November 16, 2004

CHICAGO - Carlos Pena, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and chair of the ELCA Church Council, told the council about a one-week tour of Israel and the West Bank that he took in September. The ELCA Division for Global Mission organized the visit to focus "on people living in severe need and the primary factors that cause those needs."

The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The council met here Nov. 11-15. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14, 2005, in Orlando, Fla.

"I ask you to continue to hold our Palestinian brothers and sisters in your prayers as they endure this difficult time," Pena told the council. He was referring to the mourning and political change following the Nov. 11 death of Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority.

In his written report to the council, Pena, Galveston, Texas, described the trip he took with a dozen other people, including Earl L. Mummert, council member, Harrisburg, Pa.

"I have to admit I went with some preconceived ideas about what I thought was occurring in that part of the world," Pena wrote. "Was I wrong."

"There are a few words that best describe my emotions during the time I spent in Palestine. I was outraged, saddened, overwhelmed, proud and hopeful. It was such a range of emotions that it took me a while to sort them out," Pena said.

"The media really don't do a fair enough job of reporting the conditions" in the Occupied Territories, he said. "I came to the conclusion that the news we receive has been filtered and presents only one side of the issues."

"Not only must (the Palestinians) endure physical barriers, such as the separation wall that divides families from other family members, schools, health care and their farmland, but also mental barriers such as discrimination," Pena said. "They live among blown out and destroyed rubble that serves as a constant reminder of a government's power over them - a government in which they have little or no say."

"While it seems almost impossible to think of a peaceful and just solution ever occurring in that part of the world, we must remember it is a matter of justice and human rights for all of God's people, and with God, nothing is impossible," Pena said.

"I was incredibly proud to be a Lutheran and to see and hear firsthand the ministry of our counterparts in that area," he said. In Jerusalem "our delegation visited Augusta Victoria Hospital and witnessed the healing ministry provided there through the Lutheran World Federation. We worshiped at churches in the area, such as the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. We watched children and young adults being taught in Lutheran schools, such as the Lutheran Church of Hope School in Ramallah," Pena said.

"I was hopeful that we can continue to focus on our mission and not be swayed or bogged down by issues that are not at the core of our ministry. If we are to step forward as a public church, then we must move toward a just solution that treats all of God's children in a fair and just manner. With God, there is always hope," he said.

Pena wrote that, when he became involved in the ELCA's work in east Texas, "I got my first real glimpse of the church beyond my congregation. I thought that was pretty eye-opening and felt a connection to a broader group."

"When I became involved with the churchwide organization, I was in awe of the connectedness of Lutherans across the country," he said.

"Again God is opening my eyes and making me see the possibilities of the work of the Lutheran church in another, even broader, sense. The chance to witness the work of the global church is such a humbling thought to me. I was beyond grateful for this opportunity," Pena said.

ELCA News Service