NEWS FROM
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
November 15, 2002
For more information contact Jonathan Frerichs at (410) 230-2802.
In this news release:
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New U.S.-Japan Partnership will Strengthen Christian Service Work in Asia
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Awards Honor LWR, A General, and Two Advocates for Justice
NEW U.S.-JAPAN PARTNERSHIP WILL STRENGTHEN CHRISTIAN SERVICE WORK IN ASIA
Baltimore, November 15, 2002 -- Lutheran World Relief and the Japanese Evangelical Lutheran Association, a service agency for Japanese Lutherans, have agreed to cooperate in supporting community development programs in Asia.
At the invitation of JELA, LWR President Kathryn Wolford visited Japan last month to explain how LWR works with local partner organizations in Asia, how it helps those organizations develop, and also how to access and use government funding where appropriate.
"LWR first came to Japan to provide emergency aid in the aftermath of World War II," Wolford told leaders of JELA and the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. "Today we come to write a new chapter of history together as partners to share Christ's love and compassion with people living in poverty and crisis situations in India and beyond."
LWR and JELA staff traveled from Japan to India to visit possible joint projects where LWR already provides program support, training and networking assistance. The visit included the Comprehensive Rural Health Program in Jamkhed, which is recognized worldwide for its long-term, cost-effective, village-based health care and health promotion work. Click here to read more about LWR's work in Jamkhed.
AWARDS HONOR LWR, A GENERAL, AND TWO ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE
Baltimore, November 15, 2002 -- Lutheran World Relief, a leading anti-hunger campaigner, a top-ranking general and lay leader, and a resistance leader and reconciler from Germany received The Luther Institute's 2002 Wittenberg Awards at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., November 9.
The individual honorees were Rev. Arthur Simon, founder of Bread for the World, General John Vessey, a lay leader in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Dr. Joachim Gauck, a pastor who led protests against the government of the former East Germany and then served as federal commissioner in the unified Germany for the secret files of East Germany's State Security Service.
"Thank you for helping us to understand that service among those suffering from injustice must be accompanied with a strong voice and effective action for justice," said Rev. Kenneth Senft, presenting the award to LWR board chairperson, Elizabeth Duda, and president, Dr. Kathryn Wolford.
LWR is the first organization to be honored in the 13-year history of the Wittenberg Awards, which are given for exemplary service to church and society.
LWR was also represented at the ceremony by former board chairperson, Rev. Dr. Robert Marshall, former LWR director, Dr. Norman Barth, and current board member, Kirk Betts. Marshall, Duda and another LWR board member, Bishop April Ulring Larson, are past recipients of the award from the Washington-based educational and research institute.
LWR works in international relief and development on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
