Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection:  Luke 19:28-40

Prayers for Mexico:  

We can be kind by David Friedman

So many things I can't control,
So many hurts that happen every day.
So many heartaches that pierce the soul,
So much pain that won't ever go away.
How do we make it better?
How do we make it through?
What can we do when there's nothing we can do?

            Chorus:

            We can be kind.
            We can take care of each other.
            We can remember that deep down inside
            We all need the same thing.
            And maybe we'll find
            If we are there for each other
            That together we'll weather whatever tomorrow may bring.

Nobody really wants to fight,
Nobody really wants to go to war.
If everyone wants to make things right
Then what are we always fighting for?
Does nobody want to see it?
Does nobody understand?
The power to heal is right here in our hands.

And it's not enough to talk about it.
Not enough to sing a song.
We must walk the walk about it
You and I,
Do or die,
We've got to try to get along.

We can be kind.

Lectionary Selection:  Luke 13:1-9

Prayers for Mexico:  

God of grace and mercy,

Amid pain and death, you accompany us with your saving presence. Assuming our humanity, you stand in solidarity with the causes of oppression and injustice.

Forgive us for being indifferent and for our lack of faith and commitment to justice. Teach us to be sensitive to the many situations of violence and despair that many of our brothers and sisters experience around the world.

Open our eyes to see the new opportunities you offer us in your grace. Encourage us to transform the realities of death for signs of life and hope.

We accept with gratitude your protection and your care, recognizing that in your mercy we can find the joy and peace we need. Fill us with your Spirit so that in it we can bear the fruit of love and justice.

May the word of the gospel that we share help us to find ourselves with God's grace and mercy. Help us overcome our vision of retribution, which makes us believe that God only helps the "good" and punishes the "sinners." Cause us to live a genuine life of conversion (metanoia), where change occurs not only our mind but also our heart.

May the gospel be good news for those who seek new opportunities. The fig tree in the parable was in a privileged situation. It was not unusual in Jesus' time to see fig trees and other fruit trees in the vineyards. The good land was scarce, and it had to be used well; the fig tree had good opportunities, but it did not take advantage of them. This story echoes with the overabundance of God's grace. We pray that when the Lord of the vineyard comes, God will find fruits in our lives: fruits of conversion, mercy, and justice.

How many of you were the first person in your family to go to college? Or maybe your older sibling or a parent was the first person in your family to go to college. Do you remember what that process was like? How did you prepare? Did you choose a school close to home? Did you have to work while in school?  

Former Global Mission Interns Tyler Reeve, Ariel (Royer) Ackermann, and Cara McKinney participated in a World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) conference in Mexico on migration theology.

Global Ministries coordinated a visit to the San Diego/Tijuana Border from January 23-27, 2019.  There, the Reverend Angel Luis Rivera-Agosto, Latin America and Caribbean Executive, led a delegation composed of the Reverend Teresa “Terri” Hord-Owens, General Minister and President, and the Reverend Sharon Stanley, Director of Refugees and Immigration Ministries.   There, Dr. Carlos Correa and the Reverend Dan F. Romero, Executive Director, and Founder of Centro Romero respectively, gave us a full report of the conditions and challenges of refugees and asylum seekers on that part of the border.  He also took us to the places where the migrants arrived, seeking asylum, as well as to shelters where they receive food and medical assistance. 

Lectionary Selection:  Matthew 2:1-12

Prayers for Mexico:  

Mother and Father God,

Today, we thank you for the gift of the wise men, who showed such courage not only in taking the steps to begin their journey but also in deciding to not return to Herod. Let these wise men be our guiding star this holiday season as we attempt to continue to discern what is good and right in the world.

Dearest God, help us to continue to do what is right and not what is easy. We ask for your blessing as Mexico goes through this time of transitioning to a new president. We also pray for Melel Xojobal and the educators there who tirelessly fight for the rights of children in Chiapas.

Thank you, today and always, for giving the wise men, who listened to your voice and followed their hearts.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen

Since its founding, Centro Romero has been a leader in the field of practical theology with a special interest in immigration issues, migrant advocacy, sex trafficking, economic justice, and environmental justice. Since 2015, Centro Romero has worked on the U.S./Mexico border in Tijuana, Mexico and Southern California. They welcome migrant children traveling on their own, single mothers traveling with their children, and other vulnerable populations. Centro Romero provides housing, food, medical attention, psychological support, and pastoral care for families and individuals seeking political asylum and affected by current United States immigration policies. 

Introduction:

As we end this year of witnessing God´s presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, we cannot avoid feeling in our spirit, mind and will the spiritual strength of solidarity.  Our partners continued embracing the Spirit through receiving pilgrimages, sponsoring workshops and projects, sharing resources in an ecumenical way and confronting the powers that deny the fullness of life.  The Caribbean Initiative came to closure with resources and experiences that will endure not only in the work of the continent but also globally.  The accompaniment of our partners through civil unrest, migrations, and emergencies awakened a divine presence through the experience of contingency.  The Good News were heard and shared in a powerful way. 

At the end of October, I had the privilege and pleasure of attending a conference in Mexico City about Migration Theology.

Sharmin DeMoss

Feliberto Pereira

Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries