May 22 - June 4, 2012 The Synod of Alberta and the Territories will be hosting visitors from Colombia.
They will be attending the Synod of Alberta and the Territories convention in Camrose May 24-27. After that they will be touring the synod and giving presentations in various locations.
Hear the stories of God at Work in Colombia
From our guests:
Bishop Eduardo Martinez (The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia)
Yamile Varon (Lutheran Women of Colombia)
Zulma Ojeda (Principal – Lutheran School in Sogamoso)
Synod Convention, Camrose - May 24-27
May 28, Monday - 7-8:30pm - Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Red Deer
May 29, Tuesday - 7-8:30pm - Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Calgary
May 30, Wednesday - 7-8:30pm - Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Lethbridge
June 1, Friday - 7-8:30pm - Grace Lutheran Church, Hinton
June 2, Saturday - 7-8:30pm - Ascension Lutheran Church, Edmonton
June 3, Sunday - 10am - Ascension Lutheran Church, Edmonton – Bishop Eduardo will be preaching
For More Information Contact: Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Assistant to the Bishop
1.866.430.2636 or lkochendorfer@elcic.ca
See our guests biographies - PDF
Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia - A Companion Synod
The Synod of Alberta and the Territories and (La) "Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia" (The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia), also known as "IELCO", are participants in a Companion Synod relationship as outlined in the "Statement of Covenant" that was signed June 13th, 2003 by Bishop Steve Kristenson and Bishop Parada. The Covenant has since been renewed by both parties and will be reviewed again in 2012.
This Covenant relationship is a natural extension of the traditional, long-standing connection that was originally established when Albertans such as Joyce Bergh, the Ostem family and the Morck family pioneered mission outreach in Colombia beginning in the 1930's and 1940's. Joyce Bergh spent 22 years of her life in Colombia and is still remembered fondly by some of her former students who are now leaders in the Lutheran Church in Colombia.
Companion Synod Covenant
Click here to see the Statement of Covenant between The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia and The Synod of Alberta and the Territories of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
Strengthening our Companion Synod Relationship
In 2005, thirteen members of the ABT Synod (including Bishop Stephen Kristenson), travelled to Colombia to do renovation work on a school residence; deliver donated fire-fighting equipment and children's shoes; visit a displaced persons camp; and to interact with many Colombian Lutherans - delivering a message of hope and also learning about our companions and bringing that knowledge home to share.
Pictures of the 2005 Colombia journey can be viewed at http://www.albertasynod.ca/gallery2/
To read Bishop Stephen Kristenson's report click here: pdf
In 2009, fifteen members of Ascension Lutheran in Edmonton spent two weeks in Colombia building and strengthening the relationship as well. Ascension has independently supported the student residences in Paz de Ariporo, Casanare that were renovated in 2005. To read a brief report of this "Journey to Colombia 2009" and to view several pictures click here.
In 2010, Larry Kochendorfer, Assistant to the Bishop, and his wife, Cathy, journeyed to Colombia to participate at IELCO's invitation in "IELCO: Mission, Vision and Strategies for Building the Future." The purpose of this roundtable was for IELCO to present their Plan Misional to all of their compansions and partners, to lay out their priorities and to receive feedback from all as to how each sees their church, synod or organization accompanying IELCO in the future. To read a brief report from the Consultation and to view several pictures click here.
In 2011, twenty five youth and adults from Ascension Lutheran in Edmonton spent fifteen days in Colombia building and strengthening relationships in Bogota, Villavicencio, Paz de Ariporo and Sogamoso. They are available to share their experience with congregations and at other church events. Click here to read a report from Ascension Lutheran.
Individuals and groups (most of whom were members of these mission events) continue to strengthen our relationship with IELCO by various means including:
- Promoting awareness of our companions in Colombia through congregational visits, letters, brochures, posters, displays, workshops, prayer requests, and presentations to specific groups within the ABT Synod family.
- Encouraging congregations to pursue a companion relationship with a “sister” congregation in Colombia and assisting them in the process once the commitment is made.
- Assisting in regular contact with the Bishop’s office in Colombia by way of language translations, suggestions, and ideas.
- Promoting Synod-endorsed fundraising to help support the Lutheran school in Sogamoso, Colombia that was co-founded by Joyce Bergh in 1956. Donations can be made to the "Joyce Bergh Memorial Fund" care of the Synod Office.
For more information please contact:
Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Assistant to the Bishop, (Synod Office)
Remember in Prayer
Please keep our Companion synod - The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia (IELCO), its ministries and our Companion Synod relationship in your prayers.