MEXICO
Superintendent Jorge A. Ochoa L. has informed us that on Friday April 18 Sra. Esperanza Gómez, mother of Bishop Moisés Valderrama Gómez entered her heavenly home. The Methodist family extends our sympathy and hold the Bishop and his family in prayer. (obispovalderrama@iglesia-metodista.org.mx)
BOLIVIA
In a letter from Bishop Carlos Poma to the Secretary for Dialogue of the Bishops Conference, he states: “The Evangelical Methodist Church of Bolivia is extremely surprised by the unfortunate expressions of Cardinal Julio Tarrazas during the homily on Sunday, April 13 in the Catedral of the city of Santa Cruz, related to the situation in which our Guarani sisters and brothers have been living for many years in the Bolivian Chaco, in which he denied the situation of servitude and slavery which is known by all of the Bolivian people and the international organizations such as the OAS and the United Nations. From the perspective of the liberating Gospel which proclaims the meaning, value and dignity of all human beings as children of God, it is deeply regrettable that situations of exploitation, servitude, submission and slavery in our nation, exercised by large land owners, agricultural enterprises, and unscrupulous families who only look out for their own interests, disregarding human sacrifice...As part of the People of God we cannot close our eyes to the infrahuman reality in which the Guarani people live.” The Evangelical Methodist Church reserves the right of non-participation in ecumenical activities with the Catholic Church as long as it does not offer recognition and respect for the Guarani people on all levels of the Catholic Church.
ARGENTINA
1 – On April 17 the First Evangelical Methodist Church in Buenos Aires was the site of the interreligious celebration of thanksgiving for the life of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement which today is a witness for unity in the entire world.
A broadly based gathering representing different Christian traditions and other religions shared in the celebration. The well-known journalist, José Ignacio López, was the main speaker at the celebration.
2 – Ward Collage will celebrate its 98th anniversary this year, commemorating its educational work in a variety of events and special activities. The present director of the school is Lic. Adriana Muruelo.
SPAIN
The Evangelical Methodist Church will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Methodist Social Creed with a series of special events. The creed will be included in the Book for New Converts and its 16 points will be published in a book for the Church for wider distribution.
UNITED STATES
The General Conference of The United Methodist Church is in session in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 23 through May 2 with participation of persons from around the world. Prior to the meeting there was an encounter between the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church and CIEMAL with the purpose of strengthening our connectional ties for mutual working together in Mission. The General Conference will study a plan for greater unity with the Methodist Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean which was developed by the Committee on Relationships presided over by Bishop Minerva Carcaño.
BRAZIL
1 - Bishop Paulo Lockmann sends his greetings and his gratitude for the prayers by the brothers and sisters in the region during his recent illness. After several weeks of intensive treatment he has resumed his episcopal responsibilities. We are pleased to share this good news.
2- The Board of Dirctors of CIEMAL will meet June 12-14 in São Paulo under the leadership of Bishop Moisés Valderrama G. The members will be receiving the agenda, including consideration of the nominations for the new General Secretary of CIEMAL.
CUBA
Bishop Ricardo Pereira D. reports that the Sierra Maestra and Tunas Districts have celebrated a mass baptismal ceremony in which more than 1,500 persons participated and 550 were baptized. This tells us “The Methodist Church in Cuba is growing each day."
Bishop (E) Aldo M. Etchegoyen - General Secretary
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