Lutherans in Amsterdam reach out to church in Iceland

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland has received both moral and financial support from Lutherans in Amsterdam, who are concerned about the situation in Iceland and questions surrounding a dispute between their governments on the Icesave issue. "We are touched by the generous expression of solidarity and communion" says Ragnheiður Sverrisdóttir, head of department for Diaconia.

In early February the Lutheran Diaconia of Amsterdam transferred what they called symbolic amount of € 5.000 to the Diaconia of the Lutheran Church in Iceland. The funds are meant to support people in Iceland who have been affected by the economic crisis in a way that their income has gone below the level of sustainability. The ELCI has channelled the money to the Icelandi Church Aid.

In an announcement from the Lutheran Diaconia of Amsterdam the background to this generous support is explained: "After the news of the “Icesave-deal” became known (an agreement by the Dutch government to pre-finance debts of the Iceland bank that had gone bankrupt, leaving many Dutch and other people threatened with losing their saving accounts, while the loan would have to be payed back to the Netherlands) the Lutherans in Amsterdam got in contact with their fellow church in Iceland. Information was exchanged about the effects of the crisis on diaconal support by churches in Iceland. According to the Diaconia in Iceland, the amount of necessary food-support for the poor had grown with 150%. In December 3800 families received food-support. A letter of solidarity was sent by the Amsterdam parish and Diaconia, pleading for clear ethics in economy and for openness in the information about the background of the crisis which caused victims on a global level.
In order to have solidarity in words be accompanied by solidarity in deed, the Amsterdam Lutheran community decided to transfer € 5.000 for the support of affected people in need in Iceland. ‘A symbol of community, of belonging together’, the Amsterdam Diaconia calls it.

Ragnheiður Sverrisdóttir, head of the Lutheran diaconal departement of the ELCI is touched by the expression of solidarity and communion displayed in this generous gift, which is much more than a token support for the many  who will benefit from it through the Icelandic church Aid.