On Saturday, July 9, Bishop Margaret G. Payne ordained the Rev. Ramon Santos-Mendez to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Warwick, R.I. It was the culmination of a process that actually began more than 10 years ago, when Gloria Dei Lutheran Church launched a major evangelical outreach to the new ethnic communities in the Greater Providence area. Drawn together by a mutual interest in worship and spiritual development, Santos-Mendez struck up a friendship with Pr. B. Santiago Rodriguez of Gloria Dei. After a period of intense self-reflection, Santos-Mendez began the synod candidacy process -- affiliating with the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Now he serves as the pastor developer of La Iglesia Evangelica Luterana, a bilingual worshipping community which is an off-shoot of the ministry of Gloria Dei, located just four miles away. Also ordained at the same time was Pr. Nathaniel Anderson, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Wilbraham, Mass.

 

On Sunday, July 10, the Rev. Jonathan Hevita was installed as pastor developer at Joseph's Coat of Many Colors Lutheran Church  in Bridgeport, Conn. Hevita has the strong belief that his church is in the "broken" city of Bridgeport for a reason -- namely, to reach out with love and compassion to others who are feeling broken and wounded in their lives. The church has programs for troubled Bridgeport youth, and for young mothers who dream of going to college, and is now home to a collaborative ministry of Lutheran Social Services and Fairfield County Lutheran churches called "Neighbor to Neighbor," which recruits volunteers to help their elderly and disabled neighbors. Learn more about Joseph's Coat -- Video and on Facebook. 

God's work in mission always propels us to encounter the neighbor, particularly in the stranger. ELCA Glocal Mission Gatherings equip congregations for God's work in today's global and local realities and their "glocal" intersections. You are invited to begin gathering a congregational team to register for an upcoming gathering. For only $35 per person and in only 1 1/2 days, your team can:

• Enhance your connections with the local and global Christians
• Gain practical skills for mission
• Learn how churches are changing how they proclaim and serve
• Lead inviting worship that includes global voices
• Serve in a way that is sustainable, respectful, and cross-culturally sensitive
• Give, receive, lead and serve in every facet of ministry

Good news! The website for the ELCA's Book of Faith Initiative has been upgraded to make it more interactive. What's new? 

• You can now post status updates directly from the home page.
• Comment and "Like" photos, videos, blogs, or status updates while on the home page.
• Larger photo thumbnails!
• Play videos directly on the home page.

It's now even easier to see what's going on and for everyone to participate. Check it out! Any questions, contact Susan Lindberg Haley, synod advocate, at  haleysl@verizon.net or 508-429-1960.