Give us your feedback on this T-shirt Design. Cick on the picture for a closer look. Read words will be surrounded by white. The phrase on the back is a blend of Spanish and English on purpose! (Translation: "Welcome, you all!")
Monday, July 28, 2008
New La Vela T-Shirt Design
Give us your feedback on this T-shirt Design. Cick on the picture for a closer look. Read words will be surrounded by white. The phrase on the back is a blend of Spanish and English on purpose! (Translation: "Welcome, you all!")
Monday, June 30, 2008
What is La Vela?
La Vela (meaning candle in Spanish) is one ministry with two expressions. The first is a Spanish-language mission start with the goal of developing the first Lutheran Latino congregation in Guilford County and only the third in North Carolina. This is “La Iglesia Luterana La Vela” or “La Vela Lutheran Church.” The second expression - “La Vela Latino Center for Spiritual Care” - is an outreach ministry to Latinos which offers two main services: 1) pastoral care and spiritual growth opportunities and 2) hospitality to the immigrant Latino community through cross-cultural activities with non-Latinos.
Pastor Kristina Johnson, director and mission developer of La Vela provides pastoral care to Latinos in crisis or in need of care. She also recruits and trains volunteers to serve in a variety of supportive roles. La Vela builds community around language exchange partnerships, prayer and worship, both Lutheran and ecumenical. At the root of all we do is relationship around the promise and invitation that, in Jesus Christ, we are all one body. Our symbol is the candle, "la vela" because we seek to be a candle of hope in times that not infrequently seem dark and uninviting.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Language Partnerships Take Off
It's all about relationship. Learning the basics of a new language. Getting acquainted with people of a different culture. Sharing your own culture. At La Vela Latino Center for Spiritual Care, our mission is to build community that transcends grammar, pronunciation and stereotypes. We bring together Spanish-speaking Latinos with English-speaking non-Latinos, neither of whom is fluent in the other language, and the fun begins. Both are teacher and student. Both bring gifts and needs. Both are transformed in the giving and receiving, as author Jean Varnier notes in his book, Spiritual Journeys:
I sense that a new spirituality is being born in the church today, flowing from the wounded hearts of the weak and broken who are crying out for friendship. This friendship is also a source of healing for those who answer their cry.
The relationships we build are the vehicles to extend another form of service: spiritual accompaniment to Latino immigrants in our area. This cadre of volunteers supports chaplain and pastor Kristina Johnson and former monk, Cesar Prada, who offer pastoral care, in Spanish, to local immigrants. The volunteers also provide transportation, childcare and assistance to Latinos who attend Monday evening exchange classes and mental health support groups run by the Mental Health Association in Greensboro.
Our language partnership exchange program takes place on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at First Lutheran Church (corner of Holden and Friendly.) We also hold potluck suppers, worship opportunities, candlelight vigils, youth ministry and cultural broker trainings.
How would YOU like to be a part of La Vela? Tell us: 336-202-1627 or contact us by email (see below.)
I sense that a new spirituality is being born in the church today, flowing from the wounded hearts of the weak and broken who are crying out for friendship. This friendship is also a source of healing for those who answer their cry.
The relationships we build are the vehicles to extend another form of service: spiritual accompaniment to Latino immigrants in our area. This cadre of volunteers supports chaplain and pastor Kristina Johnson and former monk, Cesar Prada, who offer pastoral care, in Spanish, to local immigrants. The volunteers also provide transportation, childcare and assistance to Latinos who attend Monday evening exchange classes and mental health support groups run by the Mental Health Association in Greensboro.
Our language partnership exchange program takes place on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at First Lutheran Church (corner of Holden and Friendly.) We also hold potluck suppers, worship opportunities, candlelight vigils, youth ministry and cultural broker trainings.
How would YOU like to be a part of La Vela? Tell us: 336-202-1627 or contact us by email (see below.)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
La Vela's office located at Resurrection, Greensboro
La Vela holds classes, vigils, Bible Study and meetings at this ELCA congregation on the west end of Greensboro, near the airport. Pastor Kristina Johnson, Assistant Director Cesar Prada and Coordinator Andres Mosquera also use office space and do pastoral care and orientation sessions here.
Location: The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection is located at 6720 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410 (less than a mile west of Guilford College/New Garden Road intersection, just before new Bryan Blvd/I-40 Overpass, on the right.)
Location: The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection is located at 6720 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410 (less than a mile west of Guilford College/New Garden Road intersection, just before new Bryan Blvd/I-40 Overpass, on the right.)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
No Borders to Grief
Please check out the recent LA Times story Divided by Death and the Mexican Border which mirrors the experience of many, many Latino immigrants who are cut off from returning to their homeland to grieve with their families when a death occurs.
Our mission at La Vela is to provide spiritual care to people at all stages of life, including and especially around the death of loved ones. La Vela offers funerals, baptisms, special services with Holy Communion, prayer and vigil opportunities for loved ones who are far away. When the circumstance merits it, we coordinate with a person’s home church so that they receive the needed pastoral support in times of crisis.
Remember: our next training is May 31st. RSVP to lavela@earthlink.net or 336-202-1627. Thanks to the many people who signed on for the training in response to the recent article by Lorraine Ahearn in the Greensboro News & Record. (See post from 3/28, La Vela in the news…en el periódico.)
Our mission at La Vela is to provide spiritual care to people at all stages of life, including and especially around the death of loved ones. La Vela offers funerals, baptisms, special services with Holy Communion, prayer and vigil opportunities for loved ones who are far away. When the circumstance merits it, we coordinate with a person’s home church so that they receive the needed pastoral support in times of crisis.
Remember: our next training is May 31st. RSVP to lavela@earthlink.net or 336-202-1627. Thanks to the many people who signed on for the training in response to the recent article by Lorraine Ahearn in the Greensboro News & Record. (See post from 3/28, La Vela in the news…en el periódico.)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
La Vela in the news....en el periodico....
Check out the Greensboro News & Record today (Wednesday, April 2nd) on the front page of the local section (B) for a story by Lorraine Ahearn called: 'La Vela' is a candle to light a stranger's way. Thank you, Lorraine! (Incidentally, her mother is from Italy. I asked.) Lorraine captures beautifully the intent and mission of our work together. You can also see the article online: La Vela story.
Thanks to all who attended our first Cultural Broker training on Saturday, March 29th. Our next training is scheduled for Saturday, May 31st. RSVP tolavela@earthlink.net or 336-202-1627.
Needed:
Join us...for Holy Communion and prayer for La Vela (in Spanish - but the sharing of the bread and wine is a universal language!) at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on Tuesdays at 6:45 PM.
Con saludos afectuosos (with warmest greetings),
Pastora Kristina
Thanks to all who attended our first Cultural Broker training on Saturday, March 29th. Our next training is scheduled for Saturday, May 31st. RSVP to
Needed:
- Arts and Crafts supplies (and aspiring artists to work with children and teens on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM
- Someone to transport a woman to and from support group meetings on (occasionally or regularly, depending on driver's availability) Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon
Join us...for Holy Communion and prayer for La Vela (in Spanish - but the sharing of the bread and wine is a universal language!) at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on Tuesdays at 6:45 PM.
Con saludos afectuosos (with warmest greetings),
Pastora Kristina
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
La Vela in the News
La Vela was featured in an article in the Greensboro News and Record in early March, 2008. Read the on-line version here.
How You Can Help
Opportunity #1:
Attend a training on being a cultural broker ( Spanish skills NOT required!)
When: Saturday March 29th, 10AM-2PM Lunch provided
Where: First Lutheran Church on Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC
Please RSVP Kristina Johnson at 202-1627 or at lavela@earthlink.net
Opportunity #2:
Donate in-kind gifts including art supplies for children and safe toys.
Opportunity #3:
Join or start a congregational team at your church to volunteer with La Vela. Invite us to speak to your community or church.
Opportunity #4:
Sign up your email address (see box to your right) to receive updated information from this site and share La Vela and this blog with a friend, or your whole church!
Opportunity #5: Add La Vela and those who we serve to your prayers.
Attend a training on being a cultural broker ( Spanish skills NOT required!)
When: Saturday March 29th, 10AM-2PM Lunch provided
Where: First Lutheran Church on Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC
Please RSVP Kristina Johnson at 202-1627 or at lavela@earthlink.net
Opportunity #2:
Donate in-kind gifts including art supplies for children and safe toys.
Opportunity #3:
Join or start a congregational team at your church to volunteer with La Vela. Invite us to speak to your community or church.
Opportunity #4:
Sign up your email address (see box to your right) to receive updated information from this site and share La Vela and this blog with a friend, or your whole church!
Opportunity #5: Add La Vela and those who we serve to your prayers.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Updated Logo
Ok, What do you think of this one? My goal is to create a rustic /craft like logo. The rays go "outside the box" on purpose. I think this would work well on a black T-shirt- very popular these days. I can alter it any way you want so leave feedback here. -ToddFriday, February 8, 2008
Immigrant/Refugee Reception and Panel Discussion
February, 20 2008 2:00 to 3:30 pm Ferguson Building (Department of Socialogy) Room 100, UNCG
Over the course of the past two decades the Triad area has become home to a large Latino population as well as thousands of Africans and Southeast Asians.
This panel will discuss North Carolina's immigrant and refugee populations. They will address important questions about migration to the area:
- What are the mechanisms which drive immigration?
- Why has the Triad become an increasingly popular area for new migrants?
- What are the barriers that these groups have faced to become fully integrated into the local communities?
Speakers: Sara Carpenter Center for New North Carolinians < http://cnnc. uncg.edu/ ">http://cnnc.uncg.edu/>
Nafisa Sirelkhatim Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas < http://www.lfscarol inas.org/ ">http://www.lfscarolinas.org/>
Javier Garcâ– a Mâ– ndez FaithAction International House < http://faihouse. org/ ">http://faihouse.org/>
Peter Gatkouth World Relief North Carolina < http://www.wr. org/wherewework/ unitedstates/ highpoint. asp <" target=_blank>http://www.wr.org/wherewework/unitedstates/highpoint.asp>>
Over the course of the past two decades the Triad area has become home to a large Latino population as well as thousands of Africans and Southeast Asians.
This panel will discuss North Carolina's immigrant and refugee populations. They will address important questions about migration to the area:
- What are the mechanisms which drive immigration?
- Why has the Triad become an increasingly popular area for new migrants?
- What are the barriers that these groups have faced to become fully integrated into the local communities?
Speakers: Sara Carpenter Center for New North Carolinians < http://cnnc. uncg.edu/ ">http://cnnc.uncg.edu/>
Nafisa Sirelkhatim Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas < http://www.lfscarol inas.org/ ">http://www.lfscarolinas.org/>
Javier Garcâ– a Mâ– ndez FaithAction International House < http://faihouse. org/ ">http://faihouse.org/>
Peter Gatkouth World Relief North Carolina < http://www.wr. org/wherewework/ unitedstates/ highpoint. asp <" target=_blank>http://www.wr.org/wherewework/unitedstates/highpoint.asp>>
Transportation Help Needed
LaVela is asking you again for help to to take Manuel Estrada (victum of violance) to his outpatient rehabilitation center appointments on Church St. Below is the new Schedule. If you are able to help, please call Javier Garcia at 336 379 0037. Thank you!
Drivers needed for:
Tuesday February 5th from 9am to 10 am
Thursday February 7th from 9am to 11:15
Monday February 11th from 10:45 to 12:45
Wednesday February 13th from 9:15 am to 10:30
Thursday February 14th from 8:30 to 10:30
Monday February 18 from 10 am to 12:15
Wednesday February 20th from 10:30 am to 12:45 pm
Friday February 22th from 10 am to 10:45
Monday February 25 from 11 to 11:45
Drivers needed for:
Tuesday February 5th from 9am to 10 am
Thursday February 7th from 9am to 11:15
Monday February 11th from 10:45 to 12:45
Wednesday February 13th from 9:15 am to 10:30
Thursday February 14th from 8:30 to 10:30
Monday February 18 from 10 am to 12:15
Wednesday February 20th from 10:30 am to 12:45 pm
Friday February 22th from 10 am to 10:45
Monday February 25 from 11 to 11:45
First Training Now Open to Volunteers
Mark your calendars for the first official Cultural Broker training (for all people interested in volunteering with La Vela): Saturday, March 29th from 10-2, lunch included, at First Lutheran Church. Details will follow.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Pilgramage for Justice and Peace
Plan now to join the Pilgrimage for Justice & Peace during Holy Week March 16-21st. You are invited to participate at any of the cities along the walk route. More details will be available soon, including specific times and locations during which the Pilgrimage will be present in each of the focus cities along the route. If you wish to be part of the planning in any of the cities mentioned below, please be in contact with Gail Phares (contact information at end of this message). If you wish to help plan for the Burlington witness, which will take place on Wednesday of Holy Week, please contact Javier Garcia at 336-379-0037 extension 3# or email garciaja4@gmail.com.
About the Pilgrimage: For the past twenty-one years, the Pilgrimage has taken place between Palm Sunday through Good Friday with farm workers and others walking to connect Jesus suffering and death with the struggles of workers and immigrants, praying for changes in working conditions and those public policies that cause poverty. The Pilgrimage ends with an ecumenical symbolic Way of the Cross ceremony in Raleigh at the State Capital.
This year the Pilgrimage will begin on Palm Sunday in Asheville and continue on to Morganton, Hickory, Winston-Salem, Burlington and Durham and finally into Raleigh on Good Friday, March 21st for the Economic Justice Way of the Cross starting at noon at the NC State Capital.
We will walk to raise public awareness about fair trade policies, which reduce poverty, create living wage jobs and protect the environment. We will walk to demand changes in immigration policies and respect for family unity.
For more information call Gail S. Phares at CITCA (919) 856-9468 or cell 919-624-0646 or email CITCA@bellsouth.net
About the Pilgrimage: For the past twenty-one years, the Pilgrimage has taken place between Palm Sunday through Good Friday with farm workers and others walking to connect Jesus suffering and death with the struggles of workers and immigrants, praying for changes in working conditions and those public policies that cause poverty. The Pilgrimage ends with an ecumenical symbolic Way of the Cross ceremony in Raleigh at the State Capital.
This year the Pilgrimage will begin on Palm Sunday in Asheville and continue on to Morganton, Hickory, Winston-Salem, Burlington and Durham and finally into Raleigh on Good Friday, March 21st for the Economic Justice Way of the Cross starting at noon at the NC State Capital.
We will walk to raise public awareness about fair trade policies, which reduce poverty, create living wage jobs and protect the environment. We will walk to demand changes in immigration policies and respect for family unity.
For more information call Gail S. Phares at CITCA (919) 856-9468 or cell 919-624-0646 or email CITCA@bellsouth.net
Thursday, January 31, 2008
ELCA, Episcopal Presiding Bishops Urge Advocacy in Immigration Policy
January 31, 2008; 08-006-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Episcopal Church called for members of their churches "to advocate for just national policies on resettlement and migration." The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, and the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, made the comment in joint statement released Jan. 30 at a gathering here with refugees, staff and friends of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries (IRIM). The gathering was at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement. Jefferts Schori is here in advance of the Feb. 2 consecration of the new bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. The ELCA, based here, and the Episcopal Church, based in New York, are full communion partner churches. The churches are affiliated with IRIM through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service or Episcopal (More)
A poem for replacing grief and worry with hope and action
Lutheran Pastor Linda Faltin offers her poem to all:
integrity...
O God of Integrity,
how often I mouth the words
which sound correct...
express indignation at the
policies of my government,
the decisions of my church,
but DO nothing.
Frozen...
immobilized by the
overwhelming reality of
need in this world,
I DO nothing.
Oh, I pray...
you know I pray, O God,
flinging my words &
thoughts into the
universe we all
inhabit...
yet how often those
prayers are simply
wails of grief &
impatience &
childish angst...
while pen & paper lie unused...
phone calls to those in Congress
go unmade...
choices about how to spend-
money
time
attention
compassion-
lack deliberation,
avoid responsibility...
Yet here I am,
a living incarnation
of a holy spirit...
holding in my
hands & life the
power to choose...
to co-create...
to be a part of
making justice...
of saying yes to life...
Help me to say- and mean-
"Here I am- use me!"
AMEN
integrity...
O God of Integrity,
how often I mouth the words
which sound correct...
express indignation at the
policies of my government,
the decisions of my church,
but DO nothing.
Frozen...
immobilized by the
overwhelming reality of
need in this world,
I DO nothing.
Oh, I pray...
you know I pray, O God,
flinging my words &
thoughts into the
universe we all
inhabit...
yet how often those
prayers are simply
wails of grief &
impatience &
childish angst...
while pen & paper lie unused...
phone calls to those in Congress
go unmade...
choices about how to spend-
money
time
attention
compassion-
lack deliberation,
avoid responsibility...
Yet here I am,
a living incarnation
of a holy spirit...
holding in my
hands & life the
power to choose...
to co-create...
to be a part of
making justice...
of saying yes to life...
Help me to say- and mean-
"Here I am- use me!"
AMEN
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Hispanic Teenagers in Crisis
If there was any doubt in your mind as to the need of mental health outreach to the Hispanic Community then read this article in Durham Herald. Here is an excerpt:
By Monica Chen : The Herald-Sunmchen@heraldsun.comJan 30, 2008 DURHAM -- Latino high school students are twice as likely to attempt suicide as their white and black classmates, according to a recent health survey conducted by the Durham County Health Department and Durham Public Schools. In 2007, about 32 percent of Latino high school students in Durham said they had attempted suicide in the past 12 months, according to the annual Community Health Assessment report.
Go to http://www.heraldsun.com/resources/email.cfm?StoryID=920136&pageid=4
Please take time to register to read this article. It is very important news.
By Monica Chen : The Herald-Sunmchen@heraldsun.comJan 30, 2008 DURHAM -- Latino high school students are twice as likely to attempt suicide as their white and black classmates, according to a recent health survey conducted by the Durham County Health Department and Durham Public Schools. In 2007, about 32 percent of Latino high school students in Durham said they had attempted suicide in the past 12 months, according to the annual Community Health Assessment report.
Go to http://www.heraldsun.com/resources/email.cfm?StoryID=920136&pageid=4
Please take time to register to read this article. It is very important news.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Possible Logo
Here is a possible Logo design for La Vela. The image is meant to be both a candle and a door. The door was added based on Brady's comment that he imagined a door in the logo along with the candle. I tried to blend the two into one. The door may need a handle and the seam between the wall and door may need to be made more apparent for it to understood. The color can change for the website and business cards but I did black and white to show how it will reproduce on copies, fliers, etc. I made it rough to give it a hand-made look, other Latino groups like el pueblo have that same style in their logos. I started with a clean cut out of the design (created with Yareni and SHaw's help) but it seemed too corporate and uninviting to me. The lettering for "La Vela" can change as can the bi-line. Leave comments here or email me.
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