Evangelical Lutheran Church of England is going to hold its congregational retreat this weekend from 23rd to 25th April. The theme of the retreat is “The Priesthood of All Believers?based on the scripture I Peter 2: 4- 10.

In todays society which is full of chaos, Christians may find it difficult to stand firm in their faith. The retreat will remind the congregations of their distinct relationship with God as “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God?and “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light? empowering them to engage in apostolic ministries to reach to the lost bodies of the Christ.

The retreat's location is near the countryside in Warwickshire. All congregations are welcome to join the retreat.

The Lutheran Church was the first church to grow out of the Reformation movement. The Reformation was kindled by Luther's 95 theses, and rapidly spread throughout Western Europe, influencing also the church in Britain at the time of Henry VIII. Lutherans have worshipped in England for several centuries. The first official congregation was established in London in 1669.

In England, Anglicans and Lutherans have a close relationship, the Anglican-Lutheran Society holds regular conferences and the Lutherans Council of Great Britain is also a member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Even though both Anglicans and Lutherans worship according to similar forms of the historic liturgy, Lutheran churches have inherited the teachings of Martin Luther from the fundamental principles of the Lutheran Reformation. The three major principles are:

1.) Sola Scriptura, the Holy Scriptures as the only source and norm of our faith.

2.) Sola Gratia, we are reconciled to God and saved from death by grace alone, that is as a gift of Christ’s self-giving love for us.

3.) Sola Fide, the gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation are ours through faith alone, and anything we may do or not do is irrelevant to it.

These are also the very basic confessions of faith for all other Protestants.