Highlands gathering

Half a dozen plus Crescent Hill folks gathered at Martha’s Original Highlands home Saturday to look ahead to 2010 for the Guatemala mission partnership. Returning from several weeks in Guatemala, Ellen – on her way out of town at the end of the month – reported on the robbery of Western North Carolina presbytery pastor while there on their November Guatemala. Ellen and others also reported on other local news: the sad election in Honduras, a drug cartel apparently operating in Izabal, and smelly sludge in western Guatemala’s deep touristy Lake Atitlan.

The group brainstormed about possible next in-person encounters with Estoreño Presbytery folks. With the possibility of an intergenerational/youth trip in summer 2011, discussion centered around either bringing a few Guatemalans to Louisville or meeting with some Guatemalans – with or without the Amigos de K’ekchi group – in Coban for fellowship, Bible study, and cultural tourism.

The group leaned towards the latter. After two tries, Carlos and Ana reached Pastor Gerardo, then in the middle of a discussion with other presbytery leaders about ecumenism (there their discussion paralleled one that has been taking place this fall in the bilingual mission partnership youth/adult Sunday school class that Carlos leads)..

Gerardo confirmed what Ellen had said, that he and his wife were feeling better. But he said the presbytery’s new treasurer, Ramiro Quib, a layperson from the Arca de Noe church, was ill, perhaps with diabetes. He also said youth and young adults from the presbytery would gather next weekend – on the 3rd week of Advent – to celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of their organization. The individual congregations of the presbytery are trying to coordinate – hold at the same time – their vigils and Lord’s Supper celebrations. They are also trying to do something Guatemalan evangelical Protestant churches don’t usually do much – celebrate Christmas.

Let us thank God for the youth and young adult of the presbytery and pray for healing for Ramiro.

The joint James Lees-Covenant Community-Crescent Hill English as a foreign language ministry wrapped up the fall term on Wednesday, Thanksgiving eve, with a graduation ceremony and supper that the students and their families supplied. Reports of the event were very good.

At an earlier meeting folks from the three churches had agreed to start up a longer winter term on Monday, January 11. Another planning meeting will take place at a time to be announced. Andrea will coordinate the meals Crescent Hill will contribute during the winter term.

Jane also reported that several people have signed up to take Spanish with Ada on Tuesday nights starting Tuesday, January 4. The class will proceed if eight people sign up. Tuition (not counting the book) is $80. If more than eight people sign up, the money will go to the Guatemala partnership fund.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, at a place to be determined (and possibly at the church).

-- Perry