Guatemalan Connection annual report

Many modest-sized visits and continued communication were hallmarks of 2017 for Crescent Hill’s Guatemala partnership.  CHPC’s Guatemalan Connection helped coordinate the partnership between Crescent Hill church and eastern Guatemala’s Q’eqchi’ Estereño Izabal Presbytery.  2017 marked ten years since our congregation and the presbytery made contact.

In January/February, Shannon Bostrom and Ben Langley represented CHPC at a gathering of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Guatemala Mission Network, which took place near Guatemala City. Also there, representing Estoreño Presbytery, were Pastor Raul Contreras Tut and Elder Ramiro Quib, who have both visited Kentuckiana.  In addition to getting know Guatemalan and North American Presbyterians engaged in mission, the foursome spent a lot of time in fellowship and prayer together.

In April, Soni Castleberry and Megan McCarty represented CHPC at an annual gathering of Estoreño Presbytery’s Presbyterian Women.  Along the way Soni and Megan got to know two PC(USA) Guatemala mission co-workers with whom CHPC is partnered (Brian Thomson-Royer and Sandi Thomson-Royer), two leaders of the national Guatemalan Presbyterian Women, and Rubenia, a young woman who served as a translator and cultural liaison for Soni and Megan.  Soni and Megan got to witness the flowering of female leadership within the presbytery, as well as participate in some intense worship services. 

In May Ramiro punctuated his five-month U.S. sojourn with a long weekend in Kentuckiana, helping lead CHPC worship, brainstorming with the Guatemalan Connection, and visiting with CHPC folks.  Then, in September, Rubenia took time out of her four-week U.S. visit to dine with CHPC folks and visit the Presbyterian Center, the seminary, and some horse farms.

In between visits, CHPC sent $1,500 to the presbytery for PW and theological education.  For the first time, the money went through the national Guatemala church, which went smoothly and which allowed CHPC to make a contribution to the work of the national church.  Five Estoreño folks – three men and two women – were able to participate in a theological education program in Coban, thanks in part to Crescent Hill’s financial involvement.  By phone and Facebook, Estoreño shared news of new leadership, a visit to the faraway Nueva Amanacer community, Ramiro’s ordination as a minister of the Word and Sacrament and installation as pastor of the presbytery’s flagship (Arca de Noe church), and the birth of a grandchild for Ramiro and Elvia.  CHPC folks, in turn, shared news of Pastor Jane’s retirement and introduced Estoreño folks to Elisa, our new pastor.  CHPC and Estoreño folks continued to pray with and for each other throughout the year.

More visits seem on tap for 2018:  February Kentuckiana visit by the Thomson-Royers, a repeat April Guatemala visit for the presbytery-wide PW meeting, and a very early August summertime visit.

Participating in Guatemalan Connection brainstorming in 2017, in addition to Shannon, Ben, Soni, and Megan, Jane, and Elisa, were Carrie Bridgman, Sandra Duverge, Sebastian Duverge, Stephanie Gregory, Jennifer Thalman Kepler, Janine Linder, Mary Love, Elisabeth McNinch, Beth Yeager, and Doug Yeager.

Connection folks bid adieu during the year to Elisabeth, Jane, and – de facto – Shannon and Megan.

Also participating in the partnership through involvement in the early August 2017 St. Joseph’s picnic parking fund-raiser were:  Brad Castleberry, Deborah Fortel, Luiz Kemmerle, Shannon Langley, Janine Linder, Tricia Lloyd-Sidle, Michelle McDonald, Carol Roderick, Jeanne-Marie Rogers, Todd Rogers, and David Sawyer.

Latin food and culture were on the menu for the year’s other fund-raising activities.  Sandra spearheaded an early March Latin Dance Party.  Tim McNinch created the flyer for this event, and the Ville Casinera dance company suppled instructors.  This fun event drew in enthusiastic and paying participants from both the congregation and community and netted the partnership the largest paycheck of the year.  Claudia Foulkes and Soni also spearheaded an El Tarasco fund-raiser throughout the second half of the year.  Thanks to all who learned to dance the Casino at the March Latin Dance Party or who dined this fall at El Tarasco, the Mexican restaurant in St. Matthews that has donated 15 percent of sales to supporters of Crescent Hill’s Guatemala partnership to the partnership.

-Perry