03.03.2011

Joint action as Christians

The UEM is no longer a German mission society, but a communion of churches in three continents. That becomes visible when looking at its governing bodies: Four delegates from each continent, a youth delegate and the moderator are part of the Council, who meets twice a year. The first meeting of 2011 was now held in Marburg/Germany, as the council had been invited by the member churches of the Evangelical Church of Hesse-Waldeck (EKKW) and the Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau (EKHN). On Monday EKHN-presidentVolker Jung and Bishop Christoph Hein of the EKKW met the Councilfor a reception in the conference centre in Marburg. The Council members also visited the city of Marburg with its historical church, the "Elisabethkirche". "It was interesting to hear about the holy Elizabeth", Dr. Elisée Musemakweli from Rwanda said: „She cared for the poor, as we do within the UEM.“ Other Council members were impressed by the university's connection to the reformation: „It its something special to be at a place where Martin Luther met other reformers", Erix Hutasoit from Indonesia said. At its meeting the Council discussed about strategic issues. The expansion and professionalisation of diaconic work was welcomed and new concepts of partnership were discussed. The council also debatet on the rise of the charismatic and pentecostal movements in Africa ans Asia. The indonesian members asked for solidarity as the number of fundamentalist muslim attacks on churches increased in the last few months.