wfn.org | LWF Assembly told not to forget painful realities

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Participants told not to forget painful realities
Hungarian pastor preaches at closing service

HONG KONG, July 25, 1997 (lwi) - "Amidst our thanksgiving, praise and joy
we should not forget the painful reality of our world," said the Rev. Agnes
Pangyanszky, Lutheran student pastor and youth delegate from Hungary. She
preached at the closing service of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
Assembly which was planned by youth attending the Assembly.

"The next millennium is just a step ahead. A lot of excitement and fear
precedes the year 2000, Pangyanszky said. "We know that there have been
many historical turning-points in the course of history. Many brought about
important changes for humankind and many have been very demanding for
people," she said.

"Participants at this Assembly in Hong Kong have taken decisions and have
decided about the direction the Lutheran World Federation is going to
follow in the next seven, 50 or 100 years before us. New issues emerged,
new needs were identified, new actions were taken. But all our discussions,
actions and hopes are enfolded in one vision: our common history as
Christians and Lutherans strengthens us, and it always serves us as the
source of witness.

"Because we know how God had been with us in this common past, we are not
afraid of looking ahead into the future. We should see our common future as
a challenge from God in which he will give us new possibilities, new
chances to seek him and fulfill our Christian vocation."

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