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German Youth push for high environmental standards

March 21, 2012 in Europe, Youth, Youth participation

(c) flickr.com/redchuck

 

One crucial point of our meeting was the development of a strategy plan for the office of the National Committee. This strategy aims to improve the ecological aspect of sustainability within the office. Therefore we queried the office last year already, e.g. how sustainable business traveling is arranged.

The conclusion of the process is a paper that suggests to investigate closer the topics CO2-compensation for traveling, the selection of conference centres as well as the use of paper at  meetings.

Furthermore we were able to get to know the city where Luther posted the 95 theses at the church’s door. The director of the LWF-centre established in Wittenberg, pastor Hans W. Kasch delivered amazing insights into his work and made the life of Luther become alive by means of a guiding tour.

In view of the 500th anniversary of the reformation in 2017 we visited the developing Luther Garden. 500 trees will be planted here, whereas each is representing a church of the global community. Regarding the international character and the ecumenical connections of the LWF we felt this project to be one-of-a-kind.

LWF Youth Secretary Roger Schmidt reported to us about the developments of the LWF in Geneva including the new project of the youth desk „green & just“. We are excited about this virtual conference and hope to „meet“ you there.

Until then sincere greetings from Germany

Sabine and Samuel

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Peace starts with us!

May 23, 2011 in Africa, Asia/Pacific, Church, Ecumenism, Enviroment, Europe, Faith, Justice, Latin America/Carribean, Life, LWF, LWF together - the earth needs you, Middle East, North America, Spirituality, Youth participation

Introduction to the WCC IEPC and Peace with the Earth

Greetings from Kingston, Jamaica! We are participating in the World Council of Churches (WCC) International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) along with about 1000 people from around the world and WCC member churches.

The theme of the convocation is “Glory to God and Peace on Earth.” The main objectives for the IEPC are many, but most broadly:

  1. Sharing inspirations and reflections
  2. Network-building, strategy development and other actions.

This is a harvesting event and celebration for the Decade to Overcome Violence. This is not a decision-making body, but rather a group that will crystallize emerging peace issues on the way to the 2013 WCC Assembly in Busan, South Korea.

The four themes of our days together are:

  1. Peace in the Community
  2. Peace with the Earth
  3. Peace in the Marketplace
  4. Peace Among the Peoples.

Today, we will focus on Peace with the Earth.

Part of our life together at the convocation includes bible study. The text for “Peace with the Earth” is Isaiah 11:6-9. Take a look at the text. Share it with your friends. To start your conversation, here are two questions:

What does the ‘knowledge of the Lord’ refer to in this passage?
Is the world painted in this passage possible?

In the daily plenary, the focus was to: Raise awareness on the various threats to creation, present churches’ statements and actions addressing caring for creation, offer theological and spiritual insights from various religious perspectives on peace and creation, and share practical examples on what churches can do on peace with the earth.

As three young people from the LWF, we felt connected to this work, since this same theme, sustainability (with a focus on climate change and food security) was expressed as an emerging issue among the youth at the 2010 Lutheran World Federation (LWF) assembly. Currently, groups of young people from around the LWF communion are reflecting together on bible texts that relate to this theme. Groups are sharing with one another through the worldwide web—a very “green” option!

One of the objectives of LWF Together is to use the outcomes from the bible studies and reflections to work toward sustainability in your own community. Peace with the earth begins with us!

For more information visit www.lwfyouth.org.

In a d’ Lates (Compliments of Peter Powell, Campus Security),

Daniele, Mikka and Sanna

P.S. Come back again soon! During the week, we will take turns reflecting on the remaining three themes.

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Youth committee of the LWF German National Committee prioritizes sustainabiltiy

March 14, 2011 in Church, Ecumenism, Enviroment, Europe, Justice, LWF, Youth, Youth participation

Sustainability is one of the priority issues of LWF Youth globally. The youth committee of the German National Committee of the LWF member churches in this country have made it their priority theme. Please read more in the Moritz’ report.

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German Kirchentag: Opportunity for Eastern Europeans

February 21, 2011 in Church, Ecumenism, Europe, Faith, Youth, Youth participation

The German Kirchentag is a large gathering of Protestants in Germany (mainly from a Lutheran, Reformed or United background). However, they inentionally also open the door for people out of Germany who would like to use this great learning space.

Here is a very affordable conference for young people from Eastern Europe who can first join a pre-conference “Heartbeat” talking about church and youth in Eastern Europe and then attend the Kirchentag itself. Here is more information and please use this form to apply.

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