Youth and Young Adult Trip to El Salvador

July 31 - August 7, 2006

A mission trip is being planned by the Diocese of New Jersey for rising 11th graders through 21 years old. The Companion Diocese Committee and Diocesan Youth Ministry Office are excited to offer a trip for youth and young adults to El Salvador this summer! The trip is July 31 - August 7, 2006 and is open to rising 11th graders through those 21 years of age.

This is a trip to meet and build relationships with other young people from the Anglican Church in El Salvador , engage in some mission work, sightseeing, worship, and play together. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience a wider reality of the church, make friends, and experience life in our companion diocese of El Salvador .

In order to go on the trip, you MUST hold a valid passport and be able to attend a pre-trip meeting Thursday, June 1, 2006. The cost for the trip is $1,100 (includes airfare, lodging, food, and program). Scholarship is available. There is only room for eight youth participants, so not everyone who applies will be invited to attend.

If you (as a youth) are interested, or if you know of any young people in your church who might be interested, please let them know! The trip application can be downloaded at <http://webstudio.netidnow.com/youthministry/el_salvador>. All applications must be received by March 15, 2006!

Please contact Kep at < kshort@newjersey.anglican.org > if you have any questions.
Canon Kep Short, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry
The Rev. Mark Van Sant, Companion Diocese Committee

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With Bishop Desmond Tutu in Haiti

The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Haiti , and The Organization of American States jointly sponsor the new Bishop Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Center , which they dedicated after the Mass at the Cathedrale Sainte Trinite in Port-au-Prince on Sunday (1/12/06). Bishop Tutu was the preacher. (See http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/dedication.jpg). I was in Haiti to represent the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church at this occasion.

The next day, Monday (1/13) I was part of a small group scheduled to go with Bishop Tutu by helicopter to Cap-Haitien, the second largest city in Haiti . Many waited there for him to speak as he had done on Sunday. By 7:30am, we were assembled in the lobby of Hotel Montana, but by 8a were told to expect delays. Demonstrations clogged roads, and the pilot could not reach the helicopter. Leaders of the OAS among us used radios and cellular phones to monitor demonstrations throughout Port-au-Prince . As we waited, some of us moved about the roof and balconies of the hotel, which sits on the top of a tall mountain and commands views of much of the capitol. By 9am we heard a demonstration far below us on one side of the hotel. Then we spotted the demonstrators, at least a mile away.

At 10am we heard louder shouts much nearer, from a different group altogether, down the hill from the front of hotel and moving towards us. Ten minutes later 10 they reached the hotel gate, already firmly shut and surrounded by security officers. Our group moved into the Bishop Tutu's suite and watched from his balcony on the top floor. The demonstrators chanted "Prival! Prival! Prival!"

Reni Prival was by far the most popular candidate in the election for Haiti 's President held six days earlier on February 7th. Like almost everyone in the country, the demonstrators were weary with delays in counting the votes and in discerning the official winner. Rumors were rife that some members of the electoral college do not like Prival and were manipulating the results to prevent his having the 50% plus one vote required to win. Short of that count, Haiti 's constitution demands a second ballot. Leslie Manigat, the next candidate behind Prival garnered only 11.8% of the vote.

The mood of the demonstrators seemed more jubilant than angry. More ominous were the occasional sirens sounded by one of heavy vehicles of the U.N. forces in the middle of the street surrounded by the demonstrators. Thousands of peaceable people crowded into a very small space can all too easily be manipulated by one or more persons with a more volatile agenda. Police and soldiers were ubiquitous, some with rifles and guns. We heard reports that a Jordanian in the U. N. special forces had killed a person in a demonstration near the airport, half an hour from us.

At 11:10am, after an hour, the crowd in front of the hotel had grown to 6,000 or more. Those in the front began to rock the huge gates, farther and farther with each push, until the gates tumbled under the weight and the crowd moved into the large parking and garden areas in front of the hotel. "Prival! Prival! Prival! "Lespwa! Lespwa!" Lespwa is the name of Prival's party and the word "hope" in Creole."

Some of the demonstrators jubilantly hoisted a picture of Prival together with a Haitian flag on one of three flag poles in front of the hotel. Great cheers went up. From the balcony many of us waved and gave thumbs up. Re-living these scenes two days later, I have not been able to remember a time that I was afraid. I wondered whether I misremembered our mood, but pictures developed today show us enjoying the occasion. See especially (http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/watching1.jpg ) It seemed to me that we were witnessing democracy at work.

About twenty minutes after the demonstration had moved into the yard of the hotel, Bishop Tutu went downstairs to a the first level above the entrance and warmly greeted the crowd. (See http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/crowd1.jpg)

"Bonjour!" he shouted.

"Bonjour!" those nearest to him responded.

Most at a distance could not see what was happening. He raised his hands to his ears and with a big smile again said, "Bonjour!"

More joined in responding delightedly, "Bonjour!"

After several such efforts, the crescendo had engaged a large block of the demonstrators, much as he had engaged the country's interim president, interim prime minister, and the entire diplomatic core with his sermon at the cathedral the day before. Bishop Tutu congratulated Haiti on having had a peaceful election. He recalled how important peaceful elections had been in South Africa . He stood in solidarity with the people's desire to have an expeditious conclusion to the elections, and urged the Electoral College to act fairly and promptly.

After Bishop Tutu finished speaking, many of those in the crowd closest to the front of the hotel turned as if to go. Those farther back had not heard him and were not clear what was happening. Some had taken advantage of an opportunity to enjoy the hotel's swimming pool. It seemed that the demonstration was dying down. Bishop Tutu returned to his own balcony waving to the crowds.

Then on the platform where he had spoken to the crowd without amplification, some members of the hotel staff produced a lectern and tested microphones to use with it. Had they not known that Bishop Tutu had finished speaking? Were they anticipating others to speak? Their testing of the microphones caught the attention of those leaving. They stopped, and again the crowds shouted "Prival! Prival! Prival!"

Almost exactly one hour after they had toppled the gate, they entered the hotel. They were not intent on vandalism. Long after they left I could not find examples of any willful destruction. But the sheer force of thousands of people moving into the space produced a mess.

Part of the lobby has no wall separating it from "outside" but tall vegetation. As some of the crowd moved through the vegetation, they found themselves needing to step on a table and a wood chair to get to the floor level as others nudged at their backs. The seat of one wooden chair gave way and the vegetation disappeared. (See the scene before the crowd entered at http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/before.jpg and the chair and table afterward at http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/after.jpg.)

It took several minutes for the crowd to work its way over the huge hotel. They did not try to break into a single room nor vandalize the hallways. We heard knocks at the door of the Bishop Tutu's suite. A security person inside with us connected with a security person watching from outside. The bishop told them to invite a couple of the demonstrators to some in and have a chat with them. Two entered. He greeted them warmly and kindly. They looked like deer in headlights, said nothing, and almost immediately left.

Throughout most of the demonstration, many UN helicopters circled close to the hotel. After the demonstrators left the bishop's suite, he was told that a helicopter had landed on the helipad at the top of the hotel and could take him away to safety. (See the helipad at http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/heliport.jpg.) He explained that he felt quite safe and would stay as originally planned until the next day. No one could claim that unrest had threatened him or frightened him away.

That evening Hotel Montana put under the door of the rooms of those of us staying there a letter saying, "Dear guest, We take this occasion to sincerely thank all our guests for their support, calmness and understanding during today's manifestation. In view of the event, the hotel cancelled its agreement with the United Nations Media Results Center (UNOPS) and they will no longer be renting a conference room at the Hotel Montana."

American Express, spotting that my card had been used at the hotel, called my home machine to say the hoped that I was safe after the activities at the hotel. Likely they also wanted to hear from me if someone else had stolen my card and used it there. American Airlines canceled all flights into and out of Port-au-Prince indefinitely. Bishop Tutu and I made our way out of Haiti on Tuesday as planned, using private air transport.

I am very proud of Haiti , very proud of the strong church leadership there, especially that of Rt. Rev. Jean Zache Duracin, Bishop of Haiti. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. The Diocese of Haiti is behind only Virginia and Texas in the number of its baptized members. The diocese operates many schools and medical facilities. It is one of the few stable institutions in the country, and its priests serve well with often limited resources.

Haiti has been abused again and again by outside exploiters and by a history of dictators. So much hangs in the balance of this election. A major portion of the populace turned out to vote. Pray for peace, for fairness, for good will, and for prosperity in this place.

Louie Crew
Chair of the Newark Deputation.
Member of Executive Council

See additional photographs:
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/waiting.jpg -- some of us touring thehotel when the demonstrators were far off
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/center.jpg -- the Bishop Desmond TutuCenter for Reconciliation and Peace
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/duracin.jpg -- Rt. Rev. Zache Duracin, Bishop of Haiti
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/seminarians.jpg -- Seminarians arrivefor the mass and dedication with the dean, Very Rev. Oge Beauvoir
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/haiti/tutu_crew.jpg -- Bishop Desmond Tutu and Louie Crew

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The Episcopal Immigration and Prison Networks

The text for the Immigration Network is Mathew25:35”...when I was a Stranger You Welcomed me...As You did it to the least of these ... You did it to Me.....” and for the Province 2 Prison Network: Hebrews 13:3 “...Remember those who are in Prison, as though you were in prison with them.”

The Network has tried over the last two years to bring to the attention of our 8 dioceses the plight of those in prison and their families. We have held meetings on Restorative Justice, Re-entry and Family re-integration, Education and Visitation. Our meetings have taken place in Rochester , Albany and New York . The Bishop of New York, Mark Sisk, made a visitation to Sing Sing and met with the Superintendent and Deputy of Programs in November 2005.

One Sunday in Epiphany was declared Justice Sunday, where various issues are prayed over and people formerly incarcerated are invited to come and share their stories. All our Bishops are encouraged to visit a prison once at least once a year, as a sign of our commitment to remember those in prison. In 2006, we are planning to have all our bishops visit in our prisons.

The network discovered that not all people are equipped to visit, but all are called to ministry. Some can pray, while others write and a few can visit. Sending blank cards for people in prison to write to their families is another ministry. We pray for support and encouragement.

The Episcopal Immigration Network opened the first volunteer office in the Church of Ascension , Mount Vernon , Diocese of New York. After a year of intense training in a partnership with CAFS, Caribbean American Family Service, on Saturday, January 28, 2006 a group of clergy and volunteers gathered to pray and dedicate the space for welcoming strangers. Every Wednesday at 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm trained and certified volunteers will be available to help undocumented immigrants.

 The second class of volunteers has already started at St. Luke's in the Bronx . On February 4th. from 9:00am-3:00pm the Network, together Jubilee Interfaith, Lutheran Immigration office and Catholic Charities, brought together thirty-seven people for a day of prayer, reflection and training  on issues which affect all of us in Province II. The group watched the video " Dying to Live " about the lives of immigrants who risk all to come here. 

During lunch we heard from those whose ministry is based at  Elizabeth Detention Center , which houses all immigrants whose cases have not been adjudicated. They are forced to serve time, even though they have not committed a crime. At the end of the day we closed with a dedication ceremony of commitment. The participants wrote their names, the date, and what projects they would undertake back in their own parishes. The number one issue is House bill HR4437, which has passed the house and is on its way to the senate. All those gathered were asked to call, write or make visitations to their Senators in support of the Mcain/Kennedy bill.

Petero Sabune
e-mail: psabune@yahoo.com

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Transforming Vision into Action: A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

On Saturday, March 4, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine will be setting for a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW). Sponsored by Anglican Women's Empowerment (AWE), this program and panel discussion, scheduled from 3 to 5 pm, features women from across the Anglican Communion sharing hopes and concerns for a world in which Christian faith calls them to action. This event is free and open to the public.

The 2006 UNCSW meeting is focused on how well - or how poorly - member countries are doing with regard to gender equality, the advancement of women in the fields of education, health, and work, as well as the increased participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels. Panel moderator Abagail Nelson, vice president, Episcopal Relief and Development, will lead panelists in a discussion of what is happening in their countries, what they feel is important, what actions are making a difference, and what still needs to be done. Following the panel discussion, the audience will be asked to consider what we, as people of faith, can do to transform vision into action.

"Working together, Anglican women delegates to the UNCSW are raising their voices in support for women's education and development, to combat hunger, poverty, and the spread of AIDS, and to work for equal opportunity," said Margaret Rose, Director for Women's Ministries, Episcopal Church. "This event provides an opportunity for Episcopal women and men to listen to and learn from the experiences of our Anglican sisters and to strategize together for women's empowerment throughout the Communion."

Featured guests include Angela King, former UN Assistant Secretary General and Special Advisor on Gender Issues; Jenny Te Paa, UNCSW delegate from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa , New Zealand , and Polynesia ; and musician Ana Hernandez.

Organized by AWE, this 'Main Event' is part of a larger program for the Anglican and Episcopal delegates to the UNCSW meeting. This annual meeting, held at UN headquarters in New York City and nearby locations, begins on February 24 and continues through March 8. Under the auspices of the Office of Women's Ministries of the Episcopal Church and the Office on the Anglican Observer to the UN, Anglican and Episcopal delegates have attended this annual event for the past three years. The 2006 event will be the largest gathering of women from around the Communion to date with 96 women representing 37 provinces of the Anglican Communion.

Anglican Women's Empowerment (AWE) was formed in 2003 under the leadership of Phoebe Griswold to provide direct assistance to the Anglican Consultative Council Office at the United Nations (ACCUNO) for Anglican women's participation at United Nations' activities, especially the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. AWE recently produced the film and study guide, "Shall We Gather: Anglican Women Together" which will be distributed to congregations by the Office of Anglican and Global Relations for use on World Mission Sunday.

For additional information contact Kim Robey at krobey@episcopalchurch.org or visit http://www.episcopalchurch.org/uncsw.htm

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