February 2006
Dear Friends,
I send warm greetings in Christ’s name. This letter brings
you some of the highlights from my work with Cuba and the Caribbean
region over the past year.
Caribbean women in church leadership
In her 2003 book, Más Allá del Púlpito
(“Beyond the Pulpit”), Susana Sánchez wrote:
The Dominican Evangelical Church, one of the oldest, most respected
and open-minded Protestant churches in the country, first ordained
women to the ministry in 1982, 60 years after it was founded.
In 82 years, never has a woman become President or General Secretary.
[p. 238]
This changed in January 2005, when Susana herself was elected
president—a one-year position akin to moderator in the PC(USA).
When the results of the voting were announced to the church’s
assembly, there were a few cheers and the expected clapping, but
the reaction was subdued. Later, over coffee in the courtyard,
the excitement was much more evident as women shared their joy
with one another. I was especially moved listening to the older
women talking about their own struggles to be accepted as leaders
in the church.
Peacemaking travel-study seminar to Cuba
Since 1994, seven Cubans have visited the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) as International Peacemakers. In February 2005, a PC(USA)
delegation returned the visit, spending time with five of the
former International Peacemakers of the Presbyterian-Reformed
Church in Cuba.
We saw many signs of the Cuban church’s vitality: lively
worship services, enthusiastic seminary students, strong lay and
clergy leaders. As Cuban society has become more open to religion
in recent years, congregations have developed outreach ministries,
such as organic gardens, youth programs, and gatherings for isolated
elderly persons.
A highlight of the trip was a Bible study on the theme of peace.
Reflecting on Ephesians 2:14-20, Presbyterians from Cuba and the
United States shared their deep concerns about violence, and their
sorrow about the hostility between our two governments.
Mission interpretation
A three-month “mission interpretation assignment”
marked the end of my first term as a mission co-worker. It was
encouraging to meet lots of creative, committed folks at churches,
presbyteries, and conferences who were eager for deeper understanding
of and involvement in mission in the Caribbean.
I spoke, preached, and led workshops in Kentucky, Tennessee,
Ohio, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Often the focus
was entirely on Cuba; sometimes more broadly on the Caribbean.
In one presbytery I led a “scavenger hunt” workshop
exploring the many ways that congregations can choose to be involved
in worldwide ministries.
Because I am based in the United States, I do not have to wait
until my next interpretation assignment in 2008 to accept invitations
to other churches and presbyteries. Let me know if you’re
interested.
Dominican Republic
It was a joy to get acquainted with our partner church, the Dominican
Evangelical Church (IED). The IED was formed over 80 years ago
by Presbyterians, Methodists, and Moravians. Though there is a
commitment to the ecumenical and uniquely Dominican identity forged
over 80 years, some in the IED suggest it would be better to become
either Methodist or Presbyterian. The discussion touches on issues
of theology and liturgy, cultural identity and autonomy, ecumenical
relations, stewardship, and structure.
The IED has a “Haitian Ministry Committee” to respond
to the challenges experienced by the large Haitian population
in the Dominican Republic. The seasonal work that brings Haitians
to the D.R. does not provide adequate means of support. Their
ambiguous legal status complicates attempts to educate their children,
access services, or seek other employment. While I was there,
the Roman Catholic archbishop issued a statement in response to
civil unrest in immigrant communities in France. He warned that
similar unrest could be expected among Haitians in the Dominican
Republic unless significant steps are taken to address the injustices
they suffer.
Cuba travel
It became more difficult for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba
in 2004 and 2005. This is a humanitarian concern because of the
impact on Cuban families. It also makes any type of people-to-people
contact between the United States and Cuba much more difficult.
Unfortunately, the State Department has indicated that there will
be further restrictions announced later in 2006.
There is information about the impact of travel restrictions
on the mission partnership between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
and the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba in a 2005
letter on the Mission Connections Web site.
Cross-cultural mission team
For six months of 2005, five young adults lived and worked together
as a mission team in inner-city Toronto, Ontario. Sent by churches
of the Caribbean and North American Council for Mission (CANACOM),
they were from Trinidad, Jamaica, and Canada. A team member from
Guyana was unable to participate because she was not granted a
visa to enter Canada.
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