wfn.org | Lutherans Affirms Multicultural Mission

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 20, 1997

LUTHERANS AFFIRM MULTICULTURAL MISSION
97-33-097-MR

     WASHINGTON, D.C. (ELCA) -- The Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America must "hear one more
time what God has in store for us as we become a
more multicultural church," according to the Rev.
Frederick E.N. Rajan, executive director of the
ELCA's Commission for Multicultural Ministries.
Speaking to more than 300 participants of the
church's 1997 Multicultural Mission Institute
meeting here Nov. 7-9, Rajan suggested the church
should "make an effort to recognize and affirm the
different gifts ethnic communities bring to the
ELCA."
     The ELCA's Multicultural Mission Institute
brings people together to build community and give
testimony, said Rajan.  "Participants share with
each other God's mighty acts through and with
people of color," he said.
     The ELCA's 10-year goal of 10 percent people
of color and/or language other than English by
1998 has not been realized, although there is an
increase from 1.8 to 2.2 percent membership among
this population.  Five ethnic communities --
African American, American Indian/Alaska Native,
Arab and Middle Eastern, Asian and Pacific
Islanders and Hispanic -- met individually to
discuss their ministries in the ELCA.
     The theme for the Institute was "Making
Christ Known: New Challenge, New Hope, New Birth."
 Its purpose is to "inspire" participants for
ministries in their settings and develop an
understanding of issues related to multicultural
ministries through Bible study, worship, workshops
and plenary sessions.
     "Making Christ known is the task given to the
church.  People of color have been called to
participate in God's mission by giving witness to
God's creative, redeeming and sanctifying activity
in the world," said the Rev. Rafael
Malpica-Padilla, director for Latin America and
the Caribbean in the ELCA's Division for Global
Mission.  "The theme for this gathering calls us
to reflect on the challenges and hope that our
Christian calling brings to us as a community of
believers," he said.
     "Arabs and people of the Middle East is one
of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United
States," said the Rev. Bassam Abdallah, First
United Lutheran Church, Hammond, Ind.  "We are
also the reason for the latest change of the
ELCA's constitution.  We are the newest member of
the ethnic communities in the ELCA," he said.  The
Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle
Eastern Heritage (ALAMEH) was approved for
affiliation with the ELCA by the ELCA's Church
Council in April 1996.
     "Keep in mind that my brothers and sisters
living in Palestine -- and may I remind you that
they are your sisters and brothers, too -- live
under the barrel of the gun," said Abdallah.  "The
question that I have asked all my life is the same
prayer that my father and grandfather prayed, 'To
whom can the people of Palestine go?'  The world
has not answered the question yet" but we should
go to Jesus Christ, he said.  Abdallah led a Bible
study.  He is a consultant on Arab and Middle
Eastern ministries for the Commission for
Multicultural Ministries.
     "Who would ever plant a garden with just
white flowers," said the Rev. Theodore F.
Schneider, bishop for the ELCA's Metropolitan
Washington, D.C. Synod.  "There is a multicultural
element to our church that embraces and affirms
God's diversity," he said.  Schneider preached at
the opening worship.
     "God is everything to everyone," said the
Rev. Callon W. Holloway, bishop for the ELCA's
Southern Ohio Synod.  "Most parents take their
children to the doctor when they are sick but do
not introduce them to Jesus for salvation.  God's
world is going somewhere," he said.
     "It is important for me to be here at the
Institute," said Marcello Ortega, Augustana
Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C.  "We look at
each other as brothers and sisters.  I need to
know that so  I can serve my community," said
Ortega.
     Workshop topics included outreach to the
American Indian community, refugees and
immigration, outreach to the Arab and Middle
Eastern community, leadership development and
public policy.
     An offering of $1,060 was taken during the
event and will be distributed equally to the five
ethnic associations for ministry and scholarship
funds.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or
NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html