Invitation to the General Assembly 2025
“Churches between responsibility for the world and their own nation”
Ways to Peace 2025
Wittenberg, Germany, 17. – 21. September 2025
Dear Members and Friends of Oikosnet Europe,
The Protestant Academy of Wittenberg is inviting Oikosnet Europe to hold the Oikosnet General Assembly 2025 in Wittenberg/Germany, centre of life and work of Martin Luther and starting point of the (Lutheran) Reformation. Therefore, on behalf of the Board of Oikosnet Europe and on behalf of the Protestant Academy of Wittenberg it is our pleasure to invite all Oikosnet Europe members and invited guests to the next General Assembly (GA).
In this GA Oikosnet Europe will elect a new Preident, a new board and discuss the results of the working group for content, formates and structures. We will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Oikosnet Europe which was founded (!) 1955 with the main focus on peace and reconciliation.
Churches between responsibility for the world and their own nation – Ways to Peace 2025
The churches’ ecumenical networks cultivate intensive transatlantic and European contacts and friendships. In this years study day Oikosnet Europe, together with the international partner churches of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany , is exploring a church’s ethic of peace in the tension between global and national responsibility.
The wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and numerous other places around the world also call for a theological assessment. The Bible contains very different images of God. From a God of strength who commands armies to a God of peace who places law and justice above power and violence. What significance do biblical texts on peace have for politics and our Christian existence today?
In exchange with the various ecumenical partners, impulses for action and concepts will be presented. At the end of the study day wi+hich is a conference in 2025 conference, a summary will be given of the impulses for further paths toward peace that can be drawn from the various ecumenical networks.
The General Assembly (GA) is planned to begin with an Opening Worship at 18h00 on September 17th , followed by dinner and a welcoming evening. The GA will end in the afternoon of Sunday September 21st. Departures after 13h00.
The Venue
The venue and accommodation of the conference will be Colleg Wittenberg, Jüdenstrasse 8, 06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg/Germany
If you need extra accommodation in addition to the ones included in the conference fee, (Arrival September 17th Departure September 21st) please contact our office: office@oikosnet.eu.
Venue: https://www.collegwittenberg.com/
Registration
The registration for the GA is done online through the website www.oikosnet.eu The registration will be open until September 4. You can choose to pay by invoice or with credit card, as you wish. Please contact the Office of OE, office@oikosnet.eu, if you have any questions about your registration.
Conference Language
The conference language for all sessions will be English only. Some consecutive translation on a voluntary basis might be possible, but translation is not organized by the board. During the study day/conference their will be a translation between German and English.
Costs and financial support
The conference fee for the GA for the GA (Board, Lodging, Conference Fee, Excursion). for the GA remains at the level of previous years: 400€ Participants are expected to cover their own travel costs. According to our agreed policy and given the difficult financial situation of some of our members, we want to state that the lackof resources should, however, not be an obstacle for members to attend the GA. There is a limited budget forsupporting members in need of financial support to attend the GA, which will be distributed, in principle, on a “first come – first served” basis. If you need financial support, please contact the president of Oikosnet Europe Walter Lüssi, walter.luessi@oikosnet.eu, before September 1. This also applies to especially invited guests.
Please note that you should contact the President before you register to the conference online if you need financial support.
Agenda and detailed program
The agenda of the business sessions, and the detailed program for the Study Day will be distributed closer to the September conference. If you have any issues, projects etc. which you want to discuss at the GA, or if you have any special contribution to make, please let us know.
Proxies
In case that an Oikosnet member will not be able to attend the GA 2025 we would still like to hear from you.And do not forget to transfer your voting rights to another Oikosnet member. A form sheet to nominate proxies will be available from the secretariat of Oikosnet Europe office@oikosnet.eu. For several decisions it will be crucial to have a quorum.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to the GA 2025 in Wittenberg. In case you have anyfurther questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. For the time being we remain
with every good wish,
Walter Lüssi
President, Oikosnet Europe
Heinz-Joachim Lohmann
Executive Secretary, Oikosnet Europe