Friday, March 30, 2012

Sister Parish Event on May 6

These photos are of the dance the youth did to welcome our Sister Parish delegation in Chichipate, as mentioned in Pastor Lyle's sermon. You can also see a photo of their church and fellowship hall. Last is a photo of one of the first community meals shared, which is at the heart of the word "accompaniment" and of our relationship with our friends in Chichipate. The delegation is planning the worship services at St. Thomas on May 6 followed by a lunch to share this "accompaniment" with us, so come join us then to learn more about their experiences!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Going to Church in Chichipate, Guatemala




These photos are of our delegates and their friends in Chichipate going to church together. Watch for upcoming details about an event the delegates are planning to share more of their experiences with us!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Wow - Glocal Mission Event PLUS Synod Assembly!

Attend the ELCA Glocal Mission Event before coming to Synod Assembly

If you plan on attending the I-K Synod Assembly June 7-9, add an extra day and night and attend the ELCA Glocal Mission Event in the Cincinnati area. The special I-K Synod Assembly hotel discount rate will still apply if you wish to come a day early and attend the event!

The ELCA Glocal Mission Event takes place at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kenwood, Ohio and costs only $35. This is a fun family event and participants and volunteers of all ages from any congregation and denomination are welcome.

For details on Glocal Event workshops, speakers and on-line registration, visit http://www.elca.org/glocal

For information about volunteering or questions, please contact Glocal Coordinator, Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger, pastorshelleynb@gmail.com or 513.922.5590.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Welcome Home to our Sister Parish Delegation!




We welcome home with thanks our Sister Parish Delegation, grateful for their safe journey back to the US and for the blessing that the trip was and that it will become within our community as they share the experience with us.

From our liturgy today, "In this season of Lent, we ask God to break open our hearts and our spirits for the blessings God offers, especially those connected to our Sister Parish, Santo Domingo de Guzman in Chichipate, Guatemala. Lord of compassion and deepest love, break open our hearts and our spirits this Lent. The Q'eqchi' greeting of our Sister Parish is "Ma sa ah chol." Literally, this means, "How is it with your heart?" How is it with our hearts and our spirits this Lent? Fill our broken hearts and spirits withyour love that embraces all persons and places; all hopes and dreams. Break us open, Lord. Guard and guide us into deeper relationships with our Sister Parish partner in Chichipate, with one another, and to you. Fill us with your love. "
Amen

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Sister Parish Delegation News


Our delegation has arrived safely back in Guatemala City after staying several days in Chichipate. They have sent messages of gratitude for the warmth, love and hospitality they experienced there. In Guatemala City they are meeting with someone in human rights from the US Embassy. They then go to UPAVIM for lunch and in the afternoon will explore the city. Saturday they are having a talk about mining from a man who is part of an NGO working on this issue, and then pack to go home. They continue to be grateful for our prayers and support as they complete this journey on our behalf.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Delegation Arrived Safely

The St. Thomas Sister Parish delegation made it safely to Guatemala City! So did their luggage! They are having orientation today and will travel tomorrow to Chichipate. Prayers for traveling mercies for their journey and a fruitful time among our friends there.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Indiana-Kentucky Tornado Disaster Relief

The area within the Indiana-Kentucky Mission Territory that was damaged by severe storms, including tornadoes of historic proportions, is large. Ranging from southwestern to southeastern Indiana and from west central to eastern Kentucky, the loss of life, livelihood, and property is great.

As of the morning of Monday March 5, information that we have received suggests that few ELCA congregations or members were directly affected by the storms. Their neighbors, friends and family members were, of course, and are now sifting through the rubble in search of resurrection and new life. Many of our congregations in the area have begun to gather resources of various sorts and to reach out into their neighborhoods and surrounding communities with the compassionate care of Christ.

What Can You Do?

Pray. To know that folks are praying for them and standing with them in this time of trauma gives those in the affected areas hope and comfort, both victims and responders alike.

Donate to Lutheran Disaster Response/ELCA Disaster Response with the designation "Spring Storms 2012": http://www.elca.org/disaster or http://www.ldr.org. All disaster responders recommend sending money as the most helpful thing persons or churches can do in the immediate aftermath of such disasters. Many times donations of materials move too slowly or end up in the wrong place.

As other needs and opportunities to address them continue to emerge, Indiana-Kentucky Synod staff will do their best to communicate this information to leaders and congregations of the synod.

~from the IK Synod newsletter