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A letter from Ellen Dozier in Guatemala |
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May 2003
Dear Friends,
I had dreamed of this day, but like many dreams I was not sure
I would see this one come true. But there we were, a colorful,
noisy congregation gathered to officially receive the Presbyterial
of Mam as a member of the sinódica, the organization of
Presbyterian Women of the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church
of Guatemala with which I work. To begin to appreciate the importance
of this event, you need to know that Guatemala, both the country
and the Presbyterian church, is made up of many cultural and ethnic
groups. The “Mam” are one of some 22 indigenous groups;
each group has its own culture, which includes customs, traditions,
language, as well as a way of understanding the world. The sinódica
previously had been composed only of “ladino” Presbyteriales
(women of mixed indigenous and European ancestry). Unfortunately,
most of the time, instead of appreciating and enjoying the diversity
within the country and church, there is discrimination, fear,
mistrust, and suspicion. There are many reasons for the divisions,
fear, and discrimination, buried deep in the history and minds
and hearts of the people and church in Guatemala. The church,
instead of being “salt and light” to show another
way to live, most often reflects the ways of the world around
it. |
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The worship service celebrating the admission of the Mam Presbyterial
(women's association) into the sinódica. |
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But on this day we were together; the sanctuary
was full; there were women, children, and a scattering of men—participants
from the women’s groups of the Mam Presbyterial, representatives
of the other presbyteriales, mission co-workers of the PC(USA) and
a young adult volunteer from the PC(USA), the vice-moderator of
the synod, pastors from the Mam Presbytery, and members of the directiva
of the sinódica. We represented some of the wonderful diversity
of this country and church. |
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We sang hymns in Spanish and Mam.
We prayed, listened to Scripture, heard a message about being “salt
and light” in this world. There was the official act to receive
the Mam Presbyterial as a member of the sinódica. In response
to this, Pastor Pedro Daniel Cabrera of the Mam Presbytery spoke
about the organization of the Mam Presbyterial in 1982 and said,
“We felt it was not appropriate that our women associate or
work with women who were not ‘Mam.’” Then he continued,
“I believe that this act of being received by the sinódica
is one step to eliminating racism in our church. I believe that
we are taking a step to live together and help one another as together
we try to develop our ministry.” |
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Writing on behalf of the sinódica,
Sonía Gómez responded, “The sinódica
firmly believes in the words of Pastor Pedro Daniel, it is our
hope that together we can strengthen the ties that bind us together;
that we will be able to overcome barriers that have separated
us for years; that we can learn from the Mam women and help them
with our resources for the development and fulfillment of the
mission of the church in this part of the country.”
The Guatemalan women often refer to a joyful worship service
as a “fiesta espiritual” (“spiritual feast”).
We surely participated in such a fiesta, which was followed by
another fiesta of tamales, rice, and chicken! |
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Victoria Rosales (left) of the Mam Presbyterial talking with a leader
of the sinódica.
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This historic day happened several
months ago and during the ensuing weeks I have watched as the
indigenous women, both from Mam and from the Presbyterial of Maya
Quiché who have also joined the sinódica, and the
ladino women are coming to know one another, beginning to work
together. I know this is a fragile coming together, the unity
we experience is accompanied by years of distrust, the future
is fraught with unknowns. But on this day I watched as the Spirit
moved in and through us, weaving us together, much like the brightly
colored threads are woven together by the indigenous women into
their fabrics. I can only hope and pray that we will all allow
the Spirit to continue working, weaving us to become one people,
with all our differences, to make one witness to the love of Jesus
Christ for this world.
Ellen H. Dozier
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page
244.
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