News

Pre-asamblea de mujeres

September 8 – 11, 2023
Wroclaw, Poland

Highlighting women’s contribution to ministry and to the life of the church

The LWF Women’s Pre-Assembly is a unique opportunity for women from member churches and partner organizations to meet and articulate a common voice that will be taken to the Assembly. What are the struggles women face in the diverse contexts of member churches? How are women answering to call to vocation in ordained ministry? The Women’s Pre-Assembly will consider the ways in which we ensure the full and just participation of women in the life of church and society.

A delegate worships during the Women's Pre-Assembly, in Windhoek, Namibia in 2017. Photo: LWF/Brenda Platero

A delegate worships during the Women's Pre-Assembly, in Windhoek, Namibia in 2017. Photo: LWF/Brenda Platero

Photos

It will enable participants to: 

  • experience sisterhood and sorority, pray together and support one other
  • celebrate life as One body, One Spirit, One Hope, reflecting on the Assembly theme through a feminist perspective
  • build a common vision that decisively shapes the discussions and decisions of the Assembly by highlighting women’s contribution to ministry, to the life of the church and on theological reflection
  • harvest experiences and celebrate the building of gender justice in church and society
  • reflect on the report of the Study Process on the Experiences of Women in the Ordained Ministry
  • learn from each other, in connection with the Assembly theme, about ways to respond to gender-based violence, poverty, political, religious and social polarization, and discrimination
  • contribute to helping the LWF Gender Justice and Women´s Empowerment Program better address the concerns of women in participants’ contexts over the coming years
  • shape the message from the Women’s Pre-Assembly to the Thirteen Assembly 
What’s on the program?

The Women’s Pre-Assembly gathers the concerns and priorities collected at the Women’s Regional Pre-Assemblies. All regional Pre-Assemblies will take place in the first semester of 2023. Once these are finalized, the Women’s Pre-Assembly program will be released. 

Who can take part?

Women delegates to the Assembly, women actively involved in the Women and Gender Justice Network, Polish women designated by the local committee, visitors, ecumenical guests, and advisors to the Assembly can participate. If you would like to take part, please indicate so when registering online. Subsidized Assembly participants will have accommodation and meals covered. Visitors or individuals who are covering costs themselves should kindly contact the LWF Gender Justice and Women´s Empowerment Program.

When and where is the Pre-Assembly?

The Women’s Pre-Assembly will be held at the House of Angels (https://kamienicapodaniolami.pl/en/) in Wrocław from September 7 (arrival) to 11 (departure to Kraków) 2023. The Assembly and the Women’s Pre-Assembly will be strongly influenced by the hospitality and vibrant church life of Poland.

Related news

Pré-Assemblée des jeunes

September 8 – 11, 2023
Wisla Malinka, Poland

Young people learning from one another and bringing their voice to the Assembly 

Youth are not only the future leaders of the church, they are important leaders in the church today. 

The youth pre-Assembly will be held in the modern premises of the Wisła-Malinka parish of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Photo: Wisła-Malinka parish

The youth pre-Assembly will be held in the modern premises of the Wisła-Malinka parish of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Photo: Wisła-Malinka parish

The LWF is excited to welcome young leaders from around the world to the LWF Youth Pre-Assembly Gathering in Wisla, Poland. This gathering will take place 8-11 of September 2023, immediately preceding the Thirteenth LWF Assembly. Youth delegates will also meet as a group prior to each regional pre-assembly.

Photos

Investment in youth leadership is a call of the Gospel and has also been a central commitment of the Lutheran World Federation for decades.

The youth pre-Assembly brings together LWF Assembly delegates who are 18-30 years old to worship, build community and capacity for participation in the Assembly, and to discuss their priorities and vision for the LWF going forward. At the Assembly, the group will present those priorities. LWF Assembly stewards and ex-officio young council members are also invited to attend the youth pre-Assembly. 

For more information, follow the pre-Assembly @LWFYouth on Instagram and Facebook.

Youth pre-Assembly Schedule

Youth pre-Assembly Schedule

Youth pre-Assembly Schedule

Related News

Pré-Assemblée des femmes

September 8 – 11, 2023
Wroclaw, Poland

Highlighting women’s contribution to ministry and to the life of the church

The LWF Women’s Pre-Assembly is a unique opportunity for women from member churches and partner organizations to meet and articulate a common voice that will be taken to the Assembly. What are the struggles women face in the diverse contexts of member churches? How are women answering to call to vocation in ordained ministry? The Women’s Pre-Assembly will consider the ways in which we ensure the full and just participation of women in the life of church and society.

A delegate worships during the Women's Pre-Assembly, in Windhoek, Namibia in 2017. Photo: LWF/Brenda Platero

A delegate worships during the Women's Pre-Assembly, in Windhoek, Namibia in 2017. Photo: LWF/Brenda Platero

Photos

It will enable participants to: 

  • experience sisterhood and sorority, pray together and support one other
  • celebrate life as One body, One Spirit, One Hope, reflecting on the Assembly theme through a feminist perspective
  • build a common vision that decisively shapes the discussions and decisions of the Assembly by highlighting women’s contribution to ministry, to the life of the church and on theological reflection
  • harvest experiences and celebrate the building of gender justice in church and society
  • reflect on the report of the Study Process on the Experiences of Women in the Ordained Ministry
  • learn from each other, in connection with the Assembly theme, about ways to respond to gender-based violence, poverty, political, religious and social polarization, and discrimination
  • contribute to helping the LWF Gender Justice and Women´s Empowerment Program better address the concerns of women in participants’ contexts over the coming years
  • shape the message from the Women’s Pre-Assembly to the Thirteen Assembly 
What’s on the program?

The Women’s Pre-Assembly gathers the concerns and priorities collected at the Women’s Regional Pre-Assemblies. All regional Pre-Assemblies will take place in the first semester of 2023. Once these are finalized, the Women’s Pre-Assembly program will be released. 

Who can take part?

Women delegates to the Assembly, women actively involved in the Women and Gender Justice Network, Polish women designated by the local committee, visitors, ecumenical guests, and advisors to the Assembly can participate. If you would like to take part, please indicate so when registering online. Subsidized Assembly participants will have accommodation and meals covered. Visitors or individuals who are covering costs themselves should kindly contact the LWF Gender Justice and Women´s Empowerment Program.

When and where is the Pre-Assembly?

The Women’s Pre-Assembly will be held at the House of Angels (https://kamienicapodaniolami.pl/en/) in Wrocław from September 7 (arrival) to 11 (departure to Kraków) 2023. The Assembly and the Women’s Pre-Assembly will be strongly influenced by the hospitality and vibrant church life of Poland.

Related news

Die visuelle Identität

The story behind the Thirteenth Assembly logo

The visual identity is an integral element of the Assembly. The logo we have selected is a bold expression of our connectedness as one body in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and called to share the transformative hope and love of God with the world.

Assembly logo

Assembly logo

The visual elements, representing the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly – One Body, One Spirit, One Hope – come together to uplift, inspire and challenge us as we gather in Kraków, Poland and throughout the world in 2023.

The Assembly logo draws inspiration from the local context and cultural heritage of Poland. One of the most popular forms of traditional artwork in the region is paper cut designs, known as wycinanki. These intricate pieces usually include shapes of people and nature portrayed together using bright colors. The people, dove and tree in the Assembly logo unite to form a modern representation of this art form. The color palette consists of two colors from the LWF visual identity alongside three unique to the Assembly: poppy red, Baltic Sea blue and amber yellow. These colors celebrate the natural beauty and artistic heritage of Poland and its people.

In 2024, Polish American artist and theologian Kristen Opalinski has won top awards for her designs illustrating the Krakow Assembly theme of ‘One Body, One Spirit, One Hope’. Read the story.

Read more

Identidad visual

The story behind the Thirteenth Assembly logo

The visual identity is an integral element of the Assembly. The logo we have selected is a bold expression of our connectedness as one body in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and called to share the transformative hope and love of God with the world.

Assembly logo

Assembly logo

The visual elements, representing the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly – One Body, One Spirit, One Hope – come together to uplift, inspire and challenge us as we gather in Kraków, Poland and throughout the world in 2023.

The Assembly logo draws inspiration from the local context and cultural heritage of Poland. One of the most popular forms of traditional artwork in the region is paper cut designs, known as wycinanki. These intricate pieces usually include shapes of people and nature portrayed together using bright colors. The people, dove and tree in the Assembly logo unite to form a modern representation of this art form. The color palette consists of two colors from the LWF visual identity alongside three unique to the Assembly: poppy red, Baltic Sea blue and amber yellow. These colors celebrate the natural beauty and artistic heritage of Poland and its people.

In 2024, Polish American artist and theologian Kristen Opalinski has won top awards for her designs illustrating the Krakow Assembly theme of ‘One Body, One Spirit, One Hope’. Read the story.

Read more

Identité visuelle

The story behind the Thirteenth Assembly logo

The visual identity is an integral element of the Assembly. The logo we have selected is a bold expression of our connectedness as one body in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and called to share the transformative hope and love of God with the world.

Assembly logo

Assembly logo

The visual elements, representing the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly – One Body, One Spirit, One Hope – come together to uplift, inspire and challenge us as we gather in Kraków, Poland and throughout the world in 2023.

The Assembly logo draws inspiration from the local context and cultural heritage of Poland. One of the most popular forms of traditional artwork in the region is paper cut designs, known as wycinanki. These intricate pieces usually include shapes of people and nature portrayed together using bright colors. The people, dove and tree in the Assembly logo unite to form a modern representation of this art form. The color palette consists of two colors from the LWF visual identity alongside three unique to the Assembly: poppy red, Baltic Sea blue and amber yellow. These colors celebrate the natural beauty and artistic heritage of Poland and its people.

In 2024, Polish American artist and theologian Kristen Opalinski has won top awards for her designs illustrating the Krakow Assembly theme of ‘One Body, One Spirit, One Hope’. Read the story.

Read more

Identyfikacja wizualna

The story behind the Thirteenth Assembly logo

The visual identity is an integral element of the Assembly. The logo we have selected is a bold expression of our connectedness as one body in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and called to share the transformative hope and love of God with the world.

Assembly logo

Assembly logo

The visual elements, representing the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly – One Body, One Spirit, One Hope – come together to uplift, inspire and challenge us as we gather in Kraków, Poland and throughout the world in 2023.

The Assembly logo draws inspiration from the local context and cultural heritage of Poland. One of the most popular forms of traditional artwork in the region is paper cut designs, known as wycinanki. These intricate pieces usually include shapes of people and nature portrayed together using bright colors. The people, dove and tree in the Assembly logo unite to form a modern representation of this art form. The color palette consists of two colors from the LWF visual identity alongside three unique to the Assembly: poppy red, Baltic Sea blue and amber yellow. These colors celebrate the natural beauty and artistic heritage of Poland and its people.

In 2024, Polish American artist and theologian Kristen Opalinski has won top awards for her designs illustrating the Krakow Assembly theme of ‘One Body, One Spirit, One Hope’. Read the story.

Read more

Temat Zgromadzenia Ogólnego

One Body, One Spirit, One Hope

The Assembly theme, One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, reminds us that in a fragmented world, we are called to unity in the one body of Christ. The theme is drawn from Ephesians 4:4 (NRSV): “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling."

Messages from the Pre-Assemblies take up the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Jotham Lee

Messages from the Pre-Assemblies take up the theme of the Thirteenth Assembly. Photo: LWF/Jotham Lee

The Assembly Study Guide

The Assembly Study Guide is a publication aimed at preparing LWF member churches for the Thirteenth Assembly. It is offered as a resource to inspire reflections on how the global communion of churches is called and equipped to be a sign of hope in the midst of God’s creation as it participates in God’s holistic mission.

Introducing the thirteenth Assembly theme

This publication introduces the Thirteenth Assembly, and its theme, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”It is an invitation to LWF’s member churches to start engaging with the theme.

In addition to being ecumenically significant, the theme speaks of the needs of the world. LWF member churches are called to bear witness to God’s compassion and mercy for the world. It also reflects the church’s call to strive for unity through its engagement in service and mission, such as prophetic diakonia, humanitarian action and advocacy to end injustice and dehumanizing practices. The world urgently needs to hear the gospel of justification, that of God’s act of liberating grace. We are called into this adventure of living the Gospel ever anew in our many contexts. Together as a communion of churches we are called forth into the world.

The Assembly has three subthemes: the Spirit creates, the Spirit reconciles, the Spirit renews. The subthemes will help delegates interpret the main theme in light of the creative, reconciling and transformative love of God.

Learn more about each of the three elements: One Body, One Spirit, One Hope

Program

The Assembly offers attendees a program that Is both full and rich, and which is presented in three dimensions.

The first dimension is that of celebration of the Communion’s common faith across context and cultures. This is borne out in worship, eucharist and prayers, beginning with the opening Holy Communion Service on September 13, and proceeding with worship in plenary each day thereafter, midday worship and evening prayer. Sunday worship takes place in local congregations.

The second dimension of the program is that of decision-making. In addition to holding business sessions, attendees will address constitutional matters, and hold elections, principally those of LWF President and Council. Significant reports are presented, these being the address of the President, report of the General Secretary, report of the Chair of the Finance Committee. In addition, the reports of the Assembly committee and of the nominations committee will be received. The reading and approval of public statements, resolutions, and the Assembly message is a core outcome of the Assembly.

The final dimension is mutual enrichment through joint reflection and discernment. This will include Bible studies, group discussions, thematic plenary sessions, a keynote address, village groups and regional meetings, the jarmark/marketplace, exposure and visits. Part of the program is a visit to the nearby Museum and Memorial of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The Assembly is preceded by the youth and women’s pre-Assemblies, and the executive committee and Council meetings. It is followed by the first meeting of the newly elected LWF Council.

LWF General Assembly

ARRIVAL on 12 September 2023 in Krakow

DEPARTURE begins 19 September 2023 AFTER 18:00. 

Assembly Schedule

Women's Pre-Assembly

8 – 11 September 2023
Wroclaw, Poland

ARRIVAL in Krakow airport on 07 September 2023 BEFORE 18:00 then either a 2-hour bus ride to Wroclaw or direct travel to Wroclaw by plane or train.

On 11 September 2023, all the women will be transported by bus to Krakow for the Assembly.

DEPARTURE from Krakow begins 19 September 2023 after 18:00. 

Youth Pre-Assembly

8 – 11 September 2023
Wisla Malinka, Poland

ARRIVAL in Krakow on 07 September 2023 BEFORE 18:00 then a 2.5 hours bus ride to Wisla Malinka.

On 11 September 2023 the youth will travel by bus to Krakow for the Assembly.

DEPARTURE from Krakow begins 19 September 2023 after 18:00.

Men's Pre-Assembly

11 – 12 September 2023
Krakow, Poland

ARRIVAL on 10 September 2023.

Executive Committee

12 September (morning) 2023
Krakow, Poland

ARRIVAL on 11 September 2023.

Pre-Council Meeting

12 September (afternoon) 2023
Krakow, Poland

ARRIVAL on 11 September 2023 or BEFORE 09:00 AM on 12 September 2023.

Post-Council Meeting

20 September (all day) 2023
Krakow, Poland

Please ensure departure on 20 September 2023 AFTER 18:00, or 21 September 2023.

Thirteenth Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation, Krakow, Poland, 13-19 September 2023, at the ICE center

Thirteenth Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation will be held in Krakow, Poland, 13-19 September 2023, at the ICE Krakow Congress Center

VENUE

The Assembly will take place at the ICE Krakow Congress Center, a modern, multi-functional facility located in the heart of Kraków, and described as the city’s business and cultural showpiece. It includes a three-level foyer with a view of the Wawel Royal Castle.

ICE Krakow Congress Center

Read more
Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Worship

Celebrating the ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews

Worship promises to be an integral expression of the Assembly’s journey from conflict to communion. Closely linked to Assembly Bible study, worship life will explore…

Gottesdienste

Celebrating the ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews

Worship promises to be an integral expression of the Assembly’s journey from conflict to communion. Closely linked to Assembly Bible study, worship life will explore and celebrate the deep and powerful ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews in the midst of a fragmented world.

Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Following an opening service of Holy Communion on September 13, times of prayer and reflection will be woven throughout the entire Assembly. Each morning, noon and evening, worship sessions will examine the Assembly theme, which is taken from Ephesians 4:4, One Body, One Spirit, One Hope. Sunday worship will take place in local congregations, creating and opportunity for attendees to give thanks in the Polish context.

Assembly worship is envisioned, planned and organized by the International Worship Planning Committee, made up of a core group of liturgists and musicians from around the world. This committee will help the Assembly remain grounded in Lutheran liturgy that both attests to our oneness in Christ and honors the rich diversity of worship and music styles across the communion.

International Worship Planning Committee 

We wish to thank the members of the International Worship Planning Committee for planning and creating both an enriching Assembly worship program and associated worship materials and resources.

Members
  • Bishop Dr Msafiri MBILU (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania)
  • Rev. Michelle CHIU (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong)
  • Carl Petter OPSAHL (Church of Norway)
  • Uwe STEINMETZ (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony)
  • Kinga Marjatta PAP, Chairperson (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary)
  • Pauline Roeder SIQUEIRA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil)
  • Rev. Brooklynn LANE (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada)
  • Rev. Piotr SZTWIERTNIA (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland)
Read more
Related news

Culto

Celebrating the ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews

Worship promises to be an integral expression of the Assembly’s journey from conflict to communion. Closely linked to Assembly Bible study, worship life will explore and celebrate the deep and powerful ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews in the midst of a fragmented world.

Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Following an opening service of Holy Communion on September 13, times of prayer and reflection will be woven throughout the entire Assembly. Each morning, noon and evening, worship sessions will examine the Assembly theme, which is taken from Ephesians 4:4, One Body, One Spirit, One Hope. Sunday worship will take place in local congregations, creating and opportunity for attendees to give thanks in the Polish context.

Assembly worship is envisioned, planned and organized by the International Worship Planning Committee, made up of a core group of liturgists and musicians from around the world. This committee will help the Assembly remain grounded in Lutheran liturgy that both attests to our oneness in Christ and honors the rich diversity of worship and music styles across the communion.

International Worship Planning Committee 

We wish to thank the members of the International Worship Planning Committee for planning and creating both an enriching Assembly worship program and associated worship materials and resources.

Members
  • Bishop Dr Msafiri MBILU (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania)
  • Rev. Michelle CHIU (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong)
  • Carl Petter OPSAHL (Church of Norway)
  • Uwe STEINMETZ (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony)
  • Kinga Marjatta PAP, Chairperson (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary)
  • Pauline Roeder SIQUEIRA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil)
  • Rev. Brooklynn LANE (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada)
  • Rev. Piotr SZTWIERTNIA (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland)
Read more
Related news

Culte

Celebrating the ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews

Worship promises to be an integral expression of the Assembly’s journey from conflict to communion. Closely linked to Assembly Bible study, worship life will explore and celebrate the deep and powerful ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews in the midst of a fragmented world.

Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Bishop Ernst Gamxamub from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia distributes bread during Holy Communion at the opening worship of the Lutheran World Federation's Twelfth Assembly. Windhoek, NamibiaMay 2017. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Following an opening service of Holy Communion on September 13, times of prayer and reflection will be woven throughout the entire Assembly. Each morning, noon and evening, worship sessions will examine the Assembly theme, which is taken from Ephesians 4:4, One Body, One Spirit, One Hope. Sunday worship will take place in local congregations, creating and opportunity for attendees to give thanks in the Polish context.

Assembly worship is envisioned, planned and organized by the International Worship Planning Committee, made up of a core group of liturgists and musicians from around the world. This committee will help the Assembly remain grounded in Lutheran liturgy that both attests to our oneness in Christ and honors the rich diversity of worship and music styles across the communion.

International Worship Planning Committee 

We wish to thank the members of the International Worship Planning Committee for planning and creating both an enriching Assembly worship program and associated worship materials and resources.

Members
  • Bishop Dr Msafiri MBILU (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania)
  • Rev. Michelle CHIU (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong)
  • Carl Petter OPSAHL (Church of Norway)
  • Uwe STEINMETZ (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony)
  • Kinga Marjatta PAP, Chairperson (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary)
  • Pauline Roeder SIQUEIRA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil)
  • Rev. Brooklynn LANE (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada)
  • Rev. Piotr SZTWIERTNIA (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland)
Read more
Related news