Neighbor to Neighbor: Together in Ministry
Vecino a Vecino: Juntos en Ministerio
A new ministry of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, where we join together to boldly practice the gospel as we cultivate meaningful relationships between the Anglo ELCA congregations with the Latino American community in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin.
We strive to form a beloved community that is inclusive and diverse, a space to know your neighbor, share the hope of the gospel with the community and a platform for church to start the journey to explore social and racial justice in our context and communities.
We strive to form a beloved community that is inclusive and diverse, a space to know your neighbor, share the hope of the gospel with the community and a platform for church to start the journey to explore social and racial justice in our context and communities.
When the ELCA was formed in 1988, it was with the intention that our church would be a diverse body, inclusive and authentically reflecting the world around us. However, despite our efforts, we are a predominantly white, middle class church of European descent. On August 9th, 2019 in Milwaukee, WI the Churchwide Assembly adopted a document entitled “How Strategic and Authentic is Our Diversity: A Call for Confession, Reflection and Healing Action." This document names the call the entire ELCA has felt to engage opportunities more fully to deepen our work, our journey and our joy as our church moves toward authentic diversity. We at the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin faithfully join the whole church in recognizing the need for our synod, our leaders and our congregations to engage in action and opportunities to reflect on our diversity, to educate ourselves on our diversity and to start some healing action. We know with more voices and input from differing backgrounds and walks of life, our synod becomes stronger, more authentic and more clearly reflects the body of Christ. We must work harder and with more intention to raise the level of diversity in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin.
Deacon Lidixe Montoya
Mission Developer, Neighbor to Neighbor
I am Lidixe Montoya, from El Salvador, Central America. I am a physician and worked 8 years as a rural medical doctor for the public health department.
I came to the U.S. with my (then) 5 years old son and got a degree in Human Resources Management with emphasis in Public Health from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire and a Master degree in Leadership and Innovation for Ministry from Luther Seminary in ST Paul, Minnessota.
Now, I am an ELCA Mission Developer and started the Neighbor to Neighbor: Together in Ministry that is aimed to create bridges between Anglo Lutheran congregations and the Hispanic community in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area. This ministry has also a big component of anti-racism and social justice and is envisioned as a permanent mission for Lutheran Churches.
Neighbor to Neighbor: Together in Ministry/ Vecino a Vecino: Juntos en Ministerio will strive to help congregations reimagine what their role, voice and identity in their community is. We will strive to explore social and racial justice issues in our synod and connect with neighbors. We will explore worshipping together and commit to learning about our neighbors. This ministry has emerged as a re-imagined approach to living and sharing our faith in a rapidly changing society. In addition to the work connecting our congregations to their Latino community, Neighbor to Neighbor: Together in Ministry/ Vecino a Vecino: Juntos en Ministerio will also provide racial justice training and opportunities for community outreach and partnership.
Love Your Neighbor
A Capital Campaign for Neighbor to Neighbor Ministry
Neighbor to Neighbor Ministry has been faithfully connecting our congregations to the Hispanic communities in NW Wisconsin for 5 years! Through education, resources, health fairs, anti-racism work, workshops, and networking, this ministry continues to show us how to live out the gospel and love our neighbors.
To celebrate this milestone, and ensure its sustainability in the synod, we have established a campaign for Neighbor to Neighbor with a goal of raising $175,000 over the next three years. Together we can prayerfully and financially support this important work and create opportunities for continued learning, growth, and change.
English Language Resources
Spanish Language Resources
