It was a packed house for Eternal Flame Lutheran Church’s Charter Sunday on April 14, when the members voted to become an official congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). For the past 14 years, this mostly Hmong congregation has been a mission development, supported financially by the synod as it worked through birth and growing pains. Originally named Good Samaritan, Eternal Flame now is more self-sufficient in finances and leadership; we celebrated its growth even as we prayed for its healthy future.
Special guests and participants in the worship service included the Rev. Tita Valenriano (ELCA’s program director for Asian and Pacific Islander ministries), the Rev. Vern Rice (Christ the King, New Brighton), the Rev. John Yurk (Christ the Servant, Vadnais Heights), and the Rev. Songchai Hang, as well as Bishop Lull and the Rev. Justin Grimm from our synod. Blessings to Eternal Flame’s pastors, William Siong and Jua Jay Her, its leadership team and all who joined in the celebration. The official vote to add Eternal Flame will occur at our Synod Assembly on May 11.
See the photo album at https://bit.ly/eternalfl.
