February Mission Minute

It began one evening in 2003 a candle-lit room in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia.  

A young woman named Leymah Gbowee gathered a group of 20 women and invited them to share their stories. They spoke of husbands and sons murdered, sisters and daughters raped, and children dying from hunger- the brutal results of the country’s civil war that began in 1989.

These women had mourned in silence until Leymah urged them to take action in the name of peace. Soon the group of 20 grew to thousands.

Known as the “women dressed in white,” the “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace” marched, prayed, and picketed in silence and demanded meetings with government and rebel leaders. With Leymah at the helm, their non-violent movement helped to successfully end Liberia’s 14-year civil war.

Leymah admits that she never believed her efforts would take her where she is today, including winning the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2011.  She was simply trying to secure a future for her six children.

“The one way I see us changing this world is by speaking up, standing up,” Leymah says. “It’s time to say to the evils of this world, ‘Go back to the shadows, because the good is taking in the light.’”

Since childhood, Leymah has been an active member of the Lutheran Church of Liberia, a companion church of the ELCA. She attended Lutheran schools, and her “first connection with God came from attending the Lutheran church.”

Later Leymah became president of the women’s organization at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Monrovia, and she worked as a case worker for the Lutheran Church in Liberia’s Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Program, supported by the ELCA. As a case manager, Leymah was sent to work with child soldiers, a “transforming” experience for her.

Leymah was the recipient of the ELCA International Leadership Development scholarship that supported her studies in peace building at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 2005.

“Providing opportunities for education and training are key ways in which we accompany our global companions in their efforts to expand their leadership and institutional capacities,” says Tammy Jackson, director of the ELCA churchwide program. 

Like Leymah, we have all have a story to tell. We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard!

Our ELCA, sixty-five synods participate in over 120 international companionships. These companionships extend the bilateral relationships between our churches and Lutheran church bodies in other countries. “When companions engage one another in authentic relationships, everyone's lives are changed,” says Peggy Contos Hahn, 
Assistant to the Bishop for Global Mission. Your congregation’s Mission Support dollars helped make Leymah’s story possible. Thank you!

For more information on the companion synod program, go to www.elca.org/companionsynod or click here.

Christine Donahue
Mission Interpreter Coordinator
cedonahue@gmail.com

Hay-lift, helping neighbors from state to state

When we received this letter from Charles Heller in our office, we wanted everyone to know about this wonderful project that helped many farmers in Texas during the drought this past summer. 


Charles Heller is a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Brenham, TX. Lutherans in Texas were blessed to receive hay from fellow Lutheran ranchers in Iowa. The 'Hay-lift' project was initiated in Orlando by Pastor Harold McMillin who brought it up to Churchwide Assembly. 


There were 18+ semi loads donated by 21 people in Iowa and 14 truck companies helped get the hay down to Texas, there were several carriers that made more than one delivery. 


In his letter he writes:
"When I saw the article, in the Brenham Banner Press, on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, I 'teared up' at the "Love of Christ" shown and exemplified in this wonderful project, that was facilitated by various people in the ELCA. Our dear church (ELCA) has been vilified by many, both inside and by outside of our church body, because some of its 'positions' on various social issues. This act of "helping the needy" by those "blessed with the plenty" shows that the "Love of Christ" is "alive and well", both in words and actions. 


"This kind of project is indicative of the 'old days' when neighbors helped neighbors "raise a barn" or "pull the ox out of the ditch". Our church needs to facilitate more of these kind of projects. Our country would be the richer for it."

Read the letter here..
Read the Article on The Brenhan Banner-Press

This is what really means being church together!

Zion Lutheran Galveston Gifts Property for Potential Ministry Center

In November one era ended, and another began. Zion Lutheran Church in Galveston, a Swedish congregation founded in 1892 voted to close, a casualty of Hurricane Ike in 2008. Members have been worshipping at First Lutheran Church in Galveston, Memorial Lutheran Church in Texas City, and other places.

Zion president Anthony Grizzaffi and Bishop Michael Rinehart began discussing the potential future of the facility as a ministry center on the island. A task force led by synod Vice President Evan Moilan explored the possibility. The group included Zion members, First members, community members and Lutherhill board members. The generosity and vision of Zion members led them to give the property to the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod or its designee.

With the legal help of David Hollrah, January 1, 2012, Lutherhill Ministries took ownership of the property of Zion Lutheran Church in Galveston. Lutherhill Ministries has the resources and experience to explore this exciting new opportunity. "There is some grief, but there is also great excitement that the facility will be used for ongoing ministry," said Zion president, Anthony Grizzaffi.

Lutherhill Ministries will develop a business plan for the use of the property as a ministry center. The mayor of Jamaica Beach says there are no other religious retreat centers on the island. There are not nearly enough beds on the island for those who wish to come. The study will look at feasibility, a physical plant re-development plan, and a financial plan. In the meantime, existing financial resources received from Zion will take care of maintenance, insurance, and security needs at the property.

This ministry center could become an extension of Lutherhill's ministry of quality camping and retreat experiences for all ages. The center could be a place for beach camp, adventure camp, family camp and day camp for the community, as well as a whole variety of retreats for councils, families, adults, youth and children throughout the year.

"Lutherhill is a bright light in the Gulf Coast Synod. They have the expertise to do this well," said Bishop Mike Rinehart. "Galveston is an asset here in our neck of the woods. I hope this will be a place for spiritual renewal." We are grateful for the vision and generosity of Zion Lutheran congregation and for our partnership with Lutherhill.

For more information contact the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA.