{"id":966,"date":"2023-07-17T11:05:20","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T16:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/?page_id=966"},"modified":"2024-10-04T01:11:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T06:11:31","slug":"lwf-sr-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/lwf-sr-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"LWF-SR Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” background_color=”#FFFFF0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro text” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”_initial” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font_size=”51px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

LWF-SR Staffing (~1947-1952)<\/h1>\n

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With its beginnings in 1947, Lutheran World Federation Service to Refugees became a program with diverse leadership and many different staffing needs. This page aims to understand the program through its people. In other words, this page unpacks LWF executive staff, LWF-SR staff in Germany and Austria, and finally the important smaller roles that allowed LWF-SR to provide aid to thousands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1702\/2023\/07\/Bad-Salzuflen-Staff-Meeting.jpg” alt=”Original Caption: %22The Lutheran World Federation Service to Refugees zone field officers are shown during the May staff meeting at Bad Salzuflen headquarters. Around the table from the left: Russell Schilling, Herbert Brokering, area directors; Chris Christiansen, resettlement; James Anderson, public information; Dr. Howard Hong, Senior Field Representative in Germany; Pastor Arnold Nelson, zone director; Prof. Edmund Smits, Lutheran Study Center program director; Elise Anderson, LSC hostess and welfare officer; Pastor Gustavs Kness-Knezinskis, religious education; Pastor Bruno Ederma, congregational care; A. Braunsteins, administrative assistant; Aleksanders Kacens, emigration center counselling; and Pastor Edgars Kiploks, chaplaincy services and publications.%22″ title_text=”Bad Salzuflen Staff Meeting” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” admin_label=”Anderson Imbshausen Depot” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”120%” max_width=”100000%” height=”490px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_color=”#3E505C” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”40px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

LWF Executive Staff<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1702\/2023\/07\/Organisation-Schema-in-der-LWF.jpg” title_text=”Organisation-Schema in der LWF” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

President:<\/strong> <\/span>Dr. Anders Nygren (Sweden)<\/span><\/p>\n

Vice presidents: <\/strong><\/span>Dr. Abdel Ross Wentz (United States) and<\/span>\u00a0Bishop Lajos Ordass (Hungary)<\/span><\/p>\n

Members of the executive committee:<\/strong> <\/span>Dr. Franklin Clark Fry (U.S.), Dr. J. A. Aasgaard\u00a0 (U.S.), Dr. P. O. Bersell (U.S.), Bishop Dr. N. Beste (Germany) , Mr. Charles Delbruck (France), Bishop Dr. Teodor Gr\u00fcnbergs (Latvia), Dr. Alfred J\u00f6rgensen (Denmark), Rev. Joel Lakra (India), Bishop Dr. Hanns Lilje (Germany), Bishop Dr. Hans Meiser (Germany), Bishop Johannes Smemo (Norway), Prof. Dr. Ernst Sommerlath (Germany), and Prof. Dr. Osmo Tiilila (Finnland)<\/span><\/p>\n

Executive Secretary:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>Dr. Sylvester C. Michelfelder\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1702\/2023\/07\/BishopGrunbergs-rotated.jpg” alt=”Original Caption: %22Dr. Howard Hong talks with Dean K. Kulltis in the procession from the Berchtesgaden camp church led by Archbishop Gr\u00fcnbergs.%22″ title_text=”Bishop Gr\u00fcnbergs” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”40px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

LWF-SR Field Staff 1947-1952 (Germany and Austria)<\/h1>\n

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First on the Ground<\/h1>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-97px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1702\/2023\/07\/Lutheran-Representatives-Overseas-1.jpg” alt=”Note some of the bigger names under %22Lutheran Representatives Overseas%22: Dr. S.C. Michelfelder, Dr. Clifford Nelson, Dr. Julius Bodensieck (and his wife Justine Bodensieck), and Rev. Carl F. Schaffnit.” title_text=”Pastor’s Bulletin-Lutheran World Action” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”120%” height=”535px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” custom_padding=”|||26px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Before the official staff began to form, LWF had multiple workers on the ground in Germany to scout out needs or provide resources. For instance, under Dr. Sylvester C. Michelfelder<\/strong>, chief European representative of LWF American Section, Dr. Clifford Ansgar Nelson<\/strong> worked on documenting the needs of refugees in Germany. Dr. Julius Bodensieck<\/strong>\u00a0worked as “Protestant liason” between the American military government and the German Church.\u00a0 Rev. Carl Schaffnit<\/strong> also did chaplaincy work in the various Allied Zones, and many others worked with CRALOG (Council of Relief Agencies Licensed for Operation in Germany).1<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u00a0 Thus, before even the official programming began, there were plenty of workers on the ground connected to the roots of LWF-SR and ready to assist those in need.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1702\/2023\/07\/Pastors-Bulletin-Part-2.jpg” alt=”More on the Lutheran overseas representatives” title_text=”Pastor’s Bulletin Part 2″ show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”6000%” height=”230px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-a950cd5a-da4d-4ed7-9be9-78132498d37a” height=”987px” max_height=”10000px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-a950cd5a-da4d-4ed7-9be9-78132498d37a%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

LWF-SR Staff (beginning after June 1947)<\/h1>\n

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Dr. Stewart Herman:<\/strong><\/span> head of resettlement staff and then director of LWF-SR in Geneva<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Howard Hong:<\/strong><\/span> head of spiritual ministry and welfare staff and then senior field representative in Germany*<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul M. Lindberg:<\/strong><\/span> senior field representative in Germany after Howard Hong<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. John Schmidt:<\/strong><\/span> senior field representative in Germany after Howard Hong<\/span><\/p>\n

Henriette Lund:<\/strong><\/span> director for Austria\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Alvin E. Fritz:<\/strong> <\/span>director for Austria after Henriette Lund<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. Arnold W. Nelson:<\/strong><\/span> director of British Zone*<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. Carl Mau:<\/strong><\/span> director of British Zone after Arnold Nelson<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenneth C. Senft:<\/strong> <\/span>(deputy) director of the American Zone<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. Vernon Strempke:<\/strong><\/span> director of the American Zone after Kenneth Senft<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. G. Dietrich:<\/strong><\/span> director of Ethnic Germans in the American Zone<\/span><\/p>\n

Theodore Hong:<\/strong><\/span> business manager<\/span><\/p>\n

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Note about Titles<\/h2>\n

Around June 1949, due to policy complications, LWF-SR found itself with two separate staffs for Germany: spiritual ministry and welfare (under Howard Hong) and resettlement (under Stewart Herman). To solve the problem and unite the staffs again, LWF-SR assigned new roles for the leaders of these staffs: field representative in Germany (Howard Hong) and director of Service to Refugees in Geneva (Stewart Herman).2<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Displaced Pastors<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1702\/2023\/07\/latvian-displaced-pastors-rotated.jpg” alt=”Original Caption: %22Over 100 pastors of the Latvian Lutheran Church-in-Exile from the western zones of Germany met in the Lutheran Study Center at Berchtesgaden in October 1948. It was the largest meeting ever possible for them in exile, including nearly all of their pastors. Several representatives of the LWF-SR also were present.%22″ title_text=”Latvian Lutheran Church-in-Exile” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Serving their own, displaced pastors and persons took up an overwhelming amount of the program staff for LWF-SR as well as smaller roles along the way. Here are just a select few based on their nationalities and which Allied Zone they were in:<\/p>\n

Latvian (in American and French Zones)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Rev. Dr. Karlis Bilzens:<\/span><\/span> director of youth work<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. Fridrichs Kramins:<\/span> house father at Berchtesgaden<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. Janis Rozentals:<\/span> director of chaplaincy service<\/span><\/p>\n

Rev. Prof. Feliks Treijs:<\/span> program director at Berchtesgaden<\/span><\/p>\n

Georg Odins:<\/span> resettlement secretary\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Latvian (in British Zone):<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prof. Edmunds <\/span>\u0160mits:<\/span><\/span><\/a> program director at Imbshausen<\/span><\/p>\n

Pastor Edgars Kiploks:<\/span> director of chaplaincy service and publications<\/span><\/p>\n

Pastor Gustavs Kness-Knezinskis:<\/span> director of Sunday School and Youth Work<\/span><\/p>\n

Estonian (British, American, and French Zones):<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pastor Bruno Ederma:<\/span> director of congregational care<\/span><\/p>\n

Pastor Karl Kiisk:<\/span> replaced Ederma in congregational care<\/span><\/p>\n

P<\/span><\/span>astor August Kivissik:<\/span> director of religious education<\/span><\/p>\n

Harry Nurmet:<\/span> LWF representative in French Zone<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1702\/2023\/07\/Bruno-Ederma.jpg” alt=”Original Caption: %22In the area depot at the Lutheran Study Center in Imbshausen Congregational Care director Bruno Ederma prepares soap, razor blades, and other amenity items for distribution to the unemployed or invalid displaced persons in British zone camps.%22″ title_text=”Bruno Ederma at Imbshausen Depot” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”900000%” module_alignment=”center” height=”400px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#8B2230″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u201cWe sailed to Germany, where people were starving, taking along faith, education, and love of our country.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Erita Erdmanis Dzila, Latvian DP at Insula3<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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LWF-SR Program Staff<\/h1>\n

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Post World War II Germany was split into zones and as a result, LWF-SR had staff to accompany the French, American, and British Zones. The main staff was located in the American and British Zones. However, there still was a small staff located in the French Zone as well. As you can see, many LWF-SR workers had to wear many hats. For instance, in the British Zone, the director of youth work, Pastor Gustavs Knez-Knezinskis, also led the religious education program, and area directors\/representatives often oversaw multiple IRO zones at once. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Quick Note on Navigation:\u00a0<\/strong>This is an interactive diagram. To see the different names of directors of different programs, hover your mouse or tap on the yellow hexagons.<\/p>\n

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