Establishing a Confessional Lutheran Congregation in Ponce Hanging
Establishing a Confessional Lutheran Congregation in Ponce
Hanging by a thread…
Finding an Establishment in Ponce… • Over the past 6 months we have looked at more than 60 different properties for the building in Ponce. • We have run into innumerable obstacles as well as incredible opportunities. • But first, we need to build up the congregation!
Establishing a Strong Lutheran Identity Each month we have a theological intensive on Lutheran Doctrine, celebrate a weekly Divine Service with the Lord’s Supper, and have regular classes about the liturgy and the basics of the Christian faith.
Establishing a Rich Bible Study Life • We implemented a plan to cover the entire Bible every 3 years, 1 year in the OT, 2 in the NT • So far we have completed; Introduction to the Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy • Daily devotions are uploaded to our new website
Establishing a Rich Worship Life • We produced new laminated liturgies with Bible references to prepare for the new hymnal • We are teaching new hymns from the hymnal, although current are in need of a music teacher/musician besides the pastor. • Each Sunday we have a 5 minute class on an element of the liturgy, vestments, etc. so that no traditions are introduced without the Biblical reasoning behind them.
Establishing Strong Congregational Fellowship • We celebrate a fellowship hour after each service to build relationships • We hold a monthly “family event”, so far we have had a barbecue in the park, a dominoes tournament, card games, a monopoly day, and we hope to have a big reformation day event at the end of this month together with Mayaguez.
Establishing Strong Fellowship with other Lutherans • We are privileged to work closely with the rest of the team in Mayaguez and were able to celebrate our first joint service with the congregation in Principe de Paz this year. At the end of the month we will have our second! • We have benefited from the visits of several teams from the United States, congregation members in Ponce have been encouraged by the knowledge that they aren’t alone!
Establishing Congregational Leadership • Wherever possible, we try to involve the lay people in the work that we are doing. • Maintenance, cleaning, handling the offerings, and making decisions on a basic level are all done by laity.
The Ponce Church Council • We established our first congregational council, and hold monthly meetings to discuss maintenance issues, congregational concerns, the offerings and the people who are the greatest need of our $50 monthly mercy offering which comes from congregational offerings.
Establishing a Congregation that can’t keep quiet about the Gospel! • At the heart of everything that we do is evangelism! All of our activities are outreach activities. • Weekly we try to make follow up visits on people that we have met as a result of activities or through the mercy projects. • Soon we hope to establish a series of evangelistic small group Bible Studies in places where we have gained a small foothold.
Outreach in the Projects • Through relationships established in the congregation we have had the opportunity to lead several events in government housing projects, namely “Juan Ponce de Leon”, “La Ceiba”, “J. Lopez Nussa” and possibilities abound for others. • Often these events allow us to take part in activities where people are already gathered, and our part is only to add God’s Word!
SALMOS Y CAF´E
Establishing a Children’s Ministry in Ponce • 2 Weeks of VBS • Recently started a weekly Sunday School • Learning the school/summer dynamic in Puerto Rico
VBS- CAMP COURAGE
VBS- PROYECTO ´EXODO
Establishing a Merciful Presence in Ponce • Every month we hold a special mercy event as a congregation. We have done hurricane preparedness workshops, helped repair homes using congregational labor and funds, and given money to individuals in acute need from the congregational offerings. • We are working to establish a clear sense that works of mercy in response to the mercy of Christ are a fundamental part of what it means to be a Lutheran church.
34 roofs in Ponce Average of head of household: 63 Median age of head of household : 64. 5
Pique Farmer- Lost 1500 Plants to Maria
Augustin
Edith
Carmen
Talleres/Workshops Mercy Events
MAY– VISUAL FAITH TALLER @ JUAN PONCE DE LEON
JUNE – DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TALLER @CARD
JULY – SOAP TALLER @CARD w/CPTLN
August – Soap Taller @LA CEIBA
AUGUST – BACKPACK PROYECTO
SEPTEMBER – FOOD PANTRY SET UP
PREPARING FOR DORIAN
Identifying Ongoing Mercy Needs • Breakdown of the Family • Elder care • Diabetes • Loneliness and depression • Lack of vocational opportunities and cash income • Poor nutrition • Overstrained caregiver professionals • Families of children with disabilities
• BEFORE MARIA > 400 - 450 DAILY CALLS • AFTER MARIA > 600 - 700 DAILY CALLS • MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2019 > 800 - 1, 000 DAILY CALLS
CLUB HOUSE MODEL 1948, The first Clubhouse, Fountain House, opens in New York
“With a new hurricane season and the second anniversary of Hurricane Maria approaching, emotions are resurfacing. Marrero says, "We know that this time of year depression, anxiety and stress symptoms get really high in people. " "We not only give them resources, but we want to hear from them, " Marrero says. "They are all survivors; they lost family members and livelihoods and property to Maria. " The volunteers in this class say they don't know when or if another hurricane will hit the island. But they believe they are more resilient now, with the mental strength they'll need to recover from another disaster. Chevere became a volunteer after Maria. Despite her own problems, she takes care of a 93 -year-old man. "I check on him, I make him coffee, I clip his nails, " says Chevere. "I wash his clothes. I do everything you'd do for someone who's your father. " "This job got me out of my funk, " she says. "When I wake up in the morning, I have hope because of 'my viejito' this elderly man I take care of, " she says. "If he's standing up, I can stand up. ” “ --www. npr. org
400. 600 cases of diabetes in Puerto Rico in 2017. Total adult population : 2, 596, 000 Prevalence of diabetes in adults : 15. 4% Total cases of diabetes in adults : 400, 600 - International Diabetes Federation
The Property we are buying on Calle Salud!
Vocational Neighborhood Context lic ity t o th ers den a C niv tu U d S ing an ous Cat Rehab H Pre Choenlitce sch r ool Public Hospital Training School Me Comdical plex Ponce’s Top Private School Ponce’s Largest Elementary School Elderly Apts. Fre Gar e Park age ing Apt. Blocks Private Episcopal School Large Apartment Blocks Elderly Assistance Apts. School for Kids with Disabilities Voc Sch ationa ool l Tr ai nin g
Our Vision for the future of ministry in Ponce: A community of faith, located on Calle Salud in Ponce, that centers around the Gospel by Word and Sacrament ministry and serves the whole person through a natural, family
Some unique aspects of Ponce we hope to connect with: • Ponce is known for being a city of the arts, we want artistic expression to be an important aspect of our ministry. • Ponce is proudly “traditional”, our historic building should be seen favorably, as well as our grounded ancient liturgy. • Ponce is a city with a rich musical tradition, we want music to be part of our identity as well. • Ponce is an intellectual city, so a good library and classroom space will be well respected.
Our new logo! Symbolic Elements: Lion: Ponce is usually represented by a Lion, also the Lion and Lamb motif of the throne in Revelation. Strength and Security, the Good Shepherd etc. Jar: References the Woman at the Well in John 6, connecting to the congregational name and purpose. Visitors are encouraged to set down their water jar, the concerns of their ordinary life, to receive instead the water of life.
Parking Lot spaces for about 40 vehicles
View From the strong visibility and Street signage
Fountain Court a social gathering area at both entrances RELATIONAL WELL-BEING EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
CARD House campus orients on a Entrance central promenade RELATIONAL WELL-BEING
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