wfn.org | (LWF) Historic Moment As Canadian Postal Corporation UnveilsLWF

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

LWF Tenth Assembly, Winnipeg, Canada, 21-31 July 2003

PRESS RELEASE NO. 03

Historic Moment As Canadian Postal Corporation Unveils LWF Tenth Assembly
Stamp 
Winnipeg Mayor: Assembly Theme Identifies With Canada's Diversity

WINNIPEG, Canada, July 22 2003 -The mayor of Winnipeg, Glen Murray, on July
21 unveiled a stamp of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) designed from the
logo of its Tenth assembly. The Assembly theme is "For the healing of the
World."

The historic high-keyed event which was attended by over 400 delegates to
the assembly, LWF partners and members of the press among others, marks the
beginning of LWF's ten-day assembly which runs through to July 31 in this
Canadian city.

In his address, Murray noted that the theme identified with his country
which enjoyed a diversity of faith and culture. "As Christians of different
faiths, we struggle with issues of different cultures and of varied faiths,
all which are incorporated in the theme," he said.

He lauded the Canadian Postal Corporation for coming up with such a stamp,
adding that it would go a long way in sensitizing Canadians from all areas on
the relevance of the LWF Assembly. The special commemorative stamp is
available to purchasers in a lot of 16. Each costs CAD 7.68.

The corporation chairperson, Vivian Albo, remarked, "This is an important
event that will strengthen and enrich the Lutheran church and our society."

She added: "It is a wonderful stamp and a unique memento of this important
spiritual gathering." The Assembly is being hosted by the Evangelical
Lutheran Churchin Canada (ELCIC).

According to Albo, the corporation contracted Pierre Fontaine of Longueuil,
Quebec to do the artwork and come up with an image that represents both the
LWF Assembly and the needs of the host country.

In a humorous yet terse speech, LWF President Bishop emeritus Dr Christian
Krause observed that the decision by the corporation to create a stamp from
the logo was a wise one, and signified that the Assembly theme suited Canada,
as it did the rest of the world.

"It is also a solid competition to electronic mail. Those who will receive
letters here bearing the stamp will be reminded of the need to heal the word
from all evil," he added.

The logo supports the assembly theme. It depicts a broken world set against
a cross and an olive branch. According to LWF, the cross implies movement
while the leaves signify creation and healing.

It was designed by Erik Norbraten and Richard Nostbakken, both from the
Canadian Prairie city of Regina, Saskatchewan. 

The event was coordinated by ELCIC National Bishop Raymond Schultz.

The Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is taking place
21-31 July 2003 in Winnipeg, Canada, under the theme "For the Healing of the
World." It is being hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
(ELCIC).

There are almost 700 men, women and youth participants in the Tenth Assembly
including 356 delegates from the 133 churches with full membership and three
associate members. The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the
LWF, and meets normally every six years. Between Assemblies, the LWF is
governed by its Council that meets annually, and by its Executive Committee.

Further information including photos, video and audio news, is posted on the
Assembly Web site www.lwf-assembly.org 

To order photographs, please contact LWF-Photo@lutheranworld.org 

*	*	*

The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 136 member
churches i 76 countries representing over 61.7 million of the 65.4 million
Lutherans worldwide. 

The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest
such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission
and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.