tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87542179941163776122024-03-06T22:11:23.520-08:00El Salvador Partners Mission GroupThe Central Baptist Church El Salvador Partners Mission Group, aka "Salvador Partners," facilitates ongoing relationships between members and friends of CBC and persons, congregations, and groups in El Salvador with the intention of mutual learning and sharing of fellowship, resources, and experiences.
Recognizing our differences and our commonalities, we are committed to accompanying one another and our Salvadoran partners in our respective journeys to build a just and sustainable society.Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-59561854214346399712010-03-16T05:50:00.000-07:002010-03-16T05:50:13.535-07:00Lenten Prayer Meeting - Celebrating the Life of Oscar Romero<div style="text-align: center;">Lenten Prayer Meeting<br />
Wednesday, March 17th<br />
Palmer Theological Seminary<br />
5:55-6:20pm in the Seminary dining room</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Celebrating the life of Oscar Romero<br />
(August 15, 1917 – March 24, 1980)<br />
What does it mean to live in solidarity with the poor?<br />
<br />
LENT is about MAKING SPACE for GOD…<br />
Take a break and spend 15 min. in meditative prayer. <br />
Engage in various interactive prayer stations<br />
OR<br />
simply meditate in candelit silence.</div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-38734376416733338522010-03-01T07:20:00.000-08:002010-03-01T05:13:53.481-08:00Romero 30th Anniversary Reflections at Palmer Seminary<span class="event-description">Please come and join us at Palmer Seminary (6 Lancaster Ave. in Wynnewood, PA) 12:45pm to 1:30pm on Thursday, March 18th, for a chapel service to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Archbishop Romero's death. Mayra Picos and others from the seminary will share some of their experiences from their recent delegation to El Salvador in light of Romero's legacy. We welcome people from outside the Seminary community!</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK_LFJ_jNwXcFQewuTyO-d800FXKjBKr-uYXvYH0oCSwdHM1Vc7p8cR0iGQ89AvFghAQznDR6BUlukb6I9lrVNvQhsJC1jKNmXgxE8zmfGF6tHQetugJIIydNDVxdNHWIWZc1jUE2u77x/s1600-h/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK_LFJ_jNwXcFQewuTyO-d800FXKjBKr-uYXvYH0oCSwdHM1Vc7p8cR0iGQ89AvFghAQznDR6BUlukb6I9lrVNvQhsJC1jKNmXgxE8zmfGF6tHQetugJIIydNDVxdNHWIWZc1jUE2u77x/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="event-description">(</span>Monumento a la Memoria y la Verdad / Parque Cuscatlan / San Salvador)Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-75141335948013605072010-03-01T05:12:00.000-08:002010-03-01T05:12:23.155-08:00Solidarity Then and Now -- Storytelling and Inspiration from the 1980s Sanctuary Movement and the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XuudcBKR_yFJiDvQicUpapsgqW6DHtn822q9rZieFOE-ZW8yuuZA-WyVc-Hh8T38b_hDOS5mpbwQo8Vk-44_CcBntFfTXngruWAdCSqHexbPs-p8n8SS_S00F-GVyw-_QUWhghzqSPdF/s1600-h/Mauricio+1984+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XuudcBKR_yFJiDvQicUpapsgqW6DHtn822q9rZieFOE-ZW8yuuZA-WyVc-Hh8T38b_hDOS5mpbwQo8Vk-44_CcBntFfTXngruWAdCSqHexbPs-p8n8SS_S00F-GVyw-_QUWhghzqSPdF/s640/Mauricio+1984+edit.jpg" width="452" /></a>Come to Tabernacle United Church on Thursday, March 4th, from 7 - 9 pm, for an evening of storytelling and inspiration with Philadelphia leaders from the ORIGINAL Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s together with the NEW Sanctuary Movement (NSM) of Philadelphia. Tabernacle is located at Chestnut and 37th Street in Philadelphia, with the entrance on 37th. All are welcome! Bring friends. <br />
<br />
Families from El Salvador and Guatemala who were accompanied by the Philadelphia sanctuary congregations in the 1980s will be present to tell about their experience. NSM will honor Philadelphia congregations that were part of the 1980s sanctuary movement, including Central Baptist Church, FUMCOG, Tabernacle, St. Vincents, Germantown Friends, Chestnut Hill Friends, Mishkan Shalom, Beth David, and others. NSM will also officially welcome Mishkan Shalom and Visitation BVM (and possibly one more) as the first congregations to affiliate with Philadelphia NSM.<br />
<br />
More info about NSM and details about this event at <a href="http://www.nsmphilly.blogspot.com/">www.nsmphilly.blogspot.com</a>. Join the "New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia" Facebook group to find out about upcoming events and advocacy actions.<br />
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Other highlights of the "Solidarity Then and Now" evening include --<br />
<br />
<b>Spoken Word performance</b> by Ruben and Anthony about current realities in the Philadelphia immigrant community today.<br />
<br />
<b>Solo dance reflection </b>on immigration by Yatz, accompanied by Juan on guitar.<br />
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<b>Porfolio of photographs</b> from the 1980s sanctuary movement by photographer and activist Harvey Finkle. See his current work photographing Indonesian, Burmese, Cambodian, and Mexican communities in Philadelphia at <a href="http://www.harveyfinkle.com/">www.harveyfinkle.com</a>.<br />
<br />
NSM will share about the <b>Storytelling Project</b>, with personal story sharing by one of the project participants from South Philly. <a href="http://www.wildriverreview.com/intro/open-borders/welcome-to-open-borders/lyonsportillo/oct09">Learn more here</a>.Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-27120883032164561132010-02-14T13:48:00.000-08:002010-02-14T14:08:18.564-08:00Upcoming meeting - Report on Palmer Seminary delegation in El SalvadorJoin us at CBC on Sunday, Feb 28th, following worship to hear a report back about the recent Palmer Seminary delegation to El Salvador. All are welcome! A simple lunch will be provided.<br />
<br />
Mayra Picos-Lee and others will be sharing stories and a slide show about their experience in Santa Ana with ABC missionary Kim Kushner, learning about SEBLA (the Baptist seminary in El Salvador) and visiting communities devastated by flooding last fall. They also had time to meet with Ruth Orantes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRhRgSfcK3dxf3ZpFEBwuITBpTtXyLC4FMwhgLx9zgH-fMm4-t48XvSmF7ADqYaSXpfdOa-5KGPsuakclYJ4xDWwQ9-AJV1ASACYl-Zr9ageliCbmSTS6G_92Oh0tOb1A1L3jjxJvkQUq/s1600-h/IMG_0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRhRgSfcK3dxf3ZpFEBwuITBpTtXyLC4FMwhgLx9zgH-fMm4-t48XvSmF7ADqYaSXpfdOa-5KGPsuakclYJ4xDWwQ9-AJV1ASACYl-Zr9ageliCbmSTS6G_92Oh0tOb1A1L3jjxJvkQUq/s320/IMG_0733.jpg" /></a></div>Here Palmer's group is pictured at the SEBLA offices in Santa Ana after meeting with Jaime Peña, dean of SEBLA and President of FEBES. From top left to bottom right, we are: Joshua Walters, Douglas Avilesbernal, Mayra Picos-Lee, Jaime Peña, Heather Biscoe and Marikay Green. <br />
<span style="color: #888888;"><br />
</span>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-88213199631989383052010-01-18T06:29:00.000-08:002010-01-18T06:29:46.289-08:00REUNION OF 1980s SANCTUARY CONGREGATIONS IN PHILADELPHIA AND ORGANIZING FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE IN PHILADELPHIA TODAYThe New Sanctuary Movement (NSM) of Philadelphia – a growing interfaith coalition with a diverse range of people from many immigrant communities and organizations – is organizing a reunion of the Philadelphia congregations and leaders from the ORIGINAL Sanctuary movement of the 1980s. Some of the families from El Salvador and Guatemala who were supported by the Philadelphia sanctuary congregations also plan to attend this event. <br />
<br />
The gathering will be a time to reflect on stories about the passions that created the 1980s movement and to learn from that collective wisdom for the NSM work of accompaniment and solidarity with immigrants seeking justice in Philadelphia today!<br />
<b><br />
All are welcome! Join us on Thursday, Feb 11th, from 7pm to 9pm, at Tabernacle United Church located at Chestnut and 37th Street. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
The reunion will include friends from number of key congregations from the 1980s -- Mishkan Shalom, FUMCOG, Tabernacle United Church, Germantown Friends, Chestnut Hill Friends, St. Vincents, and Central Baptist.<br />
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To learn more about NSM and for details about this event (including a flyer to download and post) visit <a href="http://www.nsmphilly.blogspot.com/">www.nsmphilly.blogspot.com</a>. Questions? See Caroline Cargo or email NSM at nsmphiladelphia@gmail.com.Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-70610666793169992362010-01-09T08:32:00.000-08:002010-01-09T08:32:30.188-08:00Updates about the Orantes FamilyWe recently received the disturbing news that Ruth's teaching job at the Colegio Bautista (the Baptist school in Santa Ana) has been eliminated as of January 1st. Ruth's position in the Christian Education department was one of 20 jobs eliminated across various departments.<br />
<br />
This puts added pressure on the family budget, especially since Victor Hugo's school tuition was a benefit of Ruth's employment. Happily we can report that a donor to the Cielo Azul Fund has designated funds to cover all of Victor Hugo's school expenses for 2010. <br />
<br />
The loss of the teaching job leaves Ruth free to spend herself in her pastoral work at Iglesia Bautista Shekina. But while there is full time work to do at this growing congregation, the congregation can not match the salary she has lost from her teaching position.<br />
<br />
Your continued support through the Cielo Azul Fund (<a href="www.cieloazulfund.blogspot.com">www.cieloazulfund.blogspot.com</a>) will help to give the family a stable economic base for their service to the community.Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-14491359464740648772010-01-09T08:28:00.000-08:002010-01-09T08:30:44.713-08:00New partnership with The Simple WayOver the years, there have been many mutual visits between the Orantes family and members of The Simple Way community in Philadelphia. (<a href="http://www.thesimpleway.org/">www.thesimpleway.org</a>) We are happy to announce that in January 2010, our friends at The Simple Way has become the new fiscal sponsor for contributions to support the ministries of Ruth and Alex and special projects at Iglesia Bautista Shekina!<br />
<br />
Ruth and Alex's commitment to faith-based community development, justice, peacemaking, and healing has been a cherished model and inspiration for The Simple Way and for Central Baptist Church for many years. <br />
<br />
We are very excited about an opportunity to deepen this connection between these people whose ministries are rooted in service and accompaniment of the poor and marginalized.<br />
<br />
With this transition, the former "Orantes Fund" has been renamed. Now we are the "<b>Cielo Azul Fund</b>" and this mission will be guided by an advisory committee from The Simple Way, El Salvador Partners of CBC, and Iglesia Bautista Shekina.<br />
<br />
The Cielo Azul Fund is also now featured on the TSW website as one of their global projects! Find us under the "friends and partners" section of their website at <a href="http://www.thesimpleway.org/">www.thesimpleway.org</a>.<br />
<br />
All contributions to the Cielo Azul Fund will be processed by The Simple Way, which also means that we are now able to accept secure on-line credit card donations designated for Cielo Azul through our blog at <a href="http://www.cieloazulfund.blogspot.com/">www.cieloazulfund.blogspot.com</a>. The blog has updated instructions for donating online and by personal check. <br />
<br />
We look forward to building a stronger, wider community of new friends who will join with us in our partnership with Ruth and Alex in their ministries of justice, hope, peace, and healing for El Salvador!Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-2743674063662172582010-01-09T06:38:00.000-08:002010-01-09T06:38:35.031-08:00Shekina Christmas project aids sister church damaged by Hurricane Ida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTYaM4I3xy4cu7g5e5inAmnuGmlXb8_q-dQfY3I-EQMw1LqFl_o6RMTzcGzWTs3P3wnjn2f8FUqUmF7XzArHOaJhV2LHlEjzNfADnvWheQRQV7oLt1cK91cd0UvoUy_Dwdfy8kbnUO34u/s1600-h/project1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTYaM4I3xy4cu7g5e5inAmnuGmlXb8_q-dQfY3I-EQMw1LqFl_o6RMTzcGzWTs3P3wnjn2f8FUqUmF7XzArHOaJhV2LHlEjzNfADnvWheQRQV7oLt1cK91cd0UvoUy_Dwdfy8kbnUO34u/s200/project1.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>a report from Shekina...<br />
<br />
Our Sister Church - Iglesia Bautista Discipulos de Cristo - in the outskirts of San Martin suffered dangerous and tremendous damage in the night of Nov. 7/8th 2009 because of Hurricane Ida. There were 2 dead in the congregation. Members of the church lost all fields of beans and corn, which went down into the valley, 300m deep. The church terrace was damaged as well, and they will have to move before the rainy season 2010 (May).<br />
<br />
On December 22nd, the Shekina Solidarity Committee (comite de solidaridad) delivered a much appreciated Christmas present of food baskets to 38 families at Iglesia Bautista Discipulos de Cristo. We got to know each other better and celebrated an improvised thanksgiving church service with the pastor.<br />
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(Thank you to Bernhard for this update and David Chacon for photos)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdMVBB-h5JLh8Ol5Gs_fRV3cmOjH0cACSHocNqemEJx9hKB_QLobDMmzBOCeUDEETVvgH-puF24RHbJ4sDkXS1sYRyNNtWbb-qX_dML9mkMQabNni5HIC8d-XtpUdqjlICSPg-7DSsBmF/s1600-h/project2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdMVBB-h5JLh8Ol5Gs_fRV3cmOjH0cACSHocNqemEJx9hKB_QLobDMmzBOCeUDEETVvgH-puF24RHbJ4sDkXS1sYRyNNtWbb-qX_dML9mkMQabNni5HIC8d-XtpUdqjlICSPg-7DSsBmF/s320/project2.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznwbQe_e4PYsK_3sgUu-4LQtbGlNYFTZ_08lvlILQ0YhfemhsBhGspMvIWNW8whE87DRwLWI-L5lJF6n7PSu4CNKyyv11esFcApHWRNjLbVXew8Ubd8Id2Os1wLIv_5q5nIqwiQHq3tGI/s1600-h/project5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznwbQe_e4PYsK_3sgUu-4LQtbGlNYFTZ_08lvlILQ0YhfemhsBhGspMvIWNW8whE87DRwLWI-L5lJF6n7PSu4CNKyyv11esFcApHWRNjLbVXew8Ubd8Id2Os1wLIv_5q5nIqwiQHq3tGI/s320/project5.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIhbLllJNp5_dhz2fvJbOzhQoJTk96lIOdPEjCtBmRXiHthCB0kAx2jn3gRZTB4U1L2BGtTbB-U1CP6bn2WyIl_dtqncGUMev7upbKYIzicaeTbMBblEVqlS0X2KoSAGTcKjB640Rim4r/s1600-h/project3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIhbLllJNp5_dhz2fvJbOzhQoJTk96lIOdPEjCtBmRXiHthCB0kAx2jn3gRZTB4U1L2BGtTbB-U1CP6bn2WyIl_dtqncGUMev7upbKYIzicaeTbMBblEVqlS0X2KoSAGTcKjB640Rim4r/s320/project3.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4h7rzg4dEzzhsu-d3wS3ZpPj68as0LR55-aiEhF_IfWMnIUJ0MZQ-GOUSru5Vand853jQdnBUOCeOfr3Iy1DkxEBLM8Lb_S_xd3yeVUWv7-MIuF6M4a7awv3ziXfUU-5eCnJ1T1S9ejk/s1600-h/project6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4h7rzg4dEzzhsu-d3wS3ZpPj68as0LR55-aiEhF_IfWMnIUJ0MZQ-GOUSru5Vand853jQdnBUOCeOfr3Iy1DkxEBLM8Lb_S_xd3yeVUWv7-MIuF6M4a7awv3ziXfUU-5eCnJ1T1S9ejk/s320/project6.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-69112932793471433512009-12-02T11:58:00.000-08:002009-12-02T12:10:18.034-08:00Dinner and a Movie -- December Special Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlodZTCwSs9Psm-LX90-8ao8NJTEwSMRg-0UiJhPDa_YmRbLBqjST8DcrUBwPcWA9OwGO958Qye1AlpeLbjHSzDR6T2UY8-eF3RK13Pp3FgbSiMD4O0nJnPidmajuKbDA3IW4OFdrM1NDK/s1600-h/rteslayout_03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlodZTCwSs9Psm-LX90-8ao8NJTEwSMRg-0UiJhPDa_YmRbLBqjST8DcrUBwPcWA9OwGO958Qye1AlpeLbjHSzDR6T2UY8-eF3RK13Pp3FgbSiMD4O0nJnPidmajuKbDA3IW4OFdrM1NDK/s320/rteslayout_03.png" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Join the El Salvador Partners Mission Group for a special event on Thursday evening, Dec 17th when we'll be attending the premier of the film RETURN TO EL SALVADOR at the <a href="http://www.brynmawrfilm.org/">Bryn Mawr Film Institute</a>. <br />
<br />
The documentary features Ruth and Alex Orantes. Ron and Betsy Morgan have been instrumental in helping shape the project, and Steve Chandler has worked on the production side. Filmmaker Jamie Moffett (Eastern grad and The Simple Way) came to El Salvador in March with the CBC Delegation for an introduction to El Salvador and to film the elections. The website <a href="http://www.returntoelsalvador.com/">www.returntoelsalvador.com</a> has a number of preview video clips.<br />
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Here are the details to add to your calendar –<br />
<br />
<b>6pm Meet for dinner at Gullifty's / 1149 Lancaster Ave. / Rosemont, PA 19010 <br />
<br />
7:30pm Reception at Bryn Mawr Film Institute / 824 West Lancaster Avenue / Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 <br />
<br />
8:00pm Premier of Return to El Salvador at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute</b><br />
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Please RSVP to Caroline Cargo if you plan to meet us for dinner so we can make a reservation for the group to sit together. You can check out the menu online at <a href="http://www.gulliftys.com/">www.gulliftys.com</a>. Sandwiches are about $10 and dinner entrees are about $15.<br />
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If you can't come for dinner, you can still catch up with us at the movie theater at 7:30pm. Tickets for the reception and screening are $10/each. You can purchase tickets at the door, or click here to<a href="http://www.returntoelsalvador.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=12"> purchase advance tickets on-line. </a>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-15585113724429187262009-12-02T10:03:00.000-08:002009-12-02T12:44:55.340-08:00“CANSADOS PERO FELICES DE SERVIR” - Updates from Shekina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdhex6eM5NshQn53xAOP0VvKIuy9KsgK2hJeoinlVpaQyjng5fBxt6AuR0LC2n3WicGs1XevliKct4GtquoSlS1onV9w28L26yeofqs8_xRuON8fX-TUjTQ39Zz76-bfJzfgdDVzMayJh/s1600-h/clinic4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdhex6eM5NshQn53xAOP0VvKIuy9KsgK2hJeoinlVpaQyjng5fBxt6AuR0LC2n3WicGs1XevliKct4GtquoSlS1onV9w28L26yeofqs8_xRuON8fX-TUjTQ39Zz76-bfJzfgdDVzMayJh/s320/clinic4.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">Ruth Orantes sends a report that November has been very busy and full of many blessings for the community in Santa Ana! The “Open Doors” annual community outreach project at Shekina had more than 85 people attending workshops led by the young adults and several of the older women of the church. </span> <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
During the same time, Shekina received a delegation from Cedar Hills Baptist Church in Oregon, which has partnered with Shekina to sponsor a number of medical clinics in Atiquizaya over the past few years. </span> <br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSIa-2C3M74OcOgpE5rfWf5wtkJqkCzhRjTSubTCUKnW_TrzTUd5c_4UNDDr87LjQJh7Y4LzGOKVrG62DK9xVf8mGql3KJ6ZJAOBnQWpIyXhi6tauejW7nzPV9JpWr_SiRrDhm0pJ6NPX/s1600-h/clinic5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSIa-2C3M74OcOgpE5rfWf5wtkJqkCzhRjTSubTCUKnW_TrzTUd5c_4UNDDr87LjQJh7Y4LzGOKVrG62DK9xVf8mGql3KJ6ZJAOBnQWpIyXhi6tauejW7nzPV9JpWr_SiRrDhm0pJ6NPX/s200/clinic5.JPG" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
This year, the medical clinics were offered in coordination with the mayor's office in Santa Ana and with the help of FMLN youth. Shekina's teenagers and young adults worked very hard to plan logistics and to help with translation. In addition to the Oregon delegation members, there were doctors, nurses, and physical therapists from Santa Ana who provided care. The clinics were offered for four days in San Luis La Planta and three days in El Ranchador. <u><b>More than 1500 people received medical care during the one week of the clinics!<br />
<br />
</b></u></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>To see more photos of the medical clinic, <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Bernhard.Voegeli/OregonDoctorsGroupAroundSantaAna#">click here</a>.<br />
<br />
</i></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bernhard Voegeli, who recently visited CBC from Shekina, described the communities where the medical clinics were held:</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
These are very poor communities. The income there (if there is work) is $1 USD per day. It is very conflictive and dominated by the maras (Salvadoran gangs) 18 and 13. Killing is happening often, for as little as 50 US cents...We were protected by a police patrol and felt very secure as the people appreciated our work. </i></span> <br />
</div><br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruth also sends a thank you to CBC for welcoming Fabiola:<br />
<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Y con respecto a Fabiola.... Gracias por que todos la estan atendiendo muy bien! Ella nos escribe todas las semanas y cada ves se siente mas feliz entre ustedes.</i></span><br />
</div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-58193319599547526022009-11-13T12:38:00.000-08:002009-12-02T12:43:38.268-08:00El Salvador Jesuit Martyrs 20th Anniversary Nov 16th - events at Villanova<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGPRs9z5bYDTA9er5UAwPnXv8MOzxBmeIaLBHz3gw5ZnAvO-ntN0hOgU4wquLLGsS3-KjOn4yxRQkeNgL1qBKWNkeYiziaLy-D7QruH6vI_jx5v6cdRPFHJo5fWOqyOQO1ql2syrG-qsO/s1600-h/gview.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGPRs9z5bYDTA9er5UAwPnXv8MOzxBmeIaLBHz3gw5ZnAvO-ntN0hOgU4wquLLGsS3-KjOn4yxRQkeNgL1qBKWNkeYiziaLy-D7QruH6vI_jx5v6cdRPFHJo5fWOqyOQO1ql2syrG-qsO/s320/gview.png" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks to Doug Norton for sharing this schedule of events at Villanova University. </span>For additional information: <a href="http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/peaceandjustice/" target="_blank">http://www.villanova.edu/<wbr></wbr>artsci/peaceandjustice/</a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Remembering The El Salvador Martyrs<br />
November 16, 1989<br />
<br />
Renewing Our Commitment To Justice In The World</span></b><br />
<br />
The Villanova Center for Peace and Justice commemorates the 20th anniversary of the six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter who were murdered on the grounds of El Salvador's Central American University.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Schedule of Events for Monday, November 16th, at Villanova University </b><br />
<br />
12:05 p.m. Memorial Mass in Corr Chapel with Fr. Kail Ellis. A memorial will<br />
be in Corr throughout the afternoon. Stop in for quiet reflection.<br />
<br />
12:30-4:00 p.m. Fair Trade Crafts from El Salvador in support of Women’s<br />
Cooperative at Tierra Blanca. Please join in a letter writing campaign.<br />
<br />
1:00 p.m. “El Salvador Human Rights Violations, 1983-1989,” a video<br />
presentation: Center for Peace and Justice, Sullivan Grd. Floor.<br />
<br />
1:30 p.m. “The Seeds of Liberty,” a video presentation: Center for Peace and<br />
Justice.<br />
<br />
2:00 p.m. El Salvador Today: reflections from service break trips and other<br />
mission trips. With Professor Joe Betz. Center for Peace and Justice.<br />
<br />
3:00 p.m. “A Question of Conscience: The Murder of the Jesuit Priests in El<br />
Salvador” Film Screening. Center for Peace and Justice.<br />
<br />
5:20 p.m. Memorial Mass in Corr Chapel with Fr. Joseph FarrellCarolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-81396945210929487762009-11-13T05:22:00.001-08:002009-12-02T12:43:38.268-08:00More emergency efforts in El Salvador<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eHFKJ_qwZG4lOIrxgmHQGg0ZyvrICg3lkPvkBd_FtnmotRmsQeDfbMMAqSU_afARsHdvPHlcYxF_zz1QMA1ePS5adGFYpTgSCZZE_IgH-i6laAcErM5qEe-SyUSh1_IBTQZcGMlHJG3R/s1600-h/storm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eHFKJ_qwZG4lOIrxgmHQGg0ZyvrICg3lkPvkBd_FtnmotRmsQeDfbMMAqSU_afARsHdvPHlcYxF_zz1QMA1ePS5adGFYpTgSCZZE_IgH-i6laAcErM5qEe-SyUSh1_IBTQZcGMlHJG3R/s320/storm1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>On the weekend of November 7th and 8th, El Salvador was hit with the “tail” of Hurricane Ida. Statistics are still being gathered, but early accounts reported 130 deaths and more than 13,000 people left without homes. This total is sure to rise as emergency relief workers continue to work their way through damaged buildings and areas that have experienced landslides.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Please pray for all of those affected by the flooding and landslides, and for the individuals and organizations working to respond.<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The damage was mostly felt in poor communities in the area of San Salvador and the southeastern regions of the country. In addition to causing floods and mudslides that have resulted in the devastating loss of lives and homes, the hurricane arrived right on time to coincide with El Salvador's seasonal bean harvest, so the loss of this crucial food supply will have a lasting impact in the months ahead, as well. <br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">CBC's El Salvador Partners immediately received emails from Ruth Orantes and others at Iglesia Bautista Shekina, seeking our prayers for and our solidarity with people who are struggling in the midst of this crisis. The region around Santa Ana received heavy rains, but no significant damage. <a href="http://salvadorpartners.blogspot.com/2009/11/emergency-relief-efforts-following.html">See the request for prayers</a> from our brothers and sisters at Shekina in Spanish in the previous post below.<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ABNGDfI0wolhNjTRZg8E3N3by70jYH6Shwzi8np6GsNKKauPiBDBnFwOpYwn5Xe6VG6fr6e-umejzC749PowGzlpIDT8Sv3zMYUJQ5ZKAZEOCxIgfUnkIjOlBYjmKX_Wr7Iiy_BU-GpU/s1600-h/storm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ABNGDfI0wolhNjTRZg8E3N3by70jYH6Shwzi8np6GsNKKauPiBDBnFwOpYwn5Xe6VG6fr6e-umejzC749PowGzlpIDT8Sv3zMYUJQ5ZKAZEOCxIgfUnkIjOlBYjmKX_Wr7Iiy_BU-GpU/s400/storm3.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The <a href="http://www.share-elsalvador.org/"><u><b>SHARE Foundation</b></u></a> is also sending updates and reports with photos from the affected areas of the country. As is often the case in these sorts of situations, the most immediate problems include access to emergency shelter, access to potable water, and food. SHARE Foundation, in collaboration with its partners in the three zones of San Salvador, La Paz and San Vicente, will be working to provide emergency relief. This will include distribution of plastic sheeting and wood for temporary housing; food and water.<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The new<a href="http://www.internationalministries.org/missionaries/360"> <u><b>American Baptist missionary in El Salvador</b></u></a>, Kim Kushner, is also sending reports about the storm and emergency relief efforts as she visits affected communities. Here is her report from Tuesday, November 11th:<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Today I made a visit to the community of San Martin, located on the outskirts of San Salvador. San Martin is one of many communities devastated by landslides caused by the intense rain this past Saturday. </i><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i> </i> <br />
</div><i>In October I spent a week in the community, a glorified shantytown that appeared along the railroad tracks during the civil war. The community was leveled by the earthquake in 2001, and has been battered by gangs, violence, and extreme poverty. Most families are subsistence farmers, growing corn and beans on the steep hillsides that form the inlets to Lake Ilopango. People were hopeful, farmers were just one month from a successful harvest, the community had managed to rebuild more than 90 homes since the 2001 quake.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Late Saturday night San Martin was transformed. Houses built on the steep hillsides and on the edges of precipices disappeared. They simply don’t exist anymore. Several households were caught off guard and the families were buried in their homes or washed down the hillside. 100% of corn and bean crops, just one week short of harvest, were washed away. Temporary plastic, tin, and bamboo pole structures are being built to house families on the soccer field.</i><br />
<br />
<i>In spite of the catastrophe, the community is working together to secure drinking water, and is pressuring the government to follow through on its promise to relocate those who are without homes or in precarious locations. A few organizations have come to see the damage; little to no aid has arrived in the community. </i><br />
<i> </i> <br />
<i>San Martin is just one of many communities affected. 13 communities working FEBES, the Baptist Federation of El Salvador, report deaths, damaged or lost homes, or lost crops. Please keep this country, the communities affected, and the Federation team working to respond quickly to the most urgent needs in prayer. Later we’ll begin to coordinate rebuilding efforts and search for long-term food resources.</i><br />
<i><b>Kim Kushner, American Baptist Missionary in El Salvador</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJpG_yNnhyphenhyphenL44afGGC0pWRZqcKZZpnuMHt0r9TnEVZIt_mEbzI3LRrxishcTqoA2xNMouH4jXs4cS3SkPeLCHbkhWNbtc9ANg8cSh-U57KnfLfKyWzqVSOE1-J5LtTFlQd4cVev_bbiug/s1600-h/storm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJpG_yNnhyphenhyphenL44afGGC0pWRZqcKZZpnuMHt0r9TnEVZIt_mEbzI3LRrxishcTqoA2xNMouH4jXs4cS3SkPeLCHbkhWNbtc9ANg8cSh-U57KnfLfKyWzqVSOE1-J5LtTFlQd4cVev_bbiug/s400/storm2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><u><b> TO CONTRIBUTE TO EMERGENCY RELIEF EFFORTS IN EL SALVADOR</b></u><br />
<ul><li>To contribute to the SHARE Foundation emergency relief in response to Hurricane Ida, make a secure on-line contribution through the SHARE website (www.share-elsalvador.org). You may also contribute via check payable to SHARE (please write “Hurricane Ida Relief” in the memo) and mail your contribution to: SHARE Foundation / P.O. Box 29620 / Washington, DC 20017 .<br />
</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>You may also make contributions for American Baptist Churches emergency relief efforts through the CBC offering plate on Sunday mornings. Your check should be made payable to Central Baptist Church with “One Great Hour of Sharing – El Salvador” on the memo line. <br />
</li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-24325521993695311492009-11-10T14:19:00.000-08:002009-12-02T12:43:38.268-08:00Emergency relief efforts following mudslides and floodsWe received the message below on Monday from Ruth Orantes about the impact of Hurricane Ida on El Salvador, seeking our prayers for and our solidarity with people who are struggling in the midst of this crisis. <br />
<br />
In news since Ruth's message was sent, the numbers have been rising. Poor communities in the area of San Salvador have been especially affected. The hurricane's arrival coincides with the fall season bean harvest. The destruction of this crucial food source will have a lasting impact in the months ahead.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The SHARE Foundation reports:<br />
</span> <br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Over the weekend, the storm destroyed more than 7,000 homes and damaged many more. The most recent data, reported this morning (Monday) in the Prensa Gráfica, indicates that approximately 130 people have been killed by the storm, and thousands more injured. This total is sure to rise as emergency relief workers continue to work their way through damaged buildings and areas that have experienced landslides.</i></span> <br />
<br />
See photos and reports at <a href="http://share-elsalvador.org/headlines/idarelief.html" target="_blank">http://share-elsalvador.org/<wbr></wbr>headlines/idarelief.html</a> <br />
</div><br />
<br />
*******************************************<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">From Iglesia Bautista Shekina:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
QUERIDOS AMIGOS, QUERIDOS HERMANOS Y HERMANAS... HAY LUTO EN EL SALVADOR... EL PASO DEL HURACAN IDA HA DEJADO 124 MUERTOS, 60 DESAPARECIDOS... MILES DE DAMNIFICADOS... PERDIDAS MATERIALES... <br />
<br />
EN LOS ULTIMOS DIAS HABIAMOS TENIDO TIEMPO NUBLADO Y LLUVIAS ESPORADICAS PERO BASTARON UNAS POCAS HORAS DE LLUVIA INTENSA DEL DIA DE AYER Y HOY EN LA MADRUGADA PARA QUE LOS RIOS SE INUNDARAN Y LA TIERRA SEDIERA PRODUCIENDO MUCHOS DESLAVES, ESPECIALMENTE EN 4 DEPARTAMENTOS DE NUESTRO PAIS....<br />
<br />
QUEREMOS PEDIRLES QUE NOS AYUDEN CON SUS ORACIONES, POR LAS FAMILIAS QUE HAN PERDIDO SERES QUERIDOS, POR LAS FAMILIAS QUE TENDRAN QUE COMENZAR DE LA NADA, POR LA PROVISION DIARIA Y POR LA SOLIDARIDAD QUE NUESTRO PUEBLO NECESITA...<br />
<br />
CONFIAMOS EN SU CARIÑO PARA CON NOSOTROS Y NUESTRO PUEBLO<br />
<br />
QUE DIOS LES BENDIGA<br />
UN ABRAZO DE PARTE DE SUS HERMANOS Y HERMANAS DE LA IGLESIA BAUTISTA SHEKINA<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;">UNIDOS EN EL DOLOR... UNIDOS EN LA FE.... UNIDOS EN LA ESPERANZA... UNIDOS EN LA SOLIDARIDAD</span></b></span>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-38014992117537184102009-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:002009-11-10T13:00:32.323-08:00A Prayer of Hope for El Salvador - Nov 2009In worship at Central Baptist Church today, we joined in a litany of hope for El Salvador, written for the congregation by Kathleen Bailey. This is our community's prayerful response to reports of increasing violence, especially in reflections recently shared with us by Alex Orantes. (See <a href="http://salvadorpartners.blogspot.com/2009/10/alex-orantes-reflections-on-violence-in.html">previous post with Alex's reflections</a> that inspired this prayer.) <br />
<br />
In this season, we remember the upcoming anniversaries of the martyrdom of the Jesuits, their housekeeper, and her daughter on Nov 16, 1989, as well as the four U.S. churchwomen on Dec 2, 1980. We pray for all who are still today struggling against violence and for those who work to transform our communities into places where peace is a reality.<br />
<br />
The full text of the litany is included below. Watch the video here, or click to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uip0IwF7btA">watch the youtube video</a> of our prayer. <br />
<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
A Prayer of Hope for El Salvador</span><br />
<br />
Leader 1: The Light shines in the darkness,<br />
Leader 2: And the darkness cannot put out the Light!<br />
<br />
People: God of Light and Life, no darkness is too deep for your illumination, no wound so grave as to be beyond your healing. O God, your heart beats within us for the Salvadoran land and for its people. Send your Spirit among them to succor, sustain, and comfort those who are uprooted, injured and dying in the terrible wake of violence.<br />
<br />
Leader 2: The Light shines in the darkness,<br />
<br />
People: And the darkness cannot put out the Light!<br />
<br />
Leader 1: We remember the darkness in 1980 when Archbishop Romero was assassinated, and we remember his words, “Justice cannot be killed.” Lord, in your mercy,<br />
<br />
All: Hear our prayer.<br />
<br />
Leader 2: We remember the darkness also in 1980 when the four church women, Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan, Ita Ford and Maura Clarke were assassinated. The night before she died, Ita Ford quoted Romero, saying, “One who is committed to the poor must risk the same fate as the poor. And in El Salvador we know what the fate of the poor signifies: to disappear, to be tortured, to be captive and found dead.” Lord, in your mercy,<br />
<br />
All: Hear our prayer.<br />
<br />
Leader 1: We remember the darkness in 1989 when six Jesuit priests from the University of Central America, their housekeeper and her 15 year old daughter were brutally murdered. Lord, in your mercy,<br />
<br />
All: Hear our prayer.<br />
<br />
Leader 2: Now, in 2009, we know the darkness again as we lift up to You in prayer: two old men slain by machetes; a young husband—trying to support his pregnant wife—shot under a streetlight; a fruit-seller shot without mercy outside the gates of the Baptist School in Santa Ana; the pastor of our partner church and our friend, Ruth Orantes, robbed and grieved; and a country once again knowing the fear of daily violence on their streets and in their neighborhoods, a country with one of the highest rates of homicide in the world.Lord, in your mercy,<br />
<br />
All:Hear our prayer.<br />
<br />
Leader 1: Guide us as we continue to walk with our Salvadoran sisters and brothers. Guide us as we accompany your faith communities who offer places of refuge to the victims of violence in El Salvador.<br />
<br />
Leader 2: You do not leave your people to suffer alone, but we know that You stand close, even in the terrors of the night. You bring the light of hope even in the darkness of oppression.<br />
<br />
People: And the darkness cannot put out the Light!<br />
<br />
Leader 1: In your mercy and grace, transform hearts and minds so that there might be an end to the violence, an end to the menacing, an end to terror, an end to hatred and, finally, an end to killing so that the peace which so many have died trying to birth might be reality.<br />
<br />
All: May God’s Light be with us all.<br />
<br />
Litany by Kathleen Bailey, member of Central Baptist Church and El Salvador PartnersCarolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-90447080068312565702009-10-28T08:56:00.000-07:002009-12-02T12:43:38.269-08:00“Return to El Salvador” preview party and fundraiser!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZPUGG0LnoLJX1uzo4O0WMItrESUIpFDQDut5SBkbVvZps5-D-jB_vqryJVTZmoX8rzPF547texO7xotKGSmfPgGSKFOCe9UTcWDYEirRsjABRcX7SPXTZNP5SbMfxfpLVVL8-GBmrTPj/s1600-h/rtes_logo.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZPUGG0LnoLJX1uzo4O0WMItrESUIpFDQDut5SBkbVvZps5-D-jB_vqryJVTZmoX8rzPF547texO7xotKGSmfPgGSKFOCe9UTcWDYEirRsjABRcX7SPXTZNP5SbMfxfpLVVL8-GBmrTPj/s200/rtes_logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397680826573063266" border="0" /></a><br />Join us at Urban Saloon / 2120 Fairmount Ave. / Philadelphia, PA at 8:00pm on Tuesday, November 3rd.<br /><br />This is the documentary by Philadelphia filmmaker Jamie Moffett that features Alex and Ruth Orantes. Ron and Betsy Morgan have been working on this project with Jamie, and CBC's very own Steve Chandler is involved in the production team, too. The party on Tuesday will feature excerpts from the film and discussion about the current state of affairs in El Salvador and what you can do to help.<br /><br />Tickets for the preview party are $15 and you'll need one to get in the front door. Your first beer is free with the ticket purchase!<br /><br />To find out more about the project, visit<a href="www.returntoelsalvador.com"> www.returntoelsalvador.com</a>.<br /><br />To purchase a ticket for the preview party,<a href="http://www.returntoelsalvador.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=12"> click here</a>. <br /><br />Here's a link to the URBAN SALOON website for directions. <a href="www.theurbansaloon.com">www.theurbansaloon.com</a>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-47450980163713160262009-10-28T07:25:00.000-07:002009-10-28T09:47:18.360-07:00Delegation from Calvary Baptist Church in Washington DC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXy2EbyJ-qP79iSM-pAe321whuoZbA7aK_XT-4VBP7HubwBoFK5RYMDtlwjlS1awYuCm3Ao2IGxtCeX89slFzTu8kbKKr6XHR5Jb7bqYYLMPrZ7YPz-JS0PgcVSn2mToI4naLhLwxZMnJ/s1600-h/calvary.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXy2EbyJ-qP79iSM-pAe321whuoZbA7aK_XT-4VBP7HubwBoFK5RYMDtlwjlS1awYuCm3Ao2IGxtCeX89slFzTu8kbKKr6XHR5Jb7bqYYLMPrZ7YPz-JS0PgcVSn2mToI4naLhLwxZMnJ/s200/calvary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397693037459094530" border="0" /></a><br />A delegation of 11 members of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington DC recently returned from a trip to El Salvador organized by Pastor Edgar Palacios. (Several of the delegation participants are friends of John and Nancy Thayer from Central Baptist Church - the other "CBC")<br /><br /> During the visits in El Salvador, the Calvary delegation met with new friends and participated in missions projects. At one church, they worked on a new project that will benefit the unemployed in the church through a metal-working shop/school. The shop will build kitchens, fences, and balconies for people’s homes and train new artisans to take their skills elsewhere to find work. In the beginning, this will benefit 8 families and it will continue to grow and help the local community get back on their feet! They also met the recipients and applicants of the Shalom Scholarship, a program sponsored by Calvary to enable students in El Salvador to complete their education. The group also had an opportunity to meet with El Salvador's Vice-President, Sanchez Ceren.<br /><br />Their experiences during the Oct 10 to Oct 17 trip are documented in a great blog with lots of stories and photos. Check it out at <a href="http://calvarytoelsalvador.wordpress.com/">http://calvarytoelsalvador.wordpress.com/</a>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-77468693867626275872009-10-07T21:04:00.000-07:002009-12-02T12:43:38.269-08:00Cielo Azul -- New Solidarity FundThe new Cielo Azul Fund is launching a fall campaign to insure that the work of peace and justice that Baptist pastors Ruth and Alex Orantes have been carrying on will continue to grow. For five years the Orantes Fund has supported the Orantes family in their pastoral work; now Cielo Azul is committed to an even broader level of support not only for Ruth, Alex and Victor Hugo, but for the programs that have arisen out of their ministries in the communities where they work.<br /><br />In the weeks and months after the March 2009 election of Mauricio Funes as President of El Salvador (“the first President to support the needs of the poor in 150 years,” as one Salvadoran activist put it), we have had great hope for the future of a people who have struggled so long for a dignified life free from political, economic and criminal violence.<br /><br />Our choice of a new name (Cielo Azul means“blue sky” in English) is an attempt to symbolize this new reality. And there are signs of a move in that direction in a recent report from Alex:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">For next year, students in public schools will receive uniforms and school– supplies, shoes, food and milk from the government. This will reactivate the small tailoring and shoe shops It will benefit small businesses that sell school supplies. It seems to be an excellent sign. People are happy, full of hope by this news which is leading to fresh preparation within each school.<br /></span><br />But the latest <a href="http://cieloazulfund.blogspot.com/2009/10/alexs-reflections-on-increasing.html">report from Alex on increasing violence in El Salvador</a> is a reminder that hope can be very fragile. More than ever, our friends in El Salvador need spiritual and material support to continue build communities based on faith, justice and service to all who are in need.<br /><br />Please consider a gift to the Cielo Azul fund in order to send a message of solidarity to Ruth and Alex and the communities where they work. See the new blog at <a href="www.CieloAzulFund.blogspot.com">www.CieloAzulFund.blogspot.com</a> for information on how to contribute.Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-60502352957639732002009-10-07T20:44:00.000-07:002009-12-02T12:44:31.921-08:00Stories from El Salvador -- Alex OrantesAlex and Ruth Orantes will be featured in an upcoming documentary by Philadelphia filmmaker Jamie Moffett. To find out more, visit www.returntoelsalvador.com.<br /><br />In this video clip, Alex Orantes recounts a time in his youth when he was nearly killed by death squads while enjoying a night out with some friends.<br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hsn4SF_BuHs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hsn4SF_BuHs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-64727061784583353252009-10-07T20:41:00.001-07:002009-12-02T12:44:31.921-08:00Stories from El Salvador - Ruth OrantesA pastor and teacher, Ruth Orantes has long hoped the FMLN, the "party of the people", would one day take office. When that came to pass on March 15, 2009, the city of Santa Ana threw the party of a lifetime.<br /><br />To find out more about the upcoming documentary, visit returntoelsalvador.com <br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/73TvqPSC0EQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/73TvqPSC0EQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-63377424496524981282009-10-05T13:22:00.000-07:002009-11-08T13:24:25.517-08:00Alex Orantes - Reflections on Violence in El SalvadorYesterday two old men were buried. The father and the uncle of an FMLN friend. The details are dreadful: They were surprised at home by the killers, who without having a word attacked and beaten them. They were slain by machetes and were found naked but they were not robbed. I was there at night for the visitation and there were a lot of people from the community, almost everyone from the FMLN, from the Catholic Church and Evangelical Church, accompanying this beloved family and the two murdered old men that were dearly appreciated by the community.<br /><br />In recent days, a clown that used to spent the day juggling and begging at a street light, about 1,500 meters from where we live, was murdered. Later I knew that he had AIDS. It is very sad, he was shot right there. His surviving wife is pregnant and it is possible that she has AIDS as well, I hope her baby doesn't carry it. This young man was related to an FMLN activist.<br /><br />A lady, who used to sell fruits in the street, was shot without mercy at the gate of the Baptist School, in front of students, parents, and teachers.<br /><br />These violent acts should not take anyone that has had the misfortune of witnessing more terrible things in the past by surprise. However, they deserve a special analysis. Why this happened in a county administered by the FMLN? Why did these crimes happened in public places and in front on many people? It is true that we have been hearing about the violence in the country and particularly in places that are known as violent, Why in Santa Ana, with a national and local FMLN administration?<br /><br />I have a feeling that there are obscure interests and financing in all these. It seems like there are groups that are up in arms and show the anger that characterized them in the past, when they feel that their interests are at stake. We are deeply concerned that these increasing violence is a prompt by political-economical reasons.<br /><br />Our suspicion is not a result of an absurd imagination. Recently, in the context of elections, presidential or by district, the media invaded us with news of mutilated bodies found in different parts of the country, most of them young women, bounded, with marks of violence, and some cases burned, and others with acid in their faces and bodies.<br /><br />Everything was leaving doubts about concrete actors, in other words, there was no interest to investigate whom was directly involved in these crimes. But something curious about it, was that the ways in which the people were assassinated were very similar to the ones executed in the 70's and 80's by the National Guard and the Police. Then, it is not difficult to think about the possible sources of all this violence in the present as it was in the past.<br /><br />Many people are thinking the same, Is it possible that there are groups that are willing to do anything to make the FMLN administration look bad by increasing crime, violence and fear, that were the conditions needed to seek support from the right wing?<br /><br />The truth is that the blood shed by our brothers and sisters is still screaming for justice.<br /><br />Our God is still nailed to the cross, in the people humiliated by their poverty, their unemployment, fear and uncertainty, and their own violent deaths. In spite of the strength of our hope, it seems like the Golgotha is chasing us, and wants us to get used to life in these conditions, without the right of constructing a society where every person, regardless of their ideology or religious creed, is a life of value before God. God is shot in each brother surprised by this macabre violence that seems to have a hairy hand, a hand that pays coins to betray and that lifts the people on the cross.<br /><br />We are always awaiting for a new reality. A reality that we have worked so much to have and that many have died dreaming about it. This unexpected reality is being built. <br /><br />I have learned a lot from working as the administrator of the Santa Isabel's Cemetery. I get to know each case, the hurting families have to indicate some data about the dead, like age, gender, cause of death, etc. I get to know the tendency of violence. When I arrived to the cemetery in July, I found it abandoned and neglected, full of bushes and shrubs, an adequate place for drug dealing and robbery. It needed a good cleaning but it is approx 70 acres of land. We requested the support of inmates in the phase of trust and 40 inmates have been working for a month with us, and we provide them with lunch every day.<br /><br />They were not incarcerated for giving our flowers and poems but for assassinations, rapes, kidnapping, drugs, gang-related crimes, etc. It is a small group of a population that has been incarcerated for 5, 12, 17 and 25 years. In all that time they have not had any judicial processes or rights. The food they are served is provided by a company whose owner is a deputy of ARENA, the food is trash and a torture. However, there is a lot of money in that business. We hope that the new government would put an end to this mistreatment. This instance, is just to point out that there is population roting in Salvadoran jails and in the census they represent the curse and the devil of society, but they are only victims of their own penalty and of the penalty of others that should be there instead of them, with collars, untouchables that were for a long time protected by the government.<br /><br />The violence is very concerning but as alarming as it sounds, it is important to identify the causes in order to provide an integral solution and not the accustomed hard way to those who end up being victims of an unjust system that will take a long time to change. The fight continues, despite the fear, our conscience illuminates us to not punish the cat for the scratch and set free the hyena, the vulture and the jackals to destroy.<br /><br />I love the prayers and I am glad to know that there are a lot of people, here and there, with a heart beating for this Salvadoran land and for its people. Also, I'm convinced that there will be no changes without a creative and just action, nor changes without working hard. Honduras is a greater example of the solidarity of the right wing in the world to defend their projects, violating the democracies by chasing, suppressing and assassinating its people. The actions of the past remain alive in old structures but hope is growing in its organization.<br /><br />This outburst of letters and words will not bring back life to those who are victims of this cruel violence.<br /><br />God is with us, I hope.<br />Alex Orantes<br />translated from the Spanish by Yatzaira Marcano (member of Central Baptist Church)<br /><br /> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Please consider making a gift to the <a href="http://www.cieloazulfund.blogspot.com"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cielo Azul Fund</span></a> in order to send a message of solidarity to Alex and Ruth Orantes and the communities where they work. Please see instructions above for how to send your contribution.<br /><br />Alex Orantes' disturbing analysis of the harsh realities of life in Santa Ana arrives just as the Cielo Azul Fund is launching a fall campaign to insure that the work of peace and justice that Baptist pastors Ruth and Alex Orantes have been carrying on will continue to grow. In the weeks and months after the March 2009 election of Mauricio Funes as President of El Salvador (“the first President to support the needs of the poor in 150 years,” as one Salvadoran activist put it), we have had great hope for the future of a people who have struggled so long for a dignified life free from political, economic and criminal violence. But this latest report from Alex about violence on his very doorstep is a reminder that hope can be very fragile. More than ever, our friends in El Salvador need spiritual and material support to continue build communities based on faith, justice and service to all who are in need.Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-62310248527612175582009-10-03T05:19:00.000-07:002009-10-03T05:29:25.515-07:00Salvadoran environmental activists to speak in Philadelphia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx6brobzI2jW3WeijqjeDbQq6S-iBKYTFrulDT2OReZQHJn44IMt5P239J5lD9xvAPA6DamwZX2qS1lCkvmr82j2Hqc3O0eZwu0RDgaMHGbMjRWhUXDKsslExez0mazpTdD0yPEs_prt0/s1600-h/n151465061770_3423.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx6brobzI2jW3WeijqjeDbQq6S-iBKYTFrulDT2OReZQHJn44IMt5P239J5lD9xvAPA6DamwZX2qS1lCkvmr82j2Hqc3O0eZwu0RDgaMHGbMjRWhUXDKsslExez0mazpTdD0yPEs_prt0/s320/n151465061770_3423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388349775180167538" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><b></b></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">The National Mining Table of El Salvador Speaks Out in Philadelphia </span><br /><br />Presentation of “The Mysterious Death of Marcelo Rivera” with filmmaker Jamie Moffett<div align="center"><br /></div> Saturday, October 17th, 4-6pm<br />Tabernacle United Church / 3700 Chestnut St. / Philadelphia, PA<br /><b><br /></b>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Romero Interfaith Center of Philadelphia</span> is proud to invite you to meet members of the National Mining Table of El Salvador, a popular movement of people in El Salvador that has been struggling against the environmental and public health threats posed by mineral mining by foreign corporations. The National Mining Table (or La Mesa Nacional Frente a la Mineria en El Salvador) is being honored in Washington D.C. on October 15 with the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award for their work in making El Salvador the first country in the world to ban gold mining.<br /><br />Please join us in welcoming Vidalina Morales Gamez, Miguel Angel Rivera Moreno, and William Rondy Castillo Olivoto Philadelphia to share with us the experiences of their communities in Cabañas and Chalatenango, El Salvador, who have declared their opposition to mineral mining development in their communities based on environmental, public health, and human rights concerns.<br /><br />Additionally, we will be showing the short film entitled "The Mysterious Death of Marcelo Rivera," created by Philadelphia resident and filmmaker, Jamie Moffett. The film shares the story of the disappearance and murder of Marcelo Rivera, a local organizer deeply involved with the struggle against Pacific Rim in Cabañas. Jamie will be present to discuss the film as well as his upcoming feature length film entitled "Return to El Salvador."Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-56716875250919011892009-09-30T07:58:00.000-07:002009-09-30T08:07:03.960-07:00Updates from Alex in Santa AnaWe send greetings to all in CBC and the Simple Way. As always we are fighting here, hoping that we can see new realities as good news for the poor of our country.<br /><br />For next year, students in public schools receive uniforms and school supplies, shoes, food and milk from the government . This will reactivate the small tailoring shops, clothing makers, and shoemakers. And this will also benefit small businesses that sell school supplies. It seems to be an excellent sign, but we will see how it turns out in practice. People are happy, full of hope by this news which is already pushing preparation processes within each school.<br /><br />However, the right of the country is trying to overturn this reality as they have always done . They are telling people that this program will start to turn El Salvador into another Cuba, because people will have to stand in line to receive these packages. But for a long time and even now, people have had to line up outside under the hot sun to pay their utility bills for electricity and telephone.<br /><br />Well, on 02 November, there will be an ecumenical political activity in Santa Ana in memory of all fallen in a time of war. This will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, a place where, in 2010, we will build a monument to honor our fallen martyrs in the struggle.<br /><br />Alex Orantes / Santa Ana / September 30, 2009Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-63871736401105149002009-08-21T04:53:00.000-07:002009-08-21T05:00:05.370-07:00"Old Friends and Guerrillas" program at Brandywine Peace CommunityOld Friends & Guerrillas: Will El Salvador Turn in a New Direction? <br /><br />Talk and photo show with Tom Paine Cronin, long-time Labor Leader in Philadelphia and President emeritus of AFSCME DC 47, and John Grant, Veterans for Peace, photojournalist and film maker, who were in El Salvador for the historic elections in June.<br /><br />Sunday, September 13, 4:30p.m.<br />Brandywine Peace Community Monthly Potluck Supper*/Program<br />(*bring main dish, salad, or dessert to share)<br /><br />Gathering will be held at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA <br /><br />For more information, visit <a href="www.brandywinepeace.com">www.brandywinepeace.com</a>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-58832540245101053602009-08-20T09:41:00.000-07:002009-12-02T12:44:31.922-08:00Updates from ShekinaWe recently received a number of updates from Ruth about a variety of current projects and upcoming plans at Shekina. <br /><br />Shekina hosted a delegation from FBC Madison (IN)in early August, and there are plans for a medical delegation from Oregon in November. The congregation offered prayers for Tessa and the youth group said their farewells as Tessa prepared to return (reluctantly!) to the US and to Central Baptist following her 3 month school exchange and homestay with the Baides family from Shekina. <br /><br />Work continues to progress on the land adjacent to the church where the Community Center will be constructed. They have recently rented a bulldozer to prepare the land for construction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3colmUOseJhCvB-Oy9gM2weDMLqntNW24yPRqxZ9KPpCO1Z-w4-iPUrok5eTkKXpLCV9e-MAEl9LKFChLoj-IlPS-9DPw4l2Pm_0UA2-8wK3MGx-jz1jFsA7kfst2tTM8dDj57_6HAKe/s1600-h/DSC00775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3colmUOseJhCvB-Oy9gM2weDMLqntNW24yPRqxZ9KPpCO1Z-w4-iPUrok5eTkKXpLCV9e-MAEl9LKFChLoj-IlPS-9DPw4l2Pm_0UA2-8wK3MGx-jz1jFsA7kfst2tTM8dDj57_6HAKe/s320/DSC00775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372094205052209026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ruth also sends another thank you to Central Baptist for providing funds to set up the mini clinic to offer first aid at Shekina and to buy the kitchen stove and equipment for preparing meals at the church.<br /><br />Read below for more of Ruth's report in Spanish:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Espero que todo este bien con ustedes... Nosotros hemos tenido la semana pasada 12 hermanos y hermanas de la Madison First Baptist Church, Indiana. Ha sido una semana muy bonita. Trabajamos 2 dias en el terreno de la Iglesia; realizamos dos paseos y fueron a Atiquizaya todo el dia viernes... ah y el domingo estuvieron en nuestro culto y disfrutaron una tarde con las familias anfitrionas. Ellos eran 4 senoritas, 3 mujeres adultas y 5 hombres adultos.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ya puede imaginarse lo cansada que estoy pero muy contenta de como va saliendo el trabajo de la Iglesia. Ahora solo nos quedan preparnos para la delegacion medica que viene en Noviembre de Oregon. Tambien para el mes de "Iglesia de Puertas Abiertas" y todas las actividades de la Iglesia de Navidad y Fin de ano.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">En cuanto al Centro Comunitario... ya estamos queriendo comenzar a preparar la tierra para el edificio que sonamos. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hoy fue el ultimo domingo de Tessa y oramos por ella. Pero el jueves tenemos una fiesta con cena en la Iglesia para despedirla. Y tiene invitaciones especiales a cenar toda la semana en casas de hermanos de la Iglesia.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Compramos el canape, el biombo y el botiquin de primeros auxilios + medicina para el espacio de la mini clinica. Tambien compramos la cocina para las actividades culinarias de a Iglesia. Bueno, esta semana la estrenamos con la delegacion de Madison. Asi que mil gracias por hacer esto posible. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Un abrazo en Cristo,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ruth Rodriguez de Orantes</span>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8754217994116377612.post-55703933751563605542009-08-20T09:33:00.001-07:002009-08-20T09:35:03.104-07:00El Salvador Partners planning meetingPlease join us at 9:30am Thursday Aug 27 at CBC for a mission group meeting. Our agenda will include:<br /><br />* reflections / reports by Tessa Bailey on her 3 months in El Salvador<br /><br />* updates from Shekina, news from Ruth and Alex, etc.<br /><br />* discussion about our hopes, visions, dreams, and opportunities for CBC's El Salvador relationships in the upcoming church year<br /><br />* budget proposals for CBC's 2010 stewardship campaign, based on priorities we select from our list of hopes, visions, dreams<br /><br />* planning calendar for the fallCarolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com