Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. For 75 years Lutherans in Canada have been striving for shalom in the world through Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR).
This anniversary is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate what we have achieved together and to recommit ourselves to continue to support this important work.
Our cover story reviews some of what has been achieved, how the agency is mapping out the future, and how you can get involved.
The challenges can feel overwhelming. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), at the end of 2020, 82.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. Of these 20.7 million were refugees (under UNHCR’s mandate).
We don’t know how the next challenge will emerge, but we’ll be there. CLWR provides us with ways to respond, not only through sponsorships and emergency relief efforts but also through work focused on a number of high-priority areas reviewed in the cover story.
The CLWR 75th anniversary video sums everything up with these words, “Together we will continue into the future to make this world a better place. Thank you once again for all that you’ve done to put love, hope and compassion into the world.”
Glimpses
When the odds are stacked against us and it’s hard to trust in something good, that is when hope is revealed. Keeping hope alive, p. 15.
It began with the God-inspired idea of forming a prayer group. Journey of a prayer group, p. 16.
When we openly confess that sometimes those simple answers don’t seem to be working at all in our lives, we open the door to a true breakthrough. What group Bible Study can teach us, p. 9.
After 37 years of serving the people of El Salvador, Rev. Brian Rude is retiring. Serving the poor, p. 19.
Kenn Ward, Editor
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