Fall 2022 | Connecting National and Local Secretariats

Official Publication of the National Lutheran Secretariat | Via de Cristo
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A Word from the
NLS President

I’ve Missed You


At a renewal weekend I just attended, one of the other participants shared a revealing story. After missing church for over two years due to COVID concerns, she finally felt safe enough to return one Sunday. On her first visit, another church member walked across the sanctuary, gave her a hug and said, “I’ve missed you.” 


Psychologists will tell you that one of our deepest needs as a person is to feel needed. Does anyone care about us? Do we make a difference? This woman’s hug sent a clear message to my friend – she mattered and she was missed.


I’ve heard from many Via de Cristo communities that they are finding it challenging to regain their momentum after off-and-on restrictions due to the pandemic. Some formerly active people haven’t shown back up; they’ve gotten out of the routine of participating in VdC (and often in going to church) and haven’t felt the motivation to start back up. But what might happen if they knew they were missed? What if one of us said, “I’ve missed you”? I don’t mean a group message saying, “We’ve missed you.” I mean a personal contact with someone they know who says, “I’ve missed you.” Too often, we think no one else actually cares or noticed – but what a joy when we discover someone was looking for us all along!


The wonderful part is, this is the story of the Gospel. On Christmas morning, God told the world, “I miss you.” On Good Friday, He showed us just how much He missed us and the lengths He was willing to go to restore that relationship. He took the initiative, because we never would have.


Who is it in your Via de Cristo family that you are missing? Give them a call – do it today! Tell them, “I’ve missed you.” This isn’t to recruit them for team or to tell them about the next ultreya. Just let the know they matter, personally, to you. It may be just the message they need to hear, a message from God, that He misses them too. And that the Body of Christ is the poorer if they are absent. God can use each of us to draw us all closer to Him. May He bless you as you seek to be a blessing to others.


In peace,

John Aclin

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A Word from the
Executive Director

Evolution is important in all phases of life…including Via de Cristo


Brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray that His blessings are abundant in your life and this update finds you well.  


We just had our Mid-Year Executive Council meeting in Indianapolis this past weekend.  It was full of outstanding discussion with regards to where we are headed over the next few years, and our goals for that period.  We are at what I believe is a critical juncture in our ministry where it might behoove us to think deeper about what our success metrics are.   Much of how we gauge our success generally pertain to the number of pilgrims / candidates that come on a weekend.   Then the focus turns to getting them into a reunion group.


As we talked more and more over the weekend, I started thinking about companies like Kodak, BlockBuster, Toys ‘R Us, and Woolworths.  These companies that were once icons, the best in their markets, are no longer in existence.  Why?  Because they were not able/willing to adapt to changing environments.   As we celebrate our 50th year…I am asking myself if we need to adapt to our current environment to stay relevant (I don’t have the answer by the way, just asking the question 😉).  Just throwing some things out as an example:


  1. Is # of weekends and pilgrim/candidate counts what we need to be tracking?  If our goal is truly living a life of Piety, Study, and Action in community with other Christians…is that only achieved through a weekend?   Should we be measuring something else to gauge success, health of communities.
  2. Does someone have to go through a weekend to join a reunion group?  Could a reunion group be the way to make a friend, be a friend, then invite them to the weekend later?
  3. How can we at National help provide opportunities for reunion virtually?  I am in a virtual reunion group and I love it.  Perhaps we can link people across the country to help find a reunion group for people who want one.
  4. Could sponsored bible studies and other activities acquaint people with Via de Cristo, and start them down a path that they live a life of piety, study, and action…and potentially attend a weekend down the road?

As we know, our Lord does not change…He is the one thing that is constant through time.  However, our environments have changed dramatically over the past 50 years, so has the potential pilgrims/candidates and sponsors.  We have a very time-honored tradition and process to get people to a weekend and into a reunion group that we should celebrate.  Not suggesting to abandon it, but rather build around it reach more leaders and bring more people to a life of piety, study, and action in Christ.


As we move through the next several months, I am going to explore this with the EC, and would love to hear from you on your thoughts and ideas.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at executivedir@viadecristo.org


I pray the peace of the Lord be with you all


Brian Schwarz

Executive Director, NLS Via de Cristo

Bylaw Amendment Update


We continue to make progress on amending the VdC bylaws. A committee, chaired by Rhonda Balsley, has developed new quorum guidelines that are clearer and should make it easier for us to form a representative quorum to conduct necessary business. We will host a town hall discussion on 1 October at 1 PM to discuss the proposed amendments and receive feedback. You can attend the town hall using this zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82741875533?pwd=M0E0R0F0NXUrMVpMWHh6NHZ2SzNQQT09 All are welcome.


There will be a follow-up town hall on 5 November at 2:30 PM to review the bylaws incorporating any changes resulting from the first (October) town hall. On 3 December at 1 PM, we will have a special meeting of appointed delegates to vote upon the bylaw amendments. If you are interested in being a delegate at the December meeting, you are strongly encouraged to attend the town halls to get familiar with the amendments.

Palanca needed!


We all know how impactful palanca can be on a Via de Cristo weekend. Whether the prayer chain, letters, or small tokens, these can be powerful reminders of God’s abundant and overflowing grace. There’s a special moment in the Habitual Grace talk where we share how there is a larger community praying for everyone on that weekend, reflected in palanca letters sent from across the country and around the world. 


Unfortunately, a few years ago the website that most of us used, 3dayol.org, stopped functioning and we are still seeking ways to improve our prayerful connections. And it’s not just us – the Emmaus, Tres Dias, and Cursillo communities are facing the same challenges. Within Via de Cristo, we’ve sought to help bridge the gap by creating a page on our website where you can list your weekend and even include a link for your prayer vigil if you allow on-line sign-ups. We encourage all Palanca Coordinators to check the page https://viadecristo.org/events/ and send letter palanca to the palanca point of contact for other weekends. There is an email address for the palanca POC included in every weekend listing – just click on it to get the address. We pray that together, we can restore this wonderful reminder of God’s grace!


Faith Corner:
A Place to Share Your Faith Journey

How have you seen God at work around you? Do you have a story that might encourage others? We are seeking your stories to share in our “Faith Corner,” stories of “God sightings.” They don’t have to be big stories – just instances that blessed you and will bless others. Please consider sharing your own stories!


Have you ever been in the right place at the right time?


Recently, while shopping for groceries, I came across an older lady who was trying to decide on what jelly to purchase.  The one she really wanted was on the bottom shelf, but was nearly sold out so it was all the way in the back.  She was debating on what one she wanted that was "easier to reach."  I immediately offered to get down on the ground to reach the one she really wanted.  When I stood back up, the smile on her face was worth the 30 seconds it took me to claim her treasured jelly.  It turns out, she had a coupon that would give it to her for free.  She was trying to figure out what jelly she could afford while having enough money for the rest of her groceries.  While it didn't seem like a big deal to me, I know that God placed me there so she wouldn't have to decide between jelly or another much needed grocery item.  God is always with us, even in the small things.  When we are the reason some one is smiles, it's because they've just seen Jesus in us.

Have you struggled with your faith? Have you had a God moment? We'd love to hear YOUR faith journey! Please share by emailing newsletter@viadecristo.org.

Survey says…..


Last month, we sent out our second annual survey, asking for your comments and input as we seek how best to serve God and all of our Secretariats. And many of you have taken time to provide us your thoughts! Thank you. This is very helpful as we work to focus those areas of greatest concern to all of you.


Here are some of the highlights of the responses we received so far:


  • When asked what they are celebrating, the overwhelming response from most secretariats was “We are holding weekends again!” Praise God that many Secretariats are beginning to see a return to normal. Maybe a “new normal,” but still a lot more normal!


  • By the same token, many Secretariats reported the greatest challenge has been to regain momentum after two years of forced inactivity. This may be reflected in fewer team volunteers, challenges with Spiritual Director engagement, or recruiting pilgrims. Some are also finding it harder to get volunteers to serve on the Secretariat.


  • Respondents said they would most desire any help the NLS could offer on how to re-energize communities, ideas on how weekends have adapted to new conditions, or sharing success stories.



  • We also got good insight into how you use our website, Facebook, email, and Conexiones – as well as what you’d like to see us put on each of those platforms.


Many thanks to all who responded. This really helps the Executive Committee to focus our efforts on your priorities. And if you didn’t get a chance to respond, you can still do so. Just go to the survey form at https://forms.gle/t7wcttYpJBrVmPkN8 and share your thoughts with us.

Decolores! Save the date for our next NLS Annual from July 27-30, 2023 at the University of Indianapolis, IN. The theme verse for next year’s Annual Gathering is:

 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10: 24-25

 

Our Executive Committee met with the Host Committee on October 7th, 2022 to tour the school and plan the schedule with potential speakers. Here are some of the topics suggested through the survey responses we received in September:

 

  • Reminder of why weekends are not used as conversion experiences
  • What other secretariats are doing to have weekends
  • Re-inventing the VdC weekend
  • Strategies to grow/outreach
  • Transition success stories 
  • Engaging the next generation
  • Expanding the weekend experience to other denominations
  • Provide guidance to communities who are struggling to get or keep SDs
  • How to recruit more leadership in secretariats
  • How to re-organize secretariat leadership, if needed
  • How to connect to other secretariat's online Ultreyas
  • Great speakers
  • Enhancing music in VDC

 

Please support our Host Committee and NLS with your prayers, financial contributions and volunteering as we plan our next Annual Gathering.


God loves you and so do I,

Jane Winge

Vice President for Administration

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Vid de Cristo Community Weekend Update


Weekend 107 definitely had some challenges!

By Mark Wilson, Rector

 

COVID loomed over 107 since 2020, flat out canceling it in 2020, then the retreat center suffered heavy damage due to weather, and without a ready-to-go back up, was cancelled for 2021. 2022 presented challenges too, but COVID was fairly under control and a new promising location was found.

 

Three times a staff was formed showing the desire to continue these weekends from a very supportive 4th Day community. As they say, the 3rd time is the charm!  The staff met, was given their assignments, and almost instantly, came together as a family. The 2nd meeting, only 3 of the 5 rollos that were to be given were heard due to personal difficulties that came up.

 

Before the 3rd meeting, a rollista bowed out due to Covid, but another staff member stepped up, and we met though zoom to discuss whether we felt we could go on. We agreed for the most part that we would go on and have measures in place for safety. When COVID again struck and rattled us causing the loss of 3 staff, we had another meeting to discuss how to proceed and came together determined that God would provide. God did just that and sent us an SD and Parish Lay Minister (PLM) to continue. We continued our meetings, even having a hybrid in person/zoom meeting for those unable to meet.  When our music Cha was faced with possibly not making it, we got a back-up plan in place, but thankfully it worked out and he could come.

 

The weekend itself posed a few challenges, mainly because it was a new place, with many options of set up. We choose to use the 3 biggest dorms that were together to house the majority of staff and all of Love team which worked great! The Palanca chas choose to stay in a cabin up close to where the Palanca room was set up in the dining Hall, which I’m told was perfect for them. There was plenty of space using this set up for social distancing purposes.

 

The Participants were in a dorm that had 2 separate areas so guys on one side, women on the other, again with plenty of space. The SDs had separate cabins close to the participants and it seemed to work very nicely this way.

 

Rollo room, living room, and chapel were in the same building, which made staying on schedule a breeze. It also housed the food chas and was very nice to not have to deal with the unpredictable weather of Texas.

 

The dining hall was quite a trek, so the vans were essential, and the addition of the step stool made it an easy way to not only travel, but to make sure everyone was together, simplifying the Observing Rector (OR) job of counting.

 

We had plenty of hand sanitizer, masks, and tests if anyone needed them. We used a color-coded system for name tag holders. Green- good for hugs, ok with close space, yellow- good with fist bumps, elbows, but needs a little space, and red- for waving, peace signs, but no contact. It really seemed to put everyone at ease and started the weekend without any awkwardness.

 

The Love Team Chapel was housed in a nice building that seemed to work very well for them on a daily basis and great to be serenaded from the balcony. It was closer than previous camps, and we did have to watch for anyone wanting to visit the lake.

 

For Wake up, the distance walking wasn’t too far for most, but cars were able to be used without any difficulty. We were able to convert the Rollo room very easy into the wake Up and Clausura room.


Overall it was successful despite several obstacles throughout the three years!

Mark Your Calendars!


  •  November 5, 2:30-4 PM EDT Bylaws Town Hall #2
  •  December 3, 1-4 PM EST Bylaws Special Meeting
  •  December 4, 4-5:30 EST Lay Directors' Round Table







Keep A Look Out on Your Email!!
The Summer Conexiones will be here before we know it! Look for it in June 2022.