El Salvador
The Subversive Cross - A Symbol of Hope
The cross which they took captive is a special symbol for the Lutheran people of El Salvador. It is a tribute to God, since one good day, as a special offering to the Lord, a congregation wrote the sins committed against the people upon a plain, white cross. As they identified the sins of their country and their people, they committed themselves to work toward forgiveness and to be strengthened for liberation. The cross carries a message of hope and love, as a testimony to the transforming power of God. The full story can be read at
http://www.makedisciples.com/elsalvador/lutheran/cross/story.html
Pastoral Support Endowment Fund
Many Salvadoran congregations are in the midst of the poorest communities in El Salvador-communities where the need for ministry is great. These congregations are not self-sustaining, which means that the offerings given by members of these congregations are not enough to pay the ordained and lay pastors who serve. A Pastoral Support Endowment Fund was created through the cooperative efforts of Bishop Medaro Gomez from the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and the Greater Milwaukee Synod's El Salvador Committee. The fund was adopted as an approved ministry of the ELCA by Bishop Mark Hanson in 2004. The purpose of the fund is to create a sustainable source of income for the pastors of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church in the form of the interest generated by the fund.
Atonement has a sister parish relationship with Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church in Tepeagua , El Salvador. They are members of The Lutheran Church of El Salvador. The purpose of this relationship is to be supportive of each other in ministry and to provoke greater awareness and learning about ministry opportunities and challenges in both El Salvador and Southeastern Wisconsin . Members of both congregations have made visits back and forth. Atonement provides scholarship money so that students in El Salvador can attend school. Opportunities abound for expanding this relationship in the future.
El Salvador Travel Opportunity!
GMS Summer Delegation Trip - August 5-12, 2010
Relationship Building in El Salvador
- Meet the people and ministries of our Companion Synod and the Salvadoran Lutheran Church
- Get to know the community, Rutillio Grande
- Encounter life, history and culture at important sites in San Salvador and in the countryside
Team Leaders: Tim and Linda Muth
Estimated cost is $1400 (includes airfare and in-country expenses)
Number of participants: 15
If anyone is interested, please contact Tim and Linda at info@partnerswithelsalvador.org.
There will be a committment to meet with the team a few times before the trip for planning. If anyone has concerns or questions about traveling to El Salvador, please contact Renee’ Stadtler or Ron and Judy Strampe.
This is a wonderful opportunity with excellent leaders!
El Salvador Updates
We are sponsoring 38 students this year. The school year starts in January and ends in November. The $200.00 scholarship supplies a uniform, shoes, books, backpack and essentials through out the year. Many thanks to everyone who sponsored a child and is making a difference for their future. Please check the new "Partnership" board in fellowship hall for a sponsor list and letters from Tepeagua. If you are not sponsoring a student, please consider it. Without our help, many children in Tepeagua would not be able to go to school. Education is their future and you can make a difference. For further information and updates on El Salvador, please visit the following sites:
- http://www.partnerswithelsalvador.org
- Tim's El Salvador blog: http://luterano.blogspot.com/
