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PRESS RELEASE NO. 03

Historic Moment as Canadian Postal Corporation Unveils LWF Tenth Assembly Stamp

Winnipeg Mayor: Assembly Theme Identifies with Canada’s Diversity

WINNIPEG, Canada, 22 July 2003 - The mayor of Winnipeg, Glen Murray, on July 21 unveiled a stamp for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Tenth Assembly designed with its logo. The Assembly theme is “For the Healing of the World.”

The historic high-keyed event attended by hundreds of delegates to the Assembly, LWF partners and members of the press among others, marks the beginning of the ten-day event which is being hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) at the Winnipeg Convention Centre here.

In his address, Murray noted that the theme identified with his country that enjoyed a diversity of faith and culture. “As Christians of different faiths, we struggle with issues of different cultures and of varied faiths, all of which are incorporated in the theme,” he said.

He lauded the Canadian Postal Corporation for coming up with such a stamp, adding that it would go a long way in sensitizing Canadians from all areas on the relevance of the LWF Assembly. The special commemorative stamp is available to purchasers in sheets of 16 at CAD 7.68.

The corporation chairperson, Vivian Albo, remarked, “This is an important event that will strengthen and enrich the Lutheran church and our society.”

She added: “It is a wonderful stamp and a unique memento of this important spiritual gathering.” 

According to Albo, the corporation contracted Pierre Fontaine of Longueuil, Quebec, to do the artwork and come up with an image that represents both the LWF Assembly and the needs of the host country.

In a humorous yet terse speech, LWF President Bishop emeritus Dr Christian Krause observed that the decision by the corporation to create a stamp from the logo was a wise one, and signified that the Assembly theme suited Canada, as it did the rest of the world.

“It is also a solid competition to electronic mail. Those who will receive letters here bearing the stamp will be reminded of the need to heal the word from all evil,” he added.

The logo supports the assembly theme. It depicts a broken world set against a cross and an olive branch. According to LWF, the cross implies movement while the leaves signify creation and healing.

It was designed by Erik Norbraten and Richard Nostbakken, both from the Canadian Prairie city of Regina, Saskatchewan.

The event was coordinated by ELCIC National Bishop, Raymond Schultz.

The Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is taking place 21-31 July 2003 in Winnipeg, Canada, under the theme "For the Healing of the World." It is being hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).

There are around 820 men, women and youth participants in the Tenth Assembly including 380 delegates from the 133 churches with full membership and three associate members. The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the LWF, and meets normally every six years. Between Assemblies, the LWF is governed by its Council that meets annually, and by its Executive Committee.

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