Global Ministries Partners: Bentrotts Report from Haiti

A Struggling CountryNovember 3, 2009

“Many would like the poor to keep on saying that it is God’s will for them to live that way. But it is not God’s will for some to have everything and others to have nothing. That cannot be of God. God’s will is that all his children be happy.”

Archbishop Oscar Romero

Everyday Kim and I are confronted with the profound suffering that permeates Haiti. It is a country where fathers search in vain for work, mothers struggle to feed their hungry children, and education is all too often a luxury that the impoverished masses have little or no access to. It is a country where barefoot children beg in the streets, heaps of fermenting garbage pile up everywhere, and people continue to die of preventable diseases for no other reason than that they are poor. Despite these inhumane living situations it is not uncommon for one of my seminary students or a local church pastor to wonder aloud if the people of Haiti are being punished by God due to their lack of faith or for some sin that they have committed. Others are more confident in their assertions that God has blessed the righteous (aka: rich nations) and is dulling out to the poor nations, including Haiti, exactly what they deserve. Interestingly, much of this type of theology was brought to Haiti and spread throughout the country by evangelical Christians from the United States.

Part of the work that our partner organization CONASPEH does in Haiti is to provide theological education and training for pastors serving in their member churches. Many of these pastors have been leading their churches for several years, but they often do have any formal education and have not had the opportunity to take classes on things such as theology, the Bible, and church history. CONASPEH fills this void by working to provide such courses for these pastors, many of whom serve poor congregations that are unable to pay them a salary. A key component of the theological foundation that CONASPEH teaches can be found in the organization’s symbol, which is an inverted tree. The tree has its roots in heaven, but the fruits of the tree manifest on earth. The message that the inverted tree symbolizes is that the God that Jesus revealed is a God who calls and inspires us to work to produce the fruits of love and justice on earth. Like Jesus, we too are invited to participate in bringing the good news of God’s love and justice to a world where some of God’s children are being denied their right to life and sadly, openly questioning if this is God’s plan for them. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may life and have it abundantly.” As followers of Jesus let us join CONASPEH in preaching the message of abundant life with both words and actions.

Patrick and Kim Bentrott

Haiti

Patrick and Kimberly Bentrott are assigned to the National Spiritual Council of Churches in Haiti (CONASPEH). Patrick serves as advisor for theological education and diaconal projects and programs.  Kimberly serves as an advisor for health care and diaconal projects and programs.

 

For More Information
Felix Ortiz-Cotto
Area Executive
Latin America and the Caribbean
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis,Indiana 46206
United States
317-713-2563
Fax: 317-635-4323
fortiz@dom.disciples.org

 

Global Ministries Update from Haiti

CONASPEH Update :  October 15, 2009

National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH)

Spring 2009 Report

CONASPEH expresses their gratitude to the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for their “acompañamiento” to the Haitian people in particular to CONASPEH. It is always a source of blessing for the churches of the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti.

In the past six months, CONASPEH has provided scholarships for a total of 166 kids; 116 at Saint Andre College (equivalent to K-12) and 50 at College of Petion-Ville (K-12). “Food for Learning” programs provide food for many children so that children are not only able to attend school but also have the mental energy to concentrate and learn. General programming and literacy programs continue at Port-de Paix and Cape Haitian.

Scholarships have also been provided for students at the Karen School of Nursing. In February 2009, 18 graduated from the Nursing School and were honored at the CONASPEH Congress. Of the graduates, 16 were women and two were men.

Also during the CONASPEH Congress in February 2009, 35 graduated from theology school and 75 pastors were ordained. Two of the seminary graduates were women.

Two recent extension programs of the seminary have provided access to classes for 90 additional theology students. The first seminary extension opened at Leogane and the second extension opened at Jacmel.

Cape Haitian also provided access to a farming cooperative for more than 20 families. This provides cooperative grain storage and the availability of a mill. Artibonite also has a portable mill so that people are able to gring the grain they have grown. Plateau Central provides a program to receive seeds on credit with 2-3% interest. Over 80 families participated by borrowing money to purchase and plant seeds, and then repaid the money with earnings so that others can then borrow and buy seeds.

Other advances include an electricity installation project at the CONASPEH Regional Center in Artibonite, which also serves the school.

The challenge continues to be having the funds to meet all the needs for education, food, training, etc. Plans for the next year remain basically the same — to continue to work hard to provide needed services and guidance. Each year, CONASPEH tries to be innovative to do more with less and make projects stronger. They also strive to find ways to participate more in the national setting in Haiti.  In this respect, CONASPEH is an important resource to churches and to the Ministry of Religion in Haiti. 

Kimberly and Patrick Bentrott are Global Ministries partners of the West Virginia Region, serving in Port-au-Prince.

 

Stewardship Webinar for WV Region

We are pleased to announce a Stewardship Bible Study to be offered as a webinar on Tues., Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., led by the Associate General Minister, Rev. Dr. Todd Adams.   Space is limited.  Reserve your seat.   A confirmation email will follow with instructions on how to join the meeting.   We hope you’ll join us.

System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

 

Reconciliation Offering Supports Priority Ministry

This Sunday marks the end of the week lifting up the offering for Reconcilation Mission, a priority ministry of our church. 

As we celebrate the diversity of God’s creation and of Christ’s church, we also are called to accept the work of God’s reconciling love at the Table, and in our whole community life. 

Read more of one great way that the Reconciliation Mission of the church is going to touch the life of people in the West Virginia Region, and plan now to give as generously as you can. 

50% of your giving to this offering will remain in the Region to support our regional Reconcilation efforts.

 

Ministry News

from Disciples Home Missions:  Applications are now being received for serving on both the Young Adult Commission and the Youth Ministry Commission. 

The Young Adult Commission takes applications from young adults between the ages of 18-33 with an active interest in the future of young adults in our denomination.  The application could be filled out by printing the attached form and mailing it once completed, or by going to docya.org to fill out an application online.  The interest in this ministry is strong and growing and we are looking for people to help take this ministry to the next level.  The application deadline is October 1, 2009. For more information contact Tod Iseminger at tiseming@dhm.disciples.org or Jack Knox at jbkrew@hotmail.com.The Youth Ministry Commission seeks to empower and connect volunteers who minister to the youth. This organization supports those adults who volunteer their time with youth ministries around the country by supplying Bible study series, conference and contributing to the Youth Ministry Backpack.  The application deadline is October 9, 2009. For more information or further questions, please contact Tod Iseminger, Youth Ministry Liaison, at tiseming@dhm.disciples.org  or (888) 346-2631, ext 2649.

Children Worship and Wonder at Parkersburg:  Children Worship and Wonder storyteller training is coming to our area Oct. 23-25 (hosted by First Christian Church, Parkersburg).  Watch for a release on that along with a poster for congregational use on our NewsWire within the next week.  Meanwhile, you can register online at https://secure.disciples.org/cwwtmain.asp?assemblyid=67 or download a pdf registration form to mail in.  Learn  more about the program here.

from Virginia Theological Seminary:  Applications are now available for the Summer Collegium, a project in support of small congregations at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.  Clergy (and their spouses or partners) from 25 small churches of all Christian denominations are invited to spend nine days at Virginia Seminary for encouragement, education, rest and renewal.  All expenses, including travel, books, meals, lodging, child care at home and pulpit supply, are paid by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.  

        The theme of the Summer Collegium this year is Leadership in the Small Congregation.  Our keynote speaker will be Alice Mann, a prolific writer on congregational ministry, and John Bell from the Iona Community in Scotland will join our worship team for the conference.   The dates for the Summer Collegium are June 23 – July 1, 2010.  Application forms are on our website, www.vts.edu/education/collegium, or will be sent in the mail by emailing SummerCollegium@vts.edu or by calling 703-461-1760.  Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2009, to be considered.

 

Reconciliation Grant for Seminar Received

The seven Northeastern Inter-Regional Fellowship (“NIRF”) Regions, which includes West Virginia, announce that the Reconciliation Program of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has approved a ten thousand ($10.000.00) dollar grant for the Regions to hold a Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism High School Seminar in Washington, DC at the National City Christian Church, July 3-11, 2010. 

The seminar will offer training for high school students in reconciliation work, living with diversity, how to affect the legislative process and what the current cultural diversity issues are and how they are being dealt with in urban centers.  Participants will be asked to return to their home congregation and Region and share what they have learned and help other youth begin to address these issues.

 The annual Reconciliation Offering for Disciples is to be received September 27 and October 4.  Fifty percent of the Reconciliation Offering remains in the Region of origin and assist in the reconciliation work of that Region.  Many of the NIRF Regions will use some of these funds to help provide the seminar.  We hope that you will be able to be generous with your support of your Regional Reconciliation efforts.

 

Children Worship and Wonder Training Offered

Disciples Home Missions will be offering training for storytellers Fri. Oct. 23 through Sun. Oct. 25 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Parkersburg. 

In describing the content of the event, the DHM info sheet explains: “You will learn the theological rationale behind Children Worship & Wonder and develop a basic understanding of the approach.  You will see the story telling and other components of the worship service demonstrated.  You will receive help in developing your own story telling skills and have opportunities to practice telling stories and leading other parts of the children’s service of worship.   You will learn ways to involve other adults in children’s worship and receive help in setting-up a children’s worship center for your church.”

An explanation of  the event and costs involved can be downloaded for duplication in your congregation, along with a flyer to publicize the event.  Registration forms may be downloaded, or you can go directly to the Worship and Wonder site and register with payment online.  Learn more on their website.

 

Reconciliation Offering Fast Approaching

Reconciliation Ministry is alive and well in our region.  Our recent gathering with our partners in the Northeastern Inter-Regional Fellowship was a productive new beginning for the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation work accross West Virginia and Western Maryland.  A number of new initiatives are in the works to help bring God’s people (within and beyond our congregations) into unity through Christ’s reconciling love.

Your special gifts to the Reconciliation Ministry Offering help support programs such as ours. The annual offering is split evenly between our Region and the General Church so that we can invest in pro-reconciliation/anti-racism efforts. This year’s offering, with a theme of “Many Members, One Table,” will be received in congregations on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. To read more about the offering, visit: www.reconciliationministry.org/offerings/. 

For further information about future work of the West Virginia Reconciliation Team, contact Rev. David Chafin, Deputy Regional Minister.

 

Quadrennial Assembly Registration Now Open

Quadrennial Assembly 2010 registration has begun. Visit the online registration system to register.

Printed registration forms have alreaday been sent to your local congregation.

The assembly is scheduled for June 23-27, 2010 in Greensboro, NC.  Visit their Facebook page.

 

Christian Unity Reflections from General Assembly

The following was received from Robert Welsh of the Council on Christian Unity:

Dear Friends of Christian Unity,

I am writing to share several highlights from the recent General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).   I know others attending the Assembly would name other events or moments that took place during those five days.  Indeed, I suspect each of the 5,800 persons attending had their own unique experience of the Assembly, and would likely identify a very different list.  But, for me, these highlights represent significant moments that I believe begin to define more clearly the ecumenical life and witness of our church for the future. 

 Here’s my list of the “top three highlights:”

 First — from the opening “State of the Church Address” by our General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins, to the closing worship — what I found to be the most significant aspect of the whole Assembly was the naming and claiming of our new “Disciples Statement of Identity” as the foundation for our church’s present and future witness.  That identity statement declares, “We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.”

 Second, I found Michael Kinnamon’s address at the Christian Unity Dinner that was co-sponsored by the Council on Christian Unity and the Disciples of Christ Historical Society to be the best presentation during the Assembly program.  (And here I admit to a serious bias!)  Reflecting on Peter Ainslie’s stirring address to the 1910 Convention of the Christian Churches, Michael called all Disciples to reclaim Christian unity as “our heart” — that which gives us life and provides us a place to stand.  (See news release on this address at http://www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=15670 )

•  Michael’s address will be published in the next issue of the CCU’s journal, Call to Unity, and will soon be available on the CCU website.
• If you would like to purchase a DVD or CD of the address, please contact Greenhill Productions at www.greenhill-productions.com.

  Third, the closing celebration of the Lord’s Supper was built upon the Great Communion Celebration resources that have been prepared to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address.  This worship service brought together representatives of the three “streams” of the Stone-Campbell movement: the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Churches of Christ.  We were invited to the Table by Jerry Taylor (an African American minister in the Churches of Christ); the Words of Institution were offered by Sharon Watkins (our General Minister and President); and the prayers for the bread and the cup were offered by Humberto Ramirez (an Hispanic pastor of a new church start in the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ) and by Diane Spleth (a Disciples pastor of Franklin Central Christian Church).  The Table thus served to bring us together, across our differences of race, culture, and gender, as well as the historic divisions that have existed between these churches for over 100 years.  (See news release on this service at http://www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=15668)

 In presenting the “Report of the Council on Christian Unity” to the 2009 General Assembly, I outlined in broad strokes the vision that I believe sets the direction, empowers our witness, and gives focus to all programs and involvements in our church’s ecumenical witness in the 21^st century.  I welcome and value any-and-all comments you may have in response to that presentation and that vision. 

 It was an Assembly to be remembered!  My hope and my prayer is that we Disciples will live up to the challenges that we named together in being and becoming a reconciling community of God’s inclusive love – in the word’s of the General Assembly’s theme: “for the healing of the nations.” 

 Thank you for your continuing support of me and of the ministry of the Council on Christian Unity.   

 In Christ’s love, 

 Robert

If you wish to read a copy of Rev. Welsh’s report to the Assembly, just email us and we will forward it to you.