El Salvador Day Three

This morning we met with Bishop Fabio Colindres, the Roman Catholic Bishop who serves as Military Ordinariate of El Salvador along with Raul Mijango, an ex-guerrilla and former congressman. Bishop Barahona hosted this meeting at the Anglican Cathedral in San Salvador. In addition to our group, Noah Bullock, Executive Director of Foundation Cristosal and Olivia Amadon, Trips Coordinator for Foundation Cristosal, Lynette Wilson, Episcopal News Service Editor and Reporter and Jose Lopez, an attorney who works with Bishop Barahona at the Diocese of El Salvador were there.

Bishop Colindres and Mr. Mijango shared some sobering statistics: there are 20 jails in El Salvador with a capacity of 8,500, but currently over 26,000 are housed there. The Bishop then shared why he was interested in this work: -- searching for the well-being of the community, human rights and peace. Mr. Mijango and Bishop Colindres started working together in the prisons, and they knew it would be tough. The Bishop started working with gangs to stop violence -- 14 people were dying every day in El Salvador before 14 months ago, which made El Salvador at that time the second most violent country in the world. Now, 14 months after the truce, there are 5.6 deaths per day -- making El Salvador in the 40's for death rates.

What happened? Reconciliation. How? Two months of intense work by these two men. What did they get the gangs to agree to?
1. stop aggressiveness between gangs
2. stop crimination activities such as kidnapping, rape, robbery, extortion
3. voluntarily give up weapons
4. allow people to move around safely in communities
5. add their social organization to contribute to local development.

Since January 2012 when the truce was reached, there are now 9 municipalities that were most violent in El Salvador that have reduced violence.

How did they do this? The gang members trusted these two men, and wanted a new life. Why did the gang members choose to change? -- to both these reconcilers, the gang members saw the writing on the wall so to speak, and knew things had to change or the country was headed into another civil war. They want the opportunity to leave the life they have lead, but need opportunities to do so. For the most part, gang members have come from the poorest of circumstances, raised in violent situations of all kinds.

As Mr. Mijango clearly stated, "We need the hand of God to help us. The purpose of this effort is to change hearts and minds, and this is not possible with only the action of humans."

The greatest work has to be done with the community previously victimized by gang members. How do we trust them? It is hard to trust someone who has hurt you. Yet, it is the gospel message to forgive when one repents. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, and will continue to unfold in the months and years ahead.

Other churches, such as the Anglican Diocese of El Salvador have joined this effort, and support it fully. Bishop Barahona spoke eloquently about his own diocese's efforts, and his support of the work of Bp. Colindres and Mr. Mijango.

One statement that was made was that gangs did not exist in El Salvador until Los Angeles gang members were deported back to El Salvador. Jose Lopez stated that the gangs could not have taken root in El Salvador unless there was fertile soil here to plant them. There is poverty and other social issues that lead to fertilizing the soil for all sorts of social ills. Bishop Colindres and Mr. Mijango are trying to do something about this -- by talking about reconciliation and new life. By trying to stem the tide, along with other religious institutions in the country, of poverty and need. They believe in the gospel message of Jesus Christ -- reconciliation and and love.

Our own Rev. Julie Bryant asked, "what steps are you taking to keep another leadership from emerging to split the gangs and what, if any, people are emerging to become another gang?" Mr. Mijango answered her question this way: "the historical leadership knows the opportunity they are being given -- they are spreading this new good work. The good thing about the historical leadership is that the new leadership that is coming up are following this good path -- the leaders of the group are the future (good) leaders of the community."

This was one of the most powerful meetings I have had the privilege to attend, and I was honored to be there and hear about the amazing work of these two men. Reconciliation -- it is very difficult work, and it's not over in El Salvador.

I wrote pages and pages in my journal while I attended the meeting. I have chosen to give an overview here, and there are many aspects of the conversation I have left out. I apologize for that, but I wanted to bring the highlights here. Please do NOT respond with your political point of view on this blog -- this blog is simply to report mission and ministry -- and gang members need the love of God in Christ as much as anyone -- maybe more. Bishop Barahona said that we are ALL children of God-- and we need to remember that, and treat each other accordingly. This is difficult work, and it is being attended to in El Salvador.

After we left the meeting, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed to Cielo Mar, a center on the ocean owned by the Diocese of El Salvador. I leave you with some images from the rest of the meeting and images of Cielo Mar.






















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Location:San Salvador and Cielo Mar

El Salvador Day Two

At 7:00am we were in the van heading to Maizal. Fr. Mario met us there and gave us an introduction to Maizal, the people and the work that goes into that community. This included the history of the purchase of the lands, the building of the community of 30 homes (10 of which were built by contributions from congregations in the Diocese of Los Angeles), and the building up agriculture and attention to health issue there.






When Fr. Mario began speaking to us about the sewing cooperative at Maizal (started with our own Shelley Denney's donation of her sewing
machine), the ladies brought out some of their wares. Of course, I had to buy some! These are so pretty, and so reasonably priced. I was amazed at the women -- they wanted to learn to sew clothing for their families to save money, and the by product are these "bolsas" -- purses -- which were lovely.




Alfredo Lopez, about to be ordained Deacon (this Friday), gave us an introduction to the mission and ministry of Maizal. Alfredo and his brother Antonio, also a seminarian about to be ordained, have been at Maizal for a long time. We reviewed a map of the area, and what is located where on the property. Especially noted was the large water tank -- imperative for this area.


Thomas Wilson then spoke about the commitment he and his wife Diane have made in coming here from Western Massachusetts -- not speaking Spanish. They acclimated quickly, and have become a great resource for Maizal. They are working to make Maizal a place where groups, especially seminary groups, can come and have a unique ministry experience in a beautiful part of the world. They spoke about their home there, how they have found a special filter for their water -- and about making that a viable option for others in the community -- and also about life in El Salvador. I found them to be delightful, unassuming, and very friendly. They have a passion for this work, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- and it is contagious!


Antonio Cabeza, 78, has been working hear and coordinating the program for years -- he offered passionate testimony to the work of ERD, Cristosal, the Diocese of Los Angeles, etc. He was very animated and passionate in his speaking with us, and was happy to go with us later on our walk of the property. You can tell that Antonio loves Maizal, the work there, the people there -- and is very dedicated to this community.




We then started on our tour of the community and grounds. First stop: the POOL! Of special note is that our own J. Jon Bruno donated the money to build the pool, which has made a tremendous difference in the kind of hospitality that can be offered at El Maizal. When groups come to do work projects, they spend a number of hours working in the fields in the hot sun. The pool offers an opportunity to "cool down". I can tell you even though I was told it was not TOO hot today, it was HOT! I would have loved to have had a dip in the pool, but was not equipped to do so at the moment. I was so proud to be part of the Diocese of Los Angeles and to see this gift that was given, which gives refreshment to those who use it.




Nelson Carranza then walked us through the Iglesia Episcopal Anglicana del El Salvador Programa Nacional de Salud Integral, which offers agricultural education, the goal of which is to teach/ensure: Food security, conservation, combat malnutrition and join people in working together towards these goals. Right now over 110 people directly benefit in 7 communities (including 40 women and 60 youth), and 550 people indirectly benefit. There at Maizal they produce corn (hence MAIZal), sorgum, red beans, "arroz Centa", soy beans and achote.

We also learned that there are medicinal herbs that are grown at Maizal, and were given an opportunity to talk with some of the women who are doing this work. Everything from Oregano to verbena to ginger and more. The benefits from the herbs are well known and used in the community, and some are frequently used as additives to soup.

We passed by the medical clinic with Dr. Daniela comes every two weeks to work with members of the community and deal with health issues. Thomas and Dianne Wilson, missionaries living at Maizal from Western Massachusetts through TEC help reinforce teachings and issues raised in the clinic with the community in between Dr. Daniela's visits.




We walked through the community consisting of 30 houses -- 10 of which were built with funds collected from congregations in the Diocese of Los Angeles. I remember raising money for part of one of the houses years ago -- how amazing to see the fruit of that fundraising! I loved seeing the chickens, which provide eggs for the families.




We also walked through part of the gardens and saw pineapple growing as well as mangos. Don Antonio loved talking about the conservation efforts being made, the use of land, the kind of trees planted (some for wood -- eucalyptus, teak) as well as the fruit trees. Don Antonio became so animated talking about how the land was purchased and when, and how the orchards and forests that are there now (which were planted) hadn't existed before.





Among my favorite moments was going to the school. The children were amazing -- so smart, so eager, so engaging. I posted two videos on facebook -- one of Julia Bryant asking the children to recite their ABCs, the other where Julie taught the children how to sing and sign "Father we adore you, lay our lives before you, how we love you" -- they were SO cute! The teachers were smiling. Later, after lunch, one of the students home from school (her mom is one of the amazing chefs in the kitchen at Maizal) read to me out of her schoolbook -- with great confidence -- beautifully!




We then took a walk through the orchards and headed on back to the main building. We cooled off a bit (it was HOT!) and the chefs made us a wonderful lunch of chicken, rice and salad. I loved the rice so much I asked them how they made it -- I found out it is simple, but delicious: carrots, onion and consume -- I took a picture of one of the chefs holding the ingredients (except the rice, of course!).




We then headed over to the obelisk that was donated by Cristosal as well as over to the church. Our own George Woodward was one of the donors of the obelisk!




The church is simple but so beautiful! I spotted an iguana inside -- it is the type of iguana that can "walk on water". We spent time talking with our new friends (or in some cases, old friends). It was so great to be there, to see mission and ministry in action in an exciting way and to catch their enthusiasm.

We then went to Valle de Bella and Lake Catepeque -- just to stop and see, and returned to San Salvador.




This has been a quite amazing day! I'll end my wandering and wondering with a few more pictures:












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Location:Maizal

El Salvador Day 1

After leaving LAX at 1:30 in the morning, we arrived safely in El Salvador --we being the Rev. Cn. George Woodward III, the Rev. Shelley Denny, the Rev. Julie Bryant -- and me.
What a wonderful sense of hospitality here -- ever since we set foot in El Salvador, we've been actively cared for. Strangers have been kind and hospitable to us as well -- what a mirror of the love of God in Christ!




After a brief rest we were driven to the Diocesan Headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of El Salvador. There, we met with and had lunch with clergy and the Bishop, Martin Barahona. Lunch was delicious -- prepared with love for us.








We talked with the clergy and the Bishop -- we went over the agenda for the




week. Shelley, George and Julia renewed old friendships, and we all made




new ones.
I spent time with Bishop Barahona in his office -- we talked and shared about our various ministries. This first day was amazing -- our little group is VERY tired, but exhilarated at the thought of the meetings in the days to come. We're off to an early dinner an turning in early as well -- we're being picked up at 7:00 am to head to El Maizal for the day. I'll try to post daily pictures of our trip -- and keep you posted on the wanderings and wonderings of this journey.




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Location:San Salvador

Fearless Church Fundraising

I started (and finished!) the new book FEARLESS CHURCH FUNDRAISING:
The Practical and Spiritual Approach to Fundraising by Charles LaFond while flying today to the East Coast for the Church Pension Group Board meeting.

Two words: BUY IT!

Two more words: USE IT!

It is the most comprehensive, helpful stewardship resource I have read in years. Charles LaFond -- fundraiser/monk/priest not only tackles the obstacles to giving well, but provides step by step how-to's for successful annual campaigns as well as planned giving and capital campaigns. I kept on wanting to shout YES! to every page I read (which I know would have bothered the people sitting around me on the plane) -- it is that good. Not only does he capture eloquently what I've been preaching and practicing for years, he adds to it with not only a practical approach to stewardship, but outlines for christian education and adult forums.

Everything from calendar for planning to vision and mission development to stewardship with youth -- it's all here, and it's under 220 pages long.

It's not rocket science, it's the Gospel. Charles lays it all out well.

This has been perhaps the best, most practical time spent on a plane that I've had in years!






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Location:On the plane from Santa Ana to Newark

Called to the Wall

 We started out, just as we had last year. Some came from as far as Trinity in Santa Barbara. The farthest came from Minnesota and New York.

People gathered at MacArthur Park where the first few stations were read. Prayers were prayed. The caravan began.

At Messiah in Santa Ana, more gathered. the pilgrimage continued with more stations, more prayers. Palms were added to the truck carrying the Salvador del Mundo -- an image of Jesus which made its way up from El Salvador, along the pilgrim trail, across the Mexican border, and ended up at Trinity
Episcopal Church on Melrose.  Those gathered for this event continued on to Chula Vista, St. John's Church. More people were gathered there. More stations, more prayers. The Salvador del Mundo traveled us, leading us down the freeway. People gawked, pointed, took pictures, prayed. It was quite a site -- this 6 foot statue of Jesus standing upright in the back of a pick up truck, leading a group of pilgrims to the border.

At St. John's in Chula Vista we were given simple sandwiches to eat and water to drink.More stations read, more prayers offered. We then started down the road to the border.

At the parking lot, we gathered. A large cross was carried by members of our pilgrim team, a smaller was carried as well. As we got to the beach, we stopped for more stations and prayers. We were walking our "Via Crucis" -- the way of the cross.

I remember last year walking along the beach in my chasuble and miter -- it was so hot! This year I wore only a simple alb and stole -- it was still so very warm. I thought about the people who have crossed the border, walking miles and miles -- not the 2 mile distance I had to traverse -- they with little or no water. Although my joints were killing me, I kept on. I knew this was my feeling the pain of others who have made this trek.

We stopped before we were to climb the short hill to reach the border wall -- and said the last stations, and offered more prayers. The waters of the Pacific on our right side, ahead of us a large fence that went down and into the ocean.

At the border, we celebrated the Eucharist -- on both sides at the same time. It was chaotic -- and wonderful. It was life-giving.
Celebrating the Eucharist this affirmed for me that nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.

On the other side -- and here is a picture of that side looking over towards the side we were on -- Mariachis sang with and for us all.

After the service, we all joined one another at the fence. People asked us to bless them, and they blessed us. I blessed a little girl, Liliana -- and she blessed me. It made me cry.

Tears of love, tears of sorrow were shed by many. Just as people shed tears for Jesus.

This was a very powerful Via Crucis. And we intend to repeat this Way of the Cross next year. I invite you to join us!

House of Bishops

Well, here we are at the House of Bishops meeting in North Carolina. It is good to be with my brother and sister Bishops from every diocese in the Episcopal Church! I hear people ask "why do the Bishops get together twice a year?" After 3 years (this will be my 7th House of Bishops meeting) I truly understand why.

One of the things I have learned as Bishop is that our lives are very different than when we were serving as priests. In my congregation in San Clemente I knew everyone -- I could tell just by the way they were walking up the walkway on a Sunday morning whether or not there was something going on in their lives. That's what happens when you spend time with people week after week, day in and day out -- you know them, and they know you. I knew what to expect every Sunday from the Altar Guild, musicians and altar servers. I knew the community around us, and addressed issues that needed to be addressed within and around our parish community.

The other wonderful gift of being a parish priest is having a support group of fellow priests to meet with monthly -- it was a time to reflect on ministry, talk about our challenges and laugh and cry together. It is where I found sustenance for my work as a parish priest. That, and monthly meeting with my spiritual director!

Being a parish priest meant that, per my contract, I was to attend two weeks of continuing education each year. I so enjoyed these weeks -- refreshing/renewing my skill set in a seminary setting with my peers. This is a great gift that the congregations give clergy!

As a bishop, my life is not the same. Every Sunday is a "surprise" -- meeting new people, being in new spaces, celebrating at new altars. I don't know everyone as I did as a parish priest. I can't always read them the way I could read the members of my congregation. Every Sunday feels like a "first Sunday" in a parish -- those first Sunday's we spend in a new cure as clergy. This means the energy we expend as Bishops is greater -- any deacon or priest will back me up when I say that your first day(s) in a parish are exhausting -- and exhilarating! It is the same for a bishop when we do a visitation -- it is a first day. While I love it -- and I do love it -- it takes getting used to.

I am blessed to be serving with two amazing bishops in this Diocese -- Jon and Mary -- we serve as support for one another. Many bishops who are "alone" in their dioceses don't have the same kind of "support group" that we have in Los Angeles. Many live too far away from each other to form a regular support group -- the House of Bishops helps make that happen. Twice a year, we come together at round tables. We are assigned to these tables at the beginning of the triennium and remain with this small group for the three years between General Conventions. I was blessed during this last triennium to have been seated with a wonderful group of bishops, and I'm looking forward to being with my new group beginning with this meeting of the House.

But what to do about continuing education as a bishop? I have been told by some clergy that it would be intimidating for them if a Bishop took a continuing education class at seminary with them. Frankly I've never thought of myself as intimidating -- but I can kind of see their point. "We wouldn't be able to express ourselves freely" one clergy person told me. Hmmm.
As a Bishop my two continuing education weeks ARE the House of Bishops meetings. The House of Bishops in the two weeks we come together each year provides a learning opportunity not only from guest speakers who present to us on topics related to the theme of the meeting, but also from members of the House of Bishops themselves. Some of our greatest learning is learning from each other -- the sharing in this regard has been very powerful, and the learning deep and meaningful.

This House of Bishops meeting at Kanuga is focused on Godly Leadership in the Face of Loss. We will listen to and talk about gun violence, ...........and our own Jon Bruno will address the House on personal loss.

Friends in Christ, the House of Bishops is an opportunity for your Bishops to reflect with one another on the peculiarities of this calling and work. Our time together is relatively short and precious, and it has helped build strong relationships between diocese, which strengthens the Bishops our Church.
I look forward to being back in Los Angeles, renewed from being with my brothers and sisters. I wonder when I wander back to Los Angeles what new insights I'll bring back. I'll keep you informed!
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Location:Kanuga Conference Center, North Carolina

Of Starbucks and Converts

To all -- I meant to post this when I returned from the Church Pension Fund Board meeting, but fell behind. Here it is now --
It was one of those moments where I leaned forward and watched the screen carefully.
Here I was, on a plane flying back from my first Church Pension Fund Board Meeting. I was tired (being a trustee is a great deal of work, but it is very satisfying). I started watching "On Demand" television -- the UNDERCOVER MARATHON on USA -- Law and Order SVU and NCIS -- my two favorites. Whoo Hoo! What a nice way to travel back home on a night flight. I sat back, pulled out this iPad to work on a file and listen to/watch the shows.
Well, there are commercials. "No problem," I thought to myself. I haven't watched much TV lately (except for Downton Abbey), and definitely not TV with commercials. I lowered my eyes and worked on my file when the commercial started. I wasn't paying attention to it, I was working. Then it happened -- I heard the new STARBUCKS commercial -- something about it made my eyes look at the screen. It is the commercial for the new Starbucks Blonde coffee. Have you seen it? There is a young person introducing the viewer to the coffee. She talked about this being a milder coffee, and it's drawing new people to Starbucks.
At the end, the message was something along the lines of "if you've never tried us, or tried us before and didn't like us, come back". And then the real ending: "converts wanted".
Converts wanted. Starbucks. The Episcopal Church has much to offer those who have tried Christianity in other forms but found it lacking. Our arms are wide enough to embrace all -- indeed, that is exactly what drew me to this church. I was once a "convert" to the Episcopal Church, and happily so.
The Episcopal Church -- Converts wanted. Try us out. You'll like us!
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Location:Flying somewhere between New Jersey and Orange County