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World Community Day
Florida
Micah 6:8 has been a hallmark of the mission work of the people of God in Peace River Presbytery.
Justice is a critical issue in Immokalee and other towns in Peace River Presbytery that have large numbers of immigrant workers. The presbytery has worked closely with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to eradicate the slavery that still exists as evidenced by recent arrests and indictments such as those that occurred in November 2007. The presbytery also supported the effort of the Coalition to secure a one penny increase per pound of tomatoes picked, the first such pay increase since 1978.
Peace River has been privileged to partner with Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, based in Wimauma, to establish MisiónPeniel, a Reformed tradition presence in Immokalee. This ministry of food, clothing, and personal hygiene items is led by the Rev. Miguel Estrada, a pastor from Guatemala called to this new project in the spring of 2007. With the help of church members from around the presbytery, MisiónPeniel serves a hot meal to the farmworkers returning from the fields each Friday evening. Over half the churches in the presbytery have been to Immokalee to work and minister to these hard-working people.
At one of the regular Tuesday evening services at MisiónPeniel, a couple came asking for prayer. Their situation was desperate. Because of the drought plaguing south Florida, they had not found work for two weeks and had not eaten for days. As the small group gathered for worship and began to pray, the Spirit of God moved among them, and worshipers dropped coins into the offering plate to help the couple. Many of those who gave had found work only recently themselves, but they gave from their meager resources to help the couple.
God is indeed at work through the people of Peace River Presbytery. MisiónPeniel in Immokalee has been a blessing to the immigrant farmworkers and no less a blessing to the presbytery, whose 38 churches have 20,116 members.
Presbytery Staff
The Rev. Graham Hart, general presbyter
The Rev. Craig Countiss, stated clerk
James Barnett, treasurer
Alesia Sharpe, office manager
William Setchel, financial secretary
Joan Mock, administrative assistant
The Rev. Silvana Franca, NCD supply pastor
The Rev. Elizabeth Deibert, NCD organizing pastor
The Rev. Edward Gray, NCD organizing pastor
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
William Smith, GAMC
Brenda Smithers, GAMC
Ida Smith-Williams, GAMC
Father, keep our eyes and hearts open to the opportunities to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.
Ps. 51, 148 Ps. 142, 65
Ezra 7:27–28, 8:21–36 or Ezra 5:1–17
Rev. 15:1–8; Matt. 14:13–21
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