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Companion Diocese of Ecuador Central
DIOCESAN TRIP TO ECUADOR CANCELLED From
Pete Ackerman, Chair of the Companion Diocese Committee on 28 June 2011: And though the cancellation of our 2011 visit comes with heavy heart and disappointment for the people of both dioceses. NJ's love and affection for our Companions is and will remain strong. The people of Central Ecuador and the people of NJ share a peoples ministry and are united as sisters and brothers in service to our Lord. There are no oceans nor mountains, no boundaries nor borders, no languages races nor cultures that divide us. We walk together, as Christians, in one faith, in one Church, for Christ. In the meantime, let us do two things: pray for our friends in Ecuador that peace and harmony will emerge and, plan to join the 2012 NJ Diocesan trip. Ecuador Central's political situation is a temporary one and is under Canonical review and investigation by the Presiding Bishop. NJ's companion relationship has not changed. Your Companion Diocese Committee will be in appropriate communication with the members of CoCoReMi (Central's Companion Diocese Committee). As best I can, I will keep everyone informed as the Canonical process proceeds. My
apologies for the disruption this will cause for many
of you but it is, obviously, beyond our control. What you'll find in this section of the website on our Companion Diocese: An overview of the February 2011 trip to Ecuador, reflections by Bishop Councell, and a slideshow. (Slideshow opens in a new window.) An overview and a vibrant slideshow of the visit to Ecuador in September 2010. (Slideshow opens in a new window.) Photos of Easter Day 2010 in Riombamba Don't miss these stunning images of an area and its people about four hours south of Quito! (Opens in a new window.) Photos taken during a mission trip to Ecuador in 2010 by New Jersey deacons. (Slideshow opens in a new window.) A downloadable 8.5x11 PDF flyer with the basics about our companion diocese (Updated January 2011). A
report to the 2010 Diocesan Convention by John
'Pete' Ackerman An overview of our work 2011 February 2011 A trip to Quito, Ambato, Chimborazo, with Bishop Councell (Click here for a slideshow.) Pete Ackerman writes: Bishop Councell, the Reverend Harry Mazujian, the Reverend Pedro Guzman and I attended the diocesan convention and traveled to indigenous communiuties in La Hondonada, Ambato, Riobamba and Guamote. In the slideshow, Guamote is where Bishop Councell is celebrating (in locally made vestments presented by the community) and blessing the child and mother. Bishop Councell, Father Guzman and Father Mazujian participated in the ordination of three deacons and a priest. (In the slideshow, you'll see one photo that shows a water trough with snow melt from Chimborazo volcano.) Bishop
Councell's reflections: Along
with Pete Ackerman, Chair of our Companion Diocese Committee
and Fr. Pedro Guzman, Vicar of San Andres, I traveled
to the Diocese of Ecuador Central. Our first destination
was a church and school near Ambato, a city of 150,000
(fourth largest in Ecuador), about 80 miles south of
Quito. There we met clergy and lay leaders, including
the Rev. Marco Mejia, who once served at Grace
Church in Elizabeth. They joined us in our van
as we drove up and into the farmlands and communities
that spread across the surrounding hills, covering
them like a patchwork quilt of various shades
of brilliant green. Set against that background
were the people of Chimborazo, most of whom wear
a dark red wool poncho and a white felt bowler
hat. Here, as elsewhere, Ecuador is a land of
a beautiful pallet of rich colors. +George 2010 September 2010 A weeklong adult trip to Quito and south to the Chimborazo region (including Riobamba) enabled Jersey Episcopalians to live and work with the indigenous people seeking to become part of the Anglican Communion. The trip was a rousing success! (Click here for a slideshow.) Our hearty band included 19 people, ages 28 to 82, and all of us were welcomed into the churches, homes, and hearts of the wonderful people of Chibuleo, about three hours south of Quito. Our work project in a new parish building transformed the floor from dirt to cement. Side by side with our friends and hosts, we moved rocks, stones, sand and cement by sack, bucket, and wheelbarrow until the job was completed. What a thrill! Our friends were ever so gracious — and did they ever feed us! Calorie counting was ignored by even the most fit. Additionally,
we attended — and Diocese of New Jersey clergy
participated in — a beautiful ordination service
for three new priests at the Cathedral in Quito. And
we were present at one of the new priest's first Eucharists
at la Iglesia de San Salvador in Ambato. John
'Pete' Ackerman July 2010 Canon Kep Short will lead a youth visit to Quito and Riobamba, Ecuador to work with local diocesan youth and begin a ministry with the leaders of tomorrow. Father Harry Mazujian of Calvary Church in Flemington, begins a sabbatical in Ecuador. April 2010 Trish Morck, a New Jersey missionary, a member of Ecuador Central’s Companion Diocese Committee and coordinator of a Colombia refugee relief program, visited Diocesan House and attended our committee meeting. March
2010 Led by Canon Emily Holman, a first-ever
Vocational Diaconate exploratory trip to Ecuador
was successful beyond expectations. Workshops were
heavily attended. Parish visits were warm and enriching. |
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| http://newjersey.anglican.org Last updated: 22 May 2011 ©The Diocese of New Jersey |
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