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Host Church

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is the largest evangelical Church in Poland with over 60,000 members.

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

A tradition of service dating back to the Reformation itself

The church emerged as a result of the XVI century Reformation movement, which reached Poland quickly and gave impulse to the activity of local reformers who created independent church structures. The name of the church refers to the Gospel (gr. evangélion) – the Good News about Jesus Christ – and the Reformation’s confession of faith read out in Augsburg to Emperor Charles V in 1530.

Today, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is a minority church, the numbers of which vary from region to region. The largest population lives in Cieszyn Silesia region (about 47,000). Smaller communities can be found in Upper Silesia and Masuria. Lutheran parishes in the rest of the country are located in larger cities. The church functions mainly in the diaspora, in six dioceses. It has 133 parishes and 150 ministers. It is one of the founding members of the Lutheran World Federation.

Local Assembly Planning Committee

We wish to thank the members of the Local Assembly Planning Committee for their work onsite in Poland and in conjunction with the LWF Council, Assembly Committees and Communion Office to ensure the realization of the Assembly goals and objectives. The members belong to the host church, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

Members
  • Jerzy SAMIEC (ECACP Presiding Bishop)
  • Dr Adrian KORCZAGO (Bishop)
  • Dr Marian NIEMIEC (Bishop)
  • Rev. Tymoteusz BUJOK (National Youth Chaplain)
  • Agnieszka GODFREJOW-TARNOGORSKA (Communication Officer)
  • Anna WRZESINSKA (International Relations Officer, LAPC Chairperson)
  • Zofia NIEMCZYK (Youth/Women)
  • Jolanta PALOWSKA (Kraków Parish)

 

This Is Our Story 

The history and life of the Krakow Parish of the ECACP 

Read more

Gastgebende Kirche

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is the largest evangelical Church in Poland with over 60,000 members.

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

A tradition of service dating back to the Reformation itself

The church emerged as a result of the XVI century Reformation movement, which reached Poland quickly and gave impulse to the activity of local reformers who created independent church structures. The name of the church refers to the Gospel (gr. evangélion) – the Good News about Jesus Christ – and the Reformation’s confession of faith read out in Augsburg to Emperor Charles V in 1530.

Today, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is a minority church, the numbers of which vary from region to region. The largest population lives in Cieszyn Silesia region (about 47,000). Smaller communities can be found in Upper Silesia and Masuria. Lutheran parishes in the rest of the country are located in larger cities. The church functions mainly in the diaspora, in six dioceses. It has 133 parishes and 150 ministers. It is one of the founding members of the Lutheran World Federation.

Local Assembly Planning Committee

We wish to thank the members of the Local Assembly Planning Committee for their work onsite in Poland and in conjunction with the LWF Council, Assembly Committees and Communion Office to ensure the realization of the Assembly goals and objectives. The members belong to the host church, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

Members
  • Jerzy SAMIEC (ECACP Presiding Bishop)
  • Dr Adrian KORCZAGO (Bishop)
  • Dr Marian NIEMIEC (Bishop)
  • Rev. Tymoteusz BUJOK (National Youth Chaplain)
  • Agnieszka GODFREJOW-TARNOGORSKA (Communication Officer)
  • Anna WRZESINSKA (International Relations Officer, LAPC Chairperson)
  • Zofia NIEMCZYK (Youth/Women)
  • Jolanta PALOWSKA (Kraków Parish)

 

This Is Our Story 

The history and life of the Krakow Parish of the ECACP 

Read more

Iglesia anfitriona

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is the largest evangelical Church in Poland with over 60,000 members.

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

A tradition of service dating back to the Reformation itself

The church emerged as a result of the XVI century Reformation movement, which reached Poland quickly and gave impulse to the activity of local reformers who created independent church structures. The name of the church refers to the Gospel (gr. evangélion) – the Good News about Jesus Christ – and the Reformation’s confession of faith read out in Augsburg to Emperor Charles V in 1530.

Today, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is a minority church, the numbers of which vary from region to region. The largest population lives in Cieszyn Silesia region (about 47,000). Smaller communities can be found in Upper Silesia and Masuria. Lutheran parishes in the rest of the country are located in larger cities. The church functions mainly in the diaspora, in six dioceses. It has 133 parishes and 150 ministers. It is one of the founding members of the Lutheran World Federation.

Local Assembly Planning Committee

We wish to thank the members of the Local Assembly Planning Committee for their work onsite in Poland and in conjunction with the LWF Council, Assembly Committees and Communion Office to ensure the realization of the Assembly goals and objectives. The members belong to the host church, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

Members
  • Jerzy SAMIEC (ECACP Presiding Bishop)
  • Dr Adrian KORCZAGO (Bishop)
  • Dr Marian NIEMIEC (Bishop)
  • Rev. Tymoteusz BUJOK (National Youth Chaplain)
  • Agnieszka GODFREJOW-TARNOGORSKA (Communication Officer)
  • Anna WRZESINSKA (International Relations Officer, LAPC Chairperson)
  • Zofia NIEMCZYK (Youth/Women)
  • Jolanta PALOWSKA (Kraków Parish)

 

This Is Our Story 

The history and life of the Krakow Parish of the ECACP 

Read more

Église hôte

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is the largest evangelical Church in Poland with over 60,000 members.

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

A tradition of service dating back to the Reformation itself

The church emerged as a result of the XVI century Reformation movement, which reached Poland quickly and gave impulse to the activity of local reformers who created independent church structures. The name of the church refers to the Gospel (gr. evangélion) – the Good News about Jesus Christ – and the Reformation’s confession of faith read out in Augsburg to Emperor Charles V in 1530.

Today, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is a minority church, the numbers of which vary from region to region. The largest population lives in Cieszyn Silesia region (about 47,000). Smaller communities can be found in Upper Silesia and Masuria. Lutheran parishes in the rest of the country are located in larger cities. The church functions mainly in the diaspora, in six dioceses. It has 133 parishes and 150 ministers. It is one of the founding members of the Lutheran World Federation.

Local Assembly Planning Committee

We wish to thank the members of the Local Assembly Planning Committee for their work onsite in Poland and in conjunction with the LWF Council, Assembly Committees and Communion Office to ensure the realization of the Assembly goals and objectives. The members belong to the host church, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

Members
  • Jerzy SAMIEC (ECACP Presiding Bishop)
  • Dr Adrian KORCZAGO (Bishop)
  • Dr Marian NIEMIEC (Bishop)
  • Rev. Tymoteusz BUJOK (National Youth Chaplain)
  • Agnieszka GODFREJOW-TARNOGORSKA (Communication Officer)
  • Anna WRZESINSKA (International Relations Officer, LAPC Chairperson)
  • Zofia NIEMCZYK (Youth/Women)
  • Jolanta PALOWSKA (Kraków Parish)

 

This Is Our Story 

The history and life of the Krakow Parish of the ECACP 

Read more

Kościół goszczący

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is the largest evangelical Church in Poland with over 60,000 members.

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

Reformation Jubilee service in Warsaw, 2017. Photo: D. Bruncz

A tradition of service dating back to the Reformation itself

The church emerged as a result of the XVI century Reformation movement, which reached Poland quickly and gave impulse to the activity of local reformers who created independent church structures. The name of the church refers to the Gospel (gr. evangélion) – the Good News about Jesus Christ – and the Reformation’s confession of faith read out in Augsburg to Emperor Charles V in 1530.

Today, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland is a minority church, the numbers of which vary from region to region. The largest population lives in Cieszyn Silesia region (about 47,000). Smaller communities can be found in Upper Silesia and Masuria. Lutheran parishes in the rest of the country are located in larger cities. The church functions mainly in the diaspora, in six dioceses. It has 133 parishes and 150 ministers. It is one of the founding members of the Lutheran World Federation.

Local Assembly Planning Committee

We wish to thank the members of the Local Assembly Planning Committee for their work onsite in Poland and in conjunction with the LWF Council, Assembly Committees and Communion Office to ensure the realization of the Assembly goals and objectives. The members belong to the host church, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

Members
  • Jerzy SAMIEC (ECACP Presiding Bishop)
  • Dr Adrian KORCZAGO (Bishop)
  • Dr Marian NIEMIEC (Bishop)
  • Rev. Tymoteusz BUJOK (National Youth Chaplain)
  • Agnieszka GODFREJOW-TARNOGORSKA (Communication Officer)
  • Anna WRZESINSKA (International Relations Officer, LAPC Chairperson)
  • Zofia NIEMCZYK (Youth/Women)
  • Jolanta PALOWSKA (Kraków Parish)

 

This Is Our Story 

The history and life of the Krakow Parish of the ECACP 

Read more

País anfitrión

Poland

Poland is a large country in the central Europe with almost 38 million citizens, the capitol of which is Warsaw. It has a 1000-year history and is a land of rich culture and heritage.

The Kraków Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the Market Square in Kraków. Photo: A. Godfrejów-Tarnogórska

The Kraków Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the Market Square in Kraków. Photo: A. Godfrejów-Tarnogórska

The name "Poland" originates from the name of the tribe Polanie, meaning "people living in open fields”. Established as a state in 10th century, the borders of the country have since changed several times. Poland has had to fight for its freedom. Its first constitution was enacted in 1791, one of the earliest modern constitutions. Shortly after its introduction, the country lost independence and was partitioned for 123 years. World War 2 was a time of destruction and suffering, with many lives lost.

An abundance of cultural history

Poland is a beautiful country with beaches, sand dunes, lakes, forests, mountains and even a desert. It has a moderate climate. Thirty percent of land area is forested, with animal life such as bison, moose, beaver, wolf, lynx and brown bear. Birdlife includes the aquatic warbler, corncrake, spotted eagle and white-backed woodpecker.

Poland has developed extensive infrastructure with national road and railway networks, and has many historical buildings, such as Europe’s largest medieval castle, at Malbork. Poland is the world's biggest exporter of amber.

Poland remains one of the most religious countries in Europe. The Roman Catholic Church is the predominant church, and was once a great influence on Polish culture and traditions. Polish society is homogenous. Ethnic, religious and denominational minorities make up only a small percent of the population. Polish cuisine is full of meat, dumplings, cabbage and mushrooms, with the best known dishes being pierogies (dumplings), bigos (hunters stew), barszcz (beetroot soup) and żurek (fermented rye soup). The Polish are friendly and renowned for their hospitality. The national saying is “Guest in the house, God in the house”.

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Para delegados y delegadas

Information for those with voice and vote at the Assembly 

We expect at least 358 delegates to attend the Thirteenth Assembly. We look forward to your arrival in Kraków with excitement and anticipation. 

Delegates at the first plenary session at the Twelfth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, gathers in Windhoek, Namibia, on 10-16 May 2017. Photo: LWF/JC Velariano

Delegates at the first plenary session at the Twelfth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, gathers in Windhoek, Namibia, on 10-16 May 2017. Photo: LWF/JC Velariano

Each LWF member church has the right to have at least one representative at the Assembly. In determining the number of delegates of each member church, the Council considers the numerical size of each church and its distribution by continent and country. Council guidelines provide for the inclusion of clergy and lay persons, and member churches are to ensure that 40 percent of delegates are women, 40 percent men and 20 percent youth.

Delegates are the only attendees to have both voice and vote at the Assembly. They will be joined by representatives from associate member churches, who have voice but not vote, as well as observers, presenters, ex-officio participants, advisors, ecumenical guests, official guests, and media, staff, volunteers and stewards who will support them in their work.

Delegates are invited to better inform themselves about the Assembly, the host church and the host country by reading the information in this section. 

We pray all delegates have an enjoyable and meaningful experience at the Assembly and thank them for their contribution to this important body. 

Read more

Pour les délégué-e-s

Information for those with voice and vote at the Assembly 

We expect at least 358 delegates to attend the Thirteenth Assembly. We look forward to your arrival in Kraków with excitement and anticipation. 

Delegates at the first plenary session at the Twelfth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, gathers in Windhoek, Namibia, on 10-16 May 2017. Photo: LWF/JC Velariano

Delegates at the first plenary session at the Twelfth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, gathers in Windhoek, Namibia, on 10-16 May 2017. Photo: LWF/JC Velariano

Each LWF member church has the right to have at least one representative at the Assembly. In determining the number of delegates of each member church, the Council considers the numerical size of each church and its distribution by continent and country. Council guidelines provide for the inclusion of clergy and lay persons, and member churches are to ensure that 40 percent of delegates are women, 40 percent men and 20 percent youth.

Delegates are the only attendees to have both voice and vote at the Assembly. They will be joined by representatives from associate member churches, who have voice but not vote, as well as observers, presenters, ex-officio participants, advisors, ecumenical guests, official guests, and media, staff, volunteers and stewards who will support them in their work.

Delegates are invited to better inform themselves about the Assembly, the host church and the host country by reading the information in this section. 

We pray all delegates have an enjoyable and meaningful experience at the Assembly and thank them for their contribution to this important body. 

Read more

Pays hôte

Poland

Poland is a large country in the central Europe with almost 38 million citizens, the capitol of which is Warsaw. It has a 1000-year history and is a land of rich culture and heritage.

The Kraków Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the Market Square in Kraków. Photo: A. Godfrejów-Tarnogórska

The Kraków Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) on the Market Square in Kraków. Photo: A. Godfrejów-Tarnogórska

The name "Poland" originates from the name of the tribe Polanie, meaning "people living in open fields”. Established as a state in 10th century, the borders of the country have since changed several times. Poland has had to fight for its freedom. Its first constitution was enacted in 1791, one of the earliest modern constitutions. Shortly after its introduction, the country lost independence and was partitioned for 123 years. World War 2 was a time of destruction and suffering, with many lives lost.

An abundance of cultural history

Poland is a beautiful country with beaches, sand dunes, lakes, forests, mountains and even a desert. It has a moderate climate. Thirty percent of land area is forested, with animal life such as bison, moose, beaver, wolf, lynx and brown bear. Birdlife includes the aquatic warbler, corncrake, spotted eagle and white-backed woodpecker.

Poland has developed extensive infrastructure with national road and railway networks, and has many historical buildings, such as Europe’s largest medieval castle, at Malbork. Poland is the world's biggest exporter of amber.

Poland remains one of the most religious countries in Europe. The Roman Catholic Church is the predominant church, and was once a great influence on Polish culture and traditions. Polish society is homogenous. Ethnic, religious and denominational minorities make up only a small percent of the population. Polish cuisine is full of meat, dumplings, cabbage and mushrooms, with the best known dishes being pierogies (dumplings), bigos (hunters stew), barszcz (beetroot soup) and żurek (fermented rye soup). The Polish are friendly and renowned for their hospitality. The national saying is “Guest in the house, God in the house”.

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Pre-Assemblies

The venue for preparing delegates

Pre-Assembly meetings are integral to Assemblies. Core to the preparation of an Assembly, pre-Assemblies are essential for preparing delegates, enabling them to understand issues and concerns of member churches, and as a means of nominating candidates for the LWF Council.

The first morning devotion at the Youth Pre-Assembly in a chapel near Heja Game Lodge. Photo: LWF/JC Valeriano

The first morning devotion at the Youth Pre-Assembly in a chapel near Heja Game Lodge. Photo: LWF/JC Valeriano

Pre-Assemblies play an important role in ensuring substantive and enlightened discussions during the Assembly and ultimately in helping the Assembly achieve its objectives. By knowing the rules of procedure, delegates gain confidence to propose motions and amendments, argue, and debate resolutions and issues. Through a contextual approach to the Assembly themes and issues, delegates can see unifying elements in order to arrive at a global analysis and vision. 

In addition to helping prepare an Assembly to address critical, controversial and potentially divisive issues, pre-Assemblies ensure constructive dialogue on these matters. Regional pre-Assemblies are tasked with nominating candidates to the Council, thus determining the quality and effectiveness of the next LWF Council. 

Pre-Assemblies contribute to the shared outcomes of the Assembly, these being: 

  • an increased sense of belonging 
  • far-reaching outcomes beyond the delegates and beyond the Assembly itself 
  • a strengthened Lutheran identity and ecumenical commitment 
  • increased visibility and awareness of diaconal work 
  • more concrete and measurable outcomes for our advocacy and work on peace and justice 
  • a joyful and transformative Assembly
  • a clear mandate with regards to the strategic framework

All share a common program. In the lead-up to Kraków, each will aim to harvest the fruits of regional, youth and women’s work from Windhoek to Kraków; offer contextual reflections on Assembly themes; orient delegates on the agenda, program and procedure; discuss the jarmark/marketplace and consider contributing to it; provide times of worship; produce a slate of nominees for the next LWF Council; inform delegates of any constitutional changes; and offer information on the visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp.

Timeframe

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Europe Pre-Assembly

March 21 – 24, 2023
Manfield, Oxford, UK

Ensuring substantive discussions at the Assembly

The Europe Pre-Assembly will help enable delegates to take part fully in the Assembly. Delegates will gain the confidence to propose motions and amendments, and argue and debate resolutions and issues, thereby ensuring substantive discussions and good use of Assembly time and resources. 

Participants hold a discussion at the LWF Europe Pre-Assembly, February 2017, Höör, Sweden. Photo:LWF

Participants hold a discussion at the LWF Europe Pre-Assembly, February 2017, Höör, Sweden. Photo:LWF

This Pre-Assembly will also enable a contextual reading of the Assembly’s themes and issues so that delegates come to the Assembly prepared to share their part of the global story. In addition, it will compile a slate of nominees for the LWF Council, so determining the quality and effectiveness of the incoming LWF Council. It will also present a message on topical issues of concern. 

This Pre-Assembly will: 

  • harvest the fruits of Europe regional work from Windhoek to Krakow
  • provide contextual reflections on Assembly themes, the highlights of which will be incorporated in the Assembly discussion
  • orientate participants on the Thirteenth Assembly
  • include worship, as well as a time to remember those within the church who lost their lives to COVID-19
  • present a slate of nominees for next LWF Council 

The Europe Pre-Assembly took place from March 21 to 24, 2023, in Oxford, United Kingdom.

Regional Pre-Assemblies

Americas Pre-Assembly

April 17 – 21, 2023
Bogota Colombia

Empowering delegates to take part fully in the Assembly 

The Pre-Assembly of Latin American, Caribbean and North America members will help enable delegates to take part fully in the Assembly. Delegates will gain the confidence to propose motions and amendments, and argue and debate resolutions and issues, thereby ensuring substantive discussions and good use of Assembly time and resources. 

Panel discussion on the peace process in Colombia with (from left) Nidiria Ruiz Medina, Blanca Ligia Bailarín, Laura Chacón, Luz Mary Cartagena Ceballos, and Montserrat Solano Carboni. Photo: LWF/Eugenio Albrecht

Panel discussion on the peace process in Colombia with (from left) Nidiria Ruiz Medina, Blanca Ligia Bailarín, Laura Chacón, Luz Mary Cartagena Ceballos, and Montserrat Solano Carboni. Photo: LWF/Eugenio Albrecht

This Pre-Assembly will also enable a contextual reading of the Assembly’s themes and issues so that delegates come to the Assembly prepared to share their part of the global story. In addition, it will compile a slate of nominees for the LWF Council, so determining the quality and effectiveness of the incoming LWF Council. It will also present a message on topical issues of concern. 

This Pre-Assembly will: 

  • harvest the fruits of Europe regional work from Windhoek to Krakow
  • provide contextual reflections on Assembly themes, the highlights of which will be incorporated in the Assembly discussion
  • orientate participants on the Thirteenth Assembly
  • include worship, as well as a time to remember those within the church who lost their lives to COVID-19
  • present a slate of nominees for next LWF Council 

The Europe Pre-Assembly took place from March 21 to 24, 2023, in Oxford, United Kingdom.

View photos from the Pre-Assembly of the Americas

Regional Pre-Assemblies