CELC Conference: wrongly advertized

» biogardener - wrongly advertized

I got my information about the conference from the announcements in the German radio program, and they were not quite correct. The announcer for the program is not a church-going person, so he did not quite understand what was going on.

Here are some thoughts from me about the conference.

• For me, the most inspiring aspect of the conference was the exhibition of documents of Luther's time, including a Gutenberg Bible, richly decorated in colorized wood block prints and many photocopies of writings of the time in German and Latin.
  
• Much ado was made about the recent union of the Lutheran and Anglican churches, and the Anglican Primate, head of the Anglican church in Canada, took part in the opening program. I don't see why they are so proud of that union when they cannot find any connection to the other North American Lutheran synods. The Anglicans may have many differences among their churches, but they are all governed by the same synod. That cooperation between the Lutherans and Anglicans seemed to be more in form than in actuality, because the Primate appeared to be the only Anglican who made an appearance at the conference.
  
• The Canadian government generated a great deal of negative publicity, because they refused entry visas to delegates from third world countries with the explanation that they could not be trusted to return to their countries. Some of those decisions were reversed on account of public pressure. The delegates from India, for example, received their visas, but when they arrived at the airport, they were turned back with the explanation that their visas had been withdrawn again. The whole country is outraged by these decisions of Canada Immigration.
  
• The conference had rented the large facilities of the Winnipeg Convention Centre based on the expected number of visitors. On account of few third world country delegates being allowed in the country, the place unfortunately was poorly attended, and a much less expensive venue would have sufficed.

Today is the last day of the conference, and I am going to see if the bookstore is still open. Then I can still take advantage of the 40% off sale of many items.

-- posted by biogardener