May gathering

A group of Crescent Hill folks gathered at Keith and Andrea’s home Saturday morning to brainstorm about the possible Kentuckiana visit by representatives of church’s Guatemala partner presbytery (Estoreño), fund-raising for that, and other issues.

Ana reported that her father and Pastor Gerardo had talked Friday and that the five presbytery reps were planning to leave Sunday and arrive Monday to meet Amanda, who would provide moral support as they went to apply for Guatemalan passports. Carlos had obtained exact names for the slightly revised list of five. They included Gerardo (Ich Pop), an elder (Ramiro Quib Caal), two women (Maria Coc Tiul and Macaria Caal Maquin) and a representative of the youth and young adult organization (Raul Contreras). There was no discussion about money (by Gerardo and Carlos), even though the group has indicated that the church will help them cover the costs of travel (and it turns out the passport application fee is $30). Amanda had also reported on these plans.

Later on the group confirmed tentative trip dates (Friday, October 7-Saturday, October 15) – which will be important to include – along with the exact names – in hard-copy letters from Pastor Jane, Maria Arroyo of the PC(USA)’s World Mission, and Mid-Kentucky Presbytery Executive Betty Meadows that the church will give Amanda when she is in Louisville in June (and she’ll have the letters when they come back to seek applications).

The group ended up not calling Gerardo back again (although Carlos called later in the day, and apparently this time talked about them keeping receipts), as all of the Spanish speakers eventually went on to Jennifer and Paul’s baby shower.

Soni followed up on a meeting the previous week with Ana, Jane, Lowell, and Perry about fund-raising options for the visit (which needs something like $2,500). She proposed two possible dates for a possible yard sale, and the group leaned towards a one-and-half-day yard sale (Saturday, August 6, and Sunday after worship) with no pre-sales, possibly emphasizing certain types of items. Soni agreed to write a article for the June newsletter, highlighting for church members the need for items and the cause(the visit). Another small group meeting about the sale will follow, at a time and place to be announced.

The group also discussed a possible visit – in connection with the University of Louisville Law School – with immigrants detained at the Boone County Jail (in northern Kentucky). Dates discussed were Friday, June 17, when the presbytery’s Tony Aja may go, and Friday, July 15, when Pastor Jane may be going. Some people seemed interested.

Even later on, the rest of the group talked about trying to invite International Peacemaker Juana Herlinda (who has links with Jennifer’s Looking for Lilith Faith Stories project)and PC(USA) mission co-worker Karla Koll to speak at church this fall, possibly as part of a Food for Thought talk and possibly as a tune-up for the Estoreño visit. (Unfortunately, it turned out Sunday that this pair already has more than enough invitations for the month they will be here. Other speakers are still available.)

The remnants also talked briefly about the Thursday, June 30-Saturday, July 2 PC(USA) Big Tent mega-conference in Indianapolis and, in particular, the World Mission Matters conference in which several Crescent Hill folks are slated to speak or lead workshops. Also discussed was the PC(USA) vote earlier in the week that passed a change to the PC(USA) rules which gives congregations and sessions more leeway to ordain gays and lesbians. Estoreño partners will probably learn more about this change, which Crescent Hill played a role in, at a May 23-27 General Assembly of the national church in Guatemala. (Carlos’ Sunday school class also talked about this a little more Sunday morning.)

A few people talked about possible follow-up dates. Perry had floated 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 10, 9;30 a.m. Saturday, July 9, and 9:30 a.m. Saturday, August 13, at locations to be announced. Folks discussed whether Saturday, June 3, or Saturday, June 17, might be preferable to June 10. Weeknight gatherings are also possible.

- Perry