Iglesia Luterana Costarricense

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General Assembly of the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica addresses sustainability in midst of crisis

english25The General Assembly of the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica met in June to elect a new board of directors.

At 9:30 a.m. on June 6, 2009, the assembly began with registration of the delegates and invited guests. ILCO Bishop Melvin Jimenez gave the welcome message, while the opening devotion was lead by Pastor Gilberto Quesada based on Nehemiah 5:1-15, emphasizing verse 11: “Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them – the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil.” This passage helps explain why the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica has been an active member of the process to create “10 Measures to Confront the Crisis with Social and Productive Inclusion” – a document created by various social organizations to provide concrete ways to mitigate the economic crisis while protecting the most vulnerable.

english25The General Assembly of the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica met in June to elect a new board of directors.
 
At 9:30 a.m. on June 6, 2009, the assembly began with registration of the delegates and invited guests. ILCO Bishop Melvin Jimenez gave the welcome message, while the opening devotion was lead by Pastor Gilberto Quesada based on Nehemiah 5:1-15, emphasizing verse 11: “Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them – the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil.” This passage helps explain why the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica has been an active member of the process to create “10 Measures to Confront the Crisis with Social and Productive Inclusion” – a document created by various social organizations to provide concrete ways to mitigate the economic crisis while protecting the most vulnerable.

The assembly included discussion of the church's finances and how the economic crisis has not only affected Costa Rica but also ILCO. Financial resources are fewer than in years past. Moreover, many social ministry commitments are facing limited personnel and resources due to contracts that were not renewed.

english26Bishop Jimenez gave his report on ILCO's advances this year in terms of programs and finances under the strategic framework set forth for 2008-2014, including the plan for next year titled “Proposals for the Sustainability of the ILCO: In the Midst and Beyond the Global Crisis.”

In the face of this crisis situation, Bishop Jimenez praised the efforts made by communities and leaders to maintain themselves this year thanks to the will and spirit with which the administrative, technical and pastoral staff work.

Lay board of directors
In the afternoon the Board of Directors for the next three years was elected, including:
President: Bishop Melvin Jimenez Marin
Vice-president: Pastor Gilberto Quesada Mora
Secretary: Pastora Morales (youth, laywoman, immigrant of La Carpio)
Treasurer: Juan Carlos Zuñiga (layman, San Sebastian)
Spokesperson: Esmeralda Perez (laywoman, youth, indigenous sector, Quitirrisi)
Coordinator: Oscar Varela (layman, San Sebastian)


Bishop Jimenez explained that this Board of Directors is very different from boards in the past, which were made up of various staff members. But today, the church has grown and boasts great gifts among its members. This lay board of directors reflects this. “It's a crucial step in the life of our church, where more and more the communities and laypeople are taking on the leadership of the church, being faithful to the Lutheran tradition of a universal priesthood of all believers and the predominant roll of laypeople in the communities of faith to continue serving the most needy.”

At the assembly's close, Pastor Justo Espinoza asked God to illuminate the path of those who will guide our church until 2011.

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