New England Synod

In case you were not aware, the ELCA Disaster Relief Fund is a great way your congregation can help victims of the Floods in Iowa and the surrounding region.

Bishop Lloyd Allen of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, was the guest speaker at a sold out Breakfast this morning. He described much of the work of this companion diocese of the New England Synod. Since Bishop Allen was installed in 2001, the Diocese has grown from 87 congregations to 151, making the Diocese the fastest growing among the Anglican community in the Western Hemisphere. Bishop Allen invited New England Lutherans to partner with Hondurans, not in what he described as a Santa Claus approach to Mission, but in a partnership that is designed to create an empowered Honduran church.

The fist native born Honduran Episcopal Bishop gave a number of examples of empowered ministry including work for HIV positive persons, a women's run quilting embroidery shop, along with the construction of a new church building as examples where North Americans and Hondurans have partnered in mission.

Later, this afternoon, representatives from the Lutheran Church in Honduras will be keynote speakers.

Below are some photo highlights from today's Synod Assembly

We'll be blogging from the New England Synod Assembly on Thursday and Friday June 5 & 6. So feel free to check back often for posts and photos.

Consistently, over time, some of the best articles on Issues of Faith, can be found on the Washington Post.com On Faith.  This weeks article gives perspective on being Muslim in America.  Check it out here."