Building Relationships and Understanding Across Borders

Grateful for our talented, faith-filled, and committed executive committee: Carmina Sanchez, secretary; Jeni O'Callaghan, president; Ramon Garcia, vice-president; and Jeff Krongaard, treasurer.

May 31, 2015

31 de mayo, 2015

A Message from Jocabed Gallegos, Mexican Coordnator

Frontera de Cristo has a vision that goes beyond borders that divide toward bridges that unite where children and youth's lives are transformed from one of violence to one of peace, where supporting our migrant sisters and brothers is essential, where our society thrives and there is growth and support for women and men, with the necessary tools to live life with dignity. There are many challenges, and we pray to God to give us the strength each day and to grant us more physical, economic and spiritual partners in ministry. We are grateful that you are part of our team.

In God, there is hope and a hope that renews life and gives abundant life leading to untiring service. Thank you for your partnership with us!

A Day of Prayer and Reflection

On May 12, Frontera de Cristo facilitated an immersion experience for leaders of the Presbytery de Cristo, madeup of 28 churches in southern Arizona and 2 in western New Mexico. Pastor Brad Munroe, pastor to pastors and churches of the presbytery provides reflections below.

In May it was a privilege to share a day of prayer and reflection on the border with members of de Cristo presbytery, the staff of Frontera de Cristo as well as pastoral, civic and law enforcement leaders. The day was rooted in Scripture, as we wrestled with the Pentecost lectionary texts that call us as the Body of Christ to break down barriers of hostility and build bridges of reconciliation. The day was empowered through prayer, as we gave our hearts and passion to God in response to God's call to justice and shalom for all people. The day was a time of experience and encounter, as we heard from people seeking to serve the cause of justice and peace yet sometimes from competing perspectives; from faith leaders to border patrol agents, we sought to hear the multiple voices seeking to create a more just, fair and responsible community on BOTH sides of the border. It was a day of much learning and joy. A big thank you to the Frontera staff for their fine hospitality!

Click here to see pictures from the day.

Migrant Trail Walk

FDC Intern James Martin (left) one of the "pall barers" leading the procession after the opening prayer service to the border.

On Monday, around 80 people began a 75 mile walk from Sasabe, Sonora to Tucson, AZ in what is known as the Migrant Trail Walk, remembering the over 6000 men, women and children who have lost their lives crossing into the US through the harsh deserts and raising conscienceness of the need for changes in economic and political policies on both sides of the border to prevent continuing deaths in the desert.

The vision of the Migrant Trail Walk: "The precarious reality of our borderlands calls us to walk. We are a spiritually diverse, multi-cultural group who walk together on a journey of peace to remember people, friends and family who have died, others who have crossed, and people who continue to come. We bear witness to the tragedy of death and of the inhumanity in our midst. Lastly, we make this sacred journey as a community, in defiance of the borders that attempt to divide us, committed to working together for the human dignity of all peoples."

FDC has been privileged to provide the first dinner for the last 10 or so years and our interns James Martin and Brenda Cuellar are walking the entire walk that will conclude on Sunday.

Click Here to See more Photos of the First Day

A Community of Suffering and Celebration

We are privileged to have the Lirio de los Valles Presbyterian Church as a strong partner in our ministry. Over the last couple of years, as we have accompanied them as they have dealt with great adversity: the sickness and subsequent death of Pastor Rodolfo, the loss of leaders, broken marriages and relationships. We have been amazed at the faith and trust in God "who entered fully into the suffering of world in Jesus and knows our suffering". In the midst of what could have turned them inward, they have chosen the text "Called to Serve not to Be Served" as their theme for the year.

God is also the God who turns mourning into dancing and brings life from death and is "fully present in the joys of our community". The weekend of May 16 and 17 was wonderful weekend of celebration with our partners of Lirio de los Valles Presbyterian Church that included a wedding, baptisms, communion, ordination of deacon, fellowship, and a reception of new members. Please join us in prayer for Sister Lorena Ocampo and the congregation as they seek to be salt and light in the community of Agua Prieta.

Click here to view more photos of events.

Prayers For The Casanova Ramos Family

Sister Ana, daughter Gadiela, son Josias, and a family member.

Please join us in prayers for the Casanova Ramos Family: Sister Ana his wife and children Josias, Adonias, Gadiela, Keila,Samaria, and Germancito. Pastor German Casanova died unexpectedly earlier this month from a fast growing brain tumor. Pastor German was a colleague and new church development pastor with the Presbiterio de Chihuahua for 6 years in Agua Prieta. He and his family were good friends of the FDC ministry and his son Josias served as one of bi-national interns 2011-2013. Less than two weeks after German died, Sister Ana's mother died.

A Month of Delegations

We are grateful for all the delegations that have shared a bit of life and ministry with us in May:

Miami Shores Presbyterian Church, Florida

Lake Forest College, Illinois

Emory University, Georgia

Lewis University, Illinois

Presbytery de Cristo, Arizona/New Mexico

Mennonite Uprooted Delegation, Canada

Mennonite Central Committee Borderlands Learning Delegation

PCUSA Young Adult Volunteers, San Antonio and Hollywood

Southside Presbyterian Church, Arizona

Inn Ministries video of Their March Immersion Experience with FDC

Douglas Days Bed Race:

Team "The Last Shall Be First"

For the second year, FDC participated in the Douglas Days Bed Races. Join us next year to cheer us on to victory. Team Members: Felipe Navarrete, James Martin, Daniel Cifuentes, Arthur Bassett; "Captain" Jeni O'Callaghan

Presbyterian Border RegioPresbyterian Border Regio

SAVE THE DATE!!!!! OCTOBER 16

Grateful for an incredible team of folks from St. Mark's Presbyterian, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian, St. Pius X Catholic, Casas Adobe United Church of Christ, Christ the King Episcopal, Corpus Christi Catholic and St. Michael's Episcopal for planning the fall Taste of Chiapas in Tucson.

November 6-14, 2015

Coffee, Migration and Faith

Border to Border Delegation

2 spaces available

REGISTER NOW

Join us in building relationships and understanding across borders enjoying great coffee, wonderful fellowship, delicious food, and incredible hospitality in the rainforest in 2015!

We will probably reach the maximum number early this year so we are in the planning stages of adding a delegation in late September early October, We will announce the date in the March e-letter.

Download the 2015 flier. Email Trisha to put your name on the "Interested in 2015 Delegation" list. If you are ready to reserve a spot, please make your $200 deposit on our secure online donation site.

Click here to see the visual story of the 2014 Delegation.

The initial information packet and registration form will be sent out on Friday February 5.