More recent updates.

Check out our most recent updates at:
http://guatemalacrescenthill.blogspot.com

Tuesday conversation

A group of Crescent Hill folks got together Tuesday evening and called Pastor Gerardo, pastor of the Arca de Noe church in El Estor. Gerardo reported that the Estoreño Presbytery has supported two new churches/churches information – the San Jorge and El Chupon churches – to build new buildings (both apparently since the mission team visited there just two months ago – and both apparently now needing cement for floors). The Arca de Noe church has itself added to its building – in the two years between the two Crescent Hill mission team visits to El Estor – and has been raising money to retire a debt.

Pastor Gerardo’s report that the presbytery has also purchased land in the El Estor area to build a seminary, partly so that, when people visit from outlying churches like the Monte Sinai and Livingston churches, they can stay, sleep, and eat there triggered an interesting discussion. Carlos recalled problems that arose when a presbytery in another part of the country tried to do something similar. Ellen was even tougher, asking what Jesus did when he taught and whether he built any buildings. It seemed that we all listened to each other respectfully.

Gerardo said that folks in the churches have been studying the Acts 2 Pentecost passages and some will get together to share thoughts and feelings about the passages. We hope to learn a little about the substance of that discussion. Gerardo said they might come up with a next scripture for scripture study at that time.

Gerardo repeated thanks he conveyed in an e-mail message for hard-copy photos they received from Crescent Hill a couple of weeks ago, when a PC(USA) World Mission staffer at the Guatemalan version of the General Assembly meeting handed them to Gerardo. But Gerardo did not know whether Rene, the young man with the computer with whom Gerardo works, had not yet received the digital photo of Crescent Hill’s Pentecost Sunday service that I had e-mail-attached to Rene (partly as an experiment to see whether they can get attachments.)

(Incidentally, I thanked Stan Devoogd, the World Mission staffer, in person today. I also told Roger Marriott, a PC(USA) mission worker helped organizing the Amigos de K’ekchi, that I had passed on his e-mail message and e-mail address to someone interested in representing Crescent Hill (Soni) on the Amigos steering committee, which he said had not met (by conference call) yet. I also wished Roger and Gloria – on their way back to Guatemala shortly – safe travels.)

Gerardo and we spent the early parts of the conversation talking a bit about the General Assembly meeting and who won what office. Apparently, those assembled spent a fair amount of time discussing election process issues and the people who won were – like usual – Ladinos, not indigenous people.

Gerardo mentioned in passing and this sparked an interesting discussion among the Crescent Hill folks later. Ellen and Carlos said it’s counterintuitive for Guatemalans to do open theological exploration – like Ellen recalls trying to guide them into – since Guatemalans aren’t used to asking questions and exploring issues. They’re used to people telling them what to do and things being black and white. Ellen recalled introducing the issue of infant baptism (which many Guatemalan evangelicals associate with Catholicism) in an exploratory way with folks in one presbytery. Without this kind of introduction and exploration, dialogue can break down - as in a different Guatemala presbytery, which is currently split down the middle, with those militantly for infant baptism aligned against those against infant baptism.

Gerardo said he was very touched to hear that we are plowing ahead with plans for a vigil and fast to coincide with the start of the presbytery’s annual meeting, on the weekend of September 9-20. He said they were praying for Crescent Hill church regularly. He seemed eager to report on goings on in the presbytery, as well as willing to engage in some dialogue about their construction plans. Ellen and Carlos stressed the importance of theological education, and it seemed that the Estoreño folks – with their own construction-heavy approach – were acknowledging that by focusing some of that energy on seminary development.

Later Ellen made one more point to us. Having been considering the Robert Wuthnow “Boundless Faith” argument, Ellen said Wuthnow may have sold congregations like ours short by simply saying that international mission travel and follow-up would probably only involve five or so people per congregation, and – as important as that was, particularly for the U.S. people involved – congregations couldn’t expect any more to be involved. Not only – as I pointed out – are there a swirling mix of more than a dozen people – involved in Guatemala partnerships trips and planning – at Crescent Hill. But also – said Ellen – the congregation as a whole has been occasionally and fleetingly involved, and we hope to help widen this congregational engagement.

(On books, Ellen again called for giving Crescent Hill folks opportunities to learn more about Guatemalan history and culture. One way to do that would, Ellen said, be to develop a very short reading of books about Guatemala that some Crescent Hill folks who might never travel to Guatemala might be eager to read.)

Speaking of the congregation: One issue we did not cover at either of these two gatherings is the messages that folks from the congregation left for Estoreño folks at two services in May. Lowell gathered those materials up and Ana is to paraphrase and translate them into Spanish, so Ellen can transmit them to Rene and Gerardo. Also speaking of the congregation, I brought to the gathering more pieces of Guatemala partnership displays for the Narthex and Gathering Room. And Ellen brought translations into English of Carlos’ e-mail to Gerardo and Gerardo’s e-mail to Ellen about Pentecost Sunday and other issues, which are slated to become a Crescent Hill newsletter article.

The group retired a little late, many to reassemble Wednesday for the Looking for Lilith fund-raiser.

-- Perry

Gerardo's and Carlos' e-mails translated

Greetings from the Presbytery of Estereño Q’eqchi

Good morning, sister Elena. It is a pleasure for me to greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to inform you that I did receive the photos and they are very lovely and we thank you all for them. (Note: these are photos of our trip in March to Guatemala that Perry sent with Stan DeVoogd to Guatemala in May).

About the Pentecost worship, I received the information that brother Carlos Lara sent to me that told of the worship when you all experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and we too experienced the Spirit’s power. We ask that you all continue praying for us that we would have the strength we need to carry out the ministry that God has given to us. The Arca de Noe Church built a church in El Chupon using 30 sheets of metal of 10 feet each for the roof; walls are made of cane stalks tied together. We hope that God will provide the economic resources so that we will be able to buy some bags of cement in order to make a floor where there is now only dirt.

We send a cordial greeting to everyone at the Crescent Hill Church.

Gerardo PopPastor, Arca de Noé Presbyterian ChurchEl Estor, Guatemala


2 de Junio de 2009

Saludos desde Louisville, Kentucky. Les cuento que el día de ayer Domingo celebramos la fiesta del Pentecostés. Los recordamos en el servicio y también seguimos orando por ustedes y el gran ejemplo que siguen siendo para nosotros aquí al vivir en comunidad. Esto es un reto para los Hermanas y Hermanos de la Iglesia de Crescent Hill.

Les compartimos algunos de los pensamientos que aprendimos en el estudio de la escuela dominical. Pentecostés es una fiesta para celebrar la bendición y el beneficio de vivir en comunidad. Pentecostés es un evento que comunica la vida del Espíritu. El Espíritu nos enseña a vivir en un discipulado permanente formando un espíritu de comunidad en cada uno de nosotros. Creemos en la comunicación del mensaje del Evangelio en el poder del Espíritu nos ayuda para desarrollar y celebrar la vida y sus signos y ritos en la vida juntos.Celebramos Pentecostés comiendo juntos. La fiesta del Espíritu la compartimos en la Cena del Señor y también en las mesas juntos. Pentecostés sigue siendo un aprendizaje del discipulado en el poder del Espíritu Santo. Aprendemos a ser guiados por el Espíritu y compartir con otros la vida de Dios juntos. El Espíritu nos ayuda a mantener el compromiso del compañerismo. Creemos en: la Comunicación, La Celebración, y en la Comunidad.Muchas bendiciones Hermanas y Hermanos.Carlos Lara


Greetings from Louisville, Kentucky

On Sunday, May 31 the congregation of Crescent Hill celebrated Pentecost. We remembered you all during the worship, pastor Jane told about our visit with you in March and how you live in the power of the Spirit. We continue praying for you and giving thanks for the great example that you continue to be for us in how to live in community. This is a challenge for the brothers and sisters in Crescent Hill.

In our study of Pentecost in the Sunday School class we learned that Pentecost is a day to celebrate the blessings and benefits that come from living in community. The Spirit teaches us to live always as a disciple and this same Sprit forms a spirit of community within each of us. We believe that the communication of the Gospel message in the power of the Spirit helps us to develop and celebrate the life and its signs and rites of a life together.

We celebrated Pentecost sharing the Lord’s Supper and a meal together. Pentecost will continue being for us an education in discipleship in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are learning to be guided by the Spirit and to share with others the life that God gives us together. The Spirit helps us to fulfill the promises we have made in partnership.

We believe in: Communication, Celebration and Community.

Many blessings Brothers and Sisters

Carlos Lara

June 6 gathering

The Guatemalan mission partnership task force gathered at Nancy’s Bagels Saturday morning, June 6. The group shared prayer concerns about job issues, budget cuts issues, and upcoming trips.

Ellen reported to the group about a recent e-mail message from Pastor Gerardo of the Arca de Noe church in El Estor, which folks were excited to hear about. Gerardo said he had received via PC(USA)World Mission staff photos of Izabal folks that the spring mission team had taken while in El Estor. Gerardo also said he had received Carlos’ e-mail message with thoughts about Pentecost at Crescent Hill.

Later the group agreed that we would try e-mailing the Izabal folks a photo of the Pentecost worship service.

Ellen, Ben, and Carlos would also try to call Gerardo to find out more about in what ways Estoreño folks might have studied the joint spring scripture study scripture (the second chapter of Acts). The hope is that we can get through to Gerardo this week so Ellen can put any information from that conversation with him in an article for the July church newsletter issue. (The phone call is now scheduled for 8:30 p.m. this Tuesday (June 9) at Ellen's apartment at the seminary.) Ellen will translate into English at least part of Gerardo’s e-mail message to us and part of Carlos’ e-mail to Estoreño folks about Pentecost at Crescent Hill, as part of that article. (Those articles have also included prayer schedule information for the month)

There was also some discussion about the end of Gerardo’s e-mail, which dealt with his church’s efforts to construct a building for the El Chupon mission church they’ve helped get started. Gerardo said they’ve built a roof and walls but are now praying for money for cement (or just the cement) to cement the floor. We talked about whether this was a veiled request for money (although also clearly an invitation to join them in prayer about this). Perhaps at some point Crescent Hill church plans will have crystallized enough and our partnership has developed enough that we will feel comfortable devoting a piece of proceeds from a Crescent Hill church fund raising capital campaign for Estoreño Presbytery church building projects. It would be important to deal with the presbytery as a whole, in that case, not individual congregations.

Ellen mentioned that Jeff and Soila are planning to try again after an effort to land Soila a visa so that the two of them could leave Central America for the United States was rebuffed, partly because Jeff had no official job offer yet.

Ellen described in brief the current political crisis in Guatemala, where a lawyer accused the president of trying to have him killed on a videotape shot three days before the lawyer was indeed killed. Ellen also explained that Estoreño folks seem to be OK in spite of the earthquake that struck off the coast of Honduras and Guatemala that did reportedly level a couple of hundred houses in the surrounding Izabal area of Guatemala.

Ellen also promoted a new book by Robert Wuthnow, “Boundless Faith: The Global Outreach of American Churches,” which describes new international mission patterns with many U.S. congregations sending a relatively small number of folks on short-term mission trips and building international connections and U.S. congregational engagement from there – which Ellen said seems to characterize Crescent Hill experiences. Ellen hoped to read the book and keeps tabs with Guatemalan politics through the “Prensa Libre” Web site.

Soni described the development of the Looking for Lilith theater group – starting with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Young Adult volunteers in Guatemala – and the opportunity to see one of their performances of “Strangers Extranjeras” – which deals with issues of cross-cultural friendships in Guatemala – with six evening shows over the next two and a half weeks, one matinee, and a special fund-raising show with dinner and other featured events this coming Wednesday, June 10. All shows are at the Rudyard Kipling in Old Louisville. More details are available at the “Looking for Lilith shows” blog entry or from Soni.

Perry reported that, at a task force gathering earlier in May, the group had affirmed the week-by-week rotation of prayer partners and suggested we continue with it, starting all over in late June. The group had suggested placing information and photos each week in the Narthex. Perry brought to the Saturday gathering an easel and two choices of boards: a white board or a cork bulletin board. Saturday’s group chose the cork board over the white board. The group encouraged Perry to include a permanent headline that describes the Guatemala mission partnership, and Ben and Ellen agreed to provide some appropriate fabric background for the nearly 18” by 24” bulletin board and small laminated Guatemala map.

The prototype discussed, with the border all around and the map below, would include, printed out, something like:

Guatemala mission partnership
Let’s pray this week with:
Monte Sinai church in the San Carlos Porvenir community
Pastor José Sub
Church members, deacons, and elders

Jane urged us to put the easel in the southwest corner of the Narthex, near the basket of children’s resources, visible but not in the way. She also urged us to not to keep using the whole big Gathering Room bulletin board but to frame the text of the partnership plan with a couple of pictures and the map and put this up in the Gathering Room, more or less permanently. Perry said he’ll work on this.

This week’s phone call and follow-up communication with Estoreño Presbytery folks should give Crescent Hill church folks an idea of how study of the joint scripture study scripture – this spring, Acts 2 – went in Izabal. Even with the flurry of activities within several Sunday school classes studying the scripture, the sending of background and questions to Estoreño folks, and the focus on Acts 2 in the Pentecost Sunday worship service, folks in the group thought Crescent Hill’s Acts 2 scripture study was too diffuse. They suggested next time, instead, a separate scripture study group – perhaps meeting weekly or every two weeks – not during Sunday school, but perhaps during a weekday evening. Folks said that – after the Estoreño folks picked the Philippians scripture for joint study during the winter and we picking Acts 2 for joint study in the spring, it is the Estoreño folks’ turn to pick the next scripture. Hopefully, the phone conversation with Gerardo would give us a better idea of what general ideas they might have for joint scripture study continuing. (Estoreño leaders might want to consult before coming up with another scripture.) Folks at Saturday’s gathering talked about doing the next joint scripture study (for a limited time period) in the fall, or perhaps late summer and early fall as a lead-up to the Estoreño presbytery’s Saturday, September 19 annual meeting.

Saturday morning folks went on to talk about the vigil and fast we had promised to put together to coincide with the start of the September 19 meeting. (Keep in mind that Guatemala is currently two hours behind us – they are normally on what we call Central time, and they don’t currently do Daylight time.) Following up on a conversation at the previous gathering, the group talked about – instead of having any kind of common program – Crescent Hill folks fasting until 12 noon and stopping by church – between 9 and 12? – to pray, perhaps in shifts that the group had pre-arranged before. Jane said we would need to promote this – through the newsletter, bulletin announcements, and a Minute for Mission? – and give people suggestions on how to fast and how to pray at home or at church. Ideas that we join for a light lunch afterwards in the Fellowship Hall or at a restaurant might not pan out if everyone were coming to church at different times.

Initially, Ben and Ellen volunteered to help spearhead this. But Ana said the Worship Council had talked about the vigil and had ideas about doing a Labyrinth – like stations of the cross – apparently in the sanctuary – with photos at each stop along the Labyrinth. Ana and the Council will continue to work on this, perhaps with help from Ben, Ellen, and other Guatemala mission task force folks.

Last summer half a dozen Crescent Hill folks traveled to Nashville to participate in a gathering of the Amigos de K’ekchi, a federation of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and presbyteries working with Guatemalan Q’eqchi’ partner presbyteries. Crescent Hill was not able to send anyone to a follow-up gathering in Spokane this April (that followed both Crescent Hill’s spring Guatemala mission trip and a joint Amigos de K’ekchi trip to north central Guatemala). At the Spokane gathering the federation established had set up a Steering Committee which was slated to “meet” periodically by conference call. Soni expressed some interest in representing Crescent Hill on the Steering Committee.

A few Crescent Hill folks had been talking about the possibility of Crescent Hill church reaching out not only to folks in Guatemala but also to folks from Guatemala and other Latin American countries here in Louisville by setting up a regular program with English as a second language classes (partly for Spanish-speaking neighbors in Clifton and Crescent Hill), with Spanish classes for some of us and others, with children’s activities, and with a meal. But Jane said she’d learned recently that the Mid-Kentucky presbytery had been talking about doing all but the Spanish classes part of this in four sites around the area, and that our sibling congregation on the other end of Frankfort Avenue – James Lees Memorial Presbyterian Church – was slated to be one of these sites. So Saturday’s group talked about some of us becoming involved in the James Lees effort while setting up a (weekly??) Spanish class for Crescent Hill folks and others in the community at Crescent Hill (paying a teacher). A teaching ESL training is tentatively slated for September. Ada is leading the presbytery Latino commission and Perry has also tried reaching some James Lees folks about this. After the gathering, Jane suggested that task force folks check with the Crescent Hill church Outreach Council about the ESL and Spanish class ideas and the idea discussed next. Jane was to help lead the Spanish classes effort.

Soni reported that she had been talking with Marian C. and Jane and hoped to be talking with Marcus and the Outreach Council soon about an idea for a possible Latino-themed fund-raiser or community event to include some Cuban American performing acts Marian had been talking with, perhaps some Guatemalan performance, and even a short performance by the Looking for Lilith folks, perhaps with food, perhaps with donations – along the lines of the Leslie McClure concert or a broad community event Marcus and others had tried to organize last fall. A twist is that some of these groups might want to be paid or do their own fund-raising. Soni and others will continue talking about this, perhaps for this coming fall (?).

At some point during the gathering folks considered two water initiatives – Living Water for the World and Edge Outreach ministries – as possible endeavors in the Estoreño Presbytery. Folks talked about some of the questions raised about the Living Waters approach and wanted to hear more about Edge ministries. For more on Edge, see http://www.edgeoutreach.com/ or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqqJPkHxmcs

The group picked for its next gathering: 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, at Soni and Brad’s house in St. Matthews. The group talked up gathering monthly but skipping July. Additional activities that we discussed – scripture study group, Spanish class, English as a Second Language education etc. ministry at James Lees – may develop. We may continue to work with Worship Council on the September 19 vigil and fast and Outreach Council on the Spanish and ESL classes and possible community event.

Summer prayer schedule

On Sunday, June 7, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Monte Sinai church in the San Carlos Porvenir community near Puerto Barrios, Pastor José Sub, and church members, deacons, and elders.
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On Sunday, June 14, and during the week that follows: Pray with the church in Livingston, Pastor Abelino Tec and spouse Serafina, and church members, deacons, and elders.

On Sunday, June 21, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Peniel church in the village of Boqueron; Pastor Fidel Juc and spouse Jesus; church members, elders, and deacons; and the church’s building campaign.

On Sunday, June 28, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Familia de Noe church in the Sinai neighborhood of El Estor; Pastor Benjamin Sacul Tiul and spouse Carlota; church members, deacons, and elders; and the church’s building campaign.

On Sunday, July 5, and during the week that follows: Pray with the San Jorge church in the Esperanza neighborhood of El Estor, Pastor Mario Xo Ical, and church members, deacons, and elders.

On Sunday, July 12, and during the week that follows: Pray with the La Union mission church; pastors Pablo Sacul Chub, Antonio Tec, and Roberto Caal; and worshipers.

On Sunday, July 19, and during the week that follows: Pray with the El Chupon mission church, Pastor Gerardo Ich Pop, worshipers, and the church’s building effort.

On Sunday, July 26, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Arce de Noe church in central El Estor, Pastor Gerardo Ich Pop, and church members, deacons, and elders.

On Sunday, August 2, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Altar de Noe church in the Los Cerritos neighborhood of El Estor, Pastor Raul Contreras, and church members, deacons, and elders.

On Sunday, August 9, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Espiritu Santo church in the San Marcos neighborhood of El Estor, Pastor Jose Domingo Xo Ical, and church members, deacons, and elders.

On Sunday, August 16, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Monte Sinai church in San Carlos El Porvenir community near Puerto Barrios, Pastor Jose Sub, and church members, deacons, and elders.

On Sunday, August 23, and during the week that follows: Pray with the church in Livingston, Pastor Abelino Tec Chub and spouse Serafina, and church members, deacons, and elders.

On Sunday, August 30, and during the week that follows: Pray with the Peniel church in the village of Boqueron; Pastor Fidel Juc and spouse Jesus; church members, elders, and deacons; and the church’s building campaign.

Pastor Gerardo's e-mail

Dated 2:17 p.m., Thursday, June 4

Saludes de parte de Presbyterio Estereño Q’eqchi’

Buenos dias, hermana Elena. Es para mi un gusto saludarla en el nombre de nuestro señor Jesucristo. Quiero informarle que recibi las fotos y estan muy lindas y estamos muy agradecidos, hermana Elena.

En cuento al asunto del culto del Pentecostes, recibi el documento que me envio el hermano Carlos Lara cuando sentieron el poder del Espiritu Santo y los sentimos nosotros tambien. Los pedimos a ustedes que siguen orando por nosotros para poder desempeañar nuestro cargo lo que Dios nos ha encomendado. La Iglesia Arca de Noe construyo un iglesia en El Chupon de 30 laminas de 10 pies sin piso. Esperamos que Dios nos de recurso economico para comprar unas bolsas de cemento para poner piso. Les enviamos un cordial saludo a todos y a todas de la Iglesia Crescent Hill.

(Pictured above is Pastor Gerardo Ich Pop speaking within the open-air structure being used at the El Chupon mission in March 2009. Below is a wider view of the March 2009 El Chupon structure. Gerardo’s church, Arca de Noe, is sponsoring the El Chupon mission, west of El Estor.)

International connections

In his new book, “Boundless Faith: The Global Outreach of American Churches,” sociologist Robert Wuthnow looks how out increased connections among people in different countries, technological innovation, and lower transportation costs are pushing more North Americans to go on international mission trips (an average of 18 per church for one-third of U.S. churches, 100,000 churches in all) and in turn expanding cross-country religious connections. U.S. congregations are making direct connections with congregations abroad and working with international parachurch organizations such as World Vision, instead of working directly with their national denominations. The number of North Americans can abroad into long-term international mission and the amount of money North Americans are giving to religious causes abroad (up to $4 billion) are also both increasing. Only a small number of people in U.S. congregations, however, will ever be able to go on international mission trips, and congregations try to figure out different ways to engage those who don’t. The current economic crisis may be limiting the amount of money available for mission trips and may redirect people’s focus to needs back in U.S. congregations’ local communities. The lead reason for spending the amount of money U.S. congregations have been spending for a relatively small number of North Americans to go on these short-term mission trips is for the spiritual change it helps trigger in those who go. Click here to read more: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/june/14.38.html

-- Perry

El Estor portraits

Ben took these or, in a couple of cases, someone else took these with Ben's camera. They were all taken during the spring 2009 mission trip to the Izabal area.

Very early June update

The national Guatemalan evangelical Presbyterian church (IENPG) met last week in its equivalent of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly, and several folks from the Estoreño Presbytery probably participated. A PC(USA) World Mission staffer was to deliver to any one of the Estoreño folks at that meeting prints of some of the photos that Crescent Hill spring 2009 mission trip participants took during the trip in March.

After worship on two Sundays in May several dozen Crescent Hill folks wrote greetings and messages to our Estoreño partners, on a large piece of paper and on Friendship Register sheets. Ada and Stephen have agreed to translate these into Spanish (the ones that need translating – probably doing some summarizing too), and then Ellen will e-mail these greetings to Estoreño folks.

Carlos has also distilled some of the ideas about Acts 2 that came out of the bilingual Sunday school class this month (see "Ideas de Carlos y la clase bilingue"), which Ellen may forward to Estoreño folks also.

Meanwhile, back in Louisville, folks interested in the Crescent Hill-Estoreño mission partnership will gather at 9:30 a.m., this Saturday, June 6, at Nancy’s Bagels at 2101 Frankfort Avenue.

Pray this week for the folks in your Guatemala photo, for Pastor José Domingo and the Espiritu Santo church, for the political situation in Guatemala and relief and development for earthquake-struck areas of Central America in general and Izabal in particular, for the leaders of the Guatemalan evangelical Presbyterian church trying to implement decisions made at last week’s meeting, for Jeff and Soila and their efforts to move to the United States, for Estoreño Presbytery leaders completing their study of Acts 2, and for wisdom, patience, and perseverance for all of us as we try to discern God’s will for the shape the partnership will take during the rest of 2009.

Congratulations to 2007 mission trip participants Andrea, Gabe, Luke, Natalie, and Rachel, who all graduate from high school this week, and traveling mercies to Pastor Jane and D.C. mission trip participants traveling to the Middle East and the mid-Atlantic later this month.

-- Perry

Looking for Lilith shows

Kentuckiana’s Looking for Lilith theater company that maintains a strong interest in Guatemala is presenting eight shows later this month of their new bilingual play “Strangers Extranjeras” – billed as an inspiring story of cross-cultural friendship in Guatemala - at Old Louisville’s Rudyard Kipling, at 422 West Oak Street.

Wednesday, June 10, is a special benefit show plus concert, presentation, and discussion, for $40 a ticket, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. RSVP by this Wednesday, June 3, to Kelly@lookingforlilith.org or at 638-2559.

Other shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11; Friday, June 12; Saturday, June 13; Thursday, June 18; Friday, June 19; and Saturday, June 20; and at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. Tickets for these are $15; $10 for students and seniors. Call 638-1311 or, if you want a 6:30 p.m. light Guatemalan dinner before the show, call 636-1311.

Jane's message

Two months ago six of us—representing all of you—were sitting around a table in the sanctuary of a little church in El Estor in Eastern Guatemala. With us at table were pastors and leaders of the various churches of Estoreno Presbytery. For two days we had been visiting their churches, talking with church members, staying in homes, eating fish fresh from the lake, praying, worshiping, and talking with these leaders about ways we could all be in partnership.

The idea came up to continue something we had made a stab at earlier in the year: to study the same Bible passage and share our learnings with one another. Because we knew Pentecost was coming up and because we here at CHPC consider this such a great festival, we suggested we read and study the second chapter of Acts—the story of Pentecost.

There were odd looks around the table. We could tell they were a little ambivalent about this idea. So, we started telling them a little about our service here and the story from Acts and how this is like the birthday of the Church.

The confused looks on their faces unclouded a bit and they became quite interested. Finally one of the pastors admitted they really weren’t familiar with that story—and that they had always just associated the word “Pentecost” with Pentecostal churches. . . not with something related to them as well.

Maybe our friends/partners in Guatemala weren’t familiar with the first part of the Acts 2 story—the whole wind and flames and inspired preaching thing. But, I’ve got to tell you: they are very familiar with the last part of that chapter, the “rest of the story” that I will read now.

Read Acts 2:41-47 (found in the May 6 blog entry "Scripture and questions").

These verses could very well describe what we’ve seen of their life together as the Church. Fellowship, learning, breaking bread, praying, sharing resources, eating together, praising God, adding to their number, and having the goodwill of the people—all in spite of different languages: even when we’re not there adding English to the mix, the folks speak and translate and hear in two languages.

Interesting, I thought, that even though they didn’t think they knew this story: they are living it. Surely that’s evidence of the Spirit at work. Because it is in all those seemingly ordinary acts that the Spirit is at work among them. Somehow the Spirit both inspires those activities—and uses them to form people into church. So, even though our new friends didn’t know the story, they certainly did know the Spirit’s leading.

It all made me wonder about us. What we know. . . Sure, we may be familiar with the story of the first Pentecost—and love hearing the different languages, imagining the wild fire and the powerful wind. Maybe even like thinking about the power and potential of the Wild, out-of-our-control Holy Spirit that we celebrate today.

But, there’s maybe also a part of most of us Presbyterian-types that is just a little relieved this is only one Sunday a year…and that this kind of drama doesn’t really get past our play-acting about it. After all, we decent and orderly Presbyterians haven’t really known this kind of wild, chaotic, unmanageable experience of the Spirit. Even though we read about it, move our worship outside, let in a few more languages than normal, we aren’t much more familiar with the first part of this story, at least experientially, than our Guatemala friends.

That’s why I’m thinking that the last part of this chapter is maybe the part we know best too. We claim the commitment to breaking down some of the barriers between people and know the value of sitting at table together. We know the importance of studying the Bible and learning together—which is why that practice starts with the youngest among us. We love fellowship opportunities. We make prayer and worship high priorities. We might not “sell our possessions and distribute the proceeds to all” or engage in that “all things in common” thing too well but we do share our resources—with one another and the community beyond us. We spend a good amount of time together here at church and often eat together. We’re even catching on to that evangelism thing and adding to our number. This is all just what we do. We know this part of the story. It is ours.

But do we see the connection of all this to the story of the Spirit’s presence among the Church? Do we connect what we do with the Spirit Herself?

Look around…think about the common, ordinary-to-us things we do together: sitting at table with people of all ages with different backgrounds—people we might not usually eat with at any time but who we find ourselves at table with here; sharing food and prayers with these people; learning together; being open to someone new coming into our midst.

What if the Spirit is behind all this, making it happen? And what if the Spirit is present in all this, working through it to change us?

Ponder for a minute just one of those activities and consider how the Spirit is at work in it—forming you personally, forming us as a church, into witnesses of Jesus Christ. How is the Spirit at work in all our learning, our eating, our fellowship? How is the Spirit using these sorts of practices to form us as the Body of Christ?

It’s really interesting, I think, that the Spirit of God chooses to work through relationships and practices that are so common, so ordinary. Maybe that’s because the Spirit is so very Present. The Spirit is not just something that showed up dramatically a couple thousand years ago, but is a burning Presence active and working—right here. Right now. Praise be to God!

-- Jane

Ideas de Carlos y la clase bilingue

Pentecost is a learning process of the benefit of being Community. Pentecost is a fiesta, or a convivio to celebrate the life of being community. Pentecost is a discipleship act. We are a Community that Comunicate in the power of the Spirit the life together. As Community we believe in Comunication, Celebration, and Community as a life style. Speaking with joy in the power of the Spirit we decided to to live together and share rituals as family to celebrate our joys and concerns, manifesting God's life in our stories. Crecimiento, Compromiso en Comunidad. Creativity and Compassion are our commitment in Pentecost.

Les cuento que el dia de ayer Domingo celebramos la fiesta del Pentecostes. Los recordamos en el servicio y tambien seguimos orando por ustedes y el gran ejemplo que siguen siendo para nosotros aqui al vivir en comunidad. Esto es un reto para los Hermanas y Hermanos de la Iglesia de Crescent Hill.

Les compartimos algunos de los pensamientos que aprendimos en el estudio de la escuela dominical. Pentecostes es una fiesta para celebrar la bendicion y el beneficio de vivir en comunidad. Pentecostes es un evento que comunica la vida del Espiritu. El Espiritu nos ensena a vivir en un discipulado permanente formando un espiritu de comunidad en cada uno de nosotros. Creemos en la comunicacion del mensaje del Evangelio en el poder del Espiritu nos ayuda para desarrollar y celebrar la vida y sus signos y ritos en la vida juntos.

Celebramos Pentecostes comiendo juntos. La fiesta del Espiritu la compartimos en la Cena del Senor y tambien en las mesas juntos. Pentecostes sigue siendo un aprendizaje del discipulado en el poder del Espiritu Santo. Aprendemos a ser guiados por el Espiritu y compartir con otros la vida de Dios juntos. El Espiritu nos ayuda a mantener el compromiso del companerismo. Creemos en:la Comunicacion, La Celebracion, y en la Comunidad.

-- Carlos

Pentecost pictures

Crises

Two crises have shaken Guatemala this month. In a video shot before his death, a lawyer for a person who had accused the Guatemalan president, Alvarez Colom, and his family of siphoning money off of government-funded development programs that they help run, accused the president of being behind his killing. The lawyer apparently made the statement in case he was later killed, and associates released it after he was indeed killed (May 10). Protests and counterprotests have subsequently rocked the country.

Critics of the president have called for his prosecution, while supporters of the president have defended him. Colom, who won election in 2007 on a rural development platform, is Guatemala’s first center-left president since 1954, when a U.S.-backed coup toppled the then president. Colom and his allies have for months accused people with links to the general whom Colom defeated in the 2007 election and with links to the military and drug cartels of trying to destabilize the country. Colom has also asked the FBI and the United Nations commission investigating lawlessness in Guatemala to investigate the killings. Click here to read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/world/americas/22guatemala.html

Pictured above are protests (with the slain lawyer, Rodrigo Rosenberg, pictured on the banners) and below is President Colom. Click here to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_ODpxMA10

Earlier this week an earthquake shook eastern Honduras, Guatemala, and Honduras. Although the earthquake and aftershocks knocked out a bridge in Guatemala and destroyed at least a couple of hundred homes in the Izabal area, our friends around El Estor have told us by e-mail that the earthquake did not do damage around there. Not sure if that means Livingston and Puerto Barrios (where two Estoreño Presbytery congregations are located) are unscathed too.

-- Perry

Mid-May gathering

A small group of us met as the Guatemala mission partnership task force Tuesday evening. Sunday a week and a half ago we asked people (after worship) to write greetings and messages to folks in Guatemala on a big sheet of paper in the Narthex. About a dozen did so. Tuesday we talked about asking additional people in worship this Sunday (May 24) to add their two cents. Lowell will make an announcement asking people to write greetings on the back of Friendship Register pages and we’ll receive them with the offering. We will ask Ellen or others to translate these messages into Spanish and e-mail them to folks in the presbytery via Rene.

We’ve been praying each week in church and during the week for one Estoreño congregation and its pastors and members. Some weeks Perry has brought a couple of laminated 8 ½ x 11 pictures of the pastor and congregation and occasionally put them up front near the Communion Table (as well as in front of the bulletin board). Other times we have asked Pastor Jane or other prayer leaders to mention the congregation during the public prayers. (It doesn’t sound like posting pictures on Facebook during the week or having posts on the blog about the congregation has caught very mny people’s attention.)

Those at Tuesday’s meeting suggested we continue with one congregation a month, starting over again in mid-June when we have run through all nine congregations. They suggested we check with Ada about other ways to dress up having pictures up front and also have perhaps a thick posterboard – preferably on the wall on the right with the materials for newcomers or on an easel – not back with the bulletin board which people other than visitors are not likely to see – labeled something like – “Praying this week with and for the Estoreño Presbytery’s ___ congregation” (so two sets of pictures would be needed). Folks were less enthusiastic about keeping the bulletin board up in general – although some of what folks suggested essentially involved shifting some of the bulletin board into that front room/hallway.

Perry mentioned requests the group has received in three areas. The group half a dozen of us met with in Nashville the past summer - Amigos de Ke’kchi (friends of the Q’eqchi’) - sponsored a trip through northern Guatemala last month and then, at the end of the month, met in Spokane, Washington. There was some back and forth about the orientation of the group (more for partnership or aid?) and possible resource trade-offs between deepening our Estoreño ties and deepening ties to this group. Roger Marriott had asked that one of us join the Amigos steering committee and be available once every month or so for conference call meetings, perhaps on Skype. Folks generally wanted us to wait and see what others in the group thought and also to see if someone is interested in committing the time to serving on the Steering Committee.

Pastor Jane, Perry, and others have been talking about the possibility of building on our history of Wednesday suppertime Children’s Choir and Fellowship and once-a-month meals before Council meetings to embark on some version of this: once a week, twice a month, or monthly simultaneous youth and adult English as a new language classes, youth and adult Spanish as a new languages classes, and (bilingual?) Children’s Choir and Fellowship, followed by dinner. The possibility of alternating classes with some form of conversation partnering was also discussed. Some people opined that the best way to learn Spanish was intensively (like in Guatemala for six months?) and that we ought to put signs up on Crescent Avenue, Frankfort Avenue, and Brownsboro Road and connect with folks who might know Spanish-speaking families in the neighborhood (like Stephen). The discussion was inconclusive.

Chris and Carlos have been talking about our synod’s Living Waters for the World campaign and concerns expressed about it. One of the concerns expressed was that in Guatemala a beverage company has a monopoly on selling water and, as a result, community and congregational clean water projects are not allowed to sell water, making the projects less economically feasible. Chris had proposed that we might look into how to help get Guatemala’s laws changed so that community groups and church groups could sell water. The group talked about how water in general and clean water in particular seemed like a dire need in El Estor, but this was not something that came up in conversations with the pastors there. The discussion was inconclusive.

The group talked briefly about the Saturday morning, September 18 fast and vigil that we are slated to lead in connection with the start of the Estoreño presbytery’s annual meeting that weekend. Lowell suggested we just have the church open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon – or even starting earlier – and then we sign people up so at least one person is in there praying the whole three hours. With the idea that folks participating (including some folks praying and/or fasting at home or elsewhere) then get together after breaking the fast for lunch. Folks thought we were definitely doing it and that it need not take lots of organizing.

Some but not all of those present thought they’d be able to gather again at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 6, and Nancy’s Bagel Grounds at 2101 Frankfort Avenue.

-- Perry

Pastor Abelino of the Livingston congregation

Of the two Estoreño Presbytery congregations on the far eastern side of the presbytery, the newest to the presbytery is the church in Livingston, pastored by Abelino Tec Chub. With its mixed Ladino, Q’eqchi’, and Garifuna populations and Anglo name, Livingston is the most multicultural of locales for presbytery congregations. The Livingston congregation is one of two existing congregations that the presbytery incorporated this winter. In January the presbytery welcomed this Livingston congregation (with Pastor Abelino, wife Serafina, and 44 church members). A month later it was the San Jorge congregation, which Mario Xo Ical pastors.

Although mission team members did not get to visit Livingston, they did get a fair amount of time to visit with Pastor Abelino (an outgoing man with a boyish face) and his family (wife Serafina and younger son Isaac pictured above - late Monday afternoon in Rio Dulce). This is the young family that graced the table Saturday night at the dinner at Iglesia Familia de Noe and hung around during our Sunday morning partnership dialogues at Iglesia Arca de Noe. (The Sunday morning (March 29)” blog entry includes pictures of all of the family, including older son Noe.)

This was also the family that was shunted to the side during the final Monday lunch with Serafina glaring from the back (see “Monday morning (March 30) dialogue”). By late Monday afternoon, Pastor Abelino, Serafina, and their children had been sitting in the microbus with us for two hours and were ready to be home (although they had at least one more bus ride ahead of them). Serafina’s brother was also waiting for them, and so they disappeared before the other pastors arrived and we got to invite them to hang out for a few minutes in our Bruno’s hotel rooms.

- Perry

May 6 gathering

Folks interested in Crescent Hill’s new mission partnership with the Q’eqchi’ Estoreño, Izabal Presbytery gathered at Ken and Amy Linfield’s house (pictured above) on the South End on Wednesday, May 6.

Ellen led us in a discussion about the second chapter of Acts, the scripture which we are to be studying simultaneously with the Estoreño folks during this month leading up to Pentecost Sunday (May 31). Ellen pointed out that Pentecost was already a Jewish holiday. Jesus’ followers were gathered in Jerusalem awaiting direction, in the weeks after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. At the same time people from all over the world were converging on Jerusalem, some there to celebrate Pentecost (a spring holiday - festival of fruit?).

Ellen, Carlos, and others said that for many people – including Pentecostals – in Guatemala and elsewhere the Acts phrase “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (wording is from the King James Version of the Bible) means working one’s self into a frenzy and speaking in languages no one else can understand. Ellen questioned this approach and suggested that the passage may communicate a different kind of vision in which people from many different cultures are understanding each other despite differences linguistic and otherwise.

Ellen also wondered about what a Pentecost experience would be for us today. Several of the participants in the spring 2009 Guatemala mission trip talked about episodes from the trip that were spirit-filled for them: for Lowell - the two daughters from his host family giving him good-bye kisses, for Ben - witnessing the men play the marimba in church, for Jane - all of us with different personalities getting along, for Ellen - the final coming together and singing of “Unidos, Unidos” at the last church the team visited, and – for me Perry - the partnership dialogues leading up to that song. (Luke?) We also talked a little about what Pentecostal experiences for others in Guatemala and at Crescent Hill might be and could be – including through the partnership.

What we talked about next – how to form the Guatemala partnership task force or working group, how to communicate with our Estoreño partners, and – perhaps most importantly – how the wider Crescent Hill congregation can communicate, educate itself, and engage in the partnership – Ellen said fit into a final pair of questions: what happened in the (Christian) community after the Pentecost experience and what insights into the future of the partnership might this story give us?

Carlos, Ellen, and others stressed that this was not to be a partnership between Crescent Hill individuals (including not just a few mission team individuals) and Estoreño individuals but a congregation-to-presbytery partnership. How to make that tangible, ongoing, and transformative for many people in our congregation (if not also in the presbytery) was a major topic of discussion.

A variety of educational and engagement strategies were discussed: scripture study sessions not conflicting with existing Sunday school classes and other church activities, a revamped and regularly updated Narthex bulletin board devoted entirely or partly to the Guatemala partnership, minutes for mission, newsletter blurbs educating people about different aspects of Guatemalan history and culture, and a DVD screening series (perhaps starting with the Amigos de K’ekchi’ partner’s DVD about Guatemala or the "Cracking the Maya Code" one-hour film shown the previous night).

How to communicate insights from scripture study and other issues in a form that could reach the Izabal area and that we could translate into Spanish was also a topic of discussion. We finally agreed that we would ask Crescent Hill folks on this Mother’s Day Sunday, May 10, to write short (one-word?) phrases about their hopes for the Guatemala partnership – many having sat through the April 26 worship service - on butcher block paper after church in the Narthex. Martha will make an announcement about this as church starts.

The group decided to meet next at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 (during the furlough week) (in the Youth Room in the Education Building). An additional meeting time – at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Nancy’s Bagels on Frankfort Avenue – was also discussed – and we may get together then also.

Earlier on individuals discussed the situation of our friend Soila, the Honduran woman who worked with us in 2004 and who helped host the spring mission team in Guatemala City. Soila and her U.S. husband, Jeff, recently went for a “green card” interview at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, where Soila was – for now – rejected for moving to the United States. Part of what U.S. officials seemed to want was for one or both of them to already have a job and for them to have a place to live, which probably couldn’t happen without Jeff leaving for the United States, leaving Soila in Guatemala. (We’ve started suggesting Kentuckiana Spanish teaching jobs for Jeff.)

Also discussed was a tape Stu Bridgman made of the April 26 worship service, which we have transferred to DVD duplicated and hope to spread not only to Crescent Hill folks but also to Estoreño folks.

Thanks to Ken and Amy for hosting our gathering and for all of the others who participated: Jane, Ellen, Ana, Nora, Soni, Janine, Lowell, Martha, Luke, Ben, Stephanie, and Carlos. We’re off to a good start!

-- Perry

Sin Nombre

Currently screening at the Baxter Avenue Theater is "Sin Nombre," an excellent movie that only spends a few minutes in Guatemala, but tries to depict the lives of Central Americans trying to immigrate through Mexico to the United States. Stephanie said it reminded her of the stories she’s heard from some of her Central American students. The movie deserves its R rating.

-- Perry

Cracking the Maya Code

I just watched an interesting program on public TV, "Cracking the Maya Code." It is from the “Nova” series. If you go to the Web site, you can find it as video segments: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mayacode/program.html. It seems to me that some people in the congregation might be interested in this kind of thing. As people learn more about all aspects of Guatemala, I think this will help the partnership to take root.

-- Ellen

Wednesday questions

Here are some possible discussion questions for the discussion about the second chapter of Acts during this evening's Guatemala mission partnership task force gathering:

- What does this verse mean to you, “…they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”?
- When you hear the words, “speak in other tongues,” what do you think this means?
- What would be a “Pentecost experience” for you, for us today?
- What happened in the community after their Pentecost experience?
- Does this story give us any insights into our partnership?

Thanks to Carlos, Ellen, and Elmer for their work on these questions.

Scripture and questions

Below is an English translation of the scripture and discussion questions we e-mailed to Estoreño folks last month:

Acts 2: 1-21

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o”clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Questions:

- What was the day of Pentecost? (Lev.23:15,16, Acts 2:1, 20:16, I Cor. 16:8)
- What phrase shows the unity of purpose of the disciples? (1:14, 2:1,46)
- What three impressive phenomena occurred when the Holy Ghost was first given? (2-4)
- What reactions did the observers have? (6,7,12,13)
- From where did the observers come? (5,8-11)
- What four questions did Peter answer in his “sermon”? (7,8,12,37)
- What time of day did the outpouring occur? (15)
- What prophecy did the outpouring of the Holy Ghost fulfil? (16-18, Joel 2:28-32)


Acts 2: 22-47

22 “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’ 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Questions:

- What are six things that Peter said about Jesus in his message? (22-36)
- What prophecy did Peter give regarding the resurrection? (25-27, Psa.168-11)
- What phrase shows that the listeners to Peter’s sermon were deeply affected? (37)
- How did Peter reply to the question “what shall we do?” (38-39)
- Who is the promise of the Holy Ghost for? (39)
- How many were added to the church after Peter spoke? (41)
- What four things did these new converts continue to do? (42)
- What were some attitudes of the early church? (41,43-47)

Discussion Questions for Whole of Chapter 2

- What one word or name helps you remember this chapter?
- How does the interaction between the audience and Peter compare to the interaction between the audience and the speaker in the church services you attend?
- On who did Peter’s “sermon” focus?
- In what state were the listeners when Peter brought the Acts 2:38 message?
- How do your attitudes compare to the attitudes of the early church?

Session minutes

From the minutes of the April 29 session meeting:

Laura Kelleher moved that Session adopt the Guatemala Partnership Working Plan, as described in the minutes of the last meeting of the Outreach Council, namely:

- Regular prayer for each other
- At least monthly email communication, with sharing of celebrations, prayer concerns, and news (possibly supplemented by telephone)
- Joint Scripture study this spring of the second chapter of Acts, leading up to Pentecost Sunday, May 31.
- A Saturday morning, September 19, CHPC will hold a prayer vigil and fast to coincide with the start of the Estoreño Presbytery annual meeting
- Additional travel and visits, as possible.

The motion was seconded by Eva Stimson and unanimously approved.

-- Peter

You're invited!

Be part of the conversation about Crescent Hill’s Guatemala mission partnership. Join us at a gathering of the Guatemala mission partnership task force at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at Ken and Amy Linfields’ home (directions and contact information below). We’ll start with reflections on Acts 2. Everyone is welcome!

Pictures of the landmark meeting

Laura helped open - with reflection on scripture - tonight's meeting of Crescent Hill church's session, at which elders serving on the session approved the church's partnership plan with the Q'eqchi' Estoreño, Izabal Presbytery. Pastor Jane (below) followed session meeting discussion with a smile.

Ana, Carlos, Anita, and Eva (below) took the discussion seriously.

Stephen (below) listened carefully.

Marcus (below) looked over written information carefully.

Peter took careful notes about the brief Guatemala mission partnership discussion and other debates.

We helped close the meeting (in a still picture and short video clip below) by singing - in Spanish and English - "Song of Hope" - the same song the spring 2007 Guatemala mission team sang in worship services at Iglesia Familia de Noe and Iglesia Arca de Noe a month ago.

-- Perry

We're official!

Having already listed the Guatemala mission trip worship service this past Sunday as one of the occasions in the last month during which they felt God’s presence, elders currently serving on the Crescent Hill church session this evening approved with little discussion the partnership and partnership plan between Crescent Hill and the Q’eqchi’ Estoreño, Izabal Presbytery. We’ll share news of this – and the content of the information given to the session (text below) - with our new partners.

March 29-30 discussions between members of the spring 2009 Guatemala mission team (Perry Chang, Ellen Dozier, Jane Larsen-Wigger, Ben Langley, Lowell Linder, and Luke Van Marter) and leaders of Guatemala’s Q’eqchi Estoreño, Izabal Presbytery produced a partnership plan that include:

Regular prayer for each other.
- At least monthly e-mail communication, with sharing of celebrations, prayer concerns, and news (possibly supplemented by telephone conversations).
- Joint scripture study – this spring, of the second chapter of Acts, leading up to Pentecost Sunday, May 31.
- A Saturday morning, September 19 Crescent Hill church prayer vigil and fast, timed to coincide with the start of the Estoreño Presbytery annual meeting.
- Additional travel and visits as possible.

In May we’ll be praying for the following Estoreño Presbytery churches:
- La Union mission church, pastors Pablo Sacul Chub, Antonio Tec, and Robert Caal, and worshipers there (on Sunday, May 3 and during the week that follows).
- El Chupon mission church, pastors Gerardo Ich Pop and Antonio Tec, and worshipers there (on Sunday, May 10, and during the week that follows).
- Arca de Noe church in central El Estor, Pastor Gerardo Ich Pop, and church elders, deacons, and members (on Sunday, May 17 and during the week that follows).
- Altar de Noe church in the Los Cerritos neighborhood of El Estor, Pastor Raul Contreras, and church elders, deacons, and members (on Sunday, May 24, and during the week that follows).
- Espiritu Santo church in the San Marcos neighborhood of El Estor, Pastor Jose Domingo Xo Ical, and church elders, deacons, and members (on Sunday, May 31 and during the week that follows).

-- Perry

Amigos de K'ekchi news

Roger Marriott e-mailed us that the Amigos de K’ekchi gathering this past weekend in Spokane went well. The Amigos group brings together half a dozen different Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and presbyteries that have partnered with Q'eqchi' communities and presbyteries in Guatemala. He said the group, which sponsored a trip to Peten earlier this month, is putting together a steering committee and asked our church to nominate a representative. He and Tracey King are to be involved in the committee. Roger is a PC(USA) mission co-worker who works with the K’ekchi in Guatemala. Tracey is the PC(USA)’s regional liaison to Central America. She is based in Nicaragua. Each of the congregations/presbyteries represented in the Nashville gathering some of us attended last July would also have reps on the committee. They might meet by Skype. The larger Guatemala Mission Network will apparently gather in Cincinnati in connection with the PC(USA) mission conference this October. Instead of trying to meet there, Amigos – with reps of partner congregations and presbyteries – might gather next at the Nazarene Center in Coban (pictured above), in north central Guatemala – somewhat a la the Lago Amatitlan Guatemala Mission Network gathering that Stephanie, Ellen, Pastor Gerardo, and Pastor Pablo participated in this past November.

-- Perry