Election call of the Churches for the European elections on May 26, 2019
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
15th May 2019 We extend warm regards to you all in the communion of faith!
As Christians we have been trying for many decades already to breathe life into the ecumenical idea of „unity in diversity” in this world.
[...]Some ten years after the fall of the Berlin Wall the European churches sent a strong signal of fellowship. The Charta Oecu- menica is witness to their willpower, „with the Gospel to stand up for the dignity of the human person made in the image of God, and as churches together to contribute towards reconci- ling peoples and cultures”. The importance of this task has cle- arly increased even more in the past few years.
After the horrors of the first half of the 20th century, the concept of reconciliation was for a long time an unquestioned strength of the European idea. All the more therefore we monitor with great concern the growing nationalism and hostility towards Eu- rope by populist parties. There is no doubt that the European Union needs both constructive and critical companions, both women and men. And it has a need for people who are willing to breathe life into the European idea, to meet up and seek to find sustainable answers to the major questions of our time.
As Christians we are called upon to contribute to shaping poli- tics, also at the level of the European Union, with respect for the dignity of every human being. We do this in the knowledge of our ecumenical fellowship with Christians over and beyond all political boundaries.
We can make a contribution so that reconciliation becomes possible in our times, by seeking to enter into open and critical dialogue also with those who lack trust in the European idea. And we will strengthen our ecumenical commitment with our brothers and sisters in Great Britain, should the looming exit from the EU become reality.
Therefore we join in our call:
Give Europe your vote! Exercise your right to vote on 26th May 2019 and strengthen the democratic forces engaged in seeking understanding!
The Charta Oecumenica finishes with a reference to the basis on which we stand: Jesus Christ, the Lord of the one Church, is our greatest hope of reconciliation and peace. In his name we in- tend to continue on our common path in Europe. We pray for God‘s guidance through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We also ask for His blessing
In Christian communion,
Martin Haasler ACK Schleswig-Holstein
Uwe Onnen ACK Hamburg
Matthias Tuve ACK Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Dr. Hans-Jürgen Abromeit Bischof im Sprengel Mecklenburg und Pommern
Horst Eberlein Weihbischof, Erzbistum Hamburg
Kirsten Fehrs Bischöfin im Sprengel Hamburg und Lübeck
Dr. Stefan Heße Erzbischof, Erzbistum Hamburg
Dr. Heiner Koch Erzbischof, Erzbistum Berlin
Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt Landesbischöfin der Nordkirche
Gothart Magaard Bischof im Sprengel Schleswig und Holstein
Wulf Schünemann Propst, Ständiger bischöflicher Stellvertreter im Sprengel Mecklenburg und Pommern am Dienstsitz in Schwerin
Published 19|05|2019
Election call of the Churches for the European elections on May 26, 2019
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
15th May 2019 We extend warm regards to you all in the communion of faith!
As Christians we have been trying for many decades already to breathe life into the ecumenical idea of „unity in diversity” in this world.
[...]Some ten years after the fall of the Berlin Wall the European churches sent a strong signal of fellowship. The Charta Oecu- menica is witness to their willpower, „with the Gospel to stand up for the dignity of the human person made in the image of God, and as churches together to contribute towards reconci- ling peoples and cultures”. The importance of this task has cle- arly increased even more in the past few years.
After the horrors of the first half of the 20th century, the concept of reconciliation was for a long time an unquestioned strength of the European idea. All the more therefore we monitor with great concern the growing nationalism and hostility towards Eu- rope by populist parties. There is no doubt that the European Union needs both constructive and critical companions, both women and men. And it has a need for people who are willing to breathe life into the European idea, to meet up and seek to find sustainable answers to the major questions of our time.
As Christians we are called upon to contribute to shaping poli- tics, also at the level of the European Union, with respect for the dignity of every human being. We do this in the knowledge of our ecumenical fellowship with Christians over and beyond all political boundaries.
We can make a contribution so that reconciliation becomes possible in our times, by seeking to enter into open and critical dialogue also with those who lack trust in the European idea. And we will strengthen our ecumenical commitment with our brothers and sisters in Great Britain, should the looming exit from the EU become reality.
Therefore we join in our call:
Give Europe your vote! Exercise your right to vote on 26th May 2019 and strengthen the democratic forces engaged in seeking understanding!
The Charta Oecumenica finishes with a reference to the basis on which we stand: Jesus Christ, the Lord of the one Church, is our greatest hope of reconciliation and peace. In his name we in- tend to continue on our common path in Europe. We pray for God‘s guidance through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We also ask for His blessing
In Christian communion,
Martin Haasler ACK Schleswig-Holstein
Uwe Onnen ACK Hamburg
Matthias Tuve ACK Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Dr. Hans-Jürgen Abromeit Bischof im Sprengel Mecklenburg und Pommern
Horst Eberlein Weihbischof, Erzbistum Hamburg
Kirsten Fehrs Bischöfin im Sprengel Hamburg und Lübeck
Dr. Stefan Heße Erzbischof, Erzbistum Hamburg
Dr. Heiner Koch Erzbischof, Erzbistum Berlin
Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt Landesbischöfin der Nordkirche
Gothart Magaard Bischof im Sprengel Schleswig und Holstein
Wulf Schünemann Propst, Ständiger bischöflicher Stellvertreter im Sprengel Mecklenburg und Pommern am Dienstsitz in Schwerin
Published 19|05|2019
World Council of Churches - songs and Prayers for their 70th Anniversary
The WCC's 70th anniversary is a time to give thanks for the achievements, ask for forgiveness for any shortcomings and implore God’s guidance and assistance in any future endeavours. As the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit wrote in a letter to the member churches inviting them to contribute prayers and songs for this anniversary year: “'praying together' has been the source of our inspiration and of all our energy in 'walking together' and in 'working together'.”
Click on the link below to find a collection of such prayers rising from the heart of those who had the privilege of participating – and sometimes even leading – the common Pilgrimage.
https://www.oikoumene.org/en/wcc70/prayers-and-songs/prayers-and-songs?searchterm=Prayers+70th+anniversary
Published 25|05|2018
