Madang’s Bel Lutheran parish to host meet

 By MATHEW YAKAI

THE Bel parish in Madang will host the Lutheran church’s annual conference next week on Krangket Island, off Madang town.

The five congregation making up the parish are the Yabob Lutheran church at Yabob village, Betel Lutheran church on Bilia Island, St Bergman Lutheran church at Siar, Good Shepherd Lutheran church at Riwo and the Ragetta Lutheran church on Krangket Island. The conference runs next Monday.

The five congregations come under the Bel parish in the Hamale Seket of Madang district.

Jack Kila, a conference planning committee member and youth coordinator from ELC Ragetta Lutheran church, said they expected more than 50 church representatives to attend.

“The invitation is open to any Lutheran church members but we are expecting at least 10 representatives each from the respective congregations,” Kila said.

More than 200 active Lutheran church goers on Krangket Island are preparing for the conference.

It is expected that the island off Dallman Passage, beside Binnen Harbour, will come alive during 

the conference.

“During the week, we will have the seven clans on the island tasked with respective responsibilities. We are prepared and looking forward to the event,” Kila said.

He said each congregation took turns to hosting the conference with Betel Lutheran church hosting last year’s.

Kila said requests for assistance in cash and kind sent to business houses were not looking good. 

“This will not stop us from hosting the conference. We have done the fundraising and the congregation is ready to host it,” Kila said.

The Ragetta Lutheran church was built in the late 60s. Some of the church members left for other denominations.