and Ukrainians who have no church home, planting the seed of the gospel with the hope that they will come again to learn more about Jesus and what he has done for them and for all people.

There was truly a unique bond of fellowship at each church, which flowed from a sense of empathy, Christian love, and concern, and the powerful bond of unity that believers have in Christ. People from both church bodies, the ULC and ELFK, got to know one another and found they had so many things in common, despite such different life situations. Pastor Mueller from Hartenstein said to the group from Ukraine, “You came to us as strangers but you will leave us as our friends.”

Such are the blessings that our Lord grants through the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference, which unites believers from around the world. In the midst of the chaos and destruction of war, members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church can know that they are not alone. We strive with many others to be our Lord’s witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Submitted by Rev. Roger Neumann, WELS liaison to the ULC

 

“Baroque Plus” and guests at Zwichau-Planitz, Germany

The CELC Planning Committee along with Seoul Lutheran Church has finalized the dates and location for the 2023 international CELC convention.

God willing, the convention will be on Tuesday, June 6 through Thursday, June 8, 2023. Participants will be expected to arrive on Monday, June 5, and to leave on Friday, June 9. These dates are slightly different from what was originally planned due to the availability of the venue.

The location will be the Olympic Parktel in downtown Seoul. This hotel was constructed in 1990 to commemorate the successful hosting of the Summer Olympic Games in 1988, and it is part of the expansive Olympic Park. See the website here.

If you are part of a CELC member church, it is time to plan who will represent your church at the convention. Each member church is encouraged to have two voting delegates. Visitors and guests are also welcome.

Information about costs and travel assistance will be shared later this year. Registration will take place online in January 2023.

The Planning Committee is eagerly looking forward to this convention and is thankful for the help of Seoul Lutheran Church. The last in-person international convention of the CELC was in Germany in 2017. How wonderful it will be if God allows us to meet in person again to enjoy Christian fellowship with like-minded believers from around the world and to build each other up in our faith in Jesus! 

Please share this email and the information about the convention with anyone you think might be interested. 

ELS Officers (left to right): Rev. Michael Smith, Vice President, 
Rev. Glenn Obenberger, President, and Rev. Craig Ferkenstad, Secretary.

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) held its annual convention from June 26-30, 2022 at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, USA. The convention essay, “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word” was delivered by Pastor S. Piet Van Kampen.
 
The new president of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Rev. Timothy Hartwig, was installed during a special Sunday service. Videos of the convention, including the installation, are available at www.vimeo.com/lutheranism.

Elections were held for the positions of President and Vice President. Rev. Glenn Obenberger was elected president after completing the term of Rev. John Moldstad, Jr., who was taken to be with his Lord in Heaven in January 2021. Rev. Michael Smith was elected as Vice President of the ELS.

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod was pleased to receive greetings from many of our friends in the CELC. The fellowship that we share as brothers and sisters in Christ is truly a treasure.

Submitted by Rev. Paul Fries, ELS Communication Director

Essayist Rev. S. Piet Van Kampen

Installation of Rev. Timothy Hartwig as President of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary
In Trinity Chapel at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota