I am just finishing my first work trip of 2025: ELCA and ELCiCanada Bishops Academy in Puerto Rico. The Academy, held every two years in various locations, provides fellowship and continuing education for those of us called to serve as bishop in the United States and Canada.

Saturday: National Forest excursion we could opt into. Many of us went to El Yunque National Rainforest for hiking, water fun, waterfalls, and a delicious lunch! Then back to the hotel for opening worship and a message from Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Sunday: Bishops went to worship in many different churches around and in San Juan on a most important festival Sunday in Puerto Rico: Epiphany or Tres Reyes! I attended Iglesia Evangelical Lutheran De La Epifania in Bayamon, named for this special day. I attended with Bishop Becca Middeke-Conlin (OK-AR Synod) and Bishop Craig Miller (Upper Susquehanna Synod–Pennsylvania) and his family. Pastor Rafaela Morales, the first woman pastor lifted up by the Caribbean Synod, was visiting that day (see photo below) from her home in Worcester, MA–such an honor to meet her! The worship was wonderful! After worship we guests were given boxes to fill with grass for the camels or horses and then the three kings processed in with gifts for us and the entire congregation. We then went to the fellowship hall for an amazing lunch and live music and dancing.

In the evening we made a trip out to the Lutheran Camp, where we also spent Monday and Tuesday morning, for another special Epiphany festival. This camp dates back to 1951, when the women of the Caribbean Synod raised $1000 to purchase the 16 acres! The camp suffered greatly during Hurricane Maria. As people came to Puerto Rico to help after the hurricane, the camp hosted volunteers and began to be redeveloped. Many of us hiked up the hill to the rebuilt chapel (the altar was the only thing that survived the hurricane).

Monday: Summary from my colleague Bp Nathan Pipho of the New England Synod: “This morning, the Rev. Dr. Jose David Rodriguez told us a Lutheran presence on the island of Puerto Rico dates back to the 16th century and shared more about Lutheran ministry on the island since 1898 and the many contributions of Puerto Rican leaders to the ELCA. [Many of us had read Rodriguez’ Caribbean Lutherans before the event.] This afternoon the Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos challenged us to move beyond colonial/imperialist thinking that God speaks to just one dominant culture with that message then interpreted to others. He instead invited us to listen for God speaking in local vernacular and used five local Puerto Rican expressions to lead us deeper into an understanding of God’s work in the world.”

Tuesday: In the morning we heard from Rev. Dr. Evie Landrau, who works for ELCA World Hunger, on “The Social and Political situation on the Island, focusing on Afro-descendent struggles and contributions.” Dr. Landrau was also our guide through El Yunque. I am grateful for all she shared personally, theologically, and politically. Wow! We were also greeted by Rev. Eugene Cho, newer President/CEO of Bread for the World. I continue to be so grateful for Bread’s work and witness.

Again from Bp Pipho “This afternoon the bishops were led on a walking tour of Old San Juan. We saw the street where an encounter between a Black Jamaican and a Swedish Lutheran seminarian in 1898 led to the first Protestant worship in San Juan and also the building where the Lutherans first gathered for worship. Tonight is the sending Eucharist, closing dinner, and music and dancing led by Junte Loiceño!”

A huge thank you to worship planner and leader Deacon John Weit. I loved being introduced to so many new songs and appreciate all the care he put into planning our devotions and worship services. It is also such a gift to worship and sit in the pew, soaking it all in and being present!

Big thanks to Bp. Vivian Davila (Caribbean Synod, ELCA), our gracious hostess, who worked so hard to make local arrangements for a successful Bishops Academy.