Maria Cabello-Salomon, TEEM Intern, 605 -370-3604 or [email protected]
Jennifer Lunder, Ayuda Worker, 605-201-9160 or [email protected]
Rev. Jeanette Clark McCormick, Pastor and Mission Developer
612-636-1533 or [email protected]
Septem ber 2016 Newsletter
D ea r Pa rtn er s in M ini st ry:
Fall is well underway! It has been full of great blessings. Here are a few of the highlights from September.
Welcome to Jennifer Lunder, Ayuda Worker
We are excited to announce that the Sioux Falls Area Mission Strategy Group has hired Jennifer Lunder to
serve as the Ayuda Worker. “Ayuda” means “help” in Spanish. The Ayuda worker will connect people in our
ELCA congregations with new Latino neighbors in order to create relationships that empower people to live
better lives, inspire people to celebrate the diversity of all God’s people, and lead people to strive for more just
and healthy communities of faith. Jennifer has already made some great connections with the community. In the
following paragraphs, Jennifer introduces herself and the work.
Greetings from Jennifer
¡Hola! My name is Jennifer Lunder, and I am so excited to be working
with the ELCA's new Ayuda initiative. I am originally from Sioux
Falls, SD and grew up attending Our Savior's Lutheran Church. My
faith is a very important part of my life, and I am so proud that the
ELCA, the church to which I belong, is a leader in our community in
collaborating with and empowering our Latino brothers and sisters in
Christ right here in Sioux Falls and the broader state of South Dakota.
Jennifer Lunder, Ayuda Wor ker
605-201-9160 or [email protected]
To support the Ayuda project,
contact Pr. Bill Tesch at
605-274-4026 or [email protected]
Spanish language and Latino culture has been a passion of mine ever
since I started studying Spanish in middle school many years ago. The
friendships and bonds I formed when studying and working abroad in
Spain, South America, and Central America further established my
love of the Hispanic and Latino culture and people.
Prior to getting into the field of social work, I taught for six years in
Spanish immersion programs in Minnesota and Sioux Falls. From
there, I spent two years working as a Certified Healthcare Spanish
Interpreter with Lutheran Social Services in Sioux Falls. I am
currently working on completing my masters in social work and am
looking forward to the challenge of helping to connect needs to
resources within our talented and diverse ELCA community and the
community at large.”
September 2016 Newsletter continued
Visits with Partner Congregations and Ministries
Thanks to all of the congregations who opened their doors to partner with us during the past month. In
particular, thank you to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Salem Lutheran Church for allowing me to preach and
lead worship with them. Likewise, it was a pleasure to be able to share a presentation with Jennifer Lunder at
St. Mark’s. We were grateful to speak about Pueblo de Dios and the Ayuda Worker. Thank you to Augustana
University’s Campus Ministry for inviting Maria Cabello-Salomon to preach during their chapel service.
(Thank you to Jennifer for translating for this opportunity.) Finally, thank you to Dr. Odgie and Dr. Cabrera for
allowing us to speak with their Augustana University Spanish classes about involvement within our community.
Making Progress Towards Forming a Cooperative
Our community is making good progress in planning and preparing for the formation of a cooperative. The
cooperative will probably focus around catering or cleaning. A special word of thanks to St. Mark’s for their
gracious donations towards this effort. If you would like to provide funds to help with the cooperative’s start up
costs, please contact Jennifer Lunder at 605-201-9160 or [email protected].
Plans to Continue the Agora Program at Pueblo de Dios
September 10, Maria traveled to St. Peter, Minnesota, in to be trained on coordinating the Agora program. Last
year, through Agora, we were able to offer two courses on the Bible and Lutheranism. We hope to continue to
offer such courses in the future.
Another Successful Annual Block Party
We had our annual block party with Augustana Lutheran on September 11. Many Pueblo de Dios families
donated their time, talent, and resources in order to provide a delicious, free meal for the neighborhood. Thank
you to Maria de Jesus for making so many wonderful piñatas and to all of the college students who assisted with
playing games and face painting. There was live music including our own Douglas Bonilla, and even a puppet
show. In our bi-lingual worship, we had an installation for Jennifer Lunder, our Ayuda Worker.
September 2016 Newsletter continued
LOGOS and Confirmation Have More than 75 Youth Participants!
LOGOS and Confirmation began on September 14 after a Confirmation Teacher meeting on the 7th. We have
so many amazing teachers from Augustana University and a variety of partner congregations. Likewise, we
have an amazing Pueblo de Dios kitchen crew. Currently, over 75 youth have signed up to participate. Thank
you to First Lutheran Women of the ELCA for their generous donation of funds towards our LOGOS meals as
well as to Wild Water West and Bread Break for providing us with food resources. Thank you to Hope Lutheran
for providing us with HyVee gift cards towards LOGOS meals. Due to the excellent participation in this
program, we are looking for more support to help us provide the nutritious meals. If you are a Thrivent member,
please let us know if you are willing to form an Action Team to receive a $250 debit card to purchase food to
serve for a LOGOS meal! (To learn more about Thrivent Action Teams, go to www.thrivent.com and click on
Making a Difference.) On our first night of Confirmation, we did team building activities and rock climbing at
the YMCA. Thank you to Clark and Andy Koob for coordinating this great event. We have many new youth in
our program this year and this was a great way for them to get to know each other. The second week of
LOGOS, everyone went to the Outdoor Campus. The older youth learned archery and the younger youth did an
animal movement class. The LOGOS youth also are doing activities about Abraham. Thank you to everyone
who makes this program happen.
September Was a Busy Month of Many Ministry Activities
September was a month that was full of lots of ministry, planning, and preparing. Our Pueblo de Dios council
meets frequently. The prison Bible Study through St. Dysmas continues to occur. We have had numerous
conversations with people, a house blessing, and more. Pueblo de Dios co-hosted the Pastor's Conference for
Crossroads. Maria shared some of her call experiences, and Jennifer announced details of her new Ayuda
Worker position. Thank you to Pr. Amy Martinell for presiding for the English portions of the worship service
and to Augustana Lutheran Church for allowing us to use the space. It was a pleasure to meet with the South
Dakota Synod Multicultural Committee at Pine Ridge on September 16. We are very grateful for the financial
and spiritual support that we received through this group. In addition, it was good to be with colleagues during
the Fall Rostered Leaders Retreat September 25-27.
September 2016 Newsletter continued
Pueblo de Dios Hosts a Fundraiser to Help with Medical Costs
On September 24, Pueblo de Dios members worked together to host a fundraiser for Ross and Maricela
Peterson. Ross has been struggling with cancer for several months. Peterson family members and co-workers
joined us in this effort. Thanks go to the Acosta family for the good meal, and for all the Pueblo families who
worked together to coordinate the evening.
Cancer Awareness Sunday on September 25
We had a Cancer Awareness Sunday on September 25. We are grateful to Sandra Guzman for her talk and
helpful words. We had a prayer for people who are struggling with cancer. The American Cancer Society
provided a variety of materials written in Spanish. After worship, a “loteria” or Bingo event took place in order
to raise funds for the church. Thank you to Alma Nunez and Maria de Jesus for their work in making this event
happen!
Farewell Fiesta on Sunday, November 6
As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, my last Sunday at Pueblo de Dios will be November 6. Thank you to
all who have walked with me and with this ministry as it has grown and shaped. I have learned so much about
being a pastor from you all. Please join us at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, November 6, at 235 N. Prairie Avenue
(Augustana Lutheran Church) for my last worship service with a fiesta thereafter. Please no gifts. If you would
like to give something, please donate towards Pueblo de Dios or a charity of your choice. If you cannot attend
that day, but you would like to get together, I hope to be able to say goodbye to everyone during the upcoming
month.
Gratefully,
Rev. Jeanette Clark McCormick
Ways You Can Join with Pueblo de Dios

Assist with summer Vacation Bible Schools

Aid during LOGOS youth program
(e.g. teach, meal assistance, transportation, etc.)

Help with youth special events

Provide childcare for Bible Studies

Support Pueblo de Dios with financial donations

Serve as a language partner , tutor,
or college application guide

And MORE! Tell us how you want to help!

Finally and most importantly, pray for us!
Support Pueblo de Dios
through Thrivent Financial
Give your Thrivent Choice Dollars
or form a Thrivent Action Team
To learn more, go to www.thrivent.com
and click on Making a Difference