wfn.org | U.S. Central American Presbyterians to Meet in Honduras

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

5-February-1997 
97066 
 
               U.S. Central American Presbyterians 
                       to Meet in Honduras 
 
                          by Alexa Smith 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- Strengthening ties between Central American presbyteries 
and their Presbyterian Church (USA) partners is the purpose of a four-day 
"Encuentro," or "encounter with friends," set for next week as part of the 
denomination's celebration of the "Year With Latin Americans." 
 
     Fifty members of PCUSA presbyteries will meet in Honduras, Feb. 13-17, 
with 50 representatives of their Central American partners for Bible study 
and networking.   As Encuentro planning committee member Sidney Nordt of 
Peaks Presbytery puts it, the will be looking at "partnership in mission 
both ways. 
 
     "Some presbyteries," she said, citing as an example Peaks' 13 years of 
partnership with the Evangelical Center for Pastoral Studies in Central 
America, which has regional offices in several countries, " ... have been 
in partnership through turbulent times.  And it looks like there's going to 
be partnership for the long-term.  We want to take a look at how we've 
affected one another." 
 
     That look ought to produce recommendations for PCUSA policy and 
strengthen existing relationships between PCUSA churches and Central 
American partners.   
 
     Sixteen PCUSA presbyteries currently have ties to churches in 
Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras.  The denomination is also 
currently partnered with several ministries in El Salvador. 
 
     "The love between the Presbyterio El Centro (in Guatemala City) and 
Peace River is ... more than just a relationship -- it's a kinship," said 
the Rev. Carl Schlich, the executive of Florida Presbytery. "It's beautiful 
and that's what keeps it going."  He cited pastoral care from visiting 
Guatemalan Presbyterians when the pastor of a Florida congregation died 
suddenly and input from U.S. Presbyterians into Guatemala's current debate 
about ordaining women. 
 
     "We," he said of the "Encuentro," want to be part of how "the 
denomination is going to be directing mission in Latin America, so we'll 
know how to be more part of that." 
 
     That planning process is precisely what distinguishes the "Encuentro" 
from other mission strategies within the denomination, according to the 
Rev. Homer Rickabaugh, associate for presbytery/synod partnerships in the 
Worldwide Ministries Division.  The conversation is going to involve 
Central Americans from all walks of life and U.S. Presbyterians who are not 
elected officers or denominational staff.  It is also a chance for Central 
Americans -- some of whom will have never been outside their country before 
-- to network with each other. 
 
     The "Year With Latin Americans" focus was proposed in 1993 by PCUSA 
mission workers in Central America.   "The missionaries felt that in the 
1980s everybody was concerned about Central America," Rickabaugh say.  "It 
was on the front of all the newspapers and lots of people were going there 
 ... but it has dropped out of the news.  They felt it was time to lift 
Central America up, because, though it has dropped out of the news, the 
problems are still there. 
 
     "The ... conflicts have ended," he said.  Guatemala has signed its 
peace accords, ending the longest conflict in Central America.  "But the 
social and economic struggle goes on.  And that's partly a result of U.S. 
international policies." 
 
     A report titled "Marathon of Hope" that was approved by the 1995 
General Assembly records input about Central American mission work from 
partner churches and ecumenical organizations in the region and from a 1994 
consultation among U.S. presbyteries with partners there.  It recommends 
that presbyteries and congregations:  
 
          pray for the people of Central America 
           learn more about PCUSA mission there 
           minister with sensitivity to Central American refugees 
           work for justice in relation to Central America 
           support the witness of the church there 
           examine opportunities that currently exist within their bounds 
to become involved in 
          concerns of Central America 
          develop new ways to support the mutual mission of the PCUSA with 
neighbors to the 
          South. 
 
     Any recommendations coming out of the "Encuentro" will be addressed by 
the General Assembly Council. 
 
     According to "Year With Latin Americans'" coordinator Peter Kemmerle, 
the "Encuentro" is a centerpiece of the "Year with Latin Americans."  "This 
is the only time in the  Year With Latin Americans' this is going to 
happen," he said, noting that the denominational emphasis happens to 
coincide with a review of mission work that Presbyterians invested in 
Central America already intended to do.  "People are doing mission in Latin 
America whether it's the  Year With Latin Americans' or not. 
 
     "This is our chance to give it special attention and nurture." 
 
     Nordt believes it is essential both to celebrate present relationships 
and to strategize for the future.  "What's happening in Central America is 
similar to what's happening in Russia.  The conflict ends, but the social 
disarray is as bad as ever," she said.  "We're looking at how do we enable 
people? How do we join in prayers? ... People in Central America often turn 
to us and say,  Pray for us.'  And the American response to that is:  Is 
that all you want?'" 
 
     U.S. presbyteries have been holding "Pre-Encuentros" to give those 
planning to attend the Honduras meeting wide exposure to opinions about 
mission work with Latin Americans and background.  Participants were also 
introduced early to Bible studies developed for the "Encuentro" by Central 
American theologian Elsa Tamez of Costa Rica and U.S. liberation theologian 
Ched Myers of Los Angeles.   A similar study process has been under way in 
Central America. 

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