A Thanksgiving Letter To You For Our Brothers And Sisters In Christ In HondurasNovember 9, 2016 • Gregory O. Brewer  • REACHING OUT

honduras-symbolDear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For more than four decades, the Diocese of Central Florida’s companion relationship with the Diocese of Honduras has helped Episcopalians in both countries do the work that Jesus summons us to perform. It fills me with great joy to witness how this partnership grows stronger year by year through mission trips, participation in each other’s diocesan conventions, fair trade opportunities, fellowship, and prayer.

Our 2017 Diocesan Convention will focus on the transformative power of international mission with a theme of “Forming Partnerships for the Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20). Our deep-rooted connection to the Diocese of Honduras serves as a primary example of us heeding God’s call to share the gospel of Jesus and to be an active participant in the wider global communion. There is no doubt that our engagement in Honduras has fostered discipleship, faithfulness, and great strides toward self-sufficiency. Likewise, those from our diocese who have opened their hearts and hands to service in Honduras have experienced their lives and faiths enriched in immeasurable ways.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Wes Dubic. Children were at one of the churches he visited in Honduras in May 2016. Dubic represented the Diocese of Central Florida at the Diocese of Honduras Convention.

Historically, the churches in the Diocese of Central Florida earmark their Thanksgiving offering each year to be used for mission in the Diocese of Honduras. This year, the Honduras Commission has determined that the most pressing need is to alleviate the situation they are currently facing within the diocese, specifically with Migrants and Migrant returnees.

The goal of the program is to develop a pilot plan where migrants returning under the interior repatriation process will be welcomed back home and given a place to stay where he or she may shower and have a meal of some sort. This ensures returning migrants are treated with humane dignity.

In this time of Thanksgiving, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all he has provided by offering financial assistance to our dear friends in our companion diocese. Your generosity will be a blessing for generations to come.

Grace to you,

Bishop Gregory O. Brewer

Want to hear more from Bishop Brewer? Visit his blog.