The following is shared from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) newsletter for Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
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The following is shared from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) newsletter for Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
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In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries will be elevating the voices of our Arab and Middle Eastern Descent peers and reposting their works from others sources around the ELCA. The following article is cross-posted from Living Lutheran online. The original post can be found here.
April 1, 2025
Rodny Said, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), leads a children’s sermon at the Church of Hope in Ramallah. Photos: ELCJHL
Said leads a bible study with youth during a youth retreat in Jordan.
Sani Ibrahim Azar, bishop of the ELCJHL, delivers a sermon at the Church of Hope.
Two spouses living in two places—kept apart by two kinds of government ID.
It may sound like Romeo and Juliet, but that was life for Rodny Said, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).
With a Jerusalem ID, Said could cross the checkpoints between his East Jerusalem home and his congregation, the Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah. His wife lived with her parents because she couldn’t enter East Jerusalem with her Palestinian ID.
“We started the process of reunification, as the Israeli government calls it,” he explained during an Advent Pilgrimage 2024 webinar, “but it can take years for a person from East Jerusalem and a person from the West Bank to live together.”
Fortunately, Said’s wife received her permit shortly after the webinar, and the couple can now live and travel together between the two communities.
The webinar series was a program of Sumud, the ELCA’s initiative for justice in Palestine and Israel. Previously the ministry was known as Peace Not Walls, named after the 440-mile barrier wall that the Israeli government was building to separate Palestine from Israel. The wall is complete today.
Sumud, an Arabic word meaning “steadfast,” conveys the determination it takes to be a Palestinian Christian. “Palestinians struggle to get to work, to universities, to churches and schools,” Said noted in the webinar. Since the onset of the Gaza War in 2023, many lost their jobs because they are no longer allowed to work in Israel. Many families are separated even though they live just a few blocks apart.
Life has gotten so difficult that the number of Christian families—already only 1% of the West Bank population—who are leaving is increasing. “They don’t see a future,” he said.
Emigration “means more pressure on us as a Christian community,” Said noted—especially for the ELCJHL, whose six congregations and four schools are supported by only 2,000 members.
“I think the easiest way is to leave,” Said added, “and the hard and painful way is to stay.”
Staying put, enduring and never giving up hope—that’s sumud. Through the initiative, the ELCA seeks to accompany Palestinians in their daily lives and advocate for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel.
For Maddi Froiland, program director for Sumud, a prime goal is making ELCA members more aware of what life under occupation is like.
As someone who spent four years in East Jerusalem and the West Bank—one as a Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteer and three years as communications officer for the ELCJHL—Froiland watched Christians live out Luke 6:31 (“Do to others as you would have them do to you”) even with soldiers who had arrested their sons. “The experience,” she said, “made me redefine what it means to be a Christian.”
Froiland said Sumud’s webinar series drew over 100 viewers who heard ELCJHL pastors and youth group members share stories of “resistance through existence” by living and worshiping together under occupation. Attendees heard their main message: Christians living in the Holy Land need to know someone is listening to and supporting them.
The Sumud initiative, Froiland said, “underscores that justice in Israel and Palestine means everyone has dignity and human rights. Right now the people who are lacking human rights are our Palestinian partners.”
Froiland is building synod-level networks of Palestinian Christians, YAGM alumni and others who can share their experiences in the region. “These networks will build communities that are both aware of the context of our siblings in the ELCJHL and are empowered through their faith to advocate for justice in Palestine and Israel,” she said.
A new ceasefire currently being negotiated between Israel and Hamas could open the door for healing and recovery from a war marked by violence and displacement. The ELCA supports that process through Sumud, Lutheran Disaster Response, the ELCA Middle East and North Africa desk, and deployed personnel in the region. Witness in Society, the ELCA’s public advocacy team, continues to advocate for a negotiated resolution to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to ongoing acts of violence.
On the ground, the ELCJHL creates possibilities for Palestinian Christians. “We do this through offering quality education for our youth, diaconal ministry for the vulnerable, environmental ministry for God’s creation, gender justice ministry and supporting our youth,” said Sani Ibrahim Azar, bishop of the ELCJHL.
“To us, sumud means to stay in our country and continue bearing witness as the Indigenous Christians of this land. This important and meaningful Arabic word … gives us strength—that we are not alone, we have our partners, our brothers and sisters, who will be steadfast in accompanying us.”
In case you missed it: In honor of Black History Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries will be elevating the voices of our African Descent peers and reposting their works from others sources around the ELCA. The following article is cross-posted from Living Lutheran online. The original post can be found here.
February 27, 2025
How well do you know this history? Take the quiz and find out!
In honor of Black History Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries will be elevating the voices of our African Descent peers and reposting their works from others sources around the ELCA. The following article is cross-posted from Living Lutheran online. The original post can be found here.
February 3, 2025
It wasn’t long ago that Gov. Tim Walz was first announced as the Democratic nominee for U.S. vice president, alongside presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Moments after Harris declared her running mate, posts about Walz being a Lutheran began to pop up across social media.
“One of us!” I remember cheering as I sat on the couch in the faculty lodge of Pinecrest Lutheran Leadership Ministries. This ticket would be one of those rare moments when my identity would be fully displayed to the American people. A powerful, competent, multiethnic Black woman and a Midwest Lutheran represented the Democratic Party for the highest offices. What a rare and divine moment!
I know I wasn’t alone in this sentiment. One of my colleagues is, like Harris, a Black woman from Northern California who attended a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), pledged to a Black sorority and has had to work twice as hard as her white counterparts to get where she is today. Her story is my story. Our story is the story of thousands of other Black women in this church.
Many of us in ministry are aware that the odds are stacked against us. We intern in ministerial contexts that counter our lived experiences. Some of us complete second master’s degrees while waiting for a call or a work opportunity. If we attend a Lutheran seminary, we spend most of our education completing coursework while acting as racial justice translators in the classroom, fielding questions about our blackness and Lutheran identity.
Our nonclergy sisters do the same in their contexts. Black women in medicine must explain that they are the doctor and not the social worker. Black women in education must teach their 22-year-old counterparts from Teach for America about trauma-informed approaches to learning. Because of the additional work we are tasked with while working or completing our education, we are experts in both the content and in navigating white mediocrity, the truth that many professional settings are skewed in favor of white Americans.
This story is not about who won the presidential election nor about political parties. Rather, it’s about holding in tension the struggle that Black women face in the professional world. Regardless of our qualifications and professional experience, we aren’t considered for leadership positions, a situation not exclusive to the secular world.
I bring up Walz, a lifelong Lutheran who said yes to supporting a Black woman for president. Walz accepting the vice presidential nomination was more countercultural to most ELCA congregations than we realize. For over a decade, Black women candidates for ministry have waited three to five years for their first call. This means that if they were fortunate enough to interview at even four congregations a year, 1 out of every 12 to 20 congregations affirms a Black woman’s call to word and sacrament ministry. After nearly 40 years of Black women being ordained in the ELCA, only three have been elected as a synod bishop.
Since the inception of the ELCA, only two Black women have served as executive director for a home area. One of them saw her position eliminated, and the other works in People Solutions, which is mostly a human resources team. Wyvetta Bullock, an ELCA pastor, has held one of the highest offices in the ELCA as the executive for administration, but no ELCA seminary, college or university has had a Black woman as president. In 2022 at least four Black women were forced out of their ELCA congregations within two months.
The sobering truth is that Black women have been in an abusive relationship with the ELCA for a long time. Perhaps that is why the Walz announcement for the Harris ticket felt so special. Maybe this would start a trend in our denomination.
The reality is that Harris did not win the presidency. It didn’t matter that she was only the second presidential candidate ever to have worked inside all three branches of government. It didn’t matter that she had clear and concise policy proposals or that some of her positions even aligned with the Republican Party. She lost support in most demographics except the Black community and millennials. It’s challenging to find hope for ministry in a church with the same demographics as those who didn’t see one of the people most qualified for office as fit to serve.
What, then, does this mean for those of us asked to educate the masses within the ELCA? At what point do we just become a broken record for racial justice to ears that refuse to hear it? When is it appropriate to call the time of death for these DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) workshops and cultural competency talks?
I’m not quite sure how we move forward to pay homage to Black leaders in our church when we refuse to address the elephant in the room. Some leaders still don’t think we should be in the pulpit nor the Oval Office. For years we have documented, celebrated and named the historic contributions Black leaders have offered our church, and still we have not seen our white counterparts build a base of people to support our ministry and advocate for equitable work opportunities.
So, rather than provide more resources and community discussions, I hope congregations will watch all three seasons of “Talks at the Desk” this Black History Month. Use the discussion guides and pledge to make a special offering all month for the African Descent Lutheran Association or the 66th Synod Reparations Fund. But until we start using the resources we already have and apply change, then we will never be free.
The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. You can find the original post here.
December 20, 2024
Medical laboratory technician, Essentia Health
Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Minn.
Growing up, I was highly involved with the youth ministry of my home church, Kimandolu Lutheran Church in Arusha, Tanzania, and was on the church praise and worship team. I started going to Trinity Lutheran Church in 2019 as a college freshman at Concordia College [in Moorhead, Minn.]. Currently, I serve on the hospitality team for Trinity. I usher and read Scripture.
This involvement is very important to me because there is nothing else that gives me more purpose than serving the Lord and being a servant to my local congregation. This also gives me peace and joy. Every second I spend in church makes me so happy that I could never trade these moments with anything else in the world.
I graduated from Concordia this year with a major in biology—premed—minoring in religion and environmental and sustainability studies.
I was always fascinated with science and wanted to know more about human bodies and how to heal and restore them using different biological procedures and scientific findings. This passion drew me close to biology. But as I was learning this, I realized the importance of faith when it comes to healing and restoring, so my minor in religion was a complement to biology and an approach to healing the whole body, not just the physical [aspect]. And who said religion and science don’t go together?
In the same spirit of healing and restoring comes the environmental issue. As we all know, our environment is changing, our climate is changing—and these changes are not necessarily the best changes. Knowing and acknowledging this drove me into environmental and sustainability studies.
All these areas of study, to me, were just one big picture addressing one thing, which is healing—healing the body, the soul and our world. I love how these different areas of studies have shaped me and made me more informed.
The International Women Leaders [IWL] program was the best thing that has ever happened to me. IWL allowed me to experience education from a whole different angle. It gave me choices and opportunities that I wouldn’t have had if I was not in the program. I have had the greatest experience in the program; I got introduced to opportunities and connections that I cherish dearly. IWL helped me to understand my leadership roles and envision what I can do as a leader in my community and the world at large. It opened doors and placed me in spaces I would have never dreamt of. Every time I introduce myself as an IWL scholar, things just sparkle, and I am forever grateful for this program.
All my areas of study were just one big picture addressing one thing, which is healing—healing the body, the soul and our world.
Serving on the logistics team for the 2024 Youth Gathering was eye-opening. I learned a lot about myself as a leader regarding areas that I need some improvement in and areas that I’m really good at. In general, serving the Youth Gathering was a blessing. To witness over 16,000 Lutheran youth come together to praise, worship, learn, serve and be who they were created to be was just phenomenal.
My role as a medical laboratory technician entails multitasking, ensuring patients’ safety, properly explaining details of procedures to patients in a clear way of understanding, performing intravenous blood draws, efficiently handling patient specimens in a proper manner to ensure non-contamination for transportation and running different tests in proper equipment. All this is in order to make a healthy difference in people’s lives.
I’m enrolled at North Dakota State University in a Master of Public Health program. My desire for health care justice is what drew me close to public health. It is my hope to see communities being able to access the best medical care they need and being well-informed about their health, regardless of where they are or who they are.
I plan to use my master’s degree to influence the health care system and work to create policies that will give health care access to marginalized communities. [I also want to] come up with projects that will inform communities about determinants of health.
I hope to live my faith through my vocation by serving with love, justice, grace and honesty to all. I hope to be a helping hand and a voice to those around me and to shine the light of Christ to the lives of people I get to interact with.
In my free time, I practice Aikido, which is a Japanese martial art, play drums and do puzzles.
I’ve witnessed God’s presence in my life through my journey to the U.S., the doors that God opened when I thought they were closed, and the opportunities that God gave me.
I pray, especially in this season, that the light of Christ will shine on every land and that the peace of the Lord will prevail on earth.
Grace is an undeserving favor from God, not because of what I did or what I did not [do] but just pure favor.
I’m a Lutheran because I continue to believe that I am saved by grace alone, through faith in Jesus and nothing else.
In observation of National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools which is observed in the United States September 30, we share the following article which is cross-posted from the Women of the ELCA website. The original post can be found here.
The National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools in the United States is Monday, September 30. It originated in Canada as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in 2021 when the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5, making it a federal holiday. Canada has done work in healing its Indigenous people and the trauma inflicted by residential schools by designating a day to honor the survivors, their families, and communities.
Why do we need a Day of Remembrance?
Residential or boarding schools inflicted trauma on Indigenous children that is still being felt today, generations later. Indigenous children were taken from their families, some as young as four years old. These children were often put on trains and taken as far away from their community as possible. Many of these children died and were buried on the grounds of the schools. Many that survived were no longer accepted in their own communities. Many of these children were forced to believe in Christianity and weren’t allowed to speak their language, sing their songs, or dance their ceremonial dances. This forced erasure of Indigenous culture is still felt in every tribal nation across the country.
As an Indigenous person, I am a descendant of four residential school survivors, my grandparents. I grew up listening to the stories of how the nuns treated the children at the mission school and how they forced them to cut their hair, learn English, and worship Jesus. In any other context, children worshipping Jesus would be a good thing, but when people are indoctrinated into a belief by force, later there can be some resentment.
I am grateful every day that I received, learned, and was shown the love of God in the way it was intended so that I can help my people heal with God’s good love. I am grateful to be a leader in a church, the ELCA, which is leading the way in reconciliation with Indigenous people.
Monday, September 30, 2024 is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. Learn ways you can support this day by wearing orange and more. Visit ELCA.org/IndianBoardingSchools
Use hashtags #ELCA #FaithAndHealing #DayofRemembrance #WELCA
Learn more about the Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative
Wanda K. Frenchman is an Indigenous leader in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota (South Dakota) and Lenape (Oklahoma) tribes and serves as the vicar for Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, Arizona.
A version of this blog post appears on the Cafe (https://Boldcafe.org) website.
To purchase the orange logo t-shirt, click here
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated in the United States September 15- October 15, we share the following article which is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. The original post can be found here.
This past month, just in time to kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration, the ELCA’s Lutheran Center in Chicago transformed into a dynamic hub of growth, learning and community. Young L3s (Latiné Lutheran Leaders) came together for the Latiné Leadership Summit: A Time of Empowerment and Connection. Supported by the Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities of the ELCA and sponsored by ELCA World Hunger, this event — organized by the Latino desk of the ELCA — was a groundbreaking experience designed to equip Latiné young adults with the tools, knowledge and support they need to lead effectively within one of the largest (and less demographically diverse) Protestant denominations in the United States.
As I watched these passionate young adults come together, I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of awe and gratitude. I was moved by the realization that they are not just our future, they are the heartbeat of our church right now. Their energy, their commitment and their willingness to step up and lead — it all took my breath away. It was truly a privilege to stand alongside them in this sacred space, to offer them something tangible and meaningful, beyond just words and prayers, for their journey in ministry. As a coordinator for this incredible project, I felt a powerful blend of hope and responsibility. I saw in these young leaders a fierce determination and a readiness to tackle whatever comes their way. And I have no doubt that with their passion and resilience, they will lead us toward a church that is more inclusive, more compassionate and more vibrant than ever before.
A sacred purpose for sacred work
The primary goal of the summit was clear: to provide young Latiné Lutherans with the insights and tools to navigate their leadership journey within the ELCA. By learning from the experiences (and mistakes) of seasoned leaders, these young adults are better positioned to lead with confidence and clarity, avoiding the pitfalls that others have encountered. It was a powerful reminder that the path to leadership is rarely straightforward — it’s often a “bumpy ride,” filled with challenges and opportunities for growth.
The summit began on a high note, with a worship service that featured a welcome message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. In her address Eaton celebrated the enthusiasm and commitment of the young attendees, emphasizing how their passion for the faith and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ is inspiring to the entire church. Her words set a tone of encouragement and affirmation, reminding participants of their vital role in the ELCA’s future.
Deep engagement with experienced leaders
The summit was a full event of engagement and learning, beginning with opening remarks from the Hector Carrasquillo, who leads the Latino desk at the ELCA, along with Latiné leaders in our church community such as Nancy Limón, former officer of the Latino Ministries Association, who played a crucial role in curating the summit’s experience. Eaton addressed the participants a second time, reinforcing her earlier message of support and empowerment.
The experience continued with a keynote address, moderated by Carrasquillo and featuring influential church leaders such as Idalia Negrón, former bishop of the Caribbean Synod, ELCA Vice President Imran Siddiqui and Rafael Malpica, former executive director of Service and Justice. Notably, Siddiqui remained for the entire summit, actively listening to the young leaders’ questions and concerns. His presence and engagement were a testament for these young leaders, to the ELCA’s commitment to hearing and addressing the challenges faced by them in navigating the church.
One of the highlights of the summit was the panel “Leadership Tools and Skills.” The panel featured contributions from lay leaders Jennifer DeLeon and Christopher Vergara, both deeply involved in justice work within the church, as well as ordained leaders such as Javier Goitia, María Rojas and Irma Bañales. The panelists shared their insights on inclusive and diverse leadership, offering valuable strategies and personal stories that serve as models for emerging leaders.
Additionally, throughout the event, participants engaged in forums, workshops and panel discussions on a wide range of topics, from “Robert’s Rules and Parliamentary Procedures” to “Non-Traditional Evangelism Strategies” and “Lutheran Theology within the ELCA Philosophy and Structure.” These sessions were led by prominent leaders in our Lutheran community, such as Carmelo Santos and Gabriel Marcano, among others.
“A Radically Welcoming Church”: Celebrating diversity and language
One of the most transformative sessions of the summit, “A Radically Welcoming Church,” was led by Christopher Vergara, vice president of the Metropolitan New York Synod, and Jennifer DeLeon, director of racial justice for the ELCA. This session ignited profound and heartfelt discussions about the urgent need to dismantle internalized racism and queerphobia within both the Latiné and the broader Lutheran communities. The dialogue was not just an intellectual exercise but a deeply personal exploration that touched on the lived experiences of many participants, revealing the complexities and challenges of navigating multiple identities within the church.
A key theme that emerged was the critical importance of embracing the rich diversity within Latiné communities. Participants bravely shared their stories, exploring the nuances of identity, including the role of language as both a cultural bridge and a potential barrier. It became clear that being a part of the Latiné community does not necessarily mean speaking Spanish, yet for many, Spanish remains a deeply significant cultural element that connects them to their heritage and history.
This conversation also highlighted the need for a more nuanced understanding of identity within the church. As we engaged in this dialogue, there was a collective acknowledgment that our journey toward unity is not about erasing differences but about celebrating them. We realized that to build a church that truly reflects the body of Christ, we must first create a space where every person feels seen, heard and valued. This session was a powerful reminder that our diversity — and the vision for a more diverse Lutheran church in the United States — is not a challenge to be managed but a gift to be cherished, a source of strength that can propel us forward as a unified community committed to justice, love and radical welcomeness.
Looking ahead: A vision for the future
The final day of the summit featured a plenary session with ELCA partners and leaders, providing a comprehensive overview of the church’s various departments, programs and ministries. Presentations included insights from Khader El-Yateem and Tammy Jackson, ELCA Service and Justice; Philip Hirsch, ELCA Christian Community and Leadership; Roselle Tenorio, ELCA World Hunger; Kayla Zopfi, ELCA Young Adult Ministry; and myself as representative of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (the only Latiné member of the CRLC). Carrasquillo and Jaime Dubon, ELCA director for Latin America and the Caribbean, along with Einstein Gonzalez-Leon — representative from the Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA — also shared their messages and ministries.
The closing worship was a profoundly moving experience, one that felt like both an ending and a powerful new beginning. It wasn’t just the conclusion of the summit but the spark of a renewed commitment to leadership within the church. As participants embraced each other and prepared to return to their synods, congregations and communities, the air was filled with a palpable sense of hope and determination. There was a deep, shared belief that this summit was not merely a single event but the first step in a journey — an ongoing movement to amplify the voices of young Latiné leaders, equipping them with the courage, wisdom and tools needed to shape the future of the church and make their voices heard. This was a moment of transformation, a sacred promise that our work together is just beginning.
As we reflect on this impactful event, it is clear that the Latiné Leadership Summit has set a strong foundation for the future. By empowering young leaders and fostering an environment of learning, support and growth, the ELCA is paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant church community. Like Martin Luther’s call for reformation and renewal within the church, this summit serves as a reminder that our faith journey is one of constant transformation and revolution.
The path may indeed be challenging, but with courage, faith and determination, these young Latiné leaders are ready to lead the way, embodying the spirit of reformation and renewal that has always been central to our Lutheran heritage.
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El mes pasado, justo a tiempo para comenzar el Mes de la Herencia Latina con una celebración, el Centro Luterano de la ELCA en Chicago se transformó en un dinámico centro de crecimiento, aprendizaje y comunidad. Jóvenes líderes L3 (Líderes Luteranos Latiné) se reunieron para la Cumbre de Liderazgo Latiné: Un Tiempo de Empoderamiento y Conexión. Apoyado por los Ministerios de Culturas y Comunidades Diversas de la ELCA y patrocinado por el Programa Mundial contra el Hambre de la ELCA, este evento —organizado por el Escritorio Latino de la ELCA— fue una experiencia innovadora diseñada para equipar a los jóvenes adultos latinés con las herramientas, el conocimiento y el apoyo que necesitan para liderar de manera efectiva dentro de una de las denominaciones protestantes más grandes (y menos diversas demográficamente) de los Estados Unidos.
Mientras observaba a estos jóvenes adultos apasionados reunirse, me invadió un profundo sentimiento de asombro y gratitud. Me conmovió darme cuenta de que no son solo nuestro futuro; ellos son el corazón de nuestra iglesia en este momento. Su energía, su compromiso y su disposición para asumir roles de liderazgo me dejaron sin aliento. Fue verdaderamente un privilegio estar junto a ellos en este espacio sagrado, ofrecerles algo tangible y significativo, más allá de solo palabras y oraciones, para su camino en el ministerio. Como coordinador de este increíble proyecto, sentí una poderosa mezcla de esperanza y responsabilidad. Vi en estos jóvenes líderes una determinación feroz y una disposición para enfrentar cualquier desafío que se presente. Y no tengo dudas de que, con su pasión y resiliencia, nos guiarán hacia una iglesia más inclusiva, compasiva y vibrante que nunca.
Un propósito sagrado para una obra sagrada
El objetivo principal de la cumbre fue claro: proporcionar a los jóvenes luteranos latines las ideas y herramientas necesarias para navegar su camino de liderazgo dentro de la ELCA. Al aprender de las experiencias (y errores) de líderes experimentados, estos jóvenes adultos están mejor posicionados para liderar con confianza y claridad, evitando las trampas que otros han encontrado. Fue un poderoso recordatorio de que el camino hacia el liderazgo rara vez es sencillo; a menudo es un “viaje accidentado” lleno de desafíos y oportunidades para crecer.
La cumbre comenzó con una nota alta gracias a un servicio de adoración que incluyó un mensaje de bienvenida de la Obispa Presidenta Elizabeth Eaton. En su discurso Eaton celebró el entusiasmo y el compromiso de los jóvenes asistentes, enfatizando cómo su pasión por la fe y dedicación al evangelio de Jesucristo es una inspiración para toda la iglesia. Sus palabras establecieron un tono de ánimo y afirmación, recordando a los participantes su papel vital en el futuro de la ELCA.
Compromiso profundo con líderes experimentados
La cumbre fue un evento lleno de compromiso y aprendizaje, comenzando con las palabras de apertura del Rev. Dr. Héctor Carrasquillo, quien lidera el Escritorio Latino en la ELCA, junto con líderes latinés en nuestra comunidad eclesial como Nancy Limón, ex funcionaria de la Asociación de Ministerios Latinos, quien desempeñó un papel crucial en la organización de la experiencia de la cumbre. La Obispa Eaton se dirigió a los participantes por segunda vez, reforzando su mensaje anterior de apoyo y empoderamiento.
La experiencia continuó con una ponencia moderada por el Pastor Carrasquillo, con líderes influyentes de la iglesia como la Obispa Idalia Negrón, el Vicepresidente de la ELCA Imran Siddiqui y el Rev. Dr. Rafael Malpica. Cabe destacar que el Vicepresidente Siddiqui permaneció durante toda la cumbre, escuchando activamente las preguntas y preocupaciones de los jóvenes líderes. Su presencia y compromiso fueron un testimonio para estos jóvenes líderes del compromiso de la ELCA, de escuchar y abordar los desafíos que enfrentan al navegar por la iglesia.
Uno de los momentos destacados de la cumbre fue el panel “Herramientas y Habilidades de Liderazgo”. El panel contó con las contribuciones de líderes laicos como Jennifer DeLeon y Christopher Vergara, ambos profundamente involucrados en el trabajo de justicia dentro de la iglesia, así como de líderes ordenados como el Rev. Dr. Javier Goitia, la Rev. María Rojas y la Rev. Irma Bañales. Los panelistas compartieron sus ideas sobre el liderazgo inclusivo y diverso, ofreciendo estrategias valiosas e historias personales que sirvan como modelos para los líderes emergentes.
Además, durante todo el evento, los participantes participaron en foros, talleres y paneles de discusión que abarcaron una amplia gama de temas, desde “Reglas de Orden de Robert y Procedimientos Parlamentarios” hasta “Estrategias de Evangelización No Tradicionales” y “Teología Luterana dentro de la Filosofía y Estructura de la ELCA”. Estas sesiones fueron dirigidas por líderes prominentes de nuestra comunidad luterana, como el Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos y el Rev. Gabriel Marcano, entre otros.
“Una Iglesia Radicalmente Acogedora”: Celebrando nuestra diversidad y lenguaje
Una de las sesiones más transformadoras de la cumbre, “Una Iglesia Radicalmente Acogedora”, fue dirigida por Christopher Vergara, Vicepresidente del ELCA Sínodo Metropolitano de Nueva York, y Jennifer DeLeon, directora de justicia racial para la ELCA. Esta sesión encendió discusiones profundas y conmovedoras sobre la urgente necesidad de desmantelar el racismo internalizado y la homofobia tanto en las comunidades Latiné como en las comunidades luteranas en general. El diálogo no fue solo un ejercicio intelectual, sino una exploración profundamente personal que tocó las experiencias vividas de muchos participantes, revelando las complejidades y desafíos de navegar múltiples identidades dentro de la iglesia.
Un tema clave que emergió fue la importancia crítica de abrazar la rica diversidad dentro de las comunidades Latiné. Los participantes compartieron valientemente sus historias, explorando los matices de la identidad, incluido el papel del lenguaje como un puente cultural y un posible obstáculo. Quedó claro que ser parte de la comunidad Latiné no significa necesariamente hablar español, y sin embargo, para muchos, el español sigue siendo un elemento cultural profundamente significativo que los conecta con su herencia e historia.
Esta conversación también destacó la necesidad de una comprensión más matizada de la identidad dentro de la iglesia. Al participar en este diálogo, hubo un reconocimiento colectivo de que nuestro camino hacia la unidad no se trata de borrar diferencias, sino de celebrarlas. Nos dimos cuenta de que para construir una iglesia que refleje verdaderamente el cuerpo de Cristo, primero debemos crear un espacio donde cada persona se sienta vista, escuchada y valorada. Esta sesión fue un poderoso recordatorio de que nuestra diversidad —y la visión de una iglesia luterana más diversa en los Estados Unidos— no es un desafío a gestionar, sino un don a apreciar, una fuente de fortaleza que puede impulsarnos hacia adelante como una comunidad unida comprometida con la justicia, el amor y la acogida radical.
Mirando hacia adelante: Una Vvisión para el futuro
El último día de la cumbre se presentó una sesión plenaria con socios y líderes de la ELCA, que brindaron una visión general completa de los diversos departamentos, programas y ministerios de la iglesia. Las presentaciones incluyeron ideas del Rev. Khader El-Yateem y Tammy Jackson del Servicio y Justicia de la ELCA; el Rev. Philip Hirsch del Liderazgo y Comunidad Cristiana de la ELCA; Roselle Tenorio del Programa Mundial contra el Hambre de la ELCA; Kayla Zopfi del Ministerio de Jóvenes Adultos de la ELCA; y yo mismo como representante de la Comisión para la Renovación de la Iglesia Luterana (el único miembro Latiné de la CRLC). Carrasquillo y el Rev. Jaime Dubon, junto con el Diácono Einstein Gonzalez-Leon —representante de la Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA— también compartieron sus mensajes y ministerios.
El culto de clausura fue una experiencia profundamente conmovedora, que se sintió tanto como un final, así como un poderoso nuevo comienzo. No fue solo la conclusión de la cumbre, sino el comienzo de un compromiso renovado con el liderazgo dentro de la iglesia. Mientras los participantes se abrazaban y se preparaban para regresar a sus congregaciones, sínodos y comunidades, el ambiente estaba lleno de un palpable sentido de esperanza y determinación. Había una profunda creencia compartida de que esta cumbre no fue simplemente un evento único, sino el primer paso en un viaje: un movimiento continuo para amplificar las voces de los jóvenes líderes latinés, equipándolos con el coraje, la sabiduría y las herramientas necesarias para dar forma al futuro de la iglesia y hacer que sus voces sean escuchadas. Este fue un momento de transformación, una promesa sagrada de que nuestro trabajo juntos apenas comienza.
Al reflexionar sobre este evento impactante, es evidente que la Cumbre de Liderazgo Latiné ha establecido una base sólida para el futuro. Al empoderar a los jóvenes líderes y fomentar un entorno de aprendizaje, apoyo y crecimiento, la ELCA está allanando el camino hacia una comunidad eclesial más inclusiva y vibrante. Al igual que el llamado de Martin Lutero a la reforma y la renovación dentro de la iglesia, esta cumbre sirve como un recordatorio de que nuestro viaje de fe es uno de transformación constante y revolución.
El camino puede ser desafiante, pero con valor, fe y determinación, estos jóvenes latinés están listos para liderar el camino, encarnando el espíritu de reforma y renovación que siempre ha sido fundamental en nuestra herencia luterana.
Roberto Lara Aranda is director of communications at the Fetzer Institute, a global philanthropic organization committed to building a spiritual foundation for a loving world. He also serves as a faculty member in the Strategic Communications graduate program at Columbia University in New York City. In addition Roberto is executive director of Select Learning, a faith-based organization that provides theological learning resources for personal, congregational and professional development. He is a member of the ELCA Foundation board of trustees and the ELCA Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church. Previously he was assistant to the bishop for communications and development of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod and served as president of the Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA.
Roberto Lara Aranda es director de comunicaciones en el Instituto Fetzer, una organización filantrópica global comprometida con construir una base espiritual para un mundo amoroso. También sirve como miembro docente del programa de posgrado en Comunicaciones Estratégicas en la Universidad de Columbia en la Ciudad de Nueva York. Además Roberto es director ejecutivo de Select Learning, una organización de fe que ofrece recursos de aprendizaje teológico para el desarrollo personal, congregacional y profesional. Es miembro del consejo directivo de la Fundación ELCA y de la Comisión para una Iglesia Luterana Renovada de la ELCA. Anteriormente fue asistente del obispo para comunicaciones y desarrollo del ELCA Sínodo Metropolitano de Nueva York y se desempeñó como presidente de la Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA.
Celebrate Black History Month with season three of “Talks at the Desk,” a four-part video series by African Descent Ministries of the ELCA. This season focuses on the Reclaim Gathering and will explore its themes: reclaim, embolden, embody and liberate. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 p.m. Central time beginning Feb. 7. Watch live at https://youtube.com/ELCA.
The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. The original post can be found here.
The inaugural cohort of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary’s (PLTS) Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders (TEIL) launched on Oct. 9 with an opening ceremony and shared celebration attended by leaders from across the ELCA. Photos: Courtesy of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Larry Thiele, a pastor in the Eastern North Dakota Synod, teaches a TEIL course as one of the program’s wisdom keepers.
Some of the Indigenous leaders and wisdom keepers of the TEIL program with Moses Paul Peter Penumaka, director of Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (far right); PLTS Rector Raymond Pickett (center); and Francisco Javier Goitia Padilla, director of theological formation for seminaries and schools of the ELCA (second from right).
Centuries after colonial models of education were first forced on Indigenous people in North America, their effects are still keenly felt. Western theological education has remained the default methodology within the church, including the ELCA. This fall, Native leaders from across the ELCA, in partnership with leaders from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) of California Lutheran University in Berkeley, are seeking to change that with the launch of the Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders (TEIL) program.
“The TEIL program is a historic and first-of-its-kind opportunity for Indigenous leaders and for our church,” said Vance Blackfox, ELCA director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations. “It gives students an opportunity to access education and leadership development—and possibly become ordained—so that they might be even more effective leaders in their communities and congregations.”
Though modeled after PLTS’ Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) certificate program—which is offered in collaboration with Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and the Lutheran Center of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod in Indianapolis and aims to prepare students for ordained ministry in the ELCA—the TEIL program is distinct in groundbreaking ways. “While the timeline looks like the traditional TEEM program, the content and teachers look very different,” said Blackfox, a partner in the development of TEIL and one of its instructors.
“Ninety percent of our instructors, whom we call wisdom keepers, are Indigenous, and the students will experience Indigenous pedagogy, or ways of learning about ministry and biblical studies, that are not offered anywhere else in our church,” said Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
The TEIL curriculum was designed by and for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) leaders, with their leadership and ministry formation and Indigenous theologies in mind.
“Students will experience Indigenous pedagogy not offered anywhere else in our church.”
The program gave its developers the freedom to look at why some of the courses traditionally offered in TEEM weren’t relevant to Indigenous students’ ministry and context, and what would be meaningful for their experience, said Moses Paul Peter Penumaka, director of TEEM.
“One of the first classes we offer in TEEM is ‘Ministry in Context,’ but TEIL leaders named it as ‘Ministry in Indigenous Context,’” he said. Other classes offered in the 16-course curriculum include “American Lutheranism and Indigenous History” and “Truth and Healing.”
“This program that the wisdom keepers put together is their own program,” Penumaka said. “They are defining what land, context, ministry and theology mean to them, for their own communities and their own people. So it is very unique, authentic and charismatic.”
In many seminary courses, the gospel is read through a Western lens, said Penumaka. The TEIL program offers students “an education that can empower and enlighten them, that’s not enforced upon them,” he said.
Blackfox has a personal understanding of the model’s importance. “There has never been a time in my own studies where the class was made up of 100% Native students, from early childhood until graduate-level seminary classes,” he said. “So for the students in TEIL to have that opportunity is unique and will be, I believe, invaluable to the ways they learn and what they learn.”
The inaugural cohort of TEIL, comprised of 10 students representing a range of ELCA Indigenous ministries and congregations, began their program on Oct. 9, Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The program was launched with in-person classes hosted at Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, Ore., and an opening ceremony and shared celebration attended by leaders from across the ELCA.
“The ELCA has committed to supporting Native-focused and Native-led leadership and education, and to developing future Native leaders, pastors and theologians,” said Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop. “The Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders program is one important way to honor that commitment. Our Indigenous leaders have vital gifts to offer this church, and the TEIL program is an opportunity to meaningfully support their development.”
Joann Conroy, president of the ELCA’s American Indian Alaska Native Lutheran Association (AIAN), agreed. “We’ve been invisible people for too long,” she said of AIAN members and leaders of the ELCA. “Being able to have TEIL is something that not only strengthens our ministry, wherever we happen to be situated, but strengthens the church and recognizes the gifts we bring to the church.”
“The ELCA has committed to supporting Native-focused and Native-led leadership and education.”
Conroy, an Oglala Sioux Lakota pastor who serves as a TEIL wisdom keeper, began meeting with Blackfox and Penumaka several years ago to decide how the program would take shape. Eventually that group broadened to include a team of Indigenous leaders who helped determine what the distinctive courses would be.
“We discussed what the Indigenous pedagogy might look like for each of those classes and who would lead them,” Blackfox said. “We met multiple times to develop this Indigenous learning experience together.”
Blackfox identified several primary goals for the program. “One would be providing quality and appropriate classes and experiences for Indigenous students that empower them to be even stronger ministry leaders in their communities, congregations and Indigenous ministries, both as ministers and with their fellow lay members,” he said. “Two, to allow for their experiences and tribal life ways to also be contributing gifts to their learning environments while in the TEIL program.”
He also hopes to “continue to connect the church at large—the churchwide organization, synods, congregations, individuals—with ways of supporting Indigenous ministries in our church. And this is one tremendous way in which that can happen.”
The TEIL program is open to lay leaders and those on the ordination track alike. “Students don’t have to be candidates for ordination to be in the program but will be introduced to candidacy in case they do want to pursue ordination,” Blackfox said.
TEIL student Amanda Vivier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, had been looking for just such a program. “My heart has been yearning for this connection and acceptance as an Anishinaabe leader and as a follower of Christ Jesus, so it was a no-brainer when the opportunity presented itself,” she said of enrolling in the program.
Vivier has served as spiritual director and minister for The Way (formerly Native American Christian Ministry) in Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., since 2017 and is seeking ordination. “This is a huge blessing to the Indigenous population of followers of Christ Jesus,” she said of the TEIL program. “It has opened the door for me to pursue becoming a pastor while still [being] very engaged with my family and ministry.”
She has already found her TEIL coursework directly applicable to her ministry context. “In the short first week I spent in TEIL, I picked up teachings I was able to bring back to The Way that following Sunday,” she said. “It has also actually encouraged me to look at the Bible in my lens of an Anishinaabe kwe [woman] and share it in a language that becomes more relevant for the population I’m serving.”
“This is a huge blessing to the Indigenous population of followers of Christ Jesus.”
Gabe Wounded Head is an Oglala Lakota student completing his undergraduate degree at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks this year. He has also applied what he is learning in TEIL to his college campus, where he is a chapel service leader and an active member of Campus Ministry. “I have learned that the idea that there is one path down any road, whether it be education style, church service style or leadership style, is false,” he said. “This program provided me with a unique opportunity to take advantage of a new alternative viewpoint in biblical exegesis.”
In his ministry experience, Wounded Head has found that “most of the people who have turned away from their adolescent churchgoing habits have done so because they’ve learned a new perspective of history, one of the colonized people, that church leaders have historically desired to keep under wraps.” But he believes that TEIL can help enrich people’s faith while also inviting new members by offering important context.
“A historical context creates a picture that the good news was not just meant for the European church, and it wasn’t just meant for the American church—it was meant for the people of God, worldwide,” Wounded Head said. He believes the seeds being planted with TEIL will invite more voices into the ELCA, both from Indigenous communities and beyond current church membership.
When Conroy was in seminary, she experienced that lack of context as a missing piece of her education. “A lot of what I was being taught was very white-focused—my cultural understanding wasn’t being taught,” she said. “TEIL is now bringing those things to the table for our young leaders, where their voice and their cultural relevance can finally be applied to theological learning.
“If you look to the future of the church, if you look at [Indigenous] elders, children, young adults, it really is necessary to keep working toward this. It’s important.”
The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. You can find the original post here.
Para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre estamos hablando con luteranos de ascendencia latiné para amplificar las voces de nuestros hermanos en Cristo. Hoy estamos hablando con Rev. Alejandro Mejía, director de la misión evangélica del Sínodo de Delaware-Maryland.
Las respuestas han sido editadas para su publicación.
¿Cómo está usted conectado a la ELCA?
Nací y crecí en Colombia, América del Sur. Mi familia siempre ha pertenecido a la iglesia luterana. Recuerdo estar presente en conversaciones en las que se mencionaba el nombre “ELCA”. Cuando me hice más activo en la iglesia, aprendí sobre los fuertes lazos que hay entre la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Colombia y la ELCA. Recuerdo haber visto o escuchado de líderes como Mary Campbell, Rafael Malpica Padilla, por mencionar a algunos que son conocidos y que todavía están entre nosotros. Tiempo después, cuando ya servía a una congregación, me llegó una invitación del Sínodo de Carolina del Sur de la ELCA en los Estados Unidos para servir como desarrollador de misiones entre la creciente comunidad latina.
Todo eso es para decir que la ELCA siempre fue parte de mi jornada de fe, gracias a su asociación con la iglesia en Colombia. Por supuesto que nuestra conexión se ha vuelto directa y más fuerte desde que me mudé a este país.
¿Cómo cree que la ELCA puede amplificar mejor las voces latinés?
Creo que, juntando las caras con las historias, explicando los puntos fuertes de nuestra gente. Debemos fomentar atención y empatía en nuestra iglesia hacia las necesidades y realidades de nuestros hermanos latinés, pero también es necesario que publiquemos historias sobre las habilidades, los puntos fuertes, el poder que existe entre nuestra gente. Somos luchadores; nunca nos echamos para atrás. Eso es algo que hay que mencionar. Por supuesto, aún hay tantas necesidades por satisfacer. Sin embargo, hay tanto que podemos ofrecer para hacer más fuerte a nuestra denominación. Así como contribuimos a la grandeza de este país, también podemos hacerlo en nuestra denominación.
¿En qué formas puede la ELCA ser más inclusiva de la comunidad latiné?
Es importante abrir espacios en la mesa de toma de decisiones donde se sientan los poderosos. Pero no se trata de traer a una persona latiné porque existe la necesidad de cierta diversidad. Se trata de traer suficientes personas de una comunidad en particular, en este caso la comunidad latiné, para que haya una voz más fuerte y asertiva. Para una persona de color es intimidante estar en la mesa con probablemente otras dos o tres, pero en la que todavía somos una minoría.
También es importante tener presente que América Latina está formada por varios países, cada uno con tantas culturas diferentes que nos hacen únicos. Los líderes de nuestra iglesia deben confiar en nosotros, escucharnos, y aprender con nosotros y de nosotros. Podemos prosperar si lo hacemos juntos.
Es esencial ser conscientes de nuestra presencia proporcionando formas en las que podemos sentir que pertenecemos. No porque necesitemos ayuda, sino como iguales. Un ejemplo de ese enfoque podría ser ofrecer interpretación simultánea al español en reuniones como la asamblea de toda la iglesia, entre otros espacios importantes para nuestra vida como iglesia; poniendo a disposición material de adoración, de formación en la fe —por mencionar unos cuantos— en español, escrito por líderes latinés.
Necesitamos más y más líderes latinés listos para servir; por lo tanto, debemos crear formas de capacitar y equipar a las personas de nuestras comunidades facilitando el acceso a la educación. Y no solo seminarios; hay otras profesiones que se necesitan dentro de nuestra iglesia que pueden funcionar por el bien de nuestra comunidad latiné.
Hay muchas oportunidades y maneras que nuestra iglesia podría implementar para poner en práctica el hecho de que todos son bienvenidos, con el fin de que podamos sentir en nuestros cuerpos que, en efecto, somos vistos y apreciados.
¿Cómo ve a la comunidad latiné representada en su sínodo e iglesias locales?
Soy muy afortunado de trabajar con el obispo William Gohl. Él me ha dado la oportunidad de ocupar una posición de liderazgo dentro de nuestro sínodo. Me encantaría ver que esto sucediera en otros sínodos. Me encantaría ver a más ministros latinés en la lista como pastores principales o como diáconos a cargo de programas sólidos dentro de congregaciones y sínodos. Directores juveniles, directores musicales.
¿Qué le da esperanza?
Hay comunidades y ministros en la lista que, a pesar de los retos (inequidad, falta de recursos, racismo), se despiertan cada mañana para trabajar duro y prosperar. Ellos y sus comunidades están marcando una gran diferencia en esta iglesia y esta nación. Tengo esperanza al ver a niños y jóvenes diciendo que aman a la iglesia, y se identifican como cristianos luteranos.
Sé de familias que se suben al automóvil y conducen varias millas solo por la oportunidad de reunirse en torno a la palabra y el sacramento porque sienten que pertenecen. Madres que vienen con sus hijos porque necesitan ser nutridas por el amor de Dios hecho realidad a través de la comunidad. Dios nos ha inspirado a seguir adelante, a nunca echar para atrás, sino a levantarnos si caemos. Y nos levantamos más fuertes, porque no estamos solos.
¿Por qué cosas ora usted?
El fin de la mentalidad patriarcal, de supremacía blanca y despreciativa con la que muchos están acostumbrados a mirarnos. Oro por oportunidades para que nuestras nuevas generaciones sean quienes son, que promovamos el bilingüismo, que fomentemos el aprendizaje de otros idiomas, que nuestras iglesias sean espacios seguros, no para asimilar la cultura dominante, sino para afirmar que la diversidad es uno de los dones más preciosos de Dios y la esencia de Dios.
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ENGLISH TRANSLATION
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 we are speaking with Lutherans of Latiné descent to amplify voices of our siblings in Christ. Today we are speaking with Rev. Alejandro Mejia, director for evangelical mission with the Delaware-Maryland Synod.
Responses have been edited for publication.
How are you connected to the ELCA?
I was born and raised in Colombia, South America. My family has always belonged to the Lutheran church. I remember being present at conversations in which the name “ELCA” would be mentioned. When I became more active in the church, I learned about the strong ties between the Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia and the ELCA. I remember seeing or hearing about leaders such as Mary Campbell, Rafael Malpica Padilla, just to mention some who are well-known and still among us. Later, when I was already serving a congregation, an invitation came from the ELCA South Carolina Synod in the United States to serve among the growing Latino community as a mission developer.
All of that is to say, the ELCA was always part of my faith journey, thanks to its partnership with the church in Colombia. Of course, our connection has become direct and stronger since I moved to this country.
How do you believe the ELCA can better amplify Latiné voices?
I think putting faces and stories together, explaining the strengths that our people have. We need to promote mindfulness and empathy among our church toward the needs and realities of our Latiné siblings, but we also need to put stories out there about the abilities, the strengths, the power that exists within our people. We are fighters; we never step back. That is something that has to be mentioned. Of course, there are so many needs still to be satisfied. However, there is so much that we can offer to make our denomination a stronger one. As we are contributing to the greatness of this country, we are also able to do it within our denomination.
What are ways in which the ELCA can be more inclusive for the Latiné community?
It is important to open spaces at the decision-making table where the powerful sit. But it is not about bringing a Latiné person because there is the need for some diversity. It is about bringing enough people from a particular community, in this case the Latiné community, in order that there is a stronger and assertive voice. It is intimidating for one person of color being at the table with probably another two or three but where, still, we are a minority.
It is also important to keep in mind that the Latino America is made of several countries, each having so many different cultures that make us unique. Leaders from our church need to trust us, listen, and learn with us and from us. We can thrive if we do it together.
Being mindful of our presence by providing ways in which we can feel we belong is essential. Not because we need help, but as equals. One example of that approach could be offering simultaneous interpretation to Spanish at gatherings such as a churchwide assembly, among other important spaces for our life as a church; making available worship, faith formation material—just to mention a few—in Spanish, written by Latiné leaders.
We need more and more Latiné leaders ready to serve; therefore, we need to create ways to train and equip people from our communities by facilitating access to education. And not only seminaries—there are other professions that are needed within our church that can work for the sake of our Latiné community.
There are many opportunities and ways that our church could implement in order to put into practice the fact that all are welcome, so that we can feel in our bodies that we are indeed seen and appreciated.
How do you see the Latiné community represented in your synod/local churches?
I am so fortunate to work with Bishop William Gohl. He has given me the opportunity to occupy a position of leadership within our synod. I would love to see this happening in other synods. I would love to see more Latiné rostered ministers as senior pastors or as deacons in charge of strong programs within congregations and synods. Youth directors, music directors.
What gives you hope?
There are communities and rostered ministers who, despite the challenges—inequity, lack of resources, racism—wake up every morning to work hard and thrive. They and their communities are making a huge difference in this church and nation. I have hope by seeing children and youth saying that they love the church, identifying as Christians Lutherans.
I know about families who get in the car and drive several miles just for the opportunity to gather around word and sacrament because they feel they belong. Single mothers coming with their children because they need to be nurtured by God’s love made real through community. God has inspired us to move forward, to never step back, but rather to rise if we fall. And we rise stronger, because we are not alone.
What do you pray for?
The end of the patriarchal, white supremacist, patronizing mindset from where many are used to looking at us. I pray for opportunities for our new generations to be who they are, that we promote bilingualism, that we encourage learning other languages, that our churches are safe spaces not to assimilate the dominant culture but by affirming that diversity is one of God’s most precious gifts and God’s essence.
