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Building Relationships and Understanding Across Borders
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August 31, 2014
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31 de August, 2014
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Come join us for one or all of the events for our 30th Anniversary Celebration November 20, 21, and 22 as we give thanks to God for 30 years of "being built together as a dwelling in which God's lives by God's Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22)
- November 20: Faith Responses to the Changing Contexts on Immigration and Borders In Tucson;
- November 21: Border Immersion Experience in Agua Prieta;
- November 22: 30th Anniversary Fiesta in Agua Prieta.
There will be worship, reflection, music, fellowship, art, and of course delicious food. Save the dates on your calendars and plan on participating. Next month's e-letter will have more details and will include a registration form.
We are grateful for your partnership that helps make our ministry possible and ask you to pray with us that God may give us courage to cross new borders as we continue to seek to be proactive, positive and faithful witnesses here on the US/Mexico border and beyond!
Peace,
Jeni O'Callaghan Rodolfo Navarrete Arrieta Monika Patience Carmina Sanchez
President Vice President Treasurer Secretary
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Mending Patriotism Quilting Project
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We were blessed to have Juna Roslaes Muller come and share three weeks with us working with DouglaPrieta and CRREDA in the continued development of a vision that she first had in the Lirio de los Valles Presbyterian Church Sanctuary as part of the Woolman School Mission Education Delegation 3 years ago.
"Mending Patriotism is a series of quilts made from clothing cast off by migrants attempting to cross Mexico's Sonoran desert towards the U.S. border. The project aims to provide a space for learning and exchange around the issues of border-crossing, human migration, and national identity. Quilts have historically been used to signify safe houses, most notably on the Underground Railroad. In our modern day, how do people seeking refuge identify allies? In what ways can we as individuals participate in nation-wide concerns? What is our collective vision of a patriotism we feel comfortable owning?"
Click here to see images of the art work and closing celebration and/or plan on coming to join us for our 30th Anniversary Celebration where you can see it in person and experience the "two sisters" faldas in a original ballet folklorico interpreting some of the realities of the border.
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 | | Click on Image to See How We Say Farewell |
Melissa Gutierrez,
FDC Office Manager 2008-2014
Join us in giving thanks to God for the ministry of Melissa Gutierrez from October 2008 to August 28, 2014. We had a wonderful celebration full of rememberences, robust laughter (lots of laughter), tears, great food, tears and gratitude. While we are sad to lose her, we are excited for Melissa for this next part of her journey.
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Midwives, Moses, and the Demonization of Mothers:
Meditations on Exodus 1:8-2:10
by Alison Harington
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In the face of the heartbreaking crisis of the unaccompanied youth and children that have been arriving to the border, we have been heartened by the outpouring of concern and desire to respond in compassion from many of our partners. Pastor Alison Harrington of Southside PC, one of FDC's partner churches in Tucson and church that recently has provided sanctuary to two families facing deportation, wrote an incredible reflection published on the Huffington Post that will definitely get you thinking and perhaps move you to act.
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistence (PDA) has been meeting with church leaders in Arizona and has developed a good resource page providing educational, worship and advocacy materials as well as opportunities to help. PDA will be working with Presbytery de Cristo and Grand Canyon Presbytery in two educational event this week:
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS FORUMS
Wednesday, September 3, 6:00 p.m.
Trinity Presbyterian Church
400 E University Blvd, Tucson
Saturday, September 6, 3:30 p.m.
Memorial Presbyterian Church
4141 E Thomas Rd., Phoenix
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Summer Camps: "Let The Children Come To Me."
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 | | Campa de Verano 2014/Summer camp 2014 |
We give thanks to God for being able to work with the Lily Of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Agua Prieta to share Good News, beyond their doors with the kids of the Casa Hogar Nuestra Senora de los Angeles (children's home). The three week camp included drama, art, music, permaculture (gardening), and prayer.
Our bi-national intern Hugo also led two week camp at the New Hope Community Center with the support of the youth of the Lily of the Valley Church and Mexican Coordnator Jocabed Gallegos provided leadership for the annual Presbytery Youth Camp. |
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Help Us With "Throwback Thursday"
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We need your help posting pictures from different parts of our history on Facebook every Thursday-- what many in Facebook-land call "throwback Thursday". We'd love to add yours to the archives so please send us some of the images that capture your experience with Frontera de Cristo.
We are celebrating 30 years of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed here on the US/Mexico border and beyond. As part of the celebration, we are collecting "remembrances". Please send your reflections and pictures of your experiences with Frontera de Cristo to us as we re-member 30 years of bi-national ministry.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support!
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 | | Bonnie, John, Joey and Irvin after loading the van full of blessings! |
Presbytery de Cristo
Annual Matthew 25 Offering
We are grateful for our partners of Presbytery de Cristo and the churches of Grand Canyon Presbytery that partner with us. Great joint meeting on Sunday: inspiring worship with great singing and sharing in the Lord s Supper, generous giving of over $5000 in material donations and over $1500 to the Matthew 25 offering supporting our sisters and brothers who find themselves far from home, helpful workshops, and great fellowship.
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Mexican Coordinator Chosen As An International Peacemaker
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From September 19-October 12, Jocabed will join church leaders from Syria, Russia, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Palestine, the Philippines, South Sudan and the Caribbean in speaking in churches throughout the US to share how God is working through the church to bring about a more just, loving and peace-filled world.
Joca will be speaking in presbyteries in New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Florida. Email her if you would like to attend one of the events she will be leading.
As a response to an increasingly conflict-ridden and fragmented world, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program created the International Peacemakers Program.
International Peacemakers are leaders from global partners who come to the US to share their experiences as peacemakers. We are pleased that our own coordinator Jocabed Gallegos will be serving as a International
Peacemaker to give voice to the important work of peacemaking and reconciliation along the Mexico/US border.
Click here to meet the other peacemakers.
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 Songs of the Earth by C. Susan Nunn
Author and Publisher Donate Proceeds to Frontera de Cristo
Looking for some good summer reading that will also support our ministry?
Susan Nunn and her publishers are donating a portion of the proceeds of her new novel Song of the Earth
to Frontera de Cristo. This page turning novel weaves together themes of migration of families, spirituality, brokenness, hope and the formation of unlikely relationships across borders.
Susan has been a friend and partner of Frontera de Cristo, the Migrant Resource Center and Café Justo for over a decade and says:
"For many years, I experienced the open hearts and the giving spirit of a treasured few who live and work, unselfishly, on the borderlands of southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. These people, from many different churches, and many with no specific affiliation, just harboring a deep love for all mankind, embraced me with their openness and their giving spirit, while working tirelessly in the struggle of human rights. It's been a humbling experience, and, in the process, I found my own spirit strengthened as it became infused with care and undying love for all. My voice became stronger. I found my passion.
I believe anytime one receives such a gift, they should give in return. My giving, and that of our generous publishers at Branch Hill Publications, both Genie and Jim, will be to donate a portion of the proceeds of the sales of this book to Frontera de Cristo, located in the sister cities of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico and Douglas, Arizona.
Frontera de Cristo is a Presbyterian border ministry and is an influential voice for humanitarian rights and immigration reform. This ministry, having been in existence for many years, believes in the power of community and maintains a strong presence across the Borderlands. They work hand in hand with all faiths towards ensuring all people are treated fairly, no matter their race or creed. Check them out online: www.fronteradecristo.org."
Thanks Susan!
Click here to read the literary e-site She Writes interview of Susan about the book.
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Presbyterians on the Frontier:
A Story of Presbyterian Border Ministry 1984-2014
This book is the result of 20 years of volunteering with Presbyterian Border Ministry (PBM) and three years of research, interviews and writing.
According our Coordinators Jocabed Gallegos and MarkAdams: "We have both been shaped by PBM-- it is the water we swim in. We are grateful to Parrish for writing Presbyterians on the Frontier allowing us to step outside of the water and more fully understand the power of God to transform lives, including ours, through this crazy thing called bi-national ministry."
You can get your copy for $12 by going to our secure donation web-site and putting Presbyterians on the Border in the memo line or email us.. (If you choose to pay $30 for the 30 years of PBM, $18 will be tax deductible.) Books will ship June 13.
Parrish W. Jones , PhD. a retired Presbyterian (USA) minister, has written for the Presbyterian News Service and "Presbyterians Today" on PCUSA missions. This work is a result of 20 years of volunteering with Presbyterian Border Ministry (PBM) and 3 years of research, interviews and writing. |
 | | Order your copy now!!! |
Café Justo: Cafeina con Conciencia
has arrived
FDC's Just Trade Center just received its first shipment of Café Justo: Cafeina Con Conciencia, the Spanish translation of Just Coffee: Caffeine with a Conscience.
If you would like to receive a copy of the book, click here and give $20 through our secure donation site and put "Book in Spanish" in the memo or email us.
We are very grateful to Dr. Miguel Ugarte, professor of Spanish and his team from the Univeristy of Missouri: Rosa Morales, Danilo Leon, Lorena Medrano, Hilda Fennelle, Toshiya Kamei, Tomas Blazquez, Blanca Kelty, and Charles Presberg who translated the chapters.
We are also grateful for Dr. Lee Ann Grace of Buffalo State University and Howard Henry-- members of University PC Buffalo and longtime partners of FDC, who worked hard to edit, copy edit and format the book.
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Support
Frontera de Cristo by:
1) Joining us in giving thanks to God for:
--the blessing of our call to witness that Jesus Christ is our peace across the borders that seek to divide us;
2) Praying with us for God's guidance and help in:
--Responding to the reality of the impact of drugs on the families and communities of Agua Prieta;
3) Providing Support to the Migrant Resource Center:
-The MRC invites YOU to visit or volunteer. Come, learn, and be blessed by our brother and sister migrants.
-MRC Donation needs:
-Shoelaces
-Underwear
-Socks
-MRC Volunteers commute by bike-but we need helmets and bike lights! Please consider donating to help keep us safe on
the roads.
-Financial donations will help pay MRC operating costs, but food items when donations are scarce and keep our bicycles in operating condition.
3) Donating by clicking the donate now button.
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