¡Hola! As the coordinator of our companion relationship with IELCO, Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Colombia (the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia), it was my joy to attend the National Gathering of the Women of IELCO (Encuentro Nacional de Mujeres IELCO) in Santa Marta, Colombia, August 16-19, 2024. Bishop Ginny Aebischer, Pastor Ginger Litman Koon and I, along with some 150 women from many of the 21 congregations of IELCO, traveled to this charming coastal town to worship, learn, sing, and celebrate together as sisters in Christ.
The theme of the gathering was “Bendito Cuerpo,” or “Blessed Body,” and together we explored the gift that is the human body—the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our personhood as women. In spite of the language difference (I am not fluent in Spanish), I learned so much from my sisters in Colombia. We shared as fellow disciples of Jesus Christ, and we all felt the power of the Holy Spirit in our worship and our conversations.
In many ways, this gathering is what our companion relationships are all about. Whether we travel to visit our companion synods (and we have a companion relationship with Japan and the Southwest Diocese of Tanzania as well as with IELCO) or our companions come to visit us, these relationships are ones in which we accompany one another and share as equal partners in the gospel.
In the weeks and months to come, I’ll be sharing more about our relationship with IELCO and about our siblings in Christ in Colombia who share our love of Jesus.
Bendiciones (blessings),
Pastor Lisa Isenhower
See More Photos – https://scsynod.smugmug.com/2024-Events/Colombia-Walking-Together
