THE TOWN CRIER. Diocesan Bulletin #15 Advent - December 2014 BI-NATIONAL WOMEN S MEETING

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1 1 BI-NATIONAL WOMEN S MEETING THE TOWN CRIER Diocesan Bulletin #15 Advent - December 2014 Casa Vianney, in Rincón de Melilla, has peaceful, spacious sunny lawns shaded with old-growth indigenous trees. Its facilities include a large, well-appointed auditorium and plentiful guest accommodation. In this privileged environment in rural Montevideo, over 100 Anglican women from Brazil and Uruguay met on 8 and 9 November We also welcomed a significant number of men: church leaders, clergy and husbands of women participants. We engaged in a rich and varied program focused on the church s social work, especially by and for women. Through presentations, role play and group work, we reflected on the reality of our communities, their social outreach and the situation of women, including violence against women a problem for the whole church, according to the bishop primate of Brazil. Rev. Cristina Carvalho gave a splendid biblical exposition of the passage on Tabitha/Dorcas (Acts 9:36-43). Tabitha was a Christian disciple in Joffa who spent all her time doing good and helping the poor (9:36b). She became ill and died, and was mourned by all the local widows. However, she returned to life, and was given back alive to her community. The reflection was profound and wide-ranging, and women acted out the events in a silent tableau.

2 2 During the Sunday Eucharist presided by Rev. Carmen Etel Gomes and concelebrated by all the bishops and priests present, hundreds of rag dolls were presented in offering before the altar. They were equal in size but all individually distinct, made by hand with great love, real works of art, to be given to the children in the CAIFs run by the Diocese of Uruguay. Songs, dance, devotionals and prayer were an integral part of the meeting. The common life in the dining-hall, dormitories and leisure time strengthened existing friendships and encouraged the formation of new bonds between participants. Overnight travel, early rising and a long active day ensured we all slept well! A bi-national meeting is necessarily bi-lingual, as not all of us speak or understand the other language. For future presentations perhaps some thought and planning could go into giving time and space for women to take their turn at the important task of translation. Instrumental and/or choral groups of women could also be encouraged to take part in the music ministry. And personally, I would have liked to spend more time meeting in small groups, which is always so enriching. A very special thank-you to Vilma Quadros, the go-to person who made the organization of the event run so smoothly, and to all those women and men who worked for, participated in, and supported it. Next Bi-National Women s Meeting: 2016, in the Diocese Sul-Ocidental, Brazil. Join in! Valerie Dee For further news:

3 3 Cooking Workshop The Workshop took place at our Child-care Center (CAIF) "LOS GRANJERITOS It was an enjoyable time of learning and tasting the dishes which had been prepared! Our thanks to CHEFF Alejandro Romero, for having shared his gifts within this context of the life of our Church

4 4 May God bless the Santiago Apóstol Community! Happy First Communions in our parish. congratulations to the Young Folk and their Teachers! Bidding Liz farewell, who is leaving to go on holiday. We shared a lovely afternoon together as a Community and enjoyed delicious food which was prepared in the Cooking Workshop. May God bless Liz and her time in England.

5 5 I am making all things new (Revelation 21:5) Assembly & XXXIV Synod 22 & 23 November We give thanks for F Paco Browne from Chile who shared his experiences, his ideas, his dreams so that we, within the Anglican Church of Uruguay, may begin to dream our future, together... Pls note = On page 12 we share some comments received re our diocesan gathering

6 6 ECUMENICAL INSTANCES IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF URUGUAY (IAU) 1) The Council of Christian Churches of Uruguay (CICU by its Spanish abbreviature). On November 7th at 10 a.m. the CICU met for its monthly session, at the Armenian Evangelical Church under the chairmanship of Pr. Boyadjián. Armenian, United and German Lutheran, Waldensian, Anglican, Roman-Catholic, Methodist and Pentecostal full-member Churches, and the Old Episcopal (as observer), were present. It was decided: a) to write a Christmas message addressed to Uruguayan society that would be released through mass media and especially within the Churches belonging to the Council; b) to communicate that the CICU blog is active (consejodeiglesiasdeluruguay.blogspot.com) and to encourage the members to use it; c) on the occasion of the remembrance of the Armenian holocaust (1915) by the Turkish government, there will be a religious service with the support and active participation of CICU as such and also of each member Church on April 10, the Central Methodist Church. This will be a commemoration of the 100 th anniversary of the Armenian holocaust. 2) LATIN AMERICAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (CLAI) "The role of Uruguayan Churches and Christian organizations and their political and public incidence" was the theme of that formative moment under the auspices and coordination of the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI in Spanish) at the Waldensian Church on November 7, from 18 to 21 p.m., gathering around 30 people from 6 different Churches. The seminar was conducted by Mr. Fernando Rodríguez (former Director of Social Promotion of our Church, from 1995 to 2006) and latterly Ombudsman for the city of Montevideo. He spoke on the existing potential the Churches and other Christian groups have to influence and promote the values of the Kingdom of God, in order that they may be incorporated and executed within the political policies. During this session Mr Rodríguez shared the stand with Ms Stefanie Kreher, who presented the biblical basis for what had been presented. Mr. Rodríguez also emphasized the need for a good formation of Christian people, to achieve a better engagement in this area and for attaining the goals in the areas of citizenship and politics. The Anglican Church took part with two members present out of a total of 30 people and 7 churches.

7 7 3) "DIALOGUE": another moment of a cycle of Inter-Faith relations. At the German Evangelical Congregation there was another gathering of "Dialogue" which is part of the Inter-Faith cycle of conferences, organized by Pr. Armin Ihle. The theme this time was: "Education in Uruguay and the contribution of religion in a nonconfessional State." Speakers were: Ms. Marcos Rocchietti (Methodist), Lic. Jorge Scuro (RC) and Prof. Rafael Winter (Jewish). There were 26 people present. The speakers were well informed and lively in their presentations. At the end as is customary, snacks and soft drinks were offered by the hosting congregation, allowing a good space for fellowship. 4) PRESENCE AT THE REMEMBRANCE DAY OF "KRISTALNACHT". Our Bishop Michele was invited and participated in the memorial ceremony of Kristalnacht held at the beginning of the Nazi regime in Germany. The event took place at the B'nai B'rith in Montevideo. The main speaker was the Roman Catholic Archbishop, Msgr. Daniel Sturla.

8 8 Religion in Latin America Widespread Change in a Historically Catholic Region To Access this information. 1) English 2) Spanish. America-Overview-SPANISH-TRANSLATION-for-publication pdf

9 9 ANGLICAN CHURCH OF URUGUAY ADVENT, CHRISTMAS & SUMMER 2015 ACTIVITIES Parish of Santiago Apóstol - COLÓN ALPHA course 2014 Tuesday November 25th as from 15:00 hs December 18,00 hs CAIF Creciendo closure of term DECEMBER 19:30 REDEEMING Santa Mónica Chapel (Ecumencial venue with the Palotine Fathers and the Methodist Betel Church) December 17:00 - Christmas Eve Eucharist During summer months: January: everyone s invited to share in Holy Trinity Cathedral s services of Holy Communion February: Holy Communion in our Chapel 17:00 ALL WELCOME Our address: Camino Lecocq 1573 Parish of ESPIRITU SANTO - MALVIN December 19:30 REDEEMING Santa Mónica Chapel (Ecumenical venue with the Palotine Fathers and the Methodist Betel Church) December 19:00 at our Chapel Sharing Christmas with AGUAS CLARAS December 19:00 Christmas Eve Eucharist During summer months January & February - Holy Communion within our Chapel every 19:00 AlL WELCOME Our address: GALLINAL 1852

10 10 Parish of Santos Pedro y Pablo December 19:30 Eucharist and Creche on Plazoleta ARTIGAS Everyone s very welcome! Our address: RUTA 5 Km 32 VILLA FELICIDAD - PROGRESO The Community of San Esteban Christmas Eve: the community share within Holy Trinity Cathedral December 19:00 we celebrate our patronal festival: San Esteban & following the service there will be a time of sharing/agape January & February: the services continue as usual: 10:00 HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL Noche Buena December 18:00 Misa Christmas Day -- December 10:30 Eucharist Welcome!!

11 11 Parish of San Agustín de Canterbury - Alsacia 3842 Jardines del Hipódromo ADVEMT `PRGRAMME CHRISTMAS 2014 In order that a new world may be born, we need to recycle our hearts with the 3Rs s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) With Humility and Forgiveness, searching for God and open to Mission, with those who need me most FIRST SUNDAY (SATURDAY 29/11. 16:30 hs.) Isaías 64, 1-9 Salmo 80, Corintios 1, 3-9 Marcos 13, SECOND SUNDAY (SATURDAY 6/12. 16:30 hs.) Isaías 40, 1-11 Salmo 85, Pedro 3, 8-15ª Marcos 1, 1-8 THIRD SUNDAY (SATURDAY 13/12. 16:30 hs.) Isaías 61, Salmo 126 o Lucas 1, Santiago 5, Juan 1, FOURTH SUNDAY (SATURDAY 20/12. 16:30 hs.) 2 Samuel 7, Lucas 1,47-55 o Salmo 89, Romanos 16, Lucas 1, CHRISTMAS (TUESDAY 23/12. 8:00 hs.) Isaías 9, 2-7 Salmo 96 Tito 2, Lucas 2, 1-14 (15-20) FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS (SATURDAY 27/12. 16:30 hs.) Isaías 61, 10 62,3 Salmo 148 Gálatas 4, 4-7 Lucas 2, During January, taking the holiday-time into account, the services will be led by the laity. Every Saturday at a time yet to be confirmed

12 12 Reflections / Words which we have received following our annual diocesan assembly, within the framework of the XXXIV Synod BREATH OF FRESH AIR! AGILE JOY! VERY GOOD ATMOSPHERE HOPE! EDUCATIONAL Reflecting upon our annual diocesan assembly, one thing comes to mind: our Lord Jesus is always with us, despite our ways of being. He loves our Church and each one of us. We need to find the other, in order to find Him. That is the road. Our divisions alienate us even more from God. It was a blessing that the women from El Timón de Santiago were able to be with us. If we look carefully, we find Christ within them. It was a good idea to invite them and really good that they were able to come. May our Lord Jesus bless our Church which we love so much. PROFOUND MESSAGES, WHICH LEAD US TO REFLECT DIALOGUE SEARCH CHANGE FELLOWSHIP!

13 13 SALE of SECOND-HAND CLOTHES & HAND CRAFTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 as from 14:00 hs SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 as from 10:00 LAFONE HALL, Reconquista 522

14 14 WE PRAY & GIVE THANKS FOR The Anglican Church of Uruguay and our mission to be God s instrument in the midst of our society; our clergy and their families and the workers at each Project and their families. For each person who draws near to a Parish / Mission / Project May we be open to welcome every one of them For the sick, the lonely, the homeless, those who haven t sufficient food We give thanks for the presence of Bishop Ed Konieczny from the Diocese of Oklahoma (TEC) and the Rev Patricio Browne from the Diocese of Chile during our annual assembly, within the XXXIV diocesan Synod. We give thanks for the time of fellowship we enjoyed with our brothers and sisters who travelled from Salto, Rivera and Fray Bentos for the diocesan Synod We receive your news at: elpregoneroiau@gmail.com You ll also find us at: