Blessing Rev. Inken Wöhlbrand (center) for her continued journey: (from left) Rev. Dr Dennis Pistol (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany), Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt (GNC/LWF), Rev. Dr Ireneusz Lukas (LWF Regional Secretary for Europe) and Rev. Dr Sámuel Nánási (Director of Studies LWF Center Wittenberg). Photo: GNC/Cornelia Kirsch
Farewell to Rev. Inken Wöhlbrand, director of the LWF Center Wittenberg
(LWI) - Rev. Inken Wöhlbrand ended her work as Executive Director of the LWF Center Wittenberg on 29 June during a festive service at St. Mary’s Church in Wittenberg, Germany. She has led the center since October 2018.
"With creativity and hopeful conviction, Inken Wöhlbrand has provided the setting for many people from the Lutheran world communion to exchange ideas about Lutheran identity and to learn from and with each other. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank her for this special commitment locally in Wittenberg and far beyond. We ask for God's rich blessing for her and her further life's journey," said Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt, Chair of the German National Committee (GNC/LWF) and LWF Vice-President for Central-Western Europe.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Inken Wöhlbrand has facilitated and shaped encounters and exchanges between people and regions of the LWF, developing new formats in the process, added Bishop Kühnbaum-Schmidt. The direct encounters from person to person at the place of origin of the Reformation have remained a special feature of the center.
"Learning is at the heart of the LWF Center," said Wöhlbrand. “Our seminars bring people from all over the world together. They not only impart theological knowledge but also serve to concretely experience the LWF communion and how much this enriches us." The recent Lay Leaders Seminar was the last seminar Wöhlbrand led in Wittenberg.
Rev. Wöhlbrand will return to the ministry of her home church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany. The new director of the LWF Center Wittenberg is Dr. Anna Krauss. She will take up the position from 1 September 2024.
Founded in 2009, the LWF Center Wittenberg organizes international training courses, conferences and seminars for participants from the 150 member churches of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). It is the point of contact for visitor groups from all over the world and is responsible for the global and ecumenical Luthergarten project.
