On Ash Wednesday, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr. Anne Burghardt issued a powerful Lenten letter urging Lutheran churches worldwide not to remain indifferent when human dignity is ignored or ranked by status, ethnicity, or gender. Grounded in Scripture and Luther’s teaching on the Eighth Commandment, she calls the church to bear gentle yet firm witness to the God-given dignity of every person and to preach the liberating gospel in opposition to fear-based and prosperity-driven theologies.
Burghardt invites churches to use Lent as a season of prayer, discernment, and courageous action—supporting justice, truth, and global cooperation while embodying Christ’s love across dividing lines. Read her full Lenten message as PDF here and read more about the letter on the LWF site.
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In a letter to Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran World Federation General Secretary Anne Burghardt expresses deep concern and heartfelt solidarity as U.S. church leaders respond to rising political polarization and deadly violence, particularly in Minnesota. She affirms the ELCA’s courage in condemning violence, accompanying immigrants and refugees, and refusing to let fear silence the gospel—calling this “the prophetic witness the church is called to embody.”
The Lutheran World Federation assures the ELCA of the prayers and support of the global communion, lifting up those who grieve, those living in fear, and leaders who choose justice over violence. Read the full letter and story from Lutheran World Federation.
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Resources and daily updatesAugsburg 2030: LWF launches preparations for Fourteenth Assembly
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The Lutheran World Federation’s 2025 Advent Calendar launches November 30 with daily “Messages of Faith” shared by Lutherans around the world. Beginning with a reflection from ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry, each short video explores how faith grounds and guides us in this season of expectation. Follow the daily updates on LWF social media or at the Advent Calendar site to receive new encouragement each day of Advent.
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