Today we received exceptionally welcome news from our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone. The Jubilee Center, which was never fully finished and had suffered significant damage in the floods in Sierra Leone in early 2021, has been repaired to the place of being able to host worship again.
The community gathered on Advent 4, December 19, 2021 with Bishop Momoh present to give thanks to God for the hard work of those in the community and for you, the people of NT-NL Synod, ELCA,. In the midst of experiencing our own disaster last February NT-NL communities gave generously to support a disaster fund as well as special funds for the #ELCSL.
To ensure we are good stewards of the gifts given to the DiscipleLife Alive campaign earlier this decade and the work towards the Jubilee Center we could not let it simply fall apart. So in 2021 we as synod gave $20,000 to ensure Bishop Momoh and the community had the resources they needed to ensure the facility was safe and habitable. The reality is the building was not completed through the initial campaign and Bishop Momoh and I are in communication about what the best course of action is for the church regarding this property. But for today we give thanks that NT-NL responded, the people of ELSCL have worked tirelessly, to ensure the building did not fall into ruin.
As we look forward to 2022 Bishop Momoh and I have both committed ourselves to the work of stewarding assets like buildings but focusing on building up people. Training and developing leaders. On January 8th at 1pm we will celebrate the graduation of students from our NT-NL Parish Lay Ministry Academy and the first graduates of the Secondary School of Latinx Theological Education. Key initiatives in our synod to develop and build up our people resources. You are welcome to join us at Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria in Irving for the worship celebration. #NTNL #ELCSL #InMissionTogether