10/25/2011

Southern Ohio Synod Mission Milestones Introduced-Nov Focus is Vida Eterna

The Southern Ohio Synod Office of the Bishop is launching a new series of stories and bulletin inserts called "Mission Milestones."

The stories and bulletin inserts will highlight the accomplishments and challenges of our synod's mission development and mission redevelopment congregations, connecting you with the mission developers and their members (and potential members). Mission development and redevelopment congregations are only possible because of your Mission Support dollars donated to the Southern Ohio Synod and ELCA.

Enjoy the story below and remember to share the bulletin insert with your congregation in November. November 2011 Vida Eterna Bulletin Insert

Deaconess Carmen Colón-Brown, Mission Developer for Vida Eterna~Iglesia Luterana in Fairfield, Ohio, recently organized a Vision Screening Fair, in association with Prevent Blindness Ohio. The fair was directed to the Latino community in Fairfield who Vida Eterna is reaching out to. Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Fairfield hosted the event.

While vision screenings were at the forefront of the day’s activities, God had something else planned. Señor R, a Cuban refugee and one of Deaconess Colón-Brown’s English as a Second Language students, came to the clinic and sat nervously waiting his turn. Carmen asked him if he was alright and if he needed something. He responded, “Is this building a church?” Carmen responded “yes,” and said, “Come on…let me show you the church!”

Señor R asked, “This church is Pentecostal?” Carmen replied, “No, the church is Lutheran.” Carmen, who is a former Catholic, shared her story about why she left the Catholic Church and became Lutheran. She shared how the Lutheran Church’s “unconditional” nature healed her soul. They continued their conversation about sin and how the Lutheran Church had welcomed Carmen to the table, “even after many years of staying away.” Tears formed in Senor R’s eyes and he asked, “Am I allowed to taste the bread and wine?” Carmen asked if he had been baptized and if he were sorry for his sins. He replied, “Yes.” She responded, “You are welcome to the table of Jesus as set for you.” He then shared with her, “I keep asking the Priest if I can have communion, but he does not invite me to the table. So, I have not had communion. I think I am coming to church, this church, Vida Eterna.”

Señor R had been placed in Cincinnati by Catholic-Charities USA-Immigrant & Refugee Services Network two years prior. Until that day, he had not been able to worship or partake in communion. Vita Eterna~Iglesia Luterana is in existence and serving the growing Latino community in Butler County because of your Mission Support contributions. Your gift makes mission development congregations like Vita Eterna~Iglesia Luterana possible, opening doors to people like Señor R to be part of the Lutheran Church and Body of Christ.

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:11