wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Passes Latino Ministry Strategy

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 11, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY PASSES LATINO MINISTRY STRATEGY
01-CWA37-LJ

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA)-- The Latino Ministry Strategy was accepted by
more than 99 percent vote at the churchwide assembly of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, Aug. 11.  "It came from and represents us
from our roots," said the Rev. Maria del Rosario Valenzuela, director
for Hispanic ministries in the ELCA Commission for Multicultural
Ministries, who presented the action to the assembly floor.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.  There
are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     Many rose to speak to adoption of the strategy in both Spanish and
English, expressing pride in the document and pleasure that is part of
the church's vision. The Rev. Victor Jortack, Southeast Minnesota Synod,
"I was consulted, my voice was heard. I applaud this vision and this
process."
     Valenzuela said, "Latino persons from various backgrounds were
brought together to start to develop this strategy, and after the
initial work was done, the Latino executives at the churchwide office
were included in developing the document. Further participation was
sought by making this document, in its original form -- Spanish --
available to all Latino leaders of the ELCA.  It was then translated
into English and sent to the units of the churchwide office for their
input.  Finally, it was sent to the Church Council for their
recommendation to the churchwide assembly."
     Valenzuela stressed, "Latinos are the fastest-growing minority in
the ELCA as well as in the United States; their voice needs to be
heard."
     At the strategy hearing held Aug.9, questions included: how to
serve Latino youth; how to add livelier music to worship; how to serve
the variety of cultures who all use the Spanish Languages, but are
distinct; how to encourage tent-making ministries; and how to get online
resources.
     At the hearing, funding questions were addressed by the Rev. Ruben
Duran, executive for congregational outreach services, ELCA Division for
Outreach,  "We are opening room to invite the Latino community to guide
the church and bring their gifts to the church, reshaping, changing and
guiding the mechanism with the result of fewer ministries and funding
them better than before."
     In the plenary session, the Rev. Ann M. Tiemeyer, Metropolitan New
York Synod, said, "As a female, doors have been opened to inquiry from a
very diverse population in Queens, N.Y.  My question is, how many female
clergy are in seminary and working with the Latino population?"
     Duran replied, "Two-thirds of the Latino seminarians are women."
-- -- --
     Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site.  Recorded
updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html