wfn.org | Thanksgiving service for university theology faculty

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

Institution portrays vision for sensitive ministry
Press Release No. 12/99

BRATISLAVA, Slovak Republic, 27 June 1999 (lwi) - The abundance and
irrevocable nature of God's gifts was the resounding message delivered
during a thanksgiving service for the new complex of the Evangelical
Theology Faculty of Comenius University in Bratislava.

The ceremony was attended by invited guests and participants in the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council meeting taking place here from 22
to 29 June. During the ceremony, Bishop Julius Filo of the Evangelical
Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic, host church to
the Council meeting, said that in spite of a weakened economy and rising
costs of building material among other factors, there has been overwhelming
support for the project thereby facilitating its completion as scheduled.

Mr. Jan Holik, general inspector and co-chair of the church welcomed the
first ever guests into the complex which comprises the school itself
including the relevant teaching facilities, a dormitory with accommodation
capacity for 106 students, dining room, library and chapel among other
units. He said work on the building was begun in 1997 and finished on 22
June 1999 at a total cost of more than USD 2.4 million.  He particularly
thanked the LWF through its Geneva offices, the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA), Slovak Zion Synod in the United States of America,
Martin Luther Federation, Evangelical Church in Wurttemberg, Germany, the
Slovak government and Slovak Lutherans for their contributions towards the
college's construction. The seminary's school year begins in October 1999.

Addressing guests in the new institution's chapel, Bishop Filo described
the new compound of the theological faculty as a witness that "God's call
is irrevocable and cannot be stopped." The structure portrays a vision of a
quality preparation for a contemporary, sensitive ministry into which God
has called His people in the Slovak Republic. Filo said it is particularly
important among Protestants to emphasize the close communion of servants,
common responsibility and accountability during preparation for the
ministry. He acknowledged the importance of being linked to one another
through modern technology but also emphasized the important role of
personal encounters which include devotions.

As a token of appreciation for the support and cooperation in the
realization of the project, the rector of the Evangelical Theology Faculty
of Comenius University in Bratislava, Prof. Ferdinand Dievinsky presented
11 crystal vases engraved with the institution's emblem - Gratius Agamus -
(We give thanks) to among others the LWF president, Dr.  Christian Krause,
and LWF general secretary, Dr. Ishmael Noko.

The thanksgiving ceremony was also attended by the Slovak Republic's
Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Konco Pavel, who said the agricultural sector
is crucial for the country. He expressed hope that students in the new
university would uphold moral and religious values. He welcomed guests to
sample some of the produce of this sector. Also present was a
representative of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

Responding to the minister's remarks, the LWF general secretary expressed
appreciation for the hospitality in the form of food enjoyed by
participants in the LWF Council meeting since their arrival in the Slovak
Republic. On a light note, Noko referred to the morning worship service
earlier in the day, saying that the celebration of the Eucharist would not
be possible "without the products of agriculture."

He also recalled the Memorandum of Understanding on Collaborative Working
Arrangements signed between the LWF and the WFP in August 1998.  The
agreement provides for the two organizations to explore opportunities for
joining forces to maximize the impact and quality of their food aid
operations in various parts of the world. Through its Department for World
Service (DWS) the LWF has over 7,000 staff in the field who are responsible
for the distribution of the food both organizations agreed to share, Noko
added.

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(The LWF is a global communion of 124 member churches in 69 countries
representing 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans. The LWF's
highest decision-making body is the Assembly, held every six or seven
years. Between Assemblies the LWF is governed by a 49-member Council, which
meets annually, and its Executive Committee. )

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Lutheran World Information
Assistant Editor, English: Pauline Mumia
E-mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/