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It is hard to express in words what Faith and Brotherhood relationships do for the communities of the Costa Rican Lutheran Church, but in this article we want to express our gratitude for their caring and solidarity.
Nombre de autor: Comunicación y Relaciones
 
And old Icelandic Saying reminds us about fellowship: “the man or woman alone is but half, and with another he or she is the whole.”

In the Gospel according to Mathew 22:39, Jesus says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” and his words are embodied in the contribution that U.S. delegations bring to the communities of faith and people in exclusion. Many delegations have been visiting the different communities of faith where the ILCO has a presence, lending a helping hand to build and restore many of the churches around Costa Rica.

The General Assembly of the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica met in June to elect a new board of directors.

At 9:30 a.m. on June 6, 2009, the assembly began with registration of the delegates and invited guests. ILCO Bishop Melvin Jimenez gave the welcome message, while the opening devotion was lead by Pastor Gilberto Quesada based on Nehemiah 5:1-15, emphasizing verse 11: “Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them – the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil.” This passage helps explain why the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica has been an active member of the process to create “10 Measures to Confront the Crisis with Social and Productive Inclusion” – a document created by various social organizations to provide concrete ways to mitigate the economic crisis while protecting the most vulnerable.

Improved rain forest trails, a chapel, new game room and increased capacity are among the latest additions at the Manu Center for Recreation and Training, part of a $92,000 offering from ILCO's companion synod in Southwestern Texas.

Manu Center was created in 1995 by three institutions: the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO), the Educational Cooperative for Costa Rican Development (CEDECO), and Ecumenical Services for Christian Development in Central America (SEFCA). The 12-hectare center boasts primary rain forest and is used for youth camps, workshops and training activities for a variety of nonprofits and ecumenical organizations. It also offers a recreational and reflective space for local and international visitors.

Under a blazing sun on May 24, the Bethany congregation in Carit de Puriscal – a church that is literally without walls, reflecting the motto of the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica – opened its “doors” to more than 100 people, who arrived from the Puriscal area, San José and across the country to celebrate the congregation's fourth anniversary.