Missionaries Kate and David Visit Dec. 13

Our missionaries, David Wunsch and Kate Lawler, will be with us at both services on Sunday, December 13th. David will be giving the sermon that day. David's parents hope to attend too along with Kate and David's kids (Emily and Matthew) so that they can see the Christmas program. Please help us welcome them into our community and say hello to them!

Guatemalan Return and Reflections

Pastor Lyle and Suzanne H. returned from participating on our behalf in the Solidarity Delegation with the Sister Parish organization in Guatemala. They met with some of our friends from Chichipate and traveled to several different communities. Please watch for more information on ways in which you can share in this experience:

1) Pastor Lyle's Advent Series will include reflections on this experience: "Advent Hope and Prayer for Chichipate."
2) Look for the St. Thomas Sister Parish Advent Devotions book that includes photos from their trip.
3) Come visit the "Sharing the Dream" tables in the narthex with items from artists in Guatemala. Proceeds support our Sister Parish relationship.

Lyle and Suzanne Back Home Again in Indiana

We received word that Lyle and Suzanne are safely home again and are healthy so far!! The discussion at the US embassy regarding the situation in Chichipate was a fitting ending to their experience. Thank you for the prayers of support during their trip. Continued prayers of guidance are appreciated as we seek ways for them to share their experiences and how our community may respond.

Update from Suzanne and Lyle 10/29

We are finally back in computer land today, after an intense and unspeakably meaningful trip to three Sister Parish Sites. The best news is that our friends Teresa, Martin, Enrique, and Vincente, from Chichipate travelled with us to the second site, and we had some deep and meaningful conversations with them, as well as precious time shared.

Our delegation has been warmly welcomed at each site and the stories and photos will say alot when we get home. Upavim was our first site, and that is an inner city cooperative and resulting community that was started by Lydia Spehr´s Brother and sister in law, Richard and Barbara Fenske. At Tierra Nueve 2 we were treated with a moving presentation of dance, song, and Mayan tradition by the youth of the community, and a Mass that was standing room only where were were warmly recognized. There was also a presentation by the Women´s group showing us their crafts and telling us their stories of sisterhood. In San Andres Itzapa we had the privilege of participating in a Mayan Ceremony at the Ruins in Mixco, along with a visit to a local farm, and a Sister Parish funded school. All of the congregations have let us know how vital it is to their congregations to have a Sister Parish, and that has been an important message for us to hear and experience.

It is late and there is so much more but we are safe and well with full hearts and many stories to process and share. Tommorow our delegation is going to the US Embassy to meet with the Human Rights spokesperson to discuss the situation in El Estor-Chichipate, and other Sister Parish issues.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

In good faith,
Suzanne

Solidarity Delegation Sunday Update 10/25

Here is the update from Ashley from Sister Parish regarding Lyle and Suzanne:

Because we were not able to travel to Chichipate, 4 representatives
from the community came into the capital are with Lyle and Suzanne
visiting Tierra Nueva 2. I am afraid that names are escaping me, but
three of the representatives that came today have traveled to
Bloomington (Teresa, Teresa's Husband, and another gentleman), and
also Enrique, who is a younger gentleman.
They spent most of today together in Tierra Nueva 2. They will worship
with the community in Tierra Nueva 2 early Sunday, and then return to
SPC. Suzanne and Lyle in particular will have a chance to sit down and
talk with the representatives from Chichipate as well. The delegation
will be heading to the third community we are visiting, San Andres
Itzapa, on Sunday afternoon.

We spent all day Friday and Friday night in UPAVIM--one of the first
Sister Parish communities. All of the women in UPAVIM send many
greetings to everyone at St. Thomas--because, they say, even though we
may not have had a chance to meet, we are all brothers and sisters in
Christ.

Take care,
Ashley

Solidarity Delegation Arrived

Pastor Lyle wrote to say that they arrived and are staying at the Sister Parish headquarters in Guatemala City while receiving some orientation to the history, customs, etc. He writes:

Guatemala City is warm and much like other places in Mexico and Central America in terms of development and look. We took a walk for lunch at a nice local place (plaintain and a blackberry drink were the only departures from what might be expected in the U.S.). We also walked to the city center to view the cathedral and palace.

No one is experiencing any ill effects yet from food, climate, altitude, or insects. We depart for UPAVIM tomorrow.

We will indeed be visiting with representatives of Chichipate! That's very good news. They will travel with us to Tierra Nueva Dos on Saturday. So we will give them our several gifts for the community then, discuss how things are going with the school, and talk about what we might do related to solidarity/advocacy.

With hopes that all is well with you and the folks at St. Thomas.

Grace and peace,
Lyle

Solidarity Delegation Updates

I'll try and post updates as I get them from the delegation. I just heard that they arrived safely and are in their orientation in Guatemala City right now. We continue our prayers for safety for all involved and a fruitful time walking alongside the communities they visit.