Anna Krauss (third from bottom right) with Lutheran pastors and bishops at her installation. Photo: DNK/LWB, Cornelia Kirsch
LWF leaders congratulate German theologian in her new role at a place for "encounter and exchange"
(LWI) – German theologian Dr Anna Krauss has taken up her new role as Executive Director of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Center in Wittenberg, with leaders from across the communion welcoming her contribution to “deepening fellowship” and connecting people from different backgrounds across the world.
She was installed in a festive worship service at the City Church in Wittenberg on Sunday 4 October. The installation was also attended by church leaders from across the world who were in Luther’s city for this year’s LWF Retreat of Newly Elected Leaders (RoNEL).
Welcoming Krauss to her new leadership position, Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt, LWF Vice-President for Central Western Europe and Chairperson of the German National Committee of the LWF underlined her broad ecumenical experience, “theological curiosity” and openness to learning from people worldwide.
“With her infectious energy, her human and theological curiosity about people from all over the world and her openness to their experiences with the Christian faith, she will certainly contribute a great deal to further deepening our fellowship in the Lutheran World Federation and beyond in a theologically sound way,” noted Kühnbaum-Schmidt, who is a Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany.
Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt (right), LWF Vice President for Central Western Europe, blesses Anna Krauss at her installation in Wittenberg. Photo: DNK/LWB, Cornelia Kirsch
Church leaders from the LWF communion participated in the installation service. Photo: DNK/LWB, Cornelia Kirsch
In her sermon, Krauss emphasized the significance of diversity as a vital resource to tackle global challenges. She expressed her excitement about the potential role of the center in fostering unity and collaboration within the global Lutheran communion.
In his greetings on behalf of the LWF Communion Office, Rev. Dr Ireneusz Lukas, Regional Secretary for Europe, noted that the Wittenberg Center is more than just an office, describing it as a place for “encounter and exchange” among diverse cultures and backgrounds. He presented Krauss with a Holy Communion set, crafted by the Taizé community for LWF. The set is glazed with sand from refugee camps in Kenya and Jordan—where the LWF is active in providing humanitarian support. “These gifts remind us that the work of the LWF and the church is inextricably linked to serving those most in need,” he remarked.
“I wish you joy, creativity, and God's blessings in your vital work with people from across the whole Lutheran communion,” he said in conclusion.
Krauss was born in Kulmbach, Bavaria, and studied theology in Neuendettelsau and Heidelberg (Germany) and in Aberdeen (Scotland). She was General Secretary of the Council of Lutheran Churches in Great Britain and also a board member of the Society for Ecumenical Studies.
