Mission Statement of the Companion Diocese Relationship

Through the love of God we are all made one family in Christ. The mission of the companion diocese relationship is to strengthen those bonds of unity. As companion dioceses, we covenant to walk together on our common journey, learning from each other as we share our spiritual, human, and material resources at all levels. As companions on the journey, we will encourage and pray for one another and inspire each other in the work we are given to do as Christ’s agents in the world about us.

History

Why Guatemala? The purpose of this trip is to offer a global ministry opportunity for our diocese and to support our Companion Diocese Relationship that has been sanctioned by the Diocesan Convention for the past 12 years. Back in 1995, Bishop Bartlett and Diocesan Leaders decided on Guatemala as our Companion Diocese and at the Diocesan Convention in 1996 the relationship was approved. The reason that Guatemala was chosen was because it was easily accessible from the United States and because the country has long suffered more than 36 years of internal conflict in which over 200,000 people were either killed or disappeared. From its inception, Diocesan Leaders had long dreamed of a joint youth mission trip in Guatemala for youth from both Guatemala and Pennsylvania. After a few false starts, the first Guatemala Youth Mission Trip was conducted in 2004. Since 2004, we have built upon that relationship by having a new group of adults and youth from the Diocese participate every year.

Past Mission Work: Painted churches in disadvantaged urban and rural settings, worked with HIV orphans, taught children school lessons in various places over the years including values, dental hygiene, and cultural exchange, shared games, piñatas and art with children, playground restoration including painting murals, playground equipment & built basketball courts, painted various schools and made lunch and snacks for youth. We also donated well over $50,000.00 worth of medical supplies, clothing and school supplies that have donated and collected throughout the diocese each year.

Churches that have participated: Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square; St. Mark’s Philadelphia; St. Peter’s, Philadelphia; St. Mary’s, Bainbridge; Holy Innocent’s St. Paul’s Church in Tacony; St. Paul’s, Levittown; Christ Church Media; All Saint’s, Falsington, St. Mary’s, Chester; Trinity, Swarthmore, Calvary, Germantown; Calvary, Northern Liberties; Trinity Church, Solebury; Holy Nativity, Wrightstown; Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr; Church of the Advent, Kennett Square; St. Paul’s, Doylestown, St. Andrews-in-the-Fields, Somerton; St. Aidan’s, Cheltenham, St. Andrew’s West Vincent; Holy Nativity, Rockledge; Holy Trinity, West Chester; St. John’s, Essington; Church of Our Saviour, Jenkintown; Church of the Messiah, Gwynedd; St. Peter’s in the Great Valley; St. James, Perkiomen; Church of the Ascension, Parkesburg; St. Thomas’ Church, Whitemarsh; St. Philip’s in the Field, Oreland; St. Dunstan’s, Blue Bell; St. Alban’s, Newtown Square; St. Mary’s, Warwick; Holy Apostles and The Mediator, Philadelphia; Trinity Church, Gulph Mills; Trinity Church, Buckingham; Gloria Dei Old Swedes; African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Overbrook; Church of the Annunciation, Germantown; Philadelphia Cathedral; Church of the Redeemer, Springfield; St. Mary’s, Hamilton Village; St. Paul’s Church, Elkins Park; Holy Trinity, Lansdale and Temple Campus Ministry

Companion Diocese Committee: The goal of this companion relationship with Guatemala has always been to do ministry together and one great way of doing that is to visit with people in their churches, homes and country to get a better sense of their culture and their life challenges.

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2008 Mission Trip to Guatemala

The Diocese is pleased to announce that we will again be co-sponsoring a Youth Mission Trip to Guatemala for 2008.

Download the 2008 Guatemala Poster
Download the 2008 Guatemala Application
Download the 2008 Guatemala Rector’s Recommendation
Download the 2008 Guatemala Scholarship Form
Download the 2008 Guatemala Medical Form

What: The trip is both a pilgrimage of faith and a mission trip. It may be the only trip of its kind in the Episcopal Church! This is joint trip for youth from both companion dioceses rather than just a one-sided mission trip. Mission is very large and important to our work in Guatemala but it is not the only thing we do. The reason that mission work is not the only thing that we do is so that students from both Guatemala and Pennsylvania get a well-rounded understanding of the country and its people. Activities will include: Bible Study, Workshops on relevant topics, Mission work, Lectures on important issues facing Guatemala today, Historical and Cultural trips. We will visit NGO’s, World Heritage Sites, Church Missions, Pilgrimage and Holy Sites, Mayan Ruins, Ecological Wonders, Small Villages, Rural Farm Land and Large Cities.

When: July 26 – August 4, 2008 (May 3, July 25 retreats are required)

Who: Youth Grades 8 – 12, College Students & Adult Leaders from around the Diocese.

Cost: $600.00 per Participant, $600.00 per Church, $600.00 from the Diocese (scholarships are available both for Participants and Churches)

Experiencing God in a Whole New Way in Guatemala

by Charlotte Abbott, A Youth Council Representative, Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr

In the Stations of the Cross as Jesus’ life on earth comes to an end, a question is raised, “Is my soul worth this much?” Ever since I was a little girl, I was told of the extraordinary things God has done for me, and the same question has plagued my mind. Is my soul worth this much? I think a huge part of having faith in God and all God’s gifts, is realizing your own self-worth.

On the very first day of July, I traveled to Guatemala on a diocese mission trip with 18 other peers, and 7 adults, including the Bishop. Once we arrived, we were joined by a group of loving, spirited young people from different parts of Guatemala. Together we visited one of the few schools in Guatemala City. Whether we were painting a mural on their walls or just playing with them, I began to realize that I was capable of making a difference. This experience was one that I will surely remember for the rest of my life. Not only did I learn so much about a culture completely different from my own, but I was able to experience God in a whole new way.

One Saturday morning our group crammed under a makeshift awning. Then, sitting side by side with a Mayan tribe, we shared communion. I saw that morning first hand the amazing things God does for us.

I am privileged to live in the conditions that I do. I have an incredible education, family and my future is filled with opportunity. As we were introduced to our Guatemalan friends that shared the first week with us in our travels, we were given the opportunity to talk about what we saw in our futures. One youth had said that God would support her in what she chose to do, and if he did not then she would move on to the next thing. She does not have the opportunities that I have, yet her faith is so strong that even in a place so full of violence and poverty she is hopeful. God has given me so many gifts to make it possible for me to live up to my full potential and make a difference. Throughout my travels in Guatemala I began to see my potential ability to use my gifts to serve others. I have begun to appreciate the value of the human soul for which Jesus has sacrificed his life.

Guatemala-Land of the Maya, Land of Spiritual Transformation

by Leslie Bullitt, Christ Church, Media, PA

I had the greatest opportunity this summer to be invited to attend a Church Mission Trip to Guatemala. This trip was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese. Nineteen youth from the Philadelphia area and seven adults participated. The encounter itself was truly transformational, spiritual and inspirational! Not only did I act as an adult chaperone, but I acted as the group’s translator.

Central Guatemala offers a beautiful landscape of mountains, lakes and old colonial cities. Guatemalans are a mixture of Maya and European called ladinos. They are also the village Maya. Most people speak Spanish and most Maya speak their own language. Quiche is the most popular Maya language. Food consists of hand-made tortillas, plantains and rice and beans. Our group was fortunate to eat meat or chicken at every meal. I found the food to be very similar to Venezuelan food with the exception of corn tortillas.

The first week after our arrival, we had a cultural and a spiritual retreat with Guatemalan youth and adults. We stayed at the Lutheran Retreat Center which was formerly a hospital. The building is in the Spanish style with courtyard and garden and rooms following in a square. Our morning prayer was always held at the central fountain. At our first meeting, most youth acted very shy of one another. By the end of the our encounter, we had all become close friends. I truly enjoyed our scripture discussions, our presentations, our joking around, our travels and the sharing of meals together. On the Fourth of July, they surprised us with fireworks. We sang our national anthem and, then, invited them to sing theirs. What a touching moment of respect, peace and emotion for each other! I kept on repeating to myself, “Thank you, dear Lord, for this moment.”

It was quite a sight to see American youth go through the powerful process of personal transformation. We have so much in the U.S. that we take for granted day to day. Like hot water, or easy to get fast food, or stylish clothes and entertainment at our fingertips. Yes, there were complaints from our youth. But, by the end of the trip, I believe, many appreciated all the opportunities that Americans enjoy. I loved to see our youth working hard to paint murals, paint swing-sets, and build a small basketball court. Everyone worked very hard and I just loved seeing Sara and Lauren, two youth from my Church, sitting of the back of a truck carrying materials to build that court. I was proud of their participation and enthusiasm in all the hard work to be done at the school that day. Another highlight was seeing our youth interact with the children from the school and giving them small gifts that they had brought. The school children were very appreciative of all our work. We were very tired at the end of this two-day service project, but emotionally and spiritually we were overflowing.

Our visit to an Episcopal Church that has a large Maya congregation proved to be another such moment. Here worship occurs in a parking lot, and in such a place we witnessed a blending of beliefs. We began our visit with a Mayan fire ceremony and ended with a Church service. Elders from this congregation honor their ancestry by way of a fire ceremony and bless individuals at the end of this fascinating experience. Many of our youth and adults asked for blessings. I did not, as I was already practicing with the Maya choir and looking through music that we would be singing. During the ceremony, people quietly chatted, children ate ice-cream cones which a vendor was selling, chickens clucked about and the Church service was being prepared. During the Church service, our Bishop, read all his parts in perfect Spanish. I was delighted that Bishop Bennison was able and willing to speak Spanish so often. Although, I helped to translate, Bishop Bennison made every effort to speak Spanish at all times. The Maya elders honored him by kissing his hand which is a sign of high respect. At the end of this long day, I truly felt blessed to have experienced such an awesome ceremony and been part of such a blessed Church service. It was our mutual love for God that united us all in our worship that day and it felt good to be so connected to the people.

Our visit to Lake Atlitlan was another gift from God and it is a visit that I will never forget. When one first sees this beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, volcanoes and Mayan villages, one is truly in awe. Even the lake crossing in our lancha (boat) is a reminder that God has provided our world with such beauty. Visiting Santiago and learning about Father Rother was one thing. But, visiting the chapel where he was killed was another. The minute one walks into this chapel, one is filled with many emotions. I was overcome with the feeling of pain and extreme sadness and yet, hope. We spent an hour reflecting about this wonderful man. My eyes swell up immediately when I think of this event. Next door to the chapel, we could hear a service taking place and some singing. God, had yet again, provided all of us with another powerful moment.

The presence of God seems to be everywhere in Guatemala. There are slogans on buildings, buses and placards relating to scripture. Dios te ama or “God Loves You” can be seen throughout the countryside. One sees crosses and little shrines on the road. There are large, colonial churches throughout the small towns and cities. People also greet each other with frequency and it is expected that one greet back. Guatemalans may be a simple people, but they also seem deeply spiritual in their religion and in their land. They give thanks for what they have and never seem to complain about their current situation. During our stay in this transformational country we attended five or six Eucharist’s some services were very long. I loved returning to these services in the language that I had grown up in and felt extremely nostalgic of the time when I attended catholic services with my Mom or my Abuela.

In a mission such as ours, it is impossible not to mention all the incredible adults and youth that I met along the way. For ten beautiful days, we all had amazing experiences with one another. Then, we all said our goodbyes. I miss many people from our group! The youth and their funny comments and complaints about food. The adults, their insight and learning about their families and those that made me laugh and laugh. And those adults that make me think and reflect about many things. I also miss Victor Jr., our mascot. God brought us all together to feel the joy and pain of Guatemala and the wonderment of mission work. Well, I know what I want to do when I give up teaching and that is to touch others with my own mission work. I can’t thank the Episcopal Diocese enough for making this trip a reality and so, to Bishop Bennison, Susannah, Stephanie, Barbara and the Companion Diocese Committee, the adults, and the youth and all the families, I say Muchas Gracias y Gracias a Dios for our Mission work in Guatemala.