FINLAND & PALESTINE Proceedings of a Joint Workshop

Development ofChurch Relations ___________~_____,____,, _______...
The Council of Lutheran World Federation held its meeting in
Bethlehem and Jerusalem on 30 th August till ih 2005. Finnish
participants in that meeting were Bishop of Helsinki diocese,
Huovinen, CIR director Cantell, Professor Saarinen, and FElM
and FCA representatives. The council gave strong support to
the ElCJHL and it was reported in Finnish media. 16
A youth group of 20 from Beit Sa hour Lutheran School, with 3
teachers and Pastor I. Haddad, visited FELM summer festivals
2008 in Oulu and Pernaja. Archbishop Paarma visited ELCJHL
again, autumn 2008.
During this period, the role of FELM became, at least proportionally,
less important. ElCJHL got strong support from the US
and, later, also from Norway. However, in financial numbers,
the support from Finland did not decline.
Even the role of FELM, as the channel between Finnish congregations
and ELCJHL, is still very important; there are also direct
contacts to ElCF leadership, and, also, to the political leadership
in Finland.
Main Forms of Cooperation
ELCJ (later ElCJHL) - FELM (ElCF), 1967-2008:
- Annual financial support for ecclesiastical and later, also, for
educational activities;
- Finnish personnel in long-term service with ELCJ in Palestine
and Jordan (some 15 persons);
- Stipends for theological and other studies: (pastors Samer
Azar, Ramez Ansara and Saliba Rishmawi, teacher N. Tahhan);
- Sponsorship program (1990: 35 students; 2003: 167 students);
16 www.helsinginhiippakunta.evl.fi/piispa
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