Companion Diocese of Ecuador Central

DIOCESAN TRIP TO ECUADOR CANCELLED
September 27 – October 4, 2011

From Pete Ackerman, Chair of the Companion Diocese Committee on 28 June 2011:
Due to the ongoing "division in its life and structure", Bishop Ruiz, in consultation and agreement with the Presiding Bishop's office, has cancelled all companion trips to the Diocese of Ecuador Central this summer and fall.

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.

Pete Ackerman

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.

We made our way around the region for two days, visiting churches, schools and homes. The people were unfailingly gracious and generous. One evening we were welcomed into a home where we feasted on beans, eggs and cheese, with hot milk. When it was time for us to leave, our host made certain that we took strawberries and goose eggs with us. The next day we enjoyed corn and potatoes for lunch while school children sang for us. At a celebration of the Eucharist a lay woman preached a powerful message. A women’s choir sang songs of praise in their distinctive, high-pitched style. And we visitors were each presented with our own red poncho.

The gifts and hospitality of the people were splendid but their faith and their joy were glorious. We have much to share with them, to be sure. It made me proud, for example, to see the concrete floor of one church that was poured by members of our Diocese last September. And it was a joy to present to our companions sets of vestments (made by members of St. Martin’s, Lumberton) and Bibles in the indigenous language Quechua (thanks to the Rev. Thomas May and the American Bible Society). But we need the riches of their life with Jesus Christ and with one another.

There is much more to report: the dinner with Bishop Ruiz, his wife Tania, members of his staff and diocesan leaders, on the eve of their Convention; the Ordination service, attended by some 400 indigenous Episcopalians; the gathering of the Convention itself; and the faces of new friends in Christ; along with the light in their eyes, the joy in their hearts and the warmth of their embrace.

I can’t wait ‘til I can go back. Right Onward!

+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
Chair, Companion Diocese Committee

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.