Chair: Rev. Kathy Gorman-Coombs
When hearing about the Albany Presbytery/Mam Presbytery partnership, people often ask, “What do you mean by partnership? Why not just do mission trips?” But working in partnership with our brothers and sisters in Guatemala is so much more than “doing mission”…it is about relationship, about learning more about God as we learn more about each other. The work of bringing together 3 cultures (ours—mainstream Guatemalan—and Mam) and 3 languages is incredibly more challenging than one might imagine. In fact, on human terms alone—it would not have been remotely possible. But with God’s help, and the interceding of the Spirit—amazing things happen.
Upcoming Trips
Become a Prayer Partner with a Mam Congregation
In March of this year, the Albany Presbytery team had a most productive meeting with the leadership of the Mam Presbytery. Among our sharing was their demonstrating to us their innovative way of exploring the Bible in churches, a true sharing of the joys and struggles in ministry, and a desire to establish prayer partners among our congregations.
We are seeking 16 more churches who would be willing to partner with a Mam congregation to regularly pray for one another in Sunday worship. (Seven Albany presbytery churches have already come forward!) At minimum, this means simply naming the Mam congregation in your listing of people who need prayer at the beginning of your pastoral prayers. So easy, and spiritually gratifying. You will also know that your congregation is being prayed for as well.
This is only about prayer. We highly discourage the sending of funds as doing so may create hard feelings among the other congregations.
If your congregation is so willing, please express your intent to Tim Coombs (pastortim@scotiatrinity.org). It would be helpful for you to send a short description of your church, think elevator speech, that we will translate into Spanish and send on to them.
Really, who couldn’t use a little extra prayer these days? If you are feeling so overwhelmed that you don’t want to participate in this venture, it may be a sign that you could use a little spiritual help.
“And if you order a prayer partner right now, we’ll throw in some Mam book markers absolutely free!!!” (Seriously).
Guatemala Partnership News
Overture in Support of People of Guatemala passes at 226th General Assembly in June 2024
The first news to report is that the Overture in Support of the People of Guatemala, with which we of Albany Presbytery were among the concurring Presbyteries, passed at the 226th General Assembly held in Salt Lake City, Utah. This Overture calls on all Presbyterians to support and engage in the work of our many partnerships there, for PC(USA) media outlets to bring greater awareness to the Guatemalan reality, and for the Stated Clerk and various agencies of the denomination to advocate for U.S. policies that promote peace and justice for the marginalized, oppressed and voiceless majority of the Guatemalan people.
In the past year, Guatemalans have seen a ray of hope as Bernardo Arévalo was elected and inaugurated as the country’s new President, despite the previous administration’s strenuous (and nearly successful) anti-democratic efforts to overturn the election. A group from the Presbytery of Western North Carolina was visiting Guatemala during the nation’s electoral crisis. It was asked by their partners to pray for the people of Guatemala and also to make the larger church in the United States aware of their plight and seek its support. Accordingly, this Overture was drafted and, with the concurrence of four other presbyteries (Albany, Baltimore, New Castle, and Inland Northwest), was brought to the 226th General Assembly of the PC(USA), where it was approved in June. (Excerpted from an article in the New Castle Presbytery News, written by Carrie Saathoff and Doug Michael)
To help US Presbyterians fulfill the directives of this Overture, CEDEPCA provided a webinar on September 4th to help us better understand the situation, and share ideas for what we can do to be supportive. Here is a link to the recording of that webinar: Virtual Journey In addition, this article appeared in PCUSA News shortly afterward: Daily News Briefing
We hope to be providing updates and other ways of learning as we move forward as partners and siblings in Christ, encouraging one another to greater faithfulness.
Rev. Kathy Gorman-Coombs
Chair, Guatemala Partnership Task Force
2019 Trip
- Enjoy pictures from our February 2019 Trip. VIEW PICTURES
