From September 28 to October 6, the Central/Southern Illinois Synod hosted the presidents (what we could call “bishops”) of our companion synods in the Malagasy Lutheran Church. For two weeks, President MAMPITOHY Elia (first photo, left of center) of the Ambovombe-Androy Synod and President MANARINTSOA RAKOTONDRAVONY Soloson (first photo, right of center) of the Faradofay Synod worshipped in our congregations and experienced the sights in Illinois. Presidents Elia and Soloson were accompanied by the Rev. Doug Cox (third photo, at right), director of Global Health Ministries and former missionary to Madagascar, who served as interpreter.
In addition, we were joined for several days by President RAKOTOZAFY Denis (first photo, center), leader of the Malagasy Lutheran Church (equivalent to the ELCA’s presiding bishop), and the Rev. Kristin Engstrom (second photo), current ELCA missionary to Madagascar and coordinator of Young Adults in Global Mission in Madagascar.
Presidents Elia and Soloson began with worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington with President Soloson preaching. On Sunday, September 29, they spent the day with Bishop Greg Busboom touring Springfield, including several hours at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
After a tour of Grace Lutheran Church in Springfield, they traveled with Bishop Busboom on Monday the 30th to Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center for the synod’s annual Fall Theological Conference. There, the presidents shared their experiences in the church in their home country with details on worship practices and faith and everyday lives of their pastors and disciples. President Denis arrived on October 1 and provided the sermon for our closing worship on October 2.
That evening, the presidents visited the disciples at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Belleville, for a meal, and they visited Quincy and Carthage on October 3. They visited the Illinois History Museum on October 4, and on Saturday, October 5, they accompanied the Peoria area co-op confirmation class’ service project at the Peoria Midwest Food Bank. Their trip concluded with worship at Grace and Peace Lutheran Church, Peoria, with President Elia preaching.
The presidents express their gratitude to the disciples in our synod for their hospitality, especially those that provided lodging, food, and travel. They had a wonderful experience and look forward to reciprocating when Bishop Busboom visits Madagascar in a few years.
We thank the Global Mission Committee and Pastor Mauricio Vieira, chair, for their work planning the presidents’ time with us.