Sierra Pacific Synod

claimed...gathered...sent

Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA January 7, 2010

To: Sierra Pacific Congregations

From: The Global Ministries Advocacy Team

Our Sierra Pacific Synod has Companion Synods in El Salvador, Rwanda and Taiwan. Along with these Synod-to-Synod connections, there are at least 2 Sierra Pacific congregations with companion (sister) parish connections in El Salvador, and 21 congregations in partnership with 15 Rwandan parishes. The connection with Taiwan is relatively new. No parish-to-parish connections exist to date with Taiwan Lutheran congregations.

The guiding principles of these connections are to walk together in the following ways:

We will pray regularly and fervently for the mission and ministries of our two churches.
We will cultivate and deepen our relationship in Christ as the foundation of our life together.
We will share one another's developing visions, joys and challenges.
We will share assets, skills, experiences and resources intentionally, respectfully and mutually.

Pastor Castillo from the Salvadoran Lutheran Church recently asked for companion churches for 4 congregations:

1. Iglesia Luterano Amor y Paz in Santa Maria Usulutan, a rural community who make their living in agriculture and artisan work.

2. Iglesia Santa Maria located in Chalatanango, in the north of El Salvador, another farming and artisan community.

3. Iglesia San Pablo in Santa Ana, a rural community. The pastor is Helmut Koheler, a German Missionary.

4. Christo Joven Ministry in the Iglesia Cordero de Dios, San Salvador. This ministry works with youth to evangelize them and provide vocational opportunities in the arts and sports.

If your congregation would like to pursue becoming a companion parish with one of these churches or ministry, contact Ruth Cruddas at cruddasm@pacbell.net. Ruth can also help you contact members of Sierra Pacific churches who have made good visits to El Salvador. We look forward to having Bishop Gomez participate in this year's Synod Assembly to get a better feel for the struggles and accomplishments of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, its parishioners and pastors. It will be a good opportunity for us to realize how we can make a companion parish connection significant for our own congregation and for a parish in El Salvador.

We know of no more parishes in Rwanda that desire a companion parish, but several Sierra Pacific congregations have companion parishes with more opportunities for giving than a single congregation may be able to fulfill (such as pastor training, scholarships for students etc.). Contact Cindy Tuisku at cindytuisku@yahoo.com to check out partnering with one of our congregations in a companion parish relationship. Cindy can also put you in contact with members of Sierra Pacific churches who have spent some time in Rwanda. Those of you attending last year's Synod Assembly who heard Pastor John Rutsindintwarane, secretary of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda, heard the marvelous opportunities and challenges of all Rwandans, and especially of the people in Lutheran parishes and the Lutheran Church of Rwanda.

Our connections with Taiwan are just beginning. If you are interested in getting involved there, contact Bishop Holmerud at bpmark@spselca.org.