Title: Paiva Re-Elected President of ELCA Latino Association
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 22, 2001

PAIVA RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF ELCA LATINO ASSOCIATION
01-130-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Carlos E. Paiva, Iglesia Luterana
Angelica, Los Angeles, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as
president of Asociacion Luterana de Ministerios Latinos (Lutheran
Association of Latino Ministries) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA).  He was elected by voting members of the association's
2001 general assembly held May 4-6 at the University of St. Mary's on
the Lake, Mundelein, Ill.
     The theme for the assembly was "United in Christ in the 21st
Century."  The assembly featured business sessions, worship and Bible
study.  About 80 Spanish-speaking Lutherans attended the assembly.
     "If we continue to remain united in Christ at this time, we will
live up to our [ambition] of being a strong, faithful and prophetic
community," Paiva told the assembly.
     "It is an honor and a blessing to continue serving as president of
our church's association," Paiva said.  With the help of lay leaders and
clergy, members of the association have succeeded in establishing a
national presence for the association.  And, with the help and support
of leaders in the divisions and commissions of the churchwide office, we
have strengthened our communication [efforts] and made the work of the
association more effective, he said.
     The Rev. Lydia Villanueva, Iglesia Luterana Esperanza de Santa
Maria (St. Mary's Hope Lutheran Church), Chicago, was re-elected vice
president of the association; the Rev. Felipe Lozada, Iglesia Luterana
San Juan Apostol, Toa Bajo, Puerto Rico, was elected secretary; and
Mariana Mendez, First Lutheran Church, San Diego, was re-elected
treasurer.
     The assembly adopted a resolution that calls for an end to the
live ammunition training and bombing practices of the U.S. Navy on
Vieques, an island eight miles east of Puerto Rico.  The Rev. Francisco
L. Sosa, bishop of the ELCA Caribbean Synod, Dorado, Puerto Rico,
presented the resolution to the assembly.
     "It is time for our brothers and sisters on Vieques to enjoy
peace," Sosa told members of the association.
     "In 1941, the U.S. Navy took over 26,000 [acres of land] out of
the total 33,000 to establish a military base called Camp Garcia on
Vieques.  As a result of the military's bombing practices, the economic
development on Vieques has been poor and the population of Vieques has
had a 27 percent higher incidence of cancer than the population of
Puerto Rico," he said.
     The resolution also calls for the U.S. Navy to clean up the land
and make it free of hazardous contaminants released during the
bombardment.
     In other business, members of the association received a progress
report on the development of the Rev. Carlos A. Benito Scholarship Fund
set up by members of the association.  Benito, born in Buenos Aires in
1932, was a theologian and professor at Facultad Evangelica de Teologia
de Buenos Aires, Argentina (Evangelical University of Theology in Buenos
Aires), and at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Benito
served as pastor of four ELCA congregations -- Christus, La Epifania, La
Gracia and La Trinidad -- in Camden, N.J., and was president of the
National Caucus of Hispanics in the former Lutheran Church in America.
Benito died in 1983.
     Funds are awarded to Spanish-speaking high school, college and
seminary students active in the work of the association.  Students
seeking scholarship funds are required to write an essay about their
involvement in social service activities, personal accomplishments and
background, and financial needs.
     Eight students at the assembly received $100 each from the fund to
support their education endeavors.
     To help fund the scholarships, the assembly called together a fund
raising committee.  It transferred $1,000 from the association's budget
to the fund.
     In a separate resolution, the assembly established a "committee of
young people" for the association.  Members of the committee -- 15 to 20
years of age -- will have "voice and voting power" during assemblies.
Two members of the committee will serve on the association's executive
committee.
     The Rev. Maria Valenzuela, director for Hispanic ministries and
leadership development, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries,
presented to the assembly the ELCA Latino Ministry Strategy adopted by
the ELCA Church Council last month.  The strategy is scheduled for
consideration by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly this summer.
     The Latino ministry plan is designed to guide the ministries of
the church.  Specific areas of the strategy include insight on the
identity of Lutheran Latinos, resource development, mission
congregations, leadership development and social ministry.
     "Latino membership in the ELCA is increasing faster than any other
group.  Every year, membership increases," said Valenzuela.  Between
1990 and 1999 membership increased by 11,962 to a total of 35,245, she
said.
     Josefina Nieves-Lebron, Iglesia Luterana San Pablo, Bayamon,
Puerto Rico; Maria Avila de Jesus, Milwaukee; and the Rev. Robert
Navarro, Park Place Lutheran Church, Houston, were recognized as
"pioneers within the Latino church community," said Valenzuela.
     "Each received a plaque in recognition for their work and support
of the association," said Valenzuela.

For information contact:
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