BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (ELCA) -- Lutherans in Puerto Rico and from around the world celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran presence in Puerto Rico through a festive worship service here Oct. 31 at the Interamericana University of Puerto Rico. More than 1,000 Lutherans attended the two-hour worship service organized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Caribbean Synod.
The history of the island and its people, who are a combination of "Taino" (original inhabitants), European (Spain) and African races, was told through dance and music at the beginning of worship. The service featured a 100-member choir made up of singers and musicians from the 26 ELCA congregations in Puerto Rico.
The Rev. Rafael Malpica-Padilla, bishop of the ELCA's Caribbean Synod from 1987 to 1993, preached the sermon.
"The local news gives us an idea of the crises we are experiencing in Puerto Rico today," said Malpica. "The official unemployment rate is 13 to 14 percent; there is an increase in the crime rate and deterioration of public safety; and there is economic instability. The crisis is not only financial. Every day we witness the brokenness of our social and moral fiber."
Malpica is director for the Latin America and Caribbean desk of the ELCA's Division for Global Mission.
"The great effort toward reconstruction in our country is not limited to the recovery of the recent weather catastrophe," Malpica said. "The challenge that lies ahead of us is how to communicate hope ... how we can restore faith in the promise of a life plentiful and abundant."
"Hurricane Georges left behind losses of human lives, and of private and public property. The hurricane made us realize our vulnerability," Malpica said.
Hurricane Georges tore across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands before making its way through the rest of the Caribbean and to the Gulf Coast states late September.
"The efforts of public agencies, civic organizations and religious groups had been channeled toward the reconstruction of our country. Restoration of electrical and telephone systems, cleanup of debris, efforts to provide temporary shelter to those who lost their homes, pastoral accompaniment in the emotional and spiritual recovery of victims took place," he said.
The worship service was a special component of the ELCA's Global Mission Event, held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the San Juan Grand Beach Hotel. "Communicate Hope" was the theme of the event organized by the ELCA's Division for Global Mission.
After the service the Rev. James Kenneth Echols, president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, presented the "Community of the Cross" award to the Rev. Francis L. Sosa, bishop of the ELCA's Caribbean Synod, for his commitment "to move forward the Lutheran mission by means of the ELCA's Caribbean Synod."
The Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan, executive director of the ELCA's Commission for Multicultural Ministries, also presented Sosa with a plaque commemorating the centennial.
Guests included the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, the Rev. Ramon Miguel Benito Ebanks, bishop for Iglesia Evangelica De Confesion Luterana en Cuba (Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Cuba), and Dr. Walter Gwenigale, medical director for Phebe Hospital, Suakoko, Liberia.
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director 1-773-380-2955 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
