Church Life in the Minahasa

During my times as Asian Secretary of the Ecumenical Center I visited our partners in the Christian Evangelical Church in the Minahasa (Gereja Masehi Injili de Minahasa)  several times. Now after some years I‘m back for the first time. Again deeply touched by the great hospitality of the Minahasan people especially of our Christian brothers and sisters and enjoying the smell of Kretek in the air. „Church Life in the Minahasa“ weiterlesen

Nach Wahrheit, Gerechtigkeit und Frieden streben | striving for truth, justice, and peace

Die Kirchensynode der Evangelischen Kirche in Hessen und Nassau hat sich am 20. Mai in einer Resolution mit den Menschen in der Ukraine solidarisch erklärt und dazu aufgerufen, die weltweiten Folgen des Krieges mehr in den Blick zu nehmen und die Diskussion über friedensethische Themen zu verstärken.

The church synod of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau has declared on 20th of May its solidarity with the people in Ukraine in a resolution and called for more attention to be paid to the worldwide consequences of the war and for more discussion on peace ethics issues.

„Nach Wahrheit, Gerechtigkeit und Frieden streben | striving for truth, justice, and peace“ weiterlesen

Mourning for Desmond Tutu

 

Archbishop Desmond Tutu passed away on 26th of December in the age of 90. He was a key leader in the struggle against the apartheid system in South Africa and a role model for my generation in his struggles in the post-apartheid era for justice and human rights.

World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca said “we thank God for giving us Archbishop Tutu for 90  years. Through his life and works he has become an image of dignity and freedom for all human beings and  inspired many to use their gifts and talents in the service of others and the mission and prophetic task of the church.”

Olav Fykse Tveit, former General Secretary of the World Council of Churches honored Desmond Tutu by writing on Facebook: „We thank God for Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He led his people in their struggle for freedom, justice and reconciliation. He gave the Church and the world at large the best possible challenge and inspiration to work together for God’s plan for unity, justice and peace. He was a great leader of the One ecumenical movement, serving the One Church, the One Humanity, and the One Creation of God.“

May he Rest In Peace!

Afghanistan: Hilfe und Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen sind Gebot der Stunde

Die dramatischen Entwicklungen in Afghanistan nahm die Synode der Evangelischen Kirche in Hessen und Nassau (EKHN) heute auf ihrer Tagung in Worms auch zum Anlass in einer Resolution an die Bundesregierung und die Landesregierungen zu appellieren, besonders schutzbedürftige Flüchtlinge aus Afghanistan mehr zu unterstützen und für eine sichere Bleibeperspektive zu sorgen.

The Synod of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau (EKHN) took the dramatic developments in Afghanistan as an opportunity to call on the Federal Government and the state governments to provide more support for refugees from Afghanistan who are particularly in need of protection and to ensure that they have a secure perspective of staying. „Afghanistan: Hilfe und Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen sind Gebot der Stunde“ weiterlesen