Practical Information A wealth of advice and instruction for attendees, to ensure the Assembly is smooth-running and that attendees get the most out of their experience.
Assembly Overview of the host church, country, protocol and formalities requested of attendees, information about the visual identity of the Assembly, the way in which an Assembly is prepared, and extensive information on the pre-Assemblies
Assembly Theme 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)
Program The Assembly program comprises a rich array of events: from the opening ceremony, worship, prayers, Bible study and visits, to plenary sessions and the business of the Assembly.
Image Each village group at the LWF Thirteenth Assembly brings together about 20 participants in discussion about the Assembly theme. Photo: LWF/Jeremiasz Ojrzyński Village Groups: Everyone gets “a chance to speak”
Image Delegates look at beautiful items produced by local groups of women at the Assembly Jarmark, a marketplace for ideas and partnerships. Photo: LWF/Marie Renaux Crafts tell the story of church ministries in East and Central Africa
Image Youth participants gathered in the LWF Youth Jarmark booth. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano Youth-led space hosts events, provides meeting point
Image LWF President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa and Bishop Jerzy Samiec from the Evangelical Church Of The Augsburg Confession In Poland pictured as they officially open the Assembly Jarmark, a marketplace for ideas and partnerships. Photo: LWF/Marie Renaux Opening of Jarmark: A platform for dialogue and sharing stories
Image Hopes and reflections on the Assembly, Top line, left to right: Carmen García, LWF/WS Colombia and Venezuela Program, and Joren Reichel, Protestant Church in the Netherlands. Bottom line, left to right: Nicole Ridegard, Church of Sweden, and Rev. Elina Bahalon Soren, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in India. Photo (1-3): LWF/Jeremiasz Ojrzyński, (4): LWF/Esther Williams Voices from the Thirteenth LWF Assembly
Image Delegates start the second day of the Assembly with Worship and Bible Study, as Lutherans from around the globe gather for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Thirteenth Assembly, held in Krakow, Poland on 13-19 September 2023 under the theme of One Body, One Spirit, One Hope. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano Worship unites, prepares delegates for the work of Assembly
Image Top line, left to right: LWF Assembly youth delegate Gregnan Maiye Kua from Papua New Guinea; Phiona Uwase from the Lutheran Church of Rwanda; Bishop Semko Koroza, Evangelical Reformed Church of Poland; Elizabeth Johnson from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Bottom line, left to right: Annika Juurikka: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland; Bishop Sageus Keib from Namibia; Rutendo Gora from South Africa; Rev. Witness Maratu from Tanzania. Photos (1-6): Esther Williams, (7-8) Erick A. Kinyanguli. Photo: LWF Different cultures, under one theme