Sunday May 2nd the community at Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria de Guadalupe (MacArthur Road) welcomed nine new disciples into the community of Christ through the sacrament of Holy Baptism.
9 baptisms on one Sunday would be a banner celebration in any congregation but for Santa Maria (MacArthur) it represents another step in rebuilding a vital, distinctly Lutheran, ministry in this location. 6 years ago a breakaway group, misled by those opposed to the ELCA, attempted to have the congregation leave the NT-NL Synod, ELCA.
They did not do so in accordance with their constitution.
When I was elected I made it one of my priorities to hold these leaders accountable and bring Santa Maria (MacArthur) back into the ELCA. Through our legal and ecclesial work we are accomplishing that task. In all this the faithful witness of the Santa Maria in Exile community led by Pastor Gus Vinajeras worshipping at Holy Trinity, Irving has been essential.
Over the last 4 months the Synodical Administration Team (made up of members of our Conferencia Latina, ELCA Churchwide Staff, and my staff) and particularly Pastor Moises Carrasquillo (First Sagrada Familia, Garland) have been hard at work to bring about this reconciliation and new thing. We are thankful for the people of First Sagrada who have entered into a pastoral sharing agreement with Santa Maria (MacArthur).
All of this is a great example of what we can do #InMissionTogether to proclaim the good news in our distinctly Lutheran way to those hungry to hear the good news. #NTNL