The Friends of Esquipulas held its annual retreat and business meeting in September. It was an inspiring and renewing time to reconnect. It felt especially wonderful to be together in person, in the St. William space where this group has wrestled with challenging issues in the past.
For those of you who couldn’t be with us we wanted you to know we are exploring ways to get funds to Esquipulas in the face of government restrictions and other challenges. We offer the following "update and statement" that we used at the retreat to summarize our current situation and our view of the future. We hope it captures our perspective on both our concerns and our reasons to be hopeful.
And we are thankful for each one of you!
Diana Pantalos
Friends of Esquipulas Board
For those of you who couldn’t be with us we wanted you to know we are exploring ways to get funds to Esquipulas in the face of government restrictions and other challenges. We offer the following "update and statement" that we used at the retreat to summarize our current situation and our view of the future. We hope it captures our perspective on both our concerns and our reasons to be hopeful.
And we are thankful for each one of you!
Diana Pantalos
Friends of Esquipulas Board
Friends of Esquipulas Update and Statement
September 2022
Purpose:
Summary of current state of affairs, to anchor group at time of great uncertainty
To support members of group at a time that might be upsetting or worrisome.
To provide a framework for communication with others.
Situation
The political upheaval and repression in Nicaragua are forcing changes in our interactions with the committee in Esquipulas, and raising emotions of concern for our friends and the future.
*From our Sister Parish Prayer
*O God,
Our Father and Mother,
Place your hands on us,
Our communities of
St. William and
Our Lord of Esquipulas.
Uncertainties
There are plenty of concerns to worry about:
How do we operate to minimize government scrutiny of our relationship and our friends as individuals?
How will we continue to send financial support? (What avenue, frequency, fees, accountability) What will happen if the money can’t get through?
How does this impact the functioning of our organization including fundraising?
What will happen to our relationship?
Our Response
We could speculate on the worst and best scenarios for each the uncertainties we face.
Beyond our feelings of concern for our friends, we could unleash emotions of anger, fear, anxiety, and pessimistic predictions of collapse ……..
That is when we are called back to the fundamental basis of what we are about: relationship. Our commitment to a prayerful relationship will not change, even in the worst-case scenario.
*Through the waters of Baptism
You have brought us together,
To live in solidarity and friendship.
Moving Forward
For now, plants are still growing. They have the tools, knowledge, and passion to continue…
They are accustomed to uncertainty, and adapting to adversity.
They are working around the ban on gathering in groups by meeting with individuals.
*Help us to share our prayers
with each other
As we receive your grace
In so many blessings.
They will lead with their resilience.
They are coping and we can too.
Put our energy into creative ways to support our friends, whatever that looks like.
Stay focused as we learn and journey together.
*Give us all, we pray,
The peace of your resurrection
As we continue
Our journey together
To bring
The reign of God to this earth.
Amen
September 2022
Purpose:
Summary of current state of affairs, to anchor group at time of great uncertainty
To support members of group at a time that might be upsetting or worrisome.
To provide a framework for communication with others.
Situation
The political upheaval and repression in Nicaragua are forcing changes in our interactions with the committee in Esquipulas, and raising emotions of concern for our friends and the future.
*From our Sister Parish Prayer
*O God,
Our Father and Mother,
Place your hands on us,
Our communities of
St. William and
Our Lord of Esquipulas.
Uncertainties
There are plenty of concerns to worry about:
How do we operate to minimize government scrutiny of our relationship and our friends as individuals?
How will we continue to send financial support? (What avenue, frequency, fees, accountability) What will happen if the money can’t get through?
How does this impact the functioning of our organization including fundraising?
What will happen to our relationship?
Our Response
We could speculate on the worst and best scenarios for each the uncertainties we face.
Beyond our feelings of concern for our friends, we could unleash emotions of anger, fear, anxiety, and pessimistic predictions of collapse ……..
That is when we are called back to the fundamental basis of what we are about: relationship. Our commitment to a prayerful relationship will not change, even in the worst-case scenario.
*Through the waters of Baptism
You have brought us together,
To live in solidarity and friendship.
Moving Forward
For now, plants are still growing. They have the tools, knowledge, and passion to continue…
They are accustomed to uncertainty, and adapting to adversity.
They are working around the ban on gathering in groups by meeting with individuals.
*Help us to share our prayers
with each other
As we receive your grace
In so many blessings.
They will lead with their resilience.
They are coping and we can too.
Put our energy into creative ways to support our friends, whatever that looks like.
Stay focused as we learn and journey together.
*Give us all, we pray,
The peace of your resurrection
As we continue
Our journey together
To bring
The reign of God to this earth.
Amen
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