M M Missionary Messenger
LOAVES
FALL 2015
Captivated By
CALI PAGES 10-13
&
FISHES OFFERING CONVENTION IMPRESSIONS PAGES 16-19
BEING
the BODY
& BEING
A FAMILY PAGES 6-8
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&
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Loaves Fishes
by Lynn Thomas
Offering
In the Fall of 2015 the Missions Ministry Team and the Cumberland Presbyterian Council of Churches in Guatemala opened a new ministry in the Casa de Fe y Oración Cumberland Presbyterian Church (House of Faith and Prayer). The church of sixty congregants is located in Mixco, the third largest city in Guatemala and adjacent to the capital Guatemala City. Just a few blocks from the church is a very dangerous part of town, that some identify as the most dangerous part of Mixco. This area is known for gang violence, so police and the military patrol the area and commerce trucks traveling use hired guards to protect their merchandise. Casa de Fe y Oración has been a victim of the criminal activity - theft taking the sound system of the church. Typical of this part of the world children are everywhere. Sadly, they too are exposed to the streets. When the church conducts a special children’s event they can fill the building with children. The children will come when the church reaches out to them. Because of the extreme poverty found in Guatemala, there is a high population of poor children living in the vicinity of the church. The goal for this year’s Loaves & Fishes Offering is to start a new ministry that is built around a Hot Lunch program for children. It will involve lunch for a select group of children, in addition to medical, nutritional, physiological, educational and spiritual care. The hot lunch is the focal point of the ministry, but it also affords the opportunity to look at the total welfare of the child, even tutoring after lunch for those that need this help. Cumberland Presbyterian missionary Anay Ortega will coordinate the program with the help of the leadership of the church. They plan to invite needy children to come eat a hot meal each day at the church, provide professionals as needed to help them, and to share the love of Christ with them and their families. Our missionaries in Guatemala are from Colombia and have firsthand experience working with hot lunch programs. We encourage all to give this year to the Loaves & Fishes Offering, help our churches and missionaries in Guatemala touch the lives of children and their families. Your donations will be used to feed and care for children living in poverty in Guatemala. MM
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MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
V O L.4, N O.3
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MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM OF THE CUMBERL AND PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH
ART DIRECTOR Sowgand Sheikholeslami
EDITORS Milton Ortiz: ext:234 Pam Phillips-Burk: ext:203 Lynn Thomas: ext:261 T.J. Malinoski ext:232 Johan Daza ext:202
COPY EDITOR Jinger Ellis ext:230
8207 Traditional Place Cor dova, T N 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fa x 901.276.4578 m essenger @cu m berland.org
PRINTER A1 Printing Memphis, Tennessee MEMBER • Associated Church Press FA L L 2 015 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 1
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Missionary Messenger
Contents Cali, Colombia
p. 10−13
Feature Stories 5
6
DOORS TO THE FUTURE Exploring new doors for Cumberland Presbyterian churches around the globe. BEING THE BODY & BEING A FAMILY One short−term missionary’s reflection on Colombia, South America.
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CAPTIVATED BY CALI 185th General Assembly Meeting in Cali, Colombia. 2 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 015
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PILGRIMAGE FOR CP WOMEN’S MINISTRY 75 Cumberland Presbyterians journey to Evansville, Indiana to celebrate 135 years of women in ministry. 2015 CONVENTION IMPRESSIONS Highlights and exciting news from this year’s Women’s Convention. BETHEL UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Christian Studies Major Andrea Marulanda Gutierrez is awarded the CP Women’s Ministry Scholarship.
LOAVES & FISHES Offering
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MISSIONARY MESSENGER {
Columns 4
PERSPECTIVES / Seven Loaves
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New Exploration Initiative/ Mid−Town Memphis
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ON THE COVER:
STUDENT AT COMUNIDAD DE FE SCHOOL IN GUATEMALA CITY PHOTO CREDIT:
MARK J. DAVIS
VISIT US ON THE WEB
ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/currentissue To read the previous issues of the Missionary Messenger visit us at
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ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/mmarchives
BIBLE STUDY / Loaves & Fishes
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PERSPECTIVES by Milton L. Ortiz
SEVEN LOAVES
L
ast June, a mission team of teenagers from the USA, some adults and I, had the opportunity to visit one of the hot lunch programs at the Dosquebradas Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Colombia. There were mostly children and a few adults eating at the hot lunch program. We were informed that children and some abuelos (grandparents) eat there daily. Initially, we all felt out of place, this was not a restaurant; neither was it a home, but it was a place where some people, especially children, come to have lunch from Monday to Friday. They all have something in common; they have nothing to eat at home.
During our visit, we were invited to eat their food. This made me feel awkward and I think most everyone from the USA was thinking the same. This is their food! The leader of our group explained that we could make a donation equal to what we would have paid in a restaurant. We made a donation and ate lunch. It was an “Our hot lunch programs adventure, Colombian food. Interestingly, our final account of money was enough to buy food for a month for the lunch might be an adventure for a program. This experience reminded me of when Mark narrates the story of Jesus foreign visitor but they are a feeding the four thousand. Jesus said, “I have compassion for these people; they daily sustenance for those in have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them the Dosquebradas community.” home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance” (Mark 8:2-3 NIV). I have to confess that one of the most difficult parts of being on the mission field is eating the local food. The first time one eats food in the country they are visiting they are excited - it’s an adventure! However, everything starts changing the third day. There is nothing like our own food. After a few days the sense of adventure is gone and the food becomes part of our life, appealing or unappealing. The food we on the mission team ate was new, some liked it and others didn’t, but for those who were in need and used the hot lunch program, it was part of their life, an important part. We who have an abundance of food have the luxury of trying new foods, the wide variety is an adventure. Our hot lunch programs might be an adventure for a foreign visitor but they are a daily sustenance for those in the Dosquebradas community. Having food to eat is a basic human need, but not all people have this basic daily need met. Jesus told his disciples: “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven”, they replied (8:5). This year’s Loaves & Fishes Offering is going to help start a hot lunch program in Guatemala. Our missionary Anay Ortega is very excited. Feeding children is one of the most exciting experiences adults can have in life. It is my hope and prayer that you can also get excited about this wonderful opportunity in Guatemala. Can you imagine how many children we can feed with seven loaves? MM 4 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 015
THE
GOSPEL TO THE CHOCTAW by Claude Gilbert The book The Gospel to the Choctaw written by Claude Gilbert in 1968 has been reprinted this year by the Discipleship Ministry and the Missions Ministry Teams. This printing includes additional material of maps, photos and a biography on Reverend Robert Bell written by Reverend Richard Beard. You can purchase a copy of The Gospel to the Choctaw for $6.00 from the Cumberland Presbyterian bookstore online at http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/store,
emailing your request at resources@cumberland.org,
by calling 901-276-4581 or by visiting the bookstore at 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, Tennessee 38016.
DOORS TO THE FUTURE by Lynn Thomas
MID-TOWN MEMPHIS
NEW EXPLORATION INITIATIVE by T. J. Malinoski
T
he policy manual of the Missions Ministry Team states our missionary vision is, “to personally model and lead others to love the Lord your God with all our heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself with the goal to reach the most people for Christ in the shortest amount of time.” This vision statement challenges the Church. When a mission door opens, we enter and explore the opportunity.
Open doors we are currently exploring are: Australia: There are 150,000 Koreans in Sydney, Australia. A group of Australian Koreans with Cumberland Presbyterian connections in the USA have already started to meet and talk about expanding the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Australia. The Missions Ministry Team staff will be meeting with them in the Fall of 2015. Haiti: There have been various work groups from Cumberland Presbyterian churches over the years helping people in Haiti. A group of Haitians has expressed interest in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Missions Ministry Team, working with Hope Presbytery, will be traveling to Haiti in the Fall of 2015 and explore the possibilities. Brazil: Japan Presbytery has been working in Brazil with Japanese living there for decades. There is a Cumberland Presbyterian church in Brazil. As the church’s cultural context has become more Brazilian, Japan Presbytery and the Missions Ministry Team will be exploring what the future should like in Brazil. MM
To encourage the start of new Cumberland Presbyterian churches in the United States, the Missions Ministry Team has started a new ministry entitled New Exploration Initiative (NEI). The first NEI has started in mid-town Memphis, Tennessee earlier this year. This area was primarily chosen to gain experience on how to do a New Exploration Initiative that can be replicated in other geographical areas. Reverend Joshua Harper is working diligently on gathering a group with the primary mission to reach persons who have not found a church home. Joshua states that the focus of the group is “to share the gospel with those who are emotionally and spiritually homeless.” A group of thirteen persons has been meeting who are interested in impacting their community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The first few months of a New Exploration Initiative includes experiencing different worship styles in several area churches to determine what resonates with the core group, hold regular Bible studies, determining the community’s needs and how the group can address those needs both spiritually and physically and to have a retreat to focus on relationship building, evangelism methods, and developing the group’s values and mission. The next twelve months will be focused on determining if a Cumberland Presbyterian presence may be formed in the area. Are they a new church yet? Not quite, but if the planning objectives continue to be met and the spiritual and numerical growth occurs, then the Missions Ministry Team will be in contact with the presbyterial board of missions to develop and propose a plan for a new church development. Join in the excitement of trying new methods and ideas for new church development to share the gospel through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. If you are aware of a geographical area in the United States where a Cumberland Presbyterian presence may be possible or of a person who exhibits church start leadership qualities please contact Reverend T. J. Malinoski Evangelism and New Church Development at 901-276-4572 ext. 232 and Reverend Johan Daza Cross-Culture Immigrant Ministries USA Program at 901-276-4572 ext. 202. FA L L 2 015 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 5
&FAMILY
BEING THE
BODY
BEING A
Left: The Cumberland East Coast Korean Presbytery. Below: Eddie Jenkins and Sue Rice liaisons for Naples Latino NCD.
YOUTH MISSION TRIP by Rev. Noah Quinton
The theme for our journey would come from the 2015 CPYC curriculum with an emphasis on the body of Christ and its many parts. 6 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 015
Left: 2015 Youth Mission team in Manizales Below far left: Youth Emanuel Camp Below this page: Colegio Americano of Pereira
by Reverend Noah Quinton, Graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary
t was the beginning of June and 15 missionaries set out on a journey to Colombia, South America. Over and over again we talked about what it meant to be short-term missionaries commissioned by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It’s difficult to think about the role we played as missionaries, in the traditional sense, because of how much the role of a missionary has changed, or at least what our idea of a missionary might be. In a general sense, our calling was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in all that we did and said to the people we encountered in Colombia. Fortunately for us, we had a group of 9 youth and 6 adults who had a good idea of what that could look like and who were excited about being with the people we would soon meet in Colombia. The theme for our journey would come from the 2015 CPYC curriculum with an emphasis on the body of Christ and its many parts. Very quickly we would know what that
would look like for our group as we met in Memphis, Tennessee to begin the journey. We all came from different places and brought different experiences to the table but we all would soon be one group ready to experience life in Colombia. The one body that would be our mission team quickly formed as everyone bonded at orientation and then jumped on planes for Colombia. We might not have been well acquainted yet but that was quickly changing as we began to do everything together, as one body. With nerves and excitement we arrived at the camp in Armenia to a warm welcome and cold showers. For some of us we were reconnecting with people we hadn’t seen in quite some time, while for all of us we were getting to meet many new people. The excitement continued throughout that weekend as relationships were formed and renewed, as we discovered how the body of Christ, especially as Cumberland Presbyterians, could be so global. We left that weekend with excitement and sadness after having a greater
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SET-UP FUNDS FOR NEW MISSIONARIES
Above: Planning Camp Workshop Right: Caleb Rhodes At Colegio Americano Of Pereira
understanding of what it would mean to be missionaries on this trip. We knew that our calling was to be in meaningful relationships with the people we would encounter and we were discovering how special that calling was for our group. Traveling to the Colegio Americano in Pereira was the next part of our journey. As our group continued to share about the body of Christ, the number of people that we knew was growing. What we knew as the body was also growing. This new Colombian family that most of us were finding was growing with each new day. The youth on our trip were overwhelmingly flexible and adaptable as they discovered the special ways they could communicate with the students at the school and form meaningful relationships. For many on our mission team, including adults, it felt like we were part of the family in Colombia and we felt so loved with each camp, church, school and city we visited. The final stop 8 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 015
of our trip was a reunion with our new and old Colombian friends in Cali for General Assembly, as well as with other friends from the United States and all over the world. This journey as a body was coming to a beautiful completion as we finished our time together in Cali. We were a new family and a bigger body of Christ than we would have realized before the trip and though our time in Colombia was ending it was only the beginning of what it will mean to be a connected body of Christ. Our purpose was to spread the gospel of Jesus through meaningful relationships and I believe it was accomplished. Now we begin the hard part of maintaining those long distance relationships. We are Cumberland Presbyterians though, and being a connected people is what we try to do well. We are a family and the 2015 Colombia Youth Mission Team knows what that means in a special way now. MM
Rev. John and Joy Park are newly endorsed Cumberland Presbyterian missionaries that will be moving from Atlanta, Georgia to Iloilo, Philippines as soon as funding is available to cover their salary, benefits and set-up expenses. They will help the four Cumberland Presbyterian churches/missions we have in the Philippines, as well as help start new CP churches and train leaders. This Second Mile appeal is for donations to support these missionaries in their set-up expenses. Missionaries incur one-time set-up expenses when they are deployed to the mission field. These set-up expenses includes things like plane tickets to move to the mission field, an allowance to cover purchase of furniture and appliances, funds to buy a used car, an allowance to help with the legal expenses of visas to live in the country, and buying office equipment. The Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering pays our missionaries salary and benefits, but an additional need new missionaries have are these one-time set-up expenses. We ask you to pray for our missionaries, in particular the new missionaries the Parks and provide financial assistance to help with their set-up expenses. MM
FINANCIAL DATA:
Total Amount Needed for the Project: $15,000.00 Amount Contributed to Date: $ 0.00 Total Amount Needed for the Project: $15,000.00
DURATION:
September 2015 – December 2016 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com or (901) 276-4572 ext. 261
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Please make check payable to the Missions Ministry Team indicating for project #34041 and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
{SECOND MILE PROJECTS} Contributions for the following projects should be sent to the Missions Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 indicating on the check the project number:
Leadership Training for Southeast Asia – Project #34400 The Missions Ministry Team has been involved in a Christian leadership training program with the help of Bethel University. Dr. David Lancaster, Associate Professor of Religion at Bethel University, connects weekly by video conference to both Cambodia and Laos to teach a Bible class. Each side of the world is connected by a computer screen and webcam. The bilingual students in these countries translate for those whose primary language is not English. Bethel University has a Certificate of Christian Studies Program offered to those wanting to learn more about the Christian faith in the United States. They never imagined it would be used on our Southeast Asia mission field. We are asking donors to help the Missions Ministry Team pay for these classes. There are 6 students, and several others that are auditing the course. Please help us provide Christian leadership training in Southeast Asia. The financial goal is $8,000. For more information contact: Lynn Thomas at lynndont@gmail.com, (901) 276-4572 ext. 261.
Mexico Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry – Project #34026 This project is designed to give financial assistance to the development of a new Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry group in Mexico. The vision is to send a group of women leaders from the United States and/or Colombia to hold training workshops/retreats, and to offer support to women in Mexico as they work to establish their women’s ministry. The project will also provide some “seed” money to get their “regional” organization up and running. The financial goal is $10,000 (2015) and $10,000 (2016). For more information contact Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203.
Women’s Ministry Asia Immersion – Project #34027 This project is for the purpose of organizing an immersion/work trip to Asia in 2017 for Cumberland Presbyterian women. The trip will be made up of representatives from Colombia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, and the United States. The goal is for the women to travel to Hong Kong and meet for three days for orientation and to learn about the Cumberland Presbyterian work in Hong Kong Presbytery. From there the group will be divided into two smaller groups, travel
to either Laos/Cambodia or the Philippines and engage with Cumberland Presbyterian leadership in those countries in a children’s event or some other work project. The financial goal is $15,000. For more information contact Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203.
2016 Convention Offering – Building a Promising Future – Project #34051 This project is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence in Guatemala through educational training in the schools, churches, and communities. Educational programs will be established in local schools and connections made between the schools and the new Cumberland Presbyterian churches being organized in Guatemala and other locations in Central America. The creation of a unique Cumberland Presbyterian ministry called the Center for a Promising Future will be established to provide ongoing education about domestic violence, advocacy work, and the prevention of violence and abuse in Guatemala. It will also serve as a launching point for expanding the ministry throughout Central America. Funding Schedule: First year (Convention 2016) - $5,000 – funds will be used to develop curriculum, provide resources, and transportation to implement the project during the 2015-2016 school year. Second year (Convention 2017) - $10,000 – funds will be used to expand the program into more schools, to train local teachers and leaders to implement the program, and to begin setting up the Center. Third year (Convention 2018) - $20,000 – funds will be used to establish the Center in Guatemala and secure necessary resources to plant this Cumberland Presbyterian ministry of reconciliation and hope firmly in the soil of Guatemala and Central America.
Contributions for the following project should be sent to the Discipleship Ministry Team, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414 indicating on the check the project number:
Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Conference (CPYC) Scholarships – Project #33019 Funding to give scholarships to youth participants. Amount Needed: $6,000 Amount Contributed to Date: $2,640.80 For more information contact: Nathan Wheeler at nwheeler@cumberland.org, 901-276-4572 ext. 218. For more information about all of these projects go to www.ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/secondmileprojects.
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Malinos by T. J .
ki
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Photos: T. J. Malinoski
g ded, bustlin w o r c a is Cali d of antiantiago de n le b t n e c magnifi t city, with a evelopmen d n r e d o m ure, s with a o quated cult a h c d e iz n of orga ple. and a form million peo .3 2 t u o b a f density of Assembly o l a r e n population e G 5th une, the 18 was jointly h c r u h C n This past J ria s nd Presbyte la r e b Presbyterie m y u e C ll a V the a c u a ndes and C hosted by A America. th u o S , ia b in Colom
Clockwise from left: Cristo Rey (Christ the King) is a statue 26 meters tall located in the Cerro de los Cristales (Hill of the Crystals) in the village of Los Andes, west of the city of Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, Colegio Americano of Cali; San Lucas Cumberland Presbyterian Church Palmira, Colombia, South America; one of many vibrant flowers at Colegio Americano of Cali.
C
ommissioners and visitors from around the globe lugged cumbersome suitcases, waited submissively in airports, calmly passed through customs and showed forbearance in the chaotic Cali traffic that awakens the soul.
The adventurous journey was worthwhile when commissioners were greeted by the serene campus of Colegio Americano, the location for the General Assembly meetings. Tropical foliage and vibrant flowers covered the Colegio’s landscape with tranquility. Classrooms, chapel and coliseum were warmly decorated to receive their international visitors. Commissioners were captivated by the Colombian generosity where hospitality abounded among the host committee and Colegio staff. It was in these surroundings that the 185th General Assembly took place, recognizing ninety years of ministry in Colombia through celebrations, worship experiences, meals and meetings.
For more specifics detailing all reports and actions of the 185th General Assembly, minutes and summary of actions can be found on the Office of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church website at http://www.cumberland.org/gao/.
CALI’S
picturesque impression upon its visitors moved the business session of the General Assembly with jet-like speed. Highlights of the business session include:
Photos: T. J. Malinoski
Inner city views of Cali; Colombia; South America.
•
Electing the Reverend Michelle Gentry, member of Andes Presbytery, as Moderator and the Reverend Kip Rush, member of Nashville Presbytery, as Vice Moderator for the 185th General Assembly.
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Approving Our United Outreach goal of $2.8 million for 2016 emphasizing and encouraging the importance of congregations and presbyteries’ participation for the diverse missions and ministries within our denomination.
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Encouraging presbyteries to explore cross-culture church start possibilities within the United States.
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Appointing an individual within one’s presbytery to serve as a youth and young adult contact person to share and advocate participation in local, regional and denominational youth and young adult activities.
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Urging congregations and ministers to use the updated Leadership Referral Services to create a profile for ministry at http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/lrs.
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Allow time during Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 presbytery meetings for the Unification Task Force to present updates on union, proposed plan of action and feedback.
Commissioners and visitors alike returned to their homes, churches and places of work with a new sense of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church outside of one’s own context, culture and language, captivated by the beauty of Cali and its people. MM FA L L 2 015 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 13
The voices of the future are founded on the voices of the past. The voices of the future listen closely to the voices of the present. From the beginning GOD was a GOD who sent, Sent us to preach, teach, love, and make disciples of all nations. We of all people… the women…sent… sent by GOD to serve. We served then, we serve now, and will continue to serve in the future. Words given by the Rev. Lisa Cook at the 135th Pilgrimage.
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PILGRIMAGE FOR CP WOMEN’S MINISTRY O
n May 25th over 75 Cumberland Presbyterians made an important pilgrimage to Evansville, Indiana – to celebrate 135 years of ministry by Cumberland Presbyterian women. When the call went out to the Church, just like those early conveners, we wondered if anyone would come to help celebrate this momentous occasion. The day was dreary and rainy, but slowly cars and vans and buses arrived – a far cry from the trains and horses of days gone by. And in those vehicles came people who were ready to celebrate! The Morningside CP Church was our welcoming and gracious host for the day. All of our needs were met with eagerness and energy.
Opposite page: Lucy Becker, Morningside CPC, Evansville, IN Below left: Clarksville CPC, Clarksville, TN Below right: From left to right, Fumika Satoh, Tsumko Satoh, Tabi Satoh, Iwao Satoh
T
he speaker was the Reverend Iwao Satoh, a CP pastor from Japan Presbytery who is serving a Japanese Fellowship (CPC) in Louisville. He spoke beautifully of the ministry of the Reverend A.D. Hail, the first missionary to Japan. It was Rev. Hail who actually challenged the women of the CP Church to organize in support of foreign missions. Rev. Satoh highlighted the work of the first CP women missionaries to Japan – Alice Orr and Julia Leavitt, both in their early 20s and Alice Drennan who was in her 50s. All of these women were instrumental in getting the Cumberland Presbyterian work off to a solid start through educational endeavors with young Japanese girls – a work which continues to this very day in Osaka with the prestigious Wilhelmina Girls’ School (Osaka Jogakuin), which is a Christian educational institution serving secondary, junior college, & university female students. The worship service included a beautiful offertory by Tsuruko and Fumika Satoh playing the piano and cello, “K¯j¯ o o no Tsuki” (“The Moon over the Ancient City”), a song composed in 1901 by Rentaro Taki, a church organist and one of the most popular composers in Japan. The offering was designated for the Cornelia Swain Women’s Ministry Endowment. There were many voices heard during the pilgrimage and worship service – Beverly St. John who was the first
director of Cumberland Presbyterian Women from 19651977 brought greetings via video Cornelia Swain and Pam Phillips-Burk, past and current directors of Women’s Ministry shared their thoughts. We also heard supportive words from Sally Sain, Women’s Ministry president, and the Rev. Lisa Anderson, moderator. Lily Anderson and Caroline Phillips-Burk led the pilgrims in a “Voices of the Past” Litany, which can be found on the Pilgrimage website http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/pilgrimageto-evansville-in. And lastly we heard from a couple of voices of the future – Emily Trapp and the Rev. Lisa Cook. Following worship we were treated to a delicious fellowship meal and finished up taking all sorts of photographs with vintage hats and shawls and parasols provided by Susan Gore with the Historical Foundation! A Pilgrimage Scrapbook was begun and will be continued throughout this year as each Women’s Ministry Region contributes group photos and mementos for this historic year. Our pilgrimage ended at the site of the building that housed the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Evansville. The Revs. Paula Louder and Lisa Anderson led the pilgrims in prayer for the past, present and especially the future. A few folks continued the pilgrimage by walking up the street to a vacant lot, which was the site where the women had met. All in all it was a good day and memorable pilgrimage for all. MM
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2015
by Pam Phillips-Burk
Convention Impressions
W
Women’s Convention in Colombia,
South America was filled with new experiences, new friends, new sights, and new sounds. We gathered informally on Saturday June 20 to spend some time in prayer and to make placemats to take with us when we visited two local ministries that have been supported by Cumberland Presbyterians for many, many years – Hogar Samaria (a Cumberland Presbyterian nursing home) and Renacer and Nueva Jerusalem (churches with a hot lunch program). We opened officially on Monday morning with approximately 150 people present. It was a challenge to get a definite count as folks continued to arrive all morning! There were around 50 men and women from outside of Colombia including 17 regional delegates, 3 representatives from Japan, and one representative from Hong Kong. We found a variety of ways to communicate with each other – verbal translation was provided by Jaivel Rodriguez Snelling, Nona Thomas and Glenni Lorick. We also communicated by sign language, PowerPoint, and broken Spanglish. In spite of the challenges we bonded as sisters in Christ in our common cause to serve Jesus and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ!
Photos: T. J. Malinoski
Convention met on Monday and Tuesday mornings with field trips each afternoon. Highlights included a keynote
address by Yenci Murillo, who works with a non-profit organization in Buenaventura, Colombia that serves at-risk women. The Convention offering was received following her presentation for a total of $1,453.50. In addition, we were blessed to be the recipient of the offering received during the General Assembly worship service on Monday night, which was $1,882.15, for a total of $3,335.65. (Note: this is an approximate due to the exchange rate). The exciting news is that there was already $9,292 received before Convention bringing the total for the third and final year of Set Them Free, our human trafficking initiative, to $12,627!!! The offerings will be divided equally between the women’s ministry groups of Andes and Cauca Valley Presbyteries to assist them in their work with women and children who are at-risk of exploitation. Another highlight was a Bible study led by the Rev. Diana Valdez de Castañeda (Andes Presbytery) on the theme text Acts 8:5-6. She began her study with a great video entitled “Fishless Fishermen’s Fellowship” available on YouTube. Her study was a great jumping off place to talk about serving and proclaiming as women in the Church. Be sure to check the Women’s Ministry website for new resources and links to videos and promotional materials at http://ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/ womensministry. ✒ Continue on next page
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Left: Gloria Gregory. Below left: On left, Izabel Herrea, and Maria Deisy Director of Hogar Samaria. Below right: 2015-16 Women's Ministry officers, from left; Sally Sain, Amparo Salazar, Athala Jaramillo, Rev. Sol Maria Sanchez.
Continued from page 17
Plant A Seed by Terri Jo Potts
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hat an honor and privilege it was to travel to Cali, Colombia and attend this year’s Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry Convention. The theme was “Serve and Proclaim.” It was such an appropriate theme as everywhere I looked I saw people serving others and people proclaiming the Word of God. I also felt there was a sub-theme running throughout all that I heard this week. That sub-theme was “plant a seed.” Ninety years ago, four missionaries traveled to Cali, Colombia to “plant seeds”. The seeds they planted in 1925 have turned into two presbyteries with approximately 50 churches throughout Colombia. These two presbyteries are now sending out missionaries to “plant seeds” in other countries. During Convention, we heard from Anay Ortega and Fhanor and Socorro Pejendino, missionaries to Guatemala, who are hoping to make a change in the young people there. We heard from Carlos and Luz Dary Rivera, missionaries to Mexico, who hope to build a presbytery in Mexico City and have made a great start with three churches. We heard from Yenci Murillo, from the pacific coast of Colombia, who talked of the dangers many women face in her region. Dangers like being abducted for purposes of human trafficking, forced servitude, and sexual abuse. She specifically said that the purpose of her visit was to “plant a seed” in each of the attendees. My prayer is that God will grow the seed that was planted in me, and all of the attendees this week, and that these seeds will produce good fruit and that we will serve and proclaim!
Hogar Samaria Field Trip by Jamie Potts
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ogar Samaria is a nursing home in Cali, Colombia that was built by Cumberland Presbyterians. Building started in 2005 and over the years many mission groups have gone and made their mark on Hogar Samaria. Currently, there are approximately 31 residents. 18 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R FA L L 2 015
While in Cali, Colombia for the Women Ministry Convention, I had the opportunity to visit Hogar Samaria. When we arrived, the residents presented us with handmade roses and smiles that warmed our hearts. After exploring for a bit, we went back to the dining room where the residents were having an afternoon snack. This is where I happened upon an elderly woman. She took my bag from me and set it down in a chair so I would not have to carry it anymore. She then proceeded to tell me that I was beautiful and tall and then took my arm telling me she wanted me to see her room. Her room was small, but had everything she could have needed. We then ventured into her bathroom where she displayed her hospitality by asking if I needed to use the bathroom. She tried telling me other things which I did not understand but at one point I did understand her saying that I could not understand her and she could not understand me. The language barrier was definitely there but in her eyes the older woman expressed her love and kindness clearly. It came time for us to look at the chapel which meant I had to leave my newfound friend. She did not want me to leave but I had to go. I did not get to say a proper goodbye to her, which is something I now regret, but I’m sure I will always remember the elderly woman from Hogar Samaria even if she doesn’t remember me.
2015-16 WOMEN’S MINISTRY OFFICERS President – Athala Jaramillo (lucatha@aol.com) President-elect – Jamie Kay Berkley (jamiekayb@hotmail.com) Secretary – Marcia Hughes (hughesrichard23@gmail.com) Secretary-elect – Brenda Shoulta (bshoulta@bellsouth.net) Past President – Sally Sain (ssain@fpunet.com) If you would like to invite one of these officers to visit your regional meetings or retreats, please contact them early. We usually ask for travel expenses to be covered, when possible. They will come equipped to speak, teach, lead and pray. Plan now to invite an officer to your event.
Bethel University Scholarship Recipient
C Celebrating Clergy Women in Colombia by Pam Phillips-Burk
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n Sunday evening, a group of energetic women from three countries gathered to celebrate each other’s call as a minister in her own context. Twenty clergy women and a host of friends and family sat in a circle as we introduced ourselves and spoke briefly of our ministries and call. With the help of translators Reverend Gloria Diaz (Houston, Texas) and newly elected Moderator Reverend Michele Gentry (Andes Presbytery) we were able to speak to, and hear one another, and celebrate our shared ministries in Christ. As always there were giveaways! Sol María Sanchez won the travel communion set given by Pastoral Development Ministry Team. She serves as the chaplain at the Colegio Americano Cali. By unanimous consent, Eliza Yau (Hong Kong) received the beautiful handmade stole from Guatemala (given by Missions Ministry Team) for being the longest tenured licentiate, 34 years! In addition to serving a local congregation, Eliza is the Clerk of Hong Kong Presbytery. Everyone present received a lunch bag from Memphis Theological Seminary, another sponsor and organizer of this annual event. In spite of the challenges with transportation and refreshment, we all agreed it was worth the effort to meet and greet each other. For many, lifelong friends were made and we now know a friendly colleague in ministry in some far-flung places!! MM
ongratulations to Andrea Marulanda Gutiérrez, the 2015-2016 Bethel University scholarship recipient. This the second year in a row that Andrea has been awarded this $2,000 scholarship sponsored by Cumberland Presbyterian Women’s Ministry. We were pleased to be able to present this honor while in Colombia because Cali is Andrea’s home. Her mother, Consuelo Gutiérrez, was present to receive this honor on Andrea’s behalf. She also shared a word of thanks from her daughter: “It is a shame I cannot be present at General Assembly and Convention to witness and celebrate this historical event. However, it is a joy to know that so many members of my CP family are visiting Colombia for General Assembly and Women’s Convention, which is held here for the first time. I am grateful to the Lord for the lives of those in attendance but also our whole denomination, which has made this possible. I am especially thankful for the CP Women’s Ministry for awarding me yet again this scholarship. It was a great blessing to have received it last year and it is a great blessing to receive it again. This scholarship has enabled me to continue my educational journey as a Christian Studies major at Bethel University. I feel humbled by this honor and hope to give my best in the next academic year. I wish you all a great rest of the week in Colombia and a safe trip back to each of your home countries.” MM
A Word of Thanks! Thank you for your strong and faithful support every year to the Women’s Ministry projects and offering. Together we can do a great work in the world and bring glory to God. Your efforts this past year will enable at-risk women and children in Colombia to find a place of security in their lives through your giving totaling $16,689.54. You have given Cumberland Presbyterians and Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Americans an opportunity to participate in educational events that might not have been available to them in past because of distance $3,772.68, and you’ve assured another couple of years of chaplain work and worship opportunities at the Birthplace Shrine $5,487.29. Thank you for giving this past year. You stepped out in faith to share the good news with many people! MM FA L L 2 015 M I S S I O N A R Y M E S S E N G E R 19
Bible Study
by Reverend Brittany Meeks, Elected Member of the Missions Ministry Team
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LOAVES & Loaves &FISHES Fishes
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Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35 NIV
friend of mine was ordained recently. A group of his friends, including myself, spent the night at his parent’s home the night before the service. As he was giving the house tour he pointed out a picture of his nephew on a mantle across the room. He then said, “my grandma is also up there.” From where I stood all I could see was what appeared to be an urn, so I rather obtusely asked, “What’s in the vase?” Laughter promptly followed by a facepalm. We all have had those encounters with someone who just did not get it – whatever “it” was. Perhaps we have even enacted the popular “facepalm” on such an occasion. Can you see Jesus doing this in the sixth chapter of John? A crowd, having witnessed his miracles is following him. When Jesus sees them, he performs yet another miracle, taking five barley loaves and two small fish and multiplying them until everyone has had enough. After witnessing this miracle, there was even some left over and the crowd declares, “Surely this is the Prophet who is come into the world.” The next day, this same crowd sought him out again asking him “What sign will you give us that we may see it and believe you.” Facepalm. Do you want to join Jesus in yelling, “How dense can you get? Come on crowd!” How could they not see Jesus had already offered abundant miracles? Abundant food? And is now offering abundant patience? How could they not get it?! Jesus had already offered more than enough. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could say we had never been those people who make Jesus want to do the facepalm? Even though Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty,” we still ask for more, just in case. We often live out of an attitude of scarcity rather than abundance.
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Though Jesus has given more than enough, when it comes our time to give in return: feeding children in Guatemala, supporting the Stott-Wallace Missionary Offering Fund, helping a neighbor, increasing the reign of God on earth in any way, we often falter. Is there really enough? What about retirement, college debt, utility bills? Our lives seem to demand of Jesus, “What sign will you give us that we may see it and believe you?” No doubt, letting go is hard. But which disposition is easier to maintain, a tightly clenched fist or an open hand? Go ahead try it out. As for the lingering discomfort of giving, perhaps when it comes time for us to reach out our hand, we could all benefit from taking up the habit of breathe prayer.
Questions for Reflection Find a partner and talk about a time when you wanted to do a “facepalm” – when someone did not understand something you said or did. Now talk about a time when you just didn’t get “something.” How did it feel trying to explain yourself? How did it feel when the person finally got “it”? Or did they ever get “it”?
Closing Breathe Prayer Close your eyes and try to relax. Take several deep, cleansing breaths. Clinch your hands tightly into a fist for a few moments. Now slowly open your hands and turn palms upwards. As you breathe in slowly clench your fists and think “scarcity.” With your fists clenched count to three. Now slowly breathe out, opening your hands, turning palms upward and think “abundance.” With palms turned upwards, count to three. Continue this breathe prayer for several minutes. Close with “Amen” or your own prayer. MM
Missions Ministry Team
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
8207 Traditional Place | Cordova | TN | 38016-7414 | 901.276.4572 For more information and resources visit our website at ministrycouncil.cumberland.org/loavesandfishes_1.
John 6:35 NIV LOAVES & FISHES
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Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
POLICY:
The Missionary Messenger is published for the Cumberland Presby terian 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 newspaper 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. POST MAS TER: Send address changes to: The Missionary Messenger, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
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NEW MISSIONS
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Missions Ministry Team Cumberland Presbyterian Church 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016 Phone: 901.276.4572 Fax: 901.276.4578
7/25/14 11:15 AM