Missionary Messenger WINTER 2020 / Volume 9
CHRISTMAS IN GUATEMALA
2020
“FOR GOD, WHO SAID, ‘LET LIGHT SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS,’ MADE HIS LIGHT SHINE IN OUR HEARTS TO GIVE US THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S GLORY DISPLAYED IN THE FACE OF CHRIST.”
GIFT T
Cumberland Presbyterian Church Missions Ministry Team 8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414
TO THE KING OFFERING
NEW BUILDING FOR COMUNIDAD DE FE AND MEDICAL CLINIC IN GUATEMALA CITY B y Ly nn T h oma s
The
Gift to the King offering this year is for the Comunidad de Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church and medical clinic in Guatemala, Central America. The Community of Faith Church is our largest congregation in Guatemala. They have from 60 to 80 in attendance each Sunday. This church has weekly activities, as well as camps, women’s ministry, social outreach, and children’s programs. The “Community of Faith” CP Church was assimilated into the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 2012, after several years being a provisional CP church. Eventually, the Cumberland Presbyterian medical clinic, which had been located in a children’s home outside of Guatemala City, was moved to the Community of Faith CP Church, which is a much better location. The medical clinic, which maintains reasonable prices for those that need medical care. The clinic has worked with many medical teams in past years that came from the USA for short-term mission projects. This arrangement allowed for on-going care of patients after the mission teams left. The clinic is proactive for those it serves. The administrators of the clinic apply to different programs to get medicines that the clinic can give away when people are unable to pay. The church uses rented space for their ministries and the medical clinic. The Gift to the King Offering this year will be used to buy a building in Guatemala City which will be used for both the Community of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the medical clinic.
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
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ormally, the Gift to the King Offering would not be large enough for an ambitious project like this. But, as the result of a generous gift by Trinity Presbytery for Community of Faith church, the money from the Gift to the King offering will enable them to meet the need. This year our goal for the Gift to the King Offering is $50,000. By adding this to the Trinity Presbytery donation the Community of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church will have $260,000 to purchase the building they need where they need it. The church formed a property search committee in 2020 and they have several good leads on property in their price range. They hope to purchase a building and modify it to be used by both the church and the medical clinic. Your offering to this Gift to the King mission project will help to make these plans a reality.
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his year’s Gift to the King project is a fantastic opportunity to support a church in a developing country which meets both spiritual and physical needs. It is the only Cumberland Presbyterian church in the world that houses a medical clinic as part of the church's outreach. A building of their own, with the size and location sufficient to house a medical clinic, will bring blessings to many in Guatemala. Please prayerfully consider a generous gift to this year’s Gift to the King Offering.
Contents 5 Let Your Light Shine
6
Covenant of Grace, Charlie Brown, and A Refreshing Christmas
8-10 Christmas Traditions of the Global Cumberland Presbyterian Church
14 Cumberland Presbyterian Mam
16 Our Newest Mission Project In Taiwan!
18-19 2020–2021 Women's Ministry
MM Missionary Messenger WINTER 2020 { V O L .9, N O .4 }
CUMBERLAND MEDICAL CLINIC
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PERSPECTIVES by Milton L. Ortiz LIGHT IN DARKNESS In the beginning, God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light (Genesis 1:3). But since humanity broke relationship with God, people were walking in darkness. And the promise was that a time would come when people walking in darkness will see a great light. A promise of a child being born: A Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:1-6). Through Christ’s sacrifice we have been reconciled with God and we have received the ministry of reconciliation, that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19). For Paul, we are those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed, meaning, we preach Jesus as Lord. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6) This time of the year, although we remember Jesus birth and childhood, still we preach about the power of his death and resurrection, Jesus, the light of the world, as a conqueror of our sins and as a message of reconciliation with God. As you read this issue of the Missionary Messenger, you will see we celebrate the advent season. Two Bible studies, one which reminds us of the season and refreshes our senses for grace, forgiveness, love, reconciliation, hope, joy, and peace; and the other which encourage us to let the light of Christ shine from our hearts for the world. Also, you will find information about the Christmas traditions of our churches in Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, Colombia, and South Korea. You will be given the opportunity to offer a gift to the King. The Gift to the King Offering, will help to find a permanent home for Comunidad de Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Medical Clinic in Guatemala City. This issue of the Missionary Messenger also offers information about our newest mission project in Taiwan; Women’s Ministry pushing through these uncertain times; a new second mile project for furnishings and equipment for a new church development near Medellin, Colombia; our newest podcast for Cumberland Presbyterians – Cumberland Road, which you can find on your favorite podcast app; and a new book on missions. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26) Merry Christmas to you and your family! 9 4 M I S S I O N A RY M E S S E N G E R W I N T E R 2 0 2 0
M M W IN TER 2020
MISSIONARY MESSENGER { VOL.
9, NO 4
}
MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM OF THE CUMBERL AND PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH
ART DIRECTOR Sowgand Sheikholeslami ext:211
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Milton Ortiz ext:234
PUBLICATIONS MANAGER Matthew Gore ext:221
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jinger Ellis ext:230
CONTRIBUTORS Johan Daza ext:202 Cardelia Howell-Diamond ext:264 Kristi Lounsbury ext:263 T.J. Malinoski ext:232 Milton Ortiz ext:234 Lynn Thomas ext:261 8207 Traditional Place Cordova, T N 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fax 901.276.4578 mes senger@cumberland .org
VISIT US ON THE WEB
ht tp://cpcmc.org/mm To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at
http://cpcmc.org/mm/mm-archives Member • Associated Church Press Made Possible, In Part, By Our United Outreach
BIBLE S T U DY
“I cannot seem to get up in the mornings. I don’t know what to do each day.
Let Your Light Shine By Cardelia Howell-Diamond
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
I can’t see where my next step should be.”
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hese are comments I have heard time and time again over the past several months. It has been dark for a very long time. 2020 has been a year of darkness for me and for so many of us around the world. We have wondered what to do, where to turn, how to “keep on keeping on,” in the midst of a darkness which seems to never let go. As a minister, I have spent countless hours since March having conversations with church members, family members, even strangers about the uncertainty of the time in which we are living. Without exception, everyone has said that life has felt heavy and dark. That is a lot to take in, especially as one is also experiencing these same symptoms. So, what do we do with these thoughts? How do we as Christians, as Cumberland Presbyterians, address the very real darkness in a hurting, stress-filled world? Where do we turn? Psalm 121:1 tells us “I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep, the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” (emphasis mine) There is comfort in these words… and truth. In this season of Advent and Epiphany we celebrate the coming of the light into the world. Our help, Jesus Christ, who comes from the Lord our God. “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6. The light for which we search is the light which cannot be extinguished. It is the light of Jesus Christ, which shines in our very hearts! This is indeed good news! This is the reminder that we need, every day. The very Creator who spoke worlds into being; flung stars into space and commanded the light to shine forth with the power of God’s very voice, has shone the light of truth into our hearts, to enlighten us and open our understanding of the magnificence of God in the lovely face of our Lord. Let the light of Christ shine forth, from your own heart, friends. Let it illuminate the darkness before you. Let it shine bright so that others can see that God is still with us. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5. Shine on, shine on! 9 W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 M I S S I O N A RY M E S S E N G E R 5
B y T. J . M a l i n o s k i
Covenant of Grace, Charlie Brown, and A Refreshing Christmas
God’s work of reconciliation in Jesus Christ occurred at a particular time and place. Yet its powers and benefits extend to the believer in all ages from the beginning of the world. It is communicated by the Holy Spirit and through such instruments as God is pleased to employ. - 3.11 Confession of Faith for Cumberland Presbyterians
In
the third grade, we made Christmas ornaments in the classroom out of salt dough. I remember this vividly because I taste-tested the dough. We shaped, baked, and painted them to look like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, and other Peanut characters to take home and place on the Christmas tree. Each December, these ornaments were brought out of a shoebox, unwrapped from their tissue paper, and hung on tree limbs. Over the years, these non-edible ornaments became brittle from sitting in the attic. Hot glue and super glue were surgically applied to place Charlie’s head back on his shoulders or to give Snoopy his floppy ear back or to reunite Linus with his faded blue blanket. One by one, these fragile little ornaments made their way into the wastebin. Even though I have not seen the ornaments in years, I can still recall the particular time and place of handcrafting these little figures and hanging the last one or two survivors onto the Christmas tree into my late teens and early adulthood. The power of the senses come alive in the present just reflecting upon them: the taste, touch, smell, and sight are all here in the moment. The seasons of Advent and Christmas tend to make our senses come alive and renew our awareness of the announcement and birth of the Christ Child. Even in a most tumultuous year like 2020, news of Jesus Christ is good news indeed that refreshes our senses for grace, forgiveness, love, reconciliation, hope, joy, and peace in a place and time in which it is most needed to be given and received.
The Confession of Faith for Cumberland Presbyterians sees God’s relational and reconciling love, even the very essence of love, culminating and accomplished in Jesus Christ (3.04, 3.07). Cumberland Presbyterians call this a relationship of grace, a covenant of grace. A covenant from the Divine to humanity in the form of an infant. We tend to pull out all stops when celebrating this birth announcement in December: decorating our homes and sanctuaries, bellowing out songs and hymns, smiling a bit more than normal, giving of ourselves with sincerity. Our expressions may even echo down the caverns of the week post December 25th. Yet, we are also reminded by our confessional statements that make us uniquely a people called Cumberland Presbyterians the covenant of grace extends far beyond one particular place and time in the Middle Eastern lands of an eon ago. This reconciling love in Jesus, its powers and benefits extend to the believer in all ages from the beginning of the world. It is communicated by the Holy Spirit and through such instruments as God is pleased to employ (3.11). We find this covenant of grace being communicated every day as both encouraging and wonderful news which refreshes our senses for grace, forgiveness, love, reconciliation, hope, joy, and peace, in a place and time when it is most needed to be given and to be received. In the remainder of 2020, and in the new year ahead, I hope your Advent and Christmas season is filled with a renewed and refreshed love for God, neighbor, and the covenant of grace. F
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By Milton L. Ortiz
Relational Missions The Missions Book
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he Cumberland Presbyterian Church, for many decades, has identified as a global church. We do not start mission work and then nationalize our mission work to be a separate denomination. Most other denominations use the nationalization approach in missions; thus, they are not a globally connected church. When Cumberland Presbyterians go to the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly, they see commissioners from different countries in attendance. If a Cumberland Presbyterian serves on a denominational board or committee, they will often find someone from another country on that board or committee. These practices are the result of being a global church.
But what does it mean to be The Church and relationally connected at an international level? What is the theology behind the idea? What could we lose by nationalizing our mission work like everyone else does? What are the challenges of being in a multinational denomination? How do we, as a church, as well as our missionaries, relate to each other in ways that change all of us for the better? And how can intercultural relationships revitalize our denomination? The Missions Ministry Team, with the enthusiastic support of the Ministry Council started a journey to find answers to these questions. One of the results of that journey is a new book written by our Director of Global Missions,
Lynn Thomas. The book is, Relational Missions, Concepts, Perspectives and Practices that Inform Global Missions. This book is a textbook for people interested in mission theology, understanding cultures, and understanding effective mission practices, all from the perspective of relationships. This book looks at all these areas, but through the lens of forming transformative multicultural relationships. Relational Missions is one of the products of Thomas’s doctoral studies in intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. If you would like to put on a student’s hat and learn about mission strategies, history, and practices, I strongly recommend this book. Dr. Thomas has done a great job of weaving a tapestry of mission theories from many mission leaders to help us all understanding the benefits of missions and what it means to be a global church. If you want to read about mission strategies and practices from the Cumberland Presbyterian perspective, this is your book. As Dr. Thomas explains, crossing cultures to do missions is transformative, it transforms everyone, the missionary, the sending church, and the mission field. You can find the book Relational Missions at the CP Resource Center http://www.cumberland.org/resources . There will soon be a Spanish and Korean translation of the book for CPs who prefer these languages. y
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Congregational Ministries
The
season of Advent in my home church (Shinar Cumberland Presbyterian Church, New London, Iowa) meant bringing a large tree into the sanctuary with beautifully decorated ornaments, singing Christmas hymns in church, loading up the youth group to go caroling and visit the shut-ins, having Sunday school parties, and presenting the “Christmas Story� as a church program with family and friends present. These traditions all helped prepare for the celebration of the Christ-child.
Churches around the world celebrate Christmas with traditions of their own. The invitation is yours to travel around the world and discover traditions of the global Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Christmas Traditions of the Global Cumberland Presbyterian Church By Kristi Lounsbury
Christmas in Guatemala is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. Cities are dressed in Christmas colors, lights, Christmas trees, mangers, and lanterns with candles. Throughout the month of December, gatherings bring together family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate the birth of Jesus. They call these group meetings, convivios. In most Christian churches, advent wreaths are present. Churches typically have Christmas cantatas, dramas, puppets, dinner, gifts, and much more. Other traditions and customs include Christmas mangers, fireworks, and exchange of gifts. The typical food served during the Christmas services and convivios are tamales and punch.
Everyone waits until midnight to light hundreds of fireworks or firecrackers to celebrate the birth of Jesus. A family prayer is said around the tree and it is the custom to open the presents shortly after midnight. Brazil celebrates Christmas during its summer since it is on the equator. Although the official date of Christmas is December 25, the commemoration of the Advent of Jesus Christ, is celebrated by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Brazil a few days ahead of the date, so that on the official day, families, as usual, can get together for supper and exchange gifts. The church usually celebrates with a worship service, where everyone can take part in this precious moment in the history of Christianity. After the service, we fellowship together and enjoying the company of our brothers and friends. Also, we give the children souvenirs (gifts) to mark that day.
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Each night they go to different neighborhood houses and ask for “accommodation.” Everyone sings Christmas songs, lights sparklers, and has typical Mexican drinks of various fruits, which they call punch, and sweets.
We
focus on Jesus as the true center of attention for Christmas, through songs and messages alluding to the true meaning of Christmas. Mangers are a Brazilian tradition. The people create them and put them in their houses, commercial buildings, and in public places. Based on this tradition the people enjoy attending a folklore theater which is based on the story of the shepherds. In this version of the story, in place of the male shepherds there are female shepherds, that come to visit Jesus the child, and they are accompanied with a gypsy. There is Santa Claus in Brazil and he brings gifts in the country. Most of the customs take place at night during Christmas Eve, which involves a big dinner. There are a variety of local foods combined with traditional Christmas foods, and this makes our Brazilian church gatherings interesting. Our church also does a gathering and meal on Christmas Eve. The dishes are fresh vegetables, garlic cabbage, exotic fruits, roast turkey, roast pork, fish, walnut cake, chocolate cake, and dried fruit in potato salad.
Piñatas are also used to celebrate. The piñata represents chasing away evil spirits. Every day until Christmas Eve, this event is repeated in different houses. On the night of the 24th, families gather in their homes and there are family dinners. The children are then given gifts until January 6th (Epiphany), which is the day the wise men from the east went to visit little Jesus and gave him gifts. Youth groups in CP churches in the Philippines practice the tradition of caroling during Christmas season. They will sing Christmas songs with the guitar and tambourines. The host usually prepares some cookies or finger food and gives the carolers a donation. The youth group saves the donations for things like summer camp. The CP churches also have a Christmas party on either the fourth Sunday of Advent, Christmas Day or the first Sunday of Christmas. After the worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus, all congregants have a luncheon together in the church. Each person brings a Christmas gift and exchanges it by casting lots. Games are played and the congregation has a lot of fun together.
We Focus On Jesus As The True Center Of Attention For Christmas.
In
Mexico, Christmas is a very special time and is longed for by Mexicans. Among the things which are customary are meetings before Christmas called posadas (The Inns). Starting on December 16, the posadas begin in the neighborhoods each night. They celebrate the part of the Christmas story in which Joseph and Mary looked for somewhere to stay. For the posadas, the outsides of houses are decorated with evergreens, moss, and paper lanterns.
The church prepares bags of food to help people in need. People, other than those who go to church are also invited, to the Christmas service and party. In the Philippines, Christmas is a family reunion day, and people want to celebrate Christmas with their family. Many Filipinos work outside of the country. Having been away from their families all year, hundreds of thousands of overseas workers come back home during Christmas season. Continue on page 10
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any Cumberland Presbyterian churches in Japan make advent calendars with their children and wait for Christmas day. Every church has a Christmas program for kids, youths, and adults near Christmas day. The program includes a worship service, a time of witnessing, games, and sharing over a snack or meal. Some churches have evening service or prayer meetings during advent and most of the churches have evening services on December 24. December 25 is known as a family Christmas day – family members exchange presents, have dinner together and eat cake. The tradition at the CPCJ Higashikoganei is to put a hand-made advent calendar with candies in it and give them to the children. Also, during advent, they put patchworks by the church members on the wall that has the nativities (see pictures). The congregation often sits in meditation as it is filled with warm light and the holy spirit fills the bethel during Advent and Christmas.
Some of the Christmas Season traditions in Colombia are heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church. During advent there is one day called The Day of the Light in celebration for the virgin Mary’s conception of our lord Jesus Christ. This is a Catholic celebration in which families light candles and lanterns and place them in the streets. Many people have adopted this tradition as a cultural celebration. Another common celebration is the novenas (nine nights before Christmas). Catholics, in general, celebrate the novenas by meeting each night for nine nights to remember the Christmas story. The last night is on Christmas Eve. Some Protestant churches have adapted the novenas to invite non-believers and share the Christmas story as an evangelistic opportunity. Additionally, many cities around the country decorate the streets with alumbrados (Christmas lights) for the whole month of December. Medellin, where Emaus Presbytery is located, is well known for its alumbrados because there is a new theme every year. Finally, the Christmas season includes New Year´s Eve. Many protestant congregations gather for a thanksgiving worship service on December 31 every year which includes a fellowship dinner. Some of our Cumberland Presbyterian congregations have this traditional thanksgiving worship service every year.
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In
Belize, gifts are exchanged with everyone in the church. There is a Christmas banquet, whereby mostly the women’s group comes together to cook a traditional meal (rice and beans, potato salad, turkey, and ham). Others not involved in the church are invited as well as a way of showing love during this time to the community. During this luncheon different groups prepare either drama, songs, or poems, serving as entertainment and encouragement to all the guests. This leads to a new year’s watch night. Whereby a service takes place starts at 9:00 pm and goes on until midnight to wish everyone a happy new year. Family and friends are invited to welcome the new year in the house of the Lord.
Most churches, as well as CP churches, in South Korea have a Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. Children and young people prepare skits, songs, and dance. Non-Christian parents come to the church to see their children’s performance. This is a good opportunity for the church to establish a relationship with them for evangelism. Unfortunately, Christmas Eve traditions are fading away because of change of lifestyle. Caroling at member’s homes was once a tradition as well. The CP churches decorate a Christmas tree and put it around the pulpit in December. The CP churches have a Christmas service on Christmas Day which starts at 11:00 a.m. People invite non-Christian family members, friends, and neighbors to Christmas service. It is easier to invite them to Christmas service than normal Sunday service. After Christmas service, they have lunch together and exchange Christmas cards. Christmas traditions represent the Cumberland Presbyterian faith well. Many congregations. Many people and places. Many traditions. All wonderful and worthy. Isn’t it wonderful to know whatever your traditions are, we are all celebrating the coming of one Christ-child? May your congregation be blessed during this season of anticipation and celebration! An additional article will be included in the December issue of the Cumberland Presbyterian featuring several stateside congregations and their Advent/Christmas traditions. An ongoing list of mission and outreach activities is being compiled as well. Please send your information to klounsbury@cumberland.org to be included in a future issue of The Cumberland Presbyterian. g
The CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, COMMUNITY OF FAITH IN GUATEMALA By Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino
The
Community of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Guatemala proclaims the love of Christ through the message of the Word of God and through Christian companionship and social work. We do this in the following ministries: a praise team, youth group, women’s ministry, prayer meetings, Sunday school, deacons, elders, our church session, and our medical clinic.
The church has been supported by the Missions Ministry Team, which was instrumental in its development as a provisional church and becoming a Cumberland Presbyterian (CP) Church. The church became a CP church more than seven years ago. It has worked with many shortterm mission groups from the United States which have conducted evangelism programs, Bible schools, and prayer for the sick. These groups, with the help of the church, also did community service projects, like construction, medical services, support for young people in paying for their studies, and other activities. The church also helped mission teams work with single mothers, persons with disabilities, older adults, children, and families in extreme poverty.
Within the church’s facilities there is a medical clinic, which serves a low-income population who do not have the money to pay for health insurance. Another major ministry of our church is our youth camp. Every year the church holds a youth camp, which has an excellent response; many young people have received Christ through these camps. During the Christmas season the brothers and sisters of the church prepare with great enthusiasm and dedication a special outreach program. During December, they carry out “Christmas Inns” where people are invited to different homes and the gospel of Christ is proclaimed. The church has been paying rent for many years and is praying that the Lord will provide a place of their own. The challenge is that property in Guatemala is expensive and most of our members have limited resources. We hope that this dream of a new building will soon be a reality. Thanks to the good-hearted brothers and sisters who, with a generous attitude, have joined us in this cause by Giving to the Gift to the King Offering. It is our hope that the Community of Faith CP Church will soon secure its own place in Guatemala. G W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 M I S S I O N A RY M E S S E N G E R 11
CUMBERLAND MEDICAL CLINIC Testimony By Ivonne Colorado, Clinic Administrator
The
During our daily walk through the clinic we have heard many stories of people who have been cared for when they felt discouraged, sick, tired, and anguished. Because of the care received by the work of our gifted doctors and through the words of people who have come to our clinic, many have come back. They tell how being cared for, listened to, and treated with love, science, and understanding has made a difference.
and he was no longer able to breathe properly. The doctor started a much more aggressive treatment of injections and medications, and it became necessary to put him on oxygen. The family decided to keep him at home, and on the instructions of the doctors, all precautions were taken to protect the whole family. As the doctor ordered, he received oxygen for several hours and measurements were made. The family was in a situation of uncertainty and fear, but they did everything necessary to support him. Meanwhile the church joined in prayer and reached out to him in support.
The pandemic and the effects of COVID-19 did not spare Guatemala, and the clinic quickly began to treat cases suspected of having the virus. One of the most shocking stories was from a man named Gabriel. His story was a testimony of sickness, forgiveness, healing, faith, and hope. On July 4th, with great joy and excitement he celebrated his daughter’s birthday. It was an atmosphere of happiness and celebration. But the next day, Sunday, July 5th, Gabriel felt bad, and by the afternoon he was in bed with obvious symptoms. It was on Monday that he decided to go to The Cumberland Medical Clinic. He was treated by our Dr. Hernández. By this time, he had lost his sense of smell. Gabriel tried not to show his symptoms, because he did not want to receive the terrible news he had the virus. The doctor decided to give him a mild treatment, in case he did have the virus, and she committed to stay in touch with him to see if he got worse. By Thursday of that same week Gabriel’s symptoms worsened and his condition began to deteriorate, he refused to get a swab test. During the following week, the virus wreaked havoc on his health
For her part, the doctor stayed in touch with him by calls, and messages, at times early morning, or late at night. God used the right treatment to bring healing to Gabriel. Today Gabriel feels at peace, and he knows he has been transformed. Even this disease had a positive side, it was used to transform a life to experience the love of God our Lord. 9
medical clinic opened its doors with the desire to serve people that have the greatest need and to serve those in nearby communities. Part of the strategy of “being part of the neighborhood” was to open a space that gives us the opportunity to share the Good News. A place where people are not afraid to approach the church knowing that the clinic is part of the church.
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The best part of the experience was yet to come, at a time when Gabriel felt that he would not escape the disease, he began his conversation with God. In his prayer he asked God to bring him closer to Him, and to forgive him. And then he found peace with God and no longer felt afraid of dying. During the illness there were days Gabriel was not aware of what was happening, his oxygen level dropped dangerously low, but he remembers the peace he felt when he talked to God. From that moment on he began to recover. God spoke to him in various ways, through medical treatment, the prayers of the church family, and the words of a little child in our church who called him and spoke with him words of love, of God’s love for his life.
Privileged TO TEACH By Grace Elena Miller-Roulet and Marcia Roulet de Miller Community of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church
In
Proverbs 22:6 it says, “Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” The job of Sunday school is to teach children about God and his word so when they are old, they will stay faithful to the One, True God.
When Communidad de Fe was founded in 1994, it was basically a youth group, with only youth and young adults attending. There were no children and because of this there was no need for Sunday school. A few years later, this “youth group” became a formal church. With this change, families with children started to come as well. The original members realized that they would need a Sunday school. This group of leaders was trained at summer camps, so they had experience working with kids. As time went by
some of the original youth members got married and had their own children that would need to be taught. Currently, there are around fifteen kids between the ages of two and twelve, plus ten or more teenagers attending Sunday school. Many of the teenagers that attend come from a discipleship program, New Horizons, which is led by a missionary who attends the church. The service at Comunidad de Fe includes the children from the beginning until right before the sermon starts. At that time, the church prays for the children and then they are sent to their classes. There is a preschool class, an elementary class, and a youth class for teenagers. Recently, a need for a nursery has arisen, so soon there will now be a nursery.
The dedicated teachers come from many different backgrounds, but all of them have that passion and desire to see a generation raised to serve the Lord. Comunidad de Fe encourages the children, as they grow older, to participate in church ministry teams. For example, one of our teachers is Sara. At one time she was a student at Sunday school and was raised in the church. She is now using her talents to serve the Lord in Sunday school and the worship team. During this time in quarantine, the different teachers have been recording themselves giving a lesson and then doing a craft. These videos have been shown in the services over Facebook Live. Families are encouraged to send pictures of their kids’ work to share with the rest of the church. l
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Cumberland Presbyterian
MAM By Johan Daza
Do you know we have Cumberland Presbyterian Mam brothers and sisters from Guatemala living in the United States?
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hen I moved to the United States, one of my first ministry works was to serve as a church planter for a Spanish speaking new church development in Memphis, Tennessee. When I look back, I think it was one of the most meaningful learning experiences I have had in ministry. Something you might find funny is that one of my first cultural shocks living in the United States was with brothers and sisters from this new church development. After I preached my first sermon in the NCD, my wife came to me and told me: “They did not get it.� I was confused at first, then she explained that they do not get it because they do not understand my Colombian Spanish. I was even more confused. But it makes sense! Just because Spanish is spoken in many countries in Latin America, does not mean that we speak the same Spanish. Language and culture go together and everything we communicate and do is cultural. That experience helped me to realize something very important. A high percentage of the adults attending the new church development were Mam, Native American people from Guatemala. Mam is one of the many indigenous groups in Guatemala. Their first language is Mam, Spanish was the second language of many of the adults attending church. Not only that, it helped me to understand that the many cultural differences were because
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The Mam are one of the many indigenous groups in Guatemala. Their first language is Mam; Spanish was the second language of many of the adults attending church.
they preserve many of their indigenous cultural system values. Can you imagine that? I was treating them like they were Hispanics, when, in reality, they are not. They are indigenous Mam with a very well-structured culture and language. Today, we have the blessing to have Cumberland Presbyterian Mam brothers and sisters here in the United States. Perhaps the Director of Global Missions could correct me; but we do not have a Cumberland Presbyterian Mam church in Guatemala. However, we have two congregations in Memphis where Mam is the first language of many of the adults who attend. One of the pastoral families is a Mam couple. So recently I contacted pastor Vasquez, the pastor of La vid Verdadera CP Fellowship, to check on them and learn more about their spiritual and migration journey. He told me that there is a large group of Mam families living in Memphis, Tennessee. One of the reasons is kinship, that deep connection with relatives and community. The majority of them come from the same region and town in Guatemala. This is amazing, because we need to keep in mind that there are more than 20 different Mayan indigenous groups with their own language, culture, and geographical location.
I asked Pastor Vasquez if he has led devotionals or worship services in Mam in Memphis, and he said yes, when he visits Mam families, they speak, pray, proclaim the Scriptures in Mam, however, he works hard to be able to preach in Spanish every Sunday at his congregation even now during the pandemic. It is a blessing that the pandemic has not affected any members of their congregation and they are still gathering once per week. Their worship style, their dress code, and their worldview are different from our westernized ones. There are translations of the Bible available in Mam, and there are Mam congregations in their hometown in Guatemala. It is very interesting to think that the gospel has been presented among Mam communities in Guatemala and here in the United States. For Mam people the Gospel has been mediated by their own culture and we are invited to honor that. It is unfortunate how easy we forget that unintentionally or intentionally as Hispanics we have forced Mam people living in the United States to worship in Spanish, when they would prefer to worship in Mam in their own style.
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inally, the invitation is to celebrate the diversity we have in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. We are called to avoid assumptions about people from other cultural systems and nations living in the US. And if we do not understand why people do what they do, it is always important to ask them questions, rather than creating assumptions formed by our own cultural system. So here are some tips, first, please do not assume people from different cultural backgrounds will respond to and interact with you according to your own cultural system. Second, try to ask as many questions as you can when engaging persons from a different culture. You might be surprised by the findings in those conversations. Third, be sensitive, always be kind and bear witness of God´s love. Did you know that Mam people in their home country do not have the same privileges that many people have here in the US? Just keep loving and serving one another! T
So here is a question for us, are Mam people living in the United States Hispanics? The answer is no. Hispanic has been used to categorize people who speak Spanish as their first language, I am a Hispanic. Pastor Vasquez shared that they use their Mam language and culture to keep many of the traditions and especially relationships with relatives in Guatemala and here in the United States. However, many Mam people must learn Spanish to find better job opportunities among Spanish speaking communities. And Pastor Vasquez affirms that his wife speaks more Spanish than he does. Sometimes he must request interpretation to understand everything Spanish speaking people say. In other words, they are linguistically, ethnically, and culturally indigenous Mam. W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 M I S S I O N A RY M E S S E N G E R 15
By Milton L. Ortiz
Our Newest Mission Project In Taiwan!
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ost everything related to Taiwan is complicated. First, where is it? Taiwan is a large island found off the coast of China, just to the north of the Philippines. The Portuguese once called it “Formosa.� Second, is Taiwan a country? That question is disputed. It was part of China until the Chinese communist revolution. The people in Taiwan did not support the communist government of China and remained independent. China has never accepted Taiwan as a separate nation. This large island became a refuge for those seeking democratic freedoms. Taiwan is a little larger than the state of Maryland, and it has about the same per-capita income as the United States. The population is about 24 million people. About six percent of the population professes to be Christian. As a result of the new pressures and influence being imposed on Hong Kong by China, people from Hong Kong have started to migrate to the safety of Taiwan. In 2020 one of our pastors from Hong Kong, who had been a leader in the peaceful protest movement against Chinese subjugation of Hong Kong, realized it was time to leave. New laws were passed in China for Hong Kong, which resulted in the real possibility of the imprisonment of protest leaders. Various leaders left Hong Kong for safety including Reverend William Yeung, pastor of the Xi Lin CP Church, Hong Kong Presbytery.
The Missions Ministry Team reached out to Reverend Yeung and asked if he would be interested in exploring ways to reach out to refugees from Hong Kong living in Taiwan. He responded that he would, as he explained, he has been CP all his life. In September 2020, the Missions Ministry Team started working with Reverend Yeung to contact other Hong Kong people now living in Taiwan. As well Reverend Yeung has been asked to reach out to other church leaders in Taiwan and introduce himself and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In the spirit of ecumenism, we want others to know we are there to be partners in ministry. It is our hope and prayer over the next year that we can discover how to do church planting in Taiwan. As the population of Hong Kong people grows in Taiwan, there will certainly be great needs and possibilities for outreach and ministry. Pray for this new ministry in Taiwan. G 16 M I S S I O N A RY M E S S E N G E R W I N T E R 2 0 2 0
By Jinger Ellis
Thanks For Giving!
2019 Loaves & Fishes Offering $51,167.47
Last year’s Loaves & Fishes Offering was an avenue to address hunger, whether it was physical, spiritual, or emotional. The funds were used to provide partnering organizations of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church the means to reach those who are desperate and full of despair, thus providing hope and healing. Project Vida, Coalition of Appalachian Ministries, and Beth-El all have different programs touching different people, yet, they still have the same goal – to provide resources to those who are in need. Funds that were given through the Loaves & Fishes Offering were distributed equally among the three organizations.
2019 Gift to the King Offering $39,068.36
The offering last year was for the Living Word new church development in Brazil. They wanted to move the mission out of the small store front and build a permanent church in the town of Mata de São João which has approximately 50,000 people. Living Word CP Church was established two years ago as a second mission in Mata de São João. The Rev. Carlos Santos and his wife Priscilla, a candidate for the ministry, pastor both an organized CP church and the Living Word mission. Our missionaries, the Rev. Josue Guerrero, and his wife Sara help with the new mission. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic plans to buy property have been put on hold.
2019 & 2020 Builders Fellowship
Each year the Missions Ministry Team sends out three calls to Builders Fellowship members and churches to help raise funds for purchasing or building a first worship center. Below is a list of the calls for 2018 and 2019 with the amounts raised.
First call for 2019 – Aguadas, Colombia $9,655.00 was received. Second call for 2019 – Rios de Agua Viva, Colombia - $9,485.00 was received. Third call for 2019 – The Patrick House, Choctaw Presbytery - $10,125.50 was received. First call for 2020 - The Gracious Jesus CP Church, Oton, The Philippines $10,976.74 was received. Second call for 2020 - Living Word CP Church, Mata de São João, Brazil $9,979.50 was received. Missionary Set-Up Fund Missionary Cars – The financial goal was $42,000, received $25,943. When combined with undesignated Missionary Set-Up funds there will be enough to satisfy the car needs for our current missionaries.
Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund
2017 - Donations totaled $259,529; expenses (salaries & benefits) were $341,763; deficit of $82,234 2018 - Donations totaled $319,144; expenses were $319,710; deficit of $566 2019 - Donations totaled $327,206; expenses were $268,013; surplus of $59,193 2020 - $186,506 has been received as of October 13, 2020, expenses are $268,910; deficit of $82,404. Many thanks to our faithful donors to the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund! The reduction in expenses for 2019 was due to the delay in getting the Lopez’ to Spain. It is our hope that they will be deployed before the end of this year. This overage has helped off-set some of our deficit this year. Please pray for our missionaries and consider supporting the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering. They have an important message to share with the world. G
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Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Ministry
2020-2021
Women’s Ministry By Cardelia Howell-Diamond
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omen’s Ministry looks different this year. There is no way around it. Some local congregations are meeting again, others are not. Some local groups are meeting, others are still waiting. Some regions are meeting, others are unsure of what to do. In times of uncertainty it is easy to lose heart or lose focus.
Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry is continuing to push through these uncertain times and to serve one another in love. We are continuing our theme from last year, Walk in Love. The Bible studies are online from last year and can be found at https:// cpcmc.org/mmt/wmresourcescurrent/. In addition to these Bible studies, we are offering video Bible studies each month presented by various Cumberland Presbyterian Clergywomen. These can be found in our Facebook group https:// www.facebook.com/OfficialCPWM or our YouTube channel (Missions Ministry Team Cumberland
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Presbyterian). We have videos uploaded from the Reverend Peggy Jean Craig, the Reverend Anna Sweet Brockman, and the Reverend Lisa Oliver, with many more coming over the year. We hope that you will use these studies individually and as groups to help dig into our theme in new and exciting ways.
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reminder that we have not only extended our theme for the year, we have also extended our offering and projects. The project for the fall 2020 is the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering to support our missionaries. The Spring 2021 project is furniture for our missionaries to Spain and France. Our 2021 Convention offering will be for Sacred Sparks Laundry Ministry. You can send in your support of these projects and offering to the Mission Ministry Team at 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016. Please make sure to indicate which project or offering you are supporting by writing CPWM and the project in the memo line or on a note with your contribution. Q
Cumberland Presbyterian
Walk in Love
Women's Ministry
Ephesians 5:1-2
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (NIV)
The
letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus is a communication designed to teach and encourage them how to live a life of faithfulness, how to be followers of Jesus, how to live with other believers and even with enemies. It is a letter full of instructions, helpful tidbits of life, as well as warnings. The passage that will serve as our guiding theme for the coming year follows a listing of rules for how they are to live this new life. Paul warns them to speak truth (rather than lies), he encourages them to deal with their anger quickly and come to a place of agreement; to work hard (rather than steal); to speak words of kindness; to refrain from bitterness, wrath, anger, fussing and fighting, slander, and malice. The key verses that shape our focus “Walk in Love” sums it up by challenging them to be imitators of God and live in love. As God’s beloved children, we are challenged to give ourselves out to others in divine love. And the good news is that our actions of love and kindness will cause us to look increasingly more like Jesus every day. The theme “Walk in Love,” paints a poignant picture of what it means to walk with Christ as we travel through the seasons of our lives. In the coming year, each month we will explore this theme from a variety of perspectives: • The school year – showing support for students and teachers • The Fall – enjoying and praising God for the beauty of nature • Thanksgiving– showing our thankfulness for what God has done for us • Christmas– celebrating the amazing truth that “Love Came Down” to earth at Christmas
• The New Year– and all that it promises • Valentine’s Day– and the month of love for our family and friends • Welcoming the new life that springs up around us • The new life given to us by our Savior • Loving our mothers and our fathers • Demonstrating love for our country
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hese topics seem, for the most part, like broad subjects with simple answers. However, they are broad in order to give us creative freedom, but they are not meant to be simple. We live in complicated times, and we want to know how to show God’s love to the world. How can we witness to others, feed the hungry, comfort the dying, help the homeless, minister to those who are dealing with anger, hate, and injustice? Ephesians tells us to follow God’s example. We are challenged to ask what God would do in every situation we face in our lives; and then do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents (Ephesians 5:1-2). Mostly what God does is love us, so we seek to keep company with him, and learn to live a life of love. What a high standard Paul sets before us: to be imitators of God. This is tough talk. We are to put off our old self and put on the new self (Ephesians 4:22-24). Paul tells us to stop acting like people of the world by getting rid of bitterness, rage, and anger, and forgiving one another just as God forgives us. We are to submit to one another out of reverence to Christ (Ephesians 5:21). In the coming year, may we grow to look like God by the way we love others and follow the example of Jesus Christ by walking in love throughout the year, all 365 days! F W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 M I S S I O N A RY M E S S E N G E R 19
GIFT TO
GIVING NEWS/Second Mile Project for Missions
2020
“FOR GOD, WHO SAID, ‘LET LIGHT SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS,’ MADE HIS LIGHT SHINE IN OUR HEARTS TO GIVE US THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S GLORY DISPLAYED IN THE FACE OF CHRIST.”
Furnishings and Equipment for Rionegro – Project #34467
Missionaries to Colombia, Patrick and Jessica Wilkerson, started a home study group in 2020. This group has grown to thirty participants and is now envisioned as a new church development. The Rionegro group, named for the city where they are located, meets each Sunday for Bible study and worship. During the pandemic they have been meeting by Zoom. The group has made several important decisions in 2020.
First, they plan to employ a fulltime Colombian church planter to work with our missionaries; and second, they plan to rent a storefront for worship and meetings. This Rionegro Second Mile project is soliciting $5,000 in donations to buy furnishings and equipment for the new rented storefront. The hope is to rent space in early 2021 and use this Second Mile Offering to buy chairs, tables and audio/visual equipment. y
Financial Data:
Contributions:
Amount needed from Second Mile: $5,000
Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for “Rionegro” and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
Amount received to date: $0
Contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com, Cumberland (901) 276-4572 ext. 261. Presbyterian Church
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Missions Ministry Team
8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414
O THE KING
NEW BUILDING FOR COMUNIDAD DE FE AND MEDICAL CLINIC IN GUATEMALA CITY
For more information and resources visit our website at http : / / cpcmc.org / mmt /
POLICY: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER is published for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by the Missions Ministry Team. Opinions expressed by the individual writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editors. THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER does not accept advertising. ADDRESS CHANGE: send new address and label from a recent issue to the Circulation Secretary at the address below. THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER (ISSN 08868344), (Publication permit number: PE14376) is published quarterly by the Missions Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. The magazine is sent free of charge to each household in the denomination. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
CUMBERLAND ROAD With T. J. Malinoski
Cumberland Road is a podcast, hosted by the Reverend T.J. Malinoski, which explores Cumberland Presbyterians' inspiring faith journeys with God and how their faith impacts their daily lives. You can find Cumberland Road on your favorite podcast apps such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Stitcher, or the Cumberland Road landing page.