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
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
