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Join us!
Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia
The Days of Prayer and Action is a time for people of faith to gather to learn more about the situation of our sisters and brothers in Colombia and to call for more just policies of our government towards Colombia.
This year's theme is "Face the Displaced" - a chance to put a face to the almost four million persons displaced by Colombia's ongoing violent conflict. Find out more ways you can be involved, particularly in next Monday (4/19) call in day to Congress by following these links:
Four ways to take part
Days of Prayer and Action home page
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Our Websites
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Our PC(USA) web page Our official link on the PC(USA) website. More links here on ways to contribute financially to support us, pages for other Mission Personnel, and other ministries of the church.
Our blog, with musings, photos, links, and other digitized thoughts on our journey. We update this often, so check in regularly, or subscribe on the web page to get notified about updates.
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Prayer Requests:
* Thanksgiving for a tremendous celebration and planning session after 5 years of the Colombia Accompaniment Program between PC(USA) and the IPC. May the lessons we have all learned improve our work together for the safety and well-being of Colombians.
* Prayers of gratitude for all those who attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days this year, and great joy for the ways in which our time has already borne fruit!
* Prayers of thanksgiving for Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, IL who recently joined in our financial support team. We are also grateful to one of their members who matched their gift - what a blessing and a joy. Thanks to all who continue to help us raise much needed support.
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Days of Miracle and Wonder
Jesus came and stood among them and said "Peace be with you" -John 20
As we continue celebrating Easter (yes, it's a season, not just a day) I am reminded of just how often new life bursts in around our regular routines - which, of course, is the story of Easter - God's new life bursting into the routines of fear and domination that rule this world.
This past Sunday we were celebrating with the church Comunidad del Camino - the Community on the Way - on its fifth anniversary. It is a new church start of the Presbytery of the North Coast, and as a new church, it is a wonderful burst of new life. Whereas the Sunday after Easter can be a typically low Sunday, here they had to move worship to a larger venue to provide space for everyone joining in celebration. New life is always bursting forth somewhere.
Worshiping together
We've seen lots of that new life around here recently. We just completed a bi-national reflection, evaluation, and visioning process with the Presbyterian Accompaniment Program, one of the main programs Mamie and I work with. Every month for the past five years, groups of two people from the US have come here to accompany the Igelsia Presbiteriana as it goes about its work of proclaiming God's good news to all people.
In the evaluation, we saw the miracle of two groups of people from completely different cultures meet - as equals - and try to discern what God is calling for in the future. There are many pitfalls on the road to having true partnerships across our two churches, but with passion and grace, all of the participants walked ahead together. We are excited to see the ways the Accompaniment Program will continue to grow and introduce more US persons to the context of mission of the Iglesia Presbiteriana here in Colombia.
We had another chance to see new life on our recent trip to Washington DC for Ecumenical Advocacy Days. While lobbying in DC might not be the first place people think to see God's new life springing forth, we were able to see what happens when concerned groups of people talk to our government about policies that have life and death consequences for countries like Colombia. We were able to see our congressperson, Danny Davis, sign on to a bill for supporting Colombia's Indigenous and Afro-descent populations right after our visit (HR 1224, call to say thanks or ask your Congress member to sign). While it is easy to believe that one person, one voice cannot make a difference, in this Easter season we know that God is at work in an around each and every voice to heal and restore this world into a community of peace, justice, and reconciliation.
We invite you to join us in discovering new life this Easter season. One way you can join with us is to participate in the Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia. This is one way to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Colombia and to make a difference that affects millions of lives. The days are this weekend - April 16-19th , with Monday the 19th the day for calls to congress. For more info, visit the Days of
Prayer and Action home page
 This year's theme
is "Face the Displaced" - a chance to put a face to the almost four
million persons displaced by Colombia's ongoing violent conflict.
As always, we invite you to keep up with our blog:
Blessings and Peace in this season of New Life ~
Mamie y Richard
If you want to add emails, there is a sign up form on our website. Please feel free to pass any information along! You can also unsubscribe at any time through a link at the bottom of the email.
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Ooh, Baby, Baby
We are excited to announce that we are pregnant! Mamie is due in late September, and we are busy preparing/worrying/celebrating this change in our family.
We have a lot of support here (with belly rubs to match), but we are always grateful for your good wishes, your moral support, and your
thoughts/advice. Peanut, Richard, and Mamie need all the help we can get! Can we get an "Amen?" :)
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Our Partners:
Supporting Churches:
(we're happy to keep adding to the list!)
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(If others of you are participating with Days of Prayer and Action (DoPA) we would love to let everyone know!)
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