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The United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI)
Founded in 1926 as the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India,
today’s United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) is a communion of 11
member churches spread out in many parts of the country. These churches have a
combined membership of 1.5 to 2 million people. Each church has its own unique
cultural and historical context, with different mission histories.
The UELCI facilitates member churches:
- to witness to the faith together
- to speak together on fundamental concerns of the Lutheran churches in
India
- to express their unity as part of the universal church and the church in
India
- to explore ways to be God’s effective instrument for justice,
inclusiveness and for the liberation of the oppressed.
The Lutheran Communion in India is predominately Dalit and Adivasi. Dalits are
the "untouchables" in a caste system that puts them at the bottom of the social
scale. Adivasi are tribal people who choose a way of life that is harmonious
with nature and is unaffected by modernity. These groups face discriminations in
their society. To promote justice for Dalit and Adivasi, the UELCI deals with
challenges of caste, untouchability, discrimination, exclusion, displacement,
Right to life and livelihood, and discrimination based on descent.
In the wake of the December 26, 2004 tsunami, the UELCI has been leading relief
work among in villages along southeast coastlines in India. More than 13,500
families in the coastal areas of Tamilnadu have received assistance from UELCI
in relief, psychosocial and livelihood assistance. The UELCI’s 18-month plan
offers immediate aid as well as long-term rehabilitation of housing and
livelihood. ELCA is proud to be a partner and companion of UELCI.
For more information about the UELCI, visit
http://www.uelci.org
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