We All Belong to Jesus

On my first Sunday back at worship after visiting Guatemala this summer, someone said to me, “You look like you’re glowing.” And I suppose I was. Perhaps I was a bit more suntanned than usual, but I think she was referring to more than the color of my skin. I was glowing from the inside. This trip filled me in ways that are hard to explain, but I will try. 

The congregation I serve, All Saints Lutheran in Eagan, has been considering partnering with a congregation from the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG) as part of the Saint Paul Area Synod’s companion relationship with ILAG. As a first step, we were advised to send just a couple of us as “scouts” to piggy-back on another delegation’s visit. Two of us from All Saints accompanied a group of travelers from Christ on Capitol Hill as they visited their partner congregation in the small Mayan village of El Porvenir. Our goal was to simply observe and learn, but instead I experienced God in action. 

Following our Sunday morning worship together, we observed representatives from these two congregations, located thousands of miles apart, sign their covenant to establish a long-term relationship of accompaniment through prayer, projects, and presence. As each person came forward to sign the covenant, I noticed that those who didn’t sign their names added a fingerprint, the thumb stamped in black ink and then pressed to the page. To me, this pressing of the inky thumb to the page represented the inclusive love of God. Everyone had a way to say, “I am here. I belong. I matter.” Everyone present was included in this momentous life of the congregation, and everyone present was worthy of dignity because we all matter to God and each other.

Genesis 1:27 says, “God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them.” This is what our synod’s partnership with ILAG is all about. God created all of us. No matter our nationality, race, skin-color, or language, we all matter to God, and we all belong to Jesus.

Seeing that truth in action is enough to make someone glow from the inside.

Rev. Wendy Steger

All Saints, Eagan

2026 Guatemala Gala: Woven Together

Sunday, Oct. 4 - 4-8 p.m. | Town & Country Club, St. Paul

Registration is open for our celebration of 21 years of companionship with the ILAG! We continue seeking ways to weave our communities together, with Christ as our guide.

Special Guests

• Valeria Gil Castillo - Delegation Coordinator
•  Rev. Karen Castillo - ILAG President/Pastor
• Diego Gil Castillo - ELCA Regional Representative for Central America and Mexico  
• Bishop Justin Grimm - Saint Paul Area Synod

Evening Highlights

• Celebrate ILAG's many accomplishments
• Hear about the challenges facing the ILAG
• Learn about the newly formed Health Team and its trip in February
• Cheer the payoff of the CLAG mortgage and hear the ILAG's vision for the elementary school
• Congratulate Diego as he starts his new role with the ELCA

Help Us Stuff Valeria's Backpack!

Valeria will welcome guests as they arrive at the gala. You are invited to bring one or two gift cards—check your unused cards at home—to contribute to her backpack which will then become part of the live auction with lots of surprises.

Would You Like More In-Depth ILAG News & Time to Ask Questions?

You are invited to join Pastor Karen Castillo (president of the Guatemalan Lutheran Church) and Valeria Gil Castillo (delegation coordinator) as they share news about the ILAG ministries. Diego Gil Castillo will also be present and you will have a chance to congratulate him on his new position with the ELCA. Everyone is welcome!

• Thursday, Oct. 1 - 7 p.m. at Christ on Capitol Hill, St. Paul
• Saturday, Oct. 3 - 1 p.m. at Augustana, West St. Paul