We cordially invite you to participate in the cultural liturgical Wittenberg Fest-Week, through which we are getting to know the meaning of the Protestant Reform's legacy in the ecumenical community. We are preparing ourselves for the celebration of 500 years of reform in 2017.
Thursday 13th of October 2016
1. Inclusive Mass of the Project ILCO-UNED
In the year 2005 the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica iniciated the Pastoral of Inclusion, through which social actions were developed and liturgical spaces, where groups are traditionally excluded from the experience of belief and community, celebrate integrated into the life of the church. We invite you to watch the video, Inclusive Worshihp Service. Watch video!
Friday 21st of October 2016
2. Liturgy and Meeting with the Pastoral Team in Quitirrisí
The western region of the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica had a meeting of Pastoral Teams in the sector of Guaco, where the movie "Martin Luther" was watched together due to the celebration of 499 years of the Protestant Reform. Around 25 people of different ages from the communities (Guaco and San Juan) participated in the activity. They sang cheerfull songs together and prayers were led by Pastor Julio Melara and his youth music group. To the end of the evening people were invited to a delicious dinner.
Saturday 22nd of October 2016
3. First Meeting of the Women "Artisans for Life"
The past sunday, 22nd of october, in line of the Wittenberg Fest's opening activities the first meeting of the Women "Artisans for Life" took place. This group of 45 women from the communities of Sarapiquí, Guápiles, Puriscal, San Sebastián, Carpio and Alajuelita met in the Biblical University of Latin America.
The space is used to give the artisans the opportunity of getting to know and socializing with the different methods of work in each community. Apart from that the exhibitor Sra. Claris Badilla took part as representative of INAMU, which offers motivational and organizing talks. Moreover Sra. Xinia Borbón who has been working for 21 years accompanying the group of artisans and Sra. Martha Girón who has been working for 7 years, especially in the community of La Carpio, were given a Certificate of Recognition. It was unanimously decided to have this event take place annualy with the objective of offering continuous education to women regarding other related topics. The meeting was given the name Catedra Lilia Jiménez, in honor of the woman who founded the church and preceded this concept of Artisan Women.
4. Exchange Unit UNED-ILCO, Sarapiquí
This activity was realized in line of the agreement ILCO-UNED, with the goal of coordinating conversations and the exchange of experiences with Communities of Faith from en ecumenical perspective. This first exchange had the principal topic of a short introduction into the life of Martin Luther and the ILCO's mission. The newsletter "Despertar Luterano" (The Lutheran Awakening) was distributed and served as a reference for some of the discussed topics. The meeting took place in the central offices of the State Distance University UNED in Sarapiquí, Puerto Viejo.
5. Opening of the Wittenberg Fest
The 22nd of october the opening of the Wittenberg Fest-Week took place to iniciate a series of activities in memory of 499 years of the Protestant Reform. The occasion was celebrated by a demonstration by the Group of Traditional Nicaraguan Dance, a presentation by the Musical Group Family Melara and of course with a prayer for a blessed celebration. The objective is to emphasize the universal impact of this historic event and specifically its influence in Costa Rica.
Moreover there was an exhibition of banners with historical information and illustrations of Luther's life and the Protestant Reform.
Sunday 23rd of October
6. Youth Mass in Alajuelita: Youth Ready to Move the church
In the community Brothers and Sisters of Jesus youth from Alajuelita, La Carpio, La Esperanza de Chilamate, San Pedro and San Pablo met to celebrate a youth service together and by this iniciate the activities related to the Wittenberg Fest-Week and the Protestant Reform. The mass was attended by about 30 young people who reflected the topic: Youth ready to move the Church.
“In the constant reforming of the church young people play a special and important role", said Pastor Joaquín.
“Just as Martin Luther broke the structures and rules of the catholic church of his century, sometimes young people have the obligation to break and question the sometimes rigid rules there are." The basis of the comments which Joaquín gave about the thoughts of the young people which were present were connected text of the prophet Jeremiah, who when he was young in his uncertainty was called to his mission and to whom God said the same motivational words: "Do not say that you are very young!"
7. Intercommunitary Meeting Rural, Chilamate
The communities of San Julián, El Jardín and La Esperanza met this sunday the 23rd in the community of Chilamate as part of the opening activities of the Wittenberg Fest regarding the topic "An Always Reforming Church".
After the celebration the participants shared lunch and moreover played different Cooperation Games with support of teacher Norberto and two young people from the church's project of employment. Apart from having "Fútbol Calle" (Street Soccer) with the childern and youth, they also give dance classes.
Wednesday 26th of October
8. Discussion: Laico Government and Human Rights
The Lutheran Church of Costa Rica, together with the state University long-distance UNED invited to the discussion "Laico government and human rights" with exhibitions of Lic. Larissa Arrozo and Professor Arnoldo Mora, specialists in human rights. They referred to the current situation of these topics in Costa Rica.
The ILCO considers the constitutional jurisdiction to not need to refer to God, as to say to open irrespective spaces and the use of God's name in vain. On the other side civil servants who are rightfully invested in their responsibility do not do this from their perspective of belief but their civic perspective. If the state wants the civilian rightfully present, what is done is according to the state, not religion.
The proposal is to change the "Article 75 of the constitution which means to say: Every person is free to adopt and practice a religion which respects human rights, or not to practice any religion. The state shall be neutral in the topic of religion but guarantees the exercise of this liberty according to the law."
Thursday 27th of October
9. Taizé Mass
Come sprit of love!, a meditative liturgy with various elements like: Psalms, lectures, songs and silence. "One of the primary obejctives of this meditative mass is to be a useful sign for the world. We as christians are also called to be a useful sign in the sense of practicing the truth. One must be prepared to break the chains of injustice, to be sensible of suffering and to take responsibility.
Friday 28th of October
10. International Video Conference
The recognition of Sexual Diversity is part of the Reformation Mission, a message that is based in John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Saturday 29th of October
11. Youth Party
The topic of the youth party 2016 had reference to the epoc of disco, one of the generations that is today remembered with nostalgia and happiness and which opened passage to icons of pop culture.
Domingo 30 octubre
12. Commerative Mass of the Protestant Reform
The celebration of reformation day took place in the name of an interdenominational celebration in the building of the German Evanglical Lutheran Church in Rohmoser, in which representatives from different churches took part: Baptist, Morava, Menonita, ILCO. It was opened by Pastor Mathias Westerholt and Pastor Geraldina Álvarez, who in the name of the ILCO gave a message of unity: "We are gathered here in the name of God who inspires and strengthenes us, and on the eve of 500 years of reformation that don't only call for celebration but also to reflect on spreading salt and light in a torn world which needs to be transformed, renovated and further transformed."
The music was made ny the group "Son de la Tierra" (They are from Earth), the choirs that sang are of the Moravian and German Church.
Friday 4th of November
16. Play
Topic: The Turmoil of the Swan
Venue: Central Offices
Time: 06:30 pm
Saturday 5th of November
17. Play
Topic: The Turmoil of the Swan
Venue: Central Offices
Time: 06:30 pm