CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Carlos E. Paiva, Iglesia Luterana Angelica, Los Angeles, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as president of Asociacion Luterana de Ministerios Latinos (Lutheran Association of Latino Ministries) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He was elected by voting members of the association's 2001 general assembly held May 4-6 at the University of St. Mary's on the Lake, Mundelein, Ill.
The theme for the assembly was "United in Christ in the 21st Century." The assembly featured business sessions, worship and Bible study. About 80 Spanish-speaking Lutherans attended the assembly.
"If we continue to remain united in Christ at this time, we will live up to our [ambition] of being a strong, faithful and prophetic community," Paiva told the assembly.
"It is an honor and a blessing to continue serving as president of our church's association," Paiva said. With the help of lay leaders and clergy, members of the association have succeeded in establishing a national presence for the association. And, with the help and support of leaders in the divisions and commissions of the churchwide office, we have strengthened our communication [efforts] and made the work of the association more effective, he said.
The Rev. Lydia Villanueva, Iglesia Luterana Esperanza de Santa Maria (St. Mary's Hope Lutheran Church), Chicago, was re-elected vice president of the association; the Rev. Felipe Lozada, Iglesia Luterana San Juan Apostol, Toa Bajo, Puerto Rico, was elected secretary; and Mariana Mendez, First Lutheran Church, San Diego, was re-elected treasurer.
The assembly adopted a resolution that calls for an end to the live ammunition training and bombing practices of the U.S. Navy on Vieques, an island eight miles east of Puerto Rico. The Rev. Francisco L. Sosa, bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod, Dorado, Puerto Rico, presented the resolution to the assembly.
"It is time for our brothers and sisters on Vieques to enjoy peace," Sosa told members of the association.
"In 1941, the U.S. Navy took over 26,000 [acres of land] out of the total 33,000 to establish a military base called Camp Garcia on Vieques. As a result of the military's bombing practices, the economic development on Vieques has been poor and the population of Vieques has had a 27 percent higher incidence of cancer than the population of Puerto Rico," he said.
The resolution also calls for the U.S. Navy to clean up the land and make it free of hazardous contaminants released during the bombardment.
In other business, members of the association received a progress report on the development of the Rev. Carlos A. Benito Scholarship Fund set up by members of the association. Benito, born in Buenos Aires in 1932, was a theologian and professor at Facultad Evangelica de Teologia de Buenos Aires, Argentina (Evangelical University of Theology in Buenos Aires), and at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Benito served as pastor of four ELCA congregations -- Christus, La Epifania, La Gracia and La Trinidad -- in Camden, N.J., and was president of the National Caucus of Hispanics in the former Lutheran Church in America. Benito died in 1983.
Funds are awarded to Spanish-speaking high school, college and seminary students active in the work of the association. Students seeking scholarship funds are required to write an essay about their involvement in social service activities, personal accomplishments and background, and financial needs.
Eight students at the assembly received $100 each from the fund to support their education endeavors.
To help fund the scholarships, the assembly called together a fund raising committee. It transferred $1,000 from the association's budget to the fund.
In a separate resolution, the assembly established a "committee of young people" for the association. Members of the committee -- 15 to 20 years of age -- will have "voice and voting power" during assemblies. Two members of the committee will serve on the association's executive committee.
The Rev. Maria Valenzuela, director for Hispanic ministries and leadership development, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries, presented to the assembly the ELCA Latino Ministry Strategy adopted by the ELCA Church Council last month. The strategy is scheduled for consideration by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this summer.
The Latino ministry plan is designed to guide the ministries of the church. Specific areas of the strategy include insight on the identity of Lutheran Latinos, resource development, mission congregations, leadership development and social ministry.
"Latino membership in the ELCA is increasing faster than any other group. Every year, membership increases," said Valenzuela. Between 1990 and 1999 membership increased by 11,962 to a total of 35,245, she said.
Josefina Nieves-Lebron, Iglesia Luterana San Pablo, Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Maria Avila de Jesus, Milwaukee; and the Rev. Robert Navarro, Park Place Lutheran Church, Houston, were recognized as "pioneers within the Latino church community," said Valenzuela.
"Each received a plaque in recognition for their work and support of the association," said Valenzuela.
For information contact:
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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.
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