EKD Press Releases

Joint Declaration by the Evangelical Mission Association in Germany (EMW) and the EKD on the Situation in Zimbabwe

Congregations in Germany called upon to help

October 29, 2008

During the assembly of delegates that took place from 27 to 29 October at the Church Office of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), the members of the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW) joined the EKD Bishop for Foreign Affairs Martin Schindehütte in calling attention to the desperate situation of the people of Zimbabwe. Because of massive shortages of supplies of food, water and electricity, the people of that country are struggling merely to survive. Some people - especially children - have died of hunger and many more are threatened with starvation.
 
The EMW assembly of delegates and the EKD have appealed to all church congregations to be unrelenting in their prayers for the people in Zimbabwe and to come to their assistance through their donations. The appeal calls upon persons with political responsibility in Germany, even after the renewed failure to form a government in Zimbabwe, to continue the search for political solutions and to increase diplomatic pressure on officials in Zimbabwe and also in South Africa.

It was unacceptable - according to the assembly of delegates - that the people of that country should be abandoned to hopelessness. "The people in Zimbabwe do not only need bread and water; they also need a political perspective for their country at last and opportunities for just participation in shaping their society. That is what we must pray for and stand up for in public," stated the representatives of the EMW and the EKD.

 
The following prayer could be used by congregations in services and devotions:
 
Gracious God,
we pray to you for the people in Zimbabwe
in their desperate struggle for survival;
they lack the basic necessities of life
and their future prospects seem hopeless.
Strengthen them and alleviate their suffering,
send them helpers,
show us how we can become their helpers.
Move the hearts of those in power
to stop waging war on their own people.
Be with those who are trying from outside to exercise political influence for the welfare of the people
and grant that their efforts do not remain fruitless.
Do not allow us to succumb to resignation.
Strengthen belief in a positive political change
among the people of Zimbabwe and among us.

Amen       

                                                                                         
Donations can be sent to:
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
Postbank Stuttgart
Account number 502 707
Bank Code 60010070
 
Reference: Simbabwe

 

Hanover, 29 October 2008Press Office of the EKD     
Silke Römhild

Note: This Press Release will go out simultaneously from the Press Offices of the EKD and the EMW.