In Ethiopia the Lutheran "Synods" are districts of perhaps hundreds of churches and hundreds of thousands of church members. They have Synod Presidents. We met seven of them at the start of Parish Nursing training in Hawassa. We were introduced to all of them in Addis Ababa in the last days of our stay in Ethiopia. The map on the previous page gives the names and locations of those Synod headquarters that we visited. At some of our meetings with Synod officials we were each draped with a long cloth representing a particular Synod, making us honorary members. These cloths in the following image are less than half of their lengths.

Durame - Ambaricho Bilate Synod

The campus of the Ambaricho Bilate Synod based in Durame is within this view next to the center of the city. Next is the view of the Synod' sign, with the pillar of the city center behind it.

I did not take photos within the campus. We saw a building partly under construction, owned by the Synod but with rooms rented to commercial companies. Such rent helps with Synod expenses, both here and in other Synod locations.

Hawassa was a base for our regional visits. We may have visited a Synod headquarters here, but I do not remember it nor do I have such photos.

Dilla - South Synod
The next visit was to the South Synod headquarters in Dilla.

This is the Google Earth satellite view of the campus of the South Synod headquarters. Our reception was in the multi-wing buildings in the north center. A multiuse building under construction is at the center left and off-white color.
Synod sign
Church leaders greeting us

They had an excellent PowerPoint describing the status of the Synod, its programs, and plans for its future.

As is typical for the rapidly growing Lutheran churches in Ethiopia, there is a great need for more pastors and similar church workers.

Having a multiuse building to generate steady income to fund operating and educational priorities is important.
progress


We were served from a special cake and abundant fruit. Each of us was given the cloth drape to make us honorary members of their Synod.

Kabado - Dara Synod
The next visit of the day was to the headquarters of the Dara Synod in Kabado.

The campus of this Synod is within the roads bounding the forested area. The church of this headquarters is the brown-roofed building north of center. The Synod operates a crowded school in the three buildings in the lower right corner of the property.

We were greeted by these leaders; the children gave us flowers. We were given a tour of their campus, then back to the church for a PowerPoint presentation and refreshments.

This is their proposed multiuse building, waiting a decade for sufficient funds to start building it.

The city has asked the Synod's school to take in more children and increase the grade level, but the capacity and resources are already at their limits. K-5 has 505 children.
A monkey was in a nearby tree.
This is the water source near the school.
Our refreshments
The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is the largest Lutheran Church in Africa. Some Dara Synod numbers:


In a region of mostly subsistence farming, with some urban commerce, it is difficult to balance the finances. There is a shortage of trained pastors. The 149 congregations have only 35 pastors total. There is a heavy workload and burnout among synod workers and poverty-level salaries. In addition to the multiuse building to generate income through rent, the Synod also suggests getting herds of cattle for milk production because there is adequate pasture land in the area. Expanding the education program is a priority.

Hagere Salem Synod and clinic
Hagere Salem is on a high ridge in the mountains. Muslims are trying to invade the area, building mosques with abundant petroleum funds. The synod recently won a legal fight to keep a mosque from being built near the church and Synod headquarters (likely on the vacant lot just west of this view of church headquarters).
The Synod property is outlined in yellow.
The large building has classrooms. The small lower right building is the Synod office. The southernmost building is for church gatherings.
between the buildings
classroom
church leaders

clinic Click this link about the Synod's clinic.
The Synod operates a medical clinic, started in 1946 by Scandinavian missionaries. As can be seen in the photos of mostly barren rooms, this clinic needs to be updated with supplies and equipment.

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