Follow-up to the late 2011 visit by Estoreño Presbytery partners, response to Estoreño Presbytery requests, and a possible summer 2012 intergenerational mission trip to Guatemala were all topics of discussion at a Monday, January 23 Guatemala mission task force gathering at the old James Lees Presbyterian Church. The group shared more feedback they’d heard after the visit, including a range of enthusiasm about the partnership (including from those who are also very enthusiastic about local mission), from other Crescent Hill folks. Folks there highlighted the interest and enthusiasm shown in the turnout for the lunch and discussion after Sunday worship and the good-bye dinner at El Tarasco restaurant and the intense feeling of the Presbyterian Women event. They also talked about the importance of continuing the dialogue with other Crescent Hill folks, including via newsletter articles, Food for Thought lunches, and Minute for Mission talks. Carlos reported that Gerardo had reported a month ago that, although he was sick after the trip, he had finally obtained the suitcase he had checked on the plane flight back.
The group also talked about the range of requests that Estoreño visitors had communicated to Crescent Hill during the visit, and they shared the written versions of a theological education proposal they had brought with them and a list of other proposals Ramiro had drafted on the spot during one of the partnership discussions. The group blew hot and cold about being involved in the Q’eqchi’ theological education initiative and the supply of Q’eqhchi’ Bibles to women in the presbytery, which were two of the ideas discussed during the visit. The group resolved to send $300 – which would represent six months of a $50 a month communication budget – via the existing funds transfer mechanism, after three things had occurred: (1) talk with Pastor Gerardo to let him know the money was coming; (2) check in the PC(USA) World Mission to verify whether a 10 percent tithe for mission contributions (or any funds transfer?) was go to the IENPG, and how; and (3) make it clear to Gerardo and other presbytery folks that at very least the $50 a month should result in an e-mail connection between the two groups, and they should let us know as soon as that is up and running. Jane also reminded folks that the group had asked the visitors to produce some receipts for the visit-related expenses Crescent Hill had reimbursed.
The group talked about a possible Guatemala mission trip dates. In addition to talking about how we ought to clarify for ourselves and others the purpose of the partnership and of a possible trip, we talked about possible trip dates. The Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly meeting is the first week of July, and Crescent Hill is targeting late June as possible international Eastern Kentucky mission trip, and this trip would partly involved middle school youth. At some point in July seemed to be the most popular option. After the meeting Perry mentioned that the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery executive and possibly others from congregations the Estoreño Presbytery mission team visited might be interested. Perry warned that August might be out for 15 or older senior high youth, whom a Guatemala trip might include, as well as for K-12 educators, Claudia added. Perry pitched for visiting outlying churches this time, and Jane mentioned that an extended stay in homes – longer than the two nights a CHPC mission team did three years ago – might be too much for many Crescent Hill people.
The group talked about gathering next – again at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at James Lees – on February 6.
After the meeting Pastor Jane raised the possibility of a prayer vigil (which would be the fourth the Guatemala group has sponsored) with stations for various local mission partners, Estoreño Presbytery, friends around the state, mission workers we support, and others) (possibly after Easter?). The group had also talked during the gathering about possible shared/parallel Bible study – possibly involving more than just the Spanish-language/bilingual Sunday school class on our end – also possibly after Easter.
The group also talked about the range of requests that Estoreño visitors had communicated to Crescent Hill during the visit, and they shared the written versions of a theological education proposal they had brought with them and a list of other proposals Ramiro had drafted on the spot during one of the partnership discussions. The group blew hot and cold about being involved in the Q’eqchi’ theological education initiative and the supply of Q’eqhchi’ Bibles to women in the presbytery, which were two of the ideas discussed during the visit. The group resolved to send $300 – which would represent six months of a $50 a month communication budget – via the existing funds transfer mechanism, after three things had occurred: (1) talk with Pastor Gerardo to let him know the money was coming; (2) check in the PC(USA) World Mission to verify whether a 10 percent tithe for mission contributions (or any funds transfer?) was go to the IENPG, and how; and (3) make it clear to Gerardo and other presbytery folks that at very least the $50 a month should result in an e-mail connection between the two groups, and they should let us know as soon as that is up and running. Jane also reminded folks that the group had asked the visitors to produce some receipts for the visit-related expenses Crescent Hill had reimbursed.
The group talked about a possible Guatemala mission trip dates. In addition to talking about how we ought to clarify for ourselves and others the purpose of the partnership and of a possible trip, we talked about possible trip dates. The Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly meeting is the first week of July, and Crescent Hill is targeting late June as possible international Eastern Kentucky mission trip, and this trip would partly involved middle school youth. At some point in July seemed to be the most popular option. After the meeting Perry mentioned that the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery executive and possibly others from congregations the Estoreño Presbytery mission team visited might be interested. Perry warned that August might be out for 15 or older senior high youth, whom a Guatemala trip might include, as well as for K-12 educators, Claudia added. Perry pitched for visiting outlying churches this time, and Jane mentioned that an extended stay in homes – longer than the two nights a CHPC mission team did three years ago – might be too much for many Crescent Hill people.
The group talked about gathering next – again at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at James Lees – on February 6.
After the meeting Pastor Jane raised the possibility of a prayer vigil (which would be the fourth the Guatemala group has sponsored) with stations for various local mission partners, Estoreño Presbytery, friends around the state, mission workers we support, and others) (possibly after Easter?). The group had also talked during the gathering about possible shared/parallel Bible study – possibly involving more than just the Spanish-language/bilingual Sunday school class on our end – also possibly after Easter.
- Perry
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