CONNECTIONS

The Lutheran Church of Peru, An Update

by Bishop Michael Rinehart

A lot has transpired since the days of the pandemic, when the President of the Lutheran Church of Peru, Pastor Adita Torres died of COVID. Many know that Peru had the most COVID deaths per capita than any other country in the world: 6,000 per 1 million Peruvians. In Ecuador it was 1,800 per million. In the U.S., 2,400 per million. The church was devastated.

When it became safe to travel again, we considered a synod visit. The church asked if only the bishops would come for this first time back and have a retreat with the pastors. Peru has three global companions, The LaCrosse Area Synod of Wisconsin, The British Columbia Synod, and the Gulf Coast Synod. In the fall of 2022, Bishop Felix Malpica and I went down for a visit. View some photos of that visit. It was a time of story-telling and a time of healing. There were many tears.

Then, last fall of 2023, the ELCA held the first Latin American Consultation since 2019, here in Texas, for leaders of the Latin American Churches and their companions in the U.S. and Canada. View photos of that event. Pastora Ofelia Dávila, the new President of the Lutheran Church of Peru and Wendy Leyva, the treasurer attended. We caught up and made plans for a synod visit in August of 2024.

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"Let’s Do the Whole Thing": A Story about Unexpected Challenges and Generosity

by Pastor Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Mission

Paul Mikula is council president at St Paul Lutheran in La Grange, TX. He has been to Synod Assembly numerous times – and he was at this year’s, too – but this time was different. This time, Paul heard a story that inspired him, and he was stirred to respond.

The second day of Synod Assembly, Paul reminded me, as we spoke by phone, that, especially as the afternoon comes, things can drag a little bit, and “people can become more interested in leaving than staying,” but this was when Deacon-candidate Kinnon Falk addressed the Assembly. Under the theme of “Listen, God Is Calling,” Kinnon spoke about how God was calling their congregation, Kindred, located in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, to be resilient and faithful during trying but hopeful times. Kinnon went on to share what Paul heard, “here is a church with day-to-day challenges,” but they aren’t held back by them. “They are a non-traditional-type church with worship around a meal, and they have started a food truck, part of which teaches interns a new trade and skill. Plus, they have the homeless coming to them in need of help, in need of showers, and they take care of them.” Kinnon mentioned the roof, air conditioning, and plumbing repairs that were needed on their historic building and said these challenges were unexpected, but somehow, God made it possible for the ministry to continue.

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Deacon’s Spotlight

by Bishop Michael Rinehart

I recently met with some of our deacons. They are a talented and diverse group. Some are musicians, some youth workers, some administrators, some chaplains. Right now we have a growing number of theologically-trained deacons.

People are still getting used to the idea. Deacons often get asked a lot of questions about their role. Sometimes they get asked, “When are you gonna complete your education, go all the way, and be a pastor?” The question assumes a hierarchy and conveys a need for more education around the role of deacon. Deacons are church professionals, clergy, not of Word and Sacrament, like pastors, but of Word and Service. Some deacons may indeed sense a call to pastoral ministry (like Pastor Cindy Robles), but most do not. Many of them have become deacons because they feel the call to proclaim God’s Word and serve as a bridge between the church and the world. The church needs pastors. The church also needs committed, theologically-trained leaders who are not pastors, people with an expertise in other vital roles.

To this end, we are going to do a series this year on deacons, written by deacons.

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Lisa’s Pieces: Creation Care Tips from the Synod Lutherans Restoring Creation Team

by Lisa Brenskelle

The mission of Lutherans Restoring Creation is to promote incorporation of care for creation into the full life and mission of the church, working in five areas: worship, education, discipleship, building & grounds, and public ministry/advocacy.

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September and Early October Creation Care Events

• Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation: Restoration, Renewal, Regeneration and…. Justice?? – Sunday, September 1, 6 p.m., online
• Living the Change Weekly Discussion Group – Tuesdays, September 3-November 19, 6 p.m., online
• And God Saw that It Was Good – Wednesdays, September 4-September 25, 6 p.m., online
• Climate Solutions 101 – Thursdays, September 5-October 10, 6 p.m., online
• God’s Work, Our Hands Justice Advocacy Event – Sunday, September 8, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston, TX 77005
• The Promised Land: How Urban Farming Nurtures Souls and Communities – Sunday, September 8, 2:30 p.m., online
• Faithful Voter Reflective Discussion Group – Mondays, September 9-October 28, 6 p.m., online
• Voter Registration Event – Sunday, September 15, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Christ the King Evagelical Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston, TX 77005
• Cool Congregations Cohort – 3rd Mondays throughout 2024, 7 p.m., online
• Rain Barrels for The Houston-Area Community – Sunday, September 29, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Grace United Church of Christ, 8515 Brookwulf Drive, Houston, Texas 77072
• Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation: A Feathered Adventure – Sunday, September 29, 6 p.m., online
• (tentative) Native Plant Pollinator Garden Refresh – Saturday, October 5, time TBD, Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston, TX 77005
• (tentative) Justice Advocacy Event – Sunday, October 6, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd., Houston, TX 77005
• (tentative) Guided Prayer Walk in the Park – Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m., Hermann Park, Houston, TX 77030
• Climate Advocacy: Carbon Management and Hydrogen Production Safety Concerns – Sunday, October 13, 4 p.m., online

Contact gcs.lrc@gmail.com for details on any of these events.