Honduras Commission builds North-South ties
Posted May 15th, 2010
The first two Saturdays in March, the diocesan Honduras Commission held a GO! Conference in the north and south limits of the diocese in order to support the diocesan resolution that called for parishes to undertake short-term mission trips.
The conference was designed to show that it is possible for any parish to do effective mission ministry in Honduras.
The Honduras Commission exists to support mission and ministry between the Diocese of Central Florida and the Diocese of Honduras. We currently do that most actively through the support and development of parish-to-parish relationships and short term missions.
Bishop Lloyd Allen was on hand both Saturdays to share his heart and vision for the Diocese of Honduras as he encouraged our diocese to “walk with him as he struggles to walk his diocese away from the legacy of dependency.” Presentations given by members of the Honduras Commission showed a sampling of the variety of experiences had by a number of Central Florida diocesan parishes, from parish to parish relationships, to youth missions and medical/vet missions, to ministry at El Hogar, to vision casting through a Pilgrimage with Deacon Kathy Pennybacker, Central Florida’s Canon to Honduras. Time and again the life-changing value of short-term missions were expressed, both for the traveling teams and for the sending parishes.
The following are some of the responses received from the attendees when asked “What was the most helpful thing you will take away from the GO! Conference?”
+ Insight into what choices exist - defused the mystery of how to proceed.
+ It is doable!! It is easy if one goes through the Honduras Commission!!
+ I realized the importance of serving to empower for self-sustainability, instead of just serving to help.
+ Anyone can participate. It is no longer a Santa Claus mission.
+ It really helped to understand the Bishop's vision and how our teams are or could be working to help fulfill his vision as the vision of the church.
+ A single take away is that "it can be done".
+ To learn that the CF diocese is actively involved and my parish doesn't have to 're-invent the wheel' in planning a trip The Diocese of Central Florida Honduras Commission meets the third Thursday of each month, at the diocesan house at noon. Members come from all our deaneries and are readily available to assist parishes to begin the process of developing shortterm mission ministry in Honduras.
A great way for a parish to ‘test the waters’ is to make the Advent Pilgrimage with Canon Kathy Pennybacker, which is scheduled for December 10 – 18, 2010. Please contact Canon Pennybacker or the Honduras Commission for more information.
Submitted by the Honduras Commission.
