April gathering

A relatively large group met at Stephanie, Perry, and Vincent’s St. Matthews home on Saturday, April 8, to plan for a possible Kentuckiana visit by representatives of Crescent Hill church’s Guatemalan partner, the Q’eqchi’ Estoreño, Izabal Presbytery.

Carlos had talked some with the presbytery’s Pastor Gerardo, in the time since the Guatemala group’s last gathering. Estoreño folks are excited about a possible visit, but are nervous about flying and mainly lack passports. Carlos and family on the spot reminded folks that Estoreño folks also need to obtain new national Ids, which would take some time to obtain, prior to trying to obtain passports.

Before that, the group had tentatively tapped the second week of October (for example, October 7-15), as a good time for a visit. There was some discussion about pros and cons of a fall visit. Carlos also communicated that the presbytery had identified Gerardo, Ramiro (? – an elder and presbytery treasurer), Frederico (? - president of the presbytery youth and young adult organization), and Maria (the president of the presbytery’s Presbyterian Women organization) as possible travelers.

Carlos and Gerardo had discussed whether it would be necessary for Maria’s husband to attend, even though we had requested two women be part of the Estoreño mission team. The group talked about the pros and cons of trying to insist on two women.

Ultimately, the group called Gerardo, who identified a second woman, Macaria Saquin, as a fifth possible team member. Carlos and Gerardo also discussed the importance of these five national IDs. Carlos also communicated to Gerardo the possible October target week (although the group recognized that the national ID request may end up imperiling this schedule).

Jane and Perry agreed to follow up with Amanda, who apparently visited El Estor two weeks ago, about the passport and visa process. Gerardo said that the team would like Amanda to accompany them when they apply not only for their visas but also for their passports.

Gerardo also communicated two concerns. Ramiro’s wife, who is pregnant, has been ill, and she visited a private hospital for treatment, but they are not sure how they are going to pay for this.

Also, there has been a conflict within the El Chupon mission congregation (which Tomo once helped lead) and between the congregation and the presbytery, with a pastoral leader trying to lead the congregation into another denomination. (This is also the congregations that has suffered wind damage and roof problems.) Gerardo asked for prayers for both of these two issues. It’s not clear what will happen next, but perhaps the five will start up the national ID process.

The group talked briefly about fund-raising, including the need to raise something like $2,000 and the possibility of this summer holding a fund-raising event in the Fellowship Hall, or Fellowship Hall and sanctuary, with food and perhaps entertainment, perhaps with the Appalachian Latin music group called Appalatin or the Looking for Lilith theater company. The group also talked about possibly inviting other local Presbyterian congregations to host Estoreño representatives for meals, to meet with the reps, and to share in the cost of the visit. Soni, Janine, Ana, and Perry agreed to communicate about this in between Saturday and the next Guatemala gathering, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14 (the Saturday after Derby), tentatively at Keith and Andrea’s.

The group discussed some upcoming events:

-9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 9: weekly Spanish-language Sunday school class in the Education Building upper room, which Carlos leads, currently reading the Old Testament Book of Job, partly seen through the lens of a Presbyterian Women "Horizons" Bible study

-3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 9: immigration forum at the Americana Community Center on the South End

-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at James Lees church: third reimagining the 174 Frankfort Avenue building gathering, which Crescent Hill’s Ana has helped lead

-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at James Lees church: Week 2 of Spanish-language Bible study with Tricia Lloyd-Sidle leading a discussion on the Gospel According to John, partly through the lens of a Presbyterian Women "Horizons" study guide

-7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at James Lee church: every two weeks Spanish-language worship service and potluck supper

-12:30 p.m., Sunday, May 1, in the Crescent Hill church Fellowship Hall: PC(USA) immigration expert Julie Thorne will lead a discussion about immigration as part of Crescent Hill's Food for Thought lunch series.

-6:00 p.m., Monday, May 2, at James Lees church: start of seven-week May-June term of the joint James Lees-Covenant Community-Crescent Hill English as a foreign language teaching ministry, with Crescent Hill taking on a larger role in teaching and food preparation.

-9:30 a.m, Saturday, May 14: Crescent Hill Guatemala mission gathering.

-- Perry