Step Seven of L.A.T.I.N.O. (Level 5)

Step Seven: Reformation.

As a liturgical tradition, we understand how we are shaped by practice over time. Step seven is the culmination of step six, where each deliberate action of inclusion transforms the other person or culture from something unfamiliar to something familiar, from a stranger into a friend. At this point, the gifts of all cultures present in the parish are received, appreciated, and shared. From the Quinceañera to Episcopal Hymnody, everyone is celebrated and uplifted by the other.

Because of this inclusion, the church and wider community’s perception is changed in a way that mission becomes natural, and the church’s multicultural nature makes it a accessible to all. An example of this reformation within our own Episcopalian and American practices is our adoption of the Christmas tree, which is an originally German practice.