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.

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.)

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.)

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.)

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 to lavela@earthlink.net or 336-202-1627.

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

Amazing Sculpture Speaks Volumes

Check out this amazing sculptural installation along the border. -Todd Drake, Artist

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.