Ecumenical Strategic Forum on Diakonia and Sustainable Development

DIAKONIA World Federation has a particular ecumenical relationship with the World Council of Churches. Although 'diakonia' terminology in the WCC refers primarily to what might in other settings be referred to as 'relief and development', nevertheless it is interesting to engage with, and be informed by, the discussion.
The primary objective of the ecumenical strategic forum on diakonia and sustainable development is to strengthen ecumenical collaboration on diakonia and development; stimulate strategies for leveraging national impact; and provide a road map for the ecumenical accompaniment of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
The ecumenical strategic forum will gather around 75 participants from churches, councils, communions and specialized ministries, involving national, regional and global ecumenical actors.
The forum, convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC), will take place from 3 to 6 October 2017 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.

Kaiserswerth General Conference - Berlin

The Secretary General of the Kaiserswerther Verband, of the Kaiserswerther Generalkonferenz (Kaiserswerth General Conference), Dr Christine-Ruth Müller, has retired. She formally concluded her role on 1st September 2017, after 11 years in the role.

Dr Christine-Ruth Müller in 2009

Dr. Christine-Ruth Müller joined the Kaiserswerther Verband (Kaiserswerth Association) as Secretary General at the beginning of 2007, and her successes have included the restructuring of the association and the development of Kaiserswerther Verband as a nationwide representation of Diaconia in the form of Diaconal Community.

The Kaiserswerther Verband represents diaconal work in the evangelical church, bringing together more than 100 deaconess motherhouses, diaconal communities and organisations in Germany. It is part of the international Kaiserswerth General Conference.

Dr. Christine-Ruth Müller will be succeeded by long-time rector of the Diakoniewerk Gallneukirchen, Christa Schrauf. Pastor Christa Schrauf was the Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the Evangelical Diakoniewerk Gallneukirchen from 2008 to 2016, the largest diaconal employer in Austria with more than 3500 employees. Since 2013, she has also been President of Kaiserswerth General Conference, and since 2014 has been a member of the German Network “Women in Leadership in Church and Diakonia”.

Pastor Christa Schrauf, new Secretary General

On September 27th at 2 pm, Kaiserswerth General Conference celebrates the work of Dr Christine-Ruth Müller, as part of a feast day service in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. President of Diakonie Deutschland Ulrich Lilie will conduct a handover ceremony during the service to wish farewell to Christine-Ruth Müller and to welcome the incoming Secretary General Christa Schrauf into her new role.

Rev Marianne Uri Øverland from Norway, Regional President of the DIAKONIA-DRAE Region, will bring greetings on behalf of DIAKONIA World. Deaconesses Ulrike Kellner and Traude Leitenberger will also be in attendance.

50th anniversary of consecration - Edie Eickemeyer and Louise Williams

Congratulations to Deaconess Edie Eickemeyer and Deaconess Louise Williams, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their consecration as Deaconesses. That's a lot of combined experience and a great deal of wisdom! Blessings to you both.

Barbara Urquhart DCS retirement

News from the Diaconate of the Church of Scotland:
The congregation of New Laigh Kirk in Kilmarnock said farewell to Barbara Urquhart DCS, who retired as the church’s pastoral assistant on June 25, 2017.
Barbara, who has been registered blind since she was nine years old, was commissioned as a Deaconess in September 1986 in Dundee. She has worked in Christian Education and hospital chaplaincy as well as pastoral care, and been member of several committees at both local and national church level. She was President of the Diaconate Council from 2007-2010.

The minister of New Laigh, the Rev David Cameron, said in his address: “In your diaconate ministry you have borne both the name of Jesus and also his spirit.”
Barbara is pictured with her husband, the Rev John Urquhart, children Eileigh and John, and David Cameron.

Barbara Urquhart DCS with family, and Rev David Caermon

Deaconess Cecelia Williams (Philippines)

Ceceilia with the name badges for the Chicago Assembly

Deaconess Cecelia Williams, from the Philippines, is heading to Chicago for the Assembly. She is one of many delegates from the Philippines, which has 4 diaconal associations who are members of DIAKONIA World Federation. 

Rev Mandy Herriman at DIAKONIA Assembly

Rev Mandy Herriman is an Anglican priest in Australia, in the Diocese of Perth. She is President of the Australian Anglican Diaconal Association. She'll be at the Chicago Assembly.

Rev Mandy Herriman

Mandy is also a music teacher - full orchestra, bands, choirs and chamber groups, community music making and instrumental music as well.

The DIAKONIA Executive - look for them in their blue scarves

You'll see the DIAKONIA World Executive at the Chicago Assembly wearing blue scarves.
Come and say hi!

The 2013-17 DIAKONIA World Executive