wfn.org | Magnus Will Serve Lutheran World Federation in North America

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 28, 2001

MAGNUS WILL SERVE LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION IN NORTH AMERICA
01-305-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Kathy J. Magnus, associate director for
international personnel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Division for Global Mission, has been appointed regional officer for the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in North America, effective Jan. 1.
     LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition.  Founded in 1947, the LWF now has 133 member churches in 73
countries, representing 60.2 million of the world's nearly 64 million
Lutherans.  The LWF is based in Geneva, Switzerland.  The ELCA is a
member of LWF.
     LWF's North America Regional Committee appointed Magnus during its
meeting here Nov. 26-27.  Members of the committee include ELCA and
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), Winnipeg, Manitoba.
     In her new role, Magnus will serve as a member of the LWF
Department for Mission and Development staff.  She will be located in
the ELCA churchwide offices here.
     Magnus is a member of the board of directors for Church World
Service, New York, and a member of the central committee of the World
Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland.  From 1991 to 1997, she served
as vice president of the ELCA.  From 1988 to 1997, Magnus served as an
assistant to the bishop and executive for leadership development, ELCA
Rocky Mountain Synod, Denver.
     "We look forward with great anticipation to the many gifts that
Kathy Magnus brings to this position.  Our churches have taken
significant steps towards a greater understanding of what it means to be
in communion with one another.  Magnus' knowledge and experience will
further enhance the maturing of our relationship as churches in this
region," said Robert H. Granke, secretary, ELCIC.
     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said,
"Magnus is a highly collegial, creative and goal-oriented church
professional with significant domestic and international church
experience.  As former vice president and chair of [the ELCA's] church
council, Magnus was a key spokesperson and strong motivational leader in
our church.  We are pleased that her competent leadership is now offered
to the wider Lutheran communion."
     Magnus succeeds the Rev. Arthur Leichnitz, an ELCIC pastor, who
served as the first North America Regional Officer since 1998.  On Jan.
1, Leichnitz will become coordinator for the LWF Global Assembly to be
held July 21-31, 2003, Winnipeg, Canada.
     The Rev. Donald J. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern
Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh, and member of the regional committee,
said, "Pastor Leichnitz has established a strong regional office,
conducted a regional consultation among the North American churches, and
faithfully brought the perspective and concerns of North American member
churches to the LWF table in Geneva.  He has strengthened relationships
between our churches in North America and brought new awareness of the
common challenges we face in Christ's mission in the North American
context and globally."

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html