Two new photos from Bishop Griselda

IGLESIA EPISCOPAL DE CUBA
DIOCESIS ANGLICANA
                                  EXCMA. MARÍA  GRISELDA DELGADO DEL CARPIO

                   (PDF for download) La Habana, 19 de Marzo del 2020                                         
San José, Carpintero y Padre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo
 
Desde la oficina de la Obispa:
 
¡Invocamos la paz en el Espíritu!
 
Estamos viviendo días de gran preocupación y creciente ansiedad, días en los que la fragilidad humana y la vulnerabilidad de la supuesta seguridad en la tecnología se ven socavadas en todo el mundo por el Coronavirus (COVID-19), que doblega: TODAS LAS REALIDADES MAS SIGINIFICATIVAS DE NUESTRA COTIDIANIDAD COMO LA SALUD… la economía, el trabajo, los viajes, el turismo, el deporte e incluso el culto, y su contagio también limita en gran medida la libertad de espacio y de movimiento.
 
La cercanía de nuestra Iglesia Episcopal como comunidad eclesial, está llamada a expresarse en una palabra de aliento, comprensión, consuelo, y aquellos gestos de solidaridad que desde donde nos encontremos estamos llamados a realizar. Por eso nuestro pensamiento y oración deben estar dirigidos a los países más afectados, a los que sufren el contagio de la COVID-19, a las víctimas y sus familias, así como a todos los trabajadores de la salud, que se comprometen en la primera línea de batalla para detener el contagio, y evitar el riesgo para la salud pública y el creciente temor que esta epidemia en expansión está generando.
 
Encomendamos también el trabajo de todas las estructuras y organizaciones sanitarias nacionales e internacionales, para que sigan ofreciendo la asistencia necesaria a las personas y poblaciones, y así pongan en práctica todas las medidas indispensables para encontrar una solución a la nueva epidemia. En esta ocasión, palpamos la solidaridad de los jefes de estado con los países más afectados, donando productos médicos y sanitarios y ayuda financiera.
 
Esperamos que todos puedan continuar con esta obra de ayuda, porque ante una emergencia como esta muchas naciones, especialmente las que tienen sistemas sanitarios débiles, se verán desbordadas por los efectos del virus y quizás no podrán hacer frente a las demandas de cura y proximidad a sus naciones.
 
Este momento de gran necesidad, nos invita a fortalecer la solidaridad, valor que necesita ser encarnado. Para cada persona, creyente o no creyente, es un tiempo propicio para comprender el valor de la fraternidad, de estar unidos unos a otros de manera indisoluble; un tiempo en el que, en el horizonte de la fe, el valor de la solidaridad, que brota del amor sacrificado por los demás, “nos ayuda a ver al “otro” -persona, pueblo o Nación- no como un instrumento cualquiera  sino como nuestro “semejante”, un “auxilio” (cf. Gn 2,18.20). Pensemos en el vecino, el compañero de oficina, el amigo de la escuela, pero sobre todo en los médicos y enfermeros que se arriesgan a la contaminación e infección para salvar a los enfermos. Estos trabajadores viven y nos muestran el significado del misterio de la Pascua: entrega y servicio.
 
Oremos en este tiempo de cuaresma a Dios Padre para que aumente nuestra fe, la enfermedad no conoce límites ni color de piel; habla en cambio, el mismo idioma. Cultivemos la “Sabiduría del Corazón”: que es una “actitud infundida por el Espíritu Santo” en aquellos que saben abrirse al sufrimiento de sus hermanos y hermanas y reconocer en ellos la imagen de Dios. Así, podemos afirmar, como Job, “Era yo los ojos del ciego, y del cojo los pies” (Jb 29:15).
 
De esta manera podremos servir a los que sufren, acompañarlos de la mejor manera posible y ser solidarios con los necesitados sin juzgarlos.
 
Teniendo en cuenta las circunstancias de la situación epidemiológica a nivel mundial, y de la que nuestro país no está exento, la oficina Diocesana en estos próximos quince días sólo estará disponible en momentos puntuales que requieran nuestro servicio. Toda actividad o reunión quedan suspendidas hasta próximo aviso.
 
Los espacios de celebración litúrgica según los lugares y circunstancias, los Arcedianos responsablemente valoren la posibilidad de recesar por este espacio de tiempo.
Estén atentos a las próximas medidas que se adopten y que se darán conocer en el tiempo debido.
Es necesario adoptar medidas de seguridad para el bien común. Es tiempo de dar un SI por la vida, no exponerla o jugar a perderla.
 
Con la certeza de que Dios cuida de nosotros, continuemos unidos en la oración y el deseo de bien de nuestro corazón para con nuestro pueblo y el mundo.
 
                                                En el amor de Cristo Jesús,    
                                                                                                + María Griselda Delgado del Carpio
                                                                                                            Obispa Diocesana      

CALLE 6 No. 273, VEDADO, HABANA, CUBA                                            
E-mail: episcopal@enet.cu
OFICINA: (53 7) 832-1120                                                                                               griselda@enet.cu
RESIDENCIA: (53 7) 833-8003                                                               
FAX: (53 7) 834 3293                          

Patronal Celebrations
A number of exciting activities marked the patronal celebration for St. Paul's, Sea Cow's Bay.  Among them was the presentation of the St. Paul Commendation Star Award, the highest honour which the mission congregation can bestow on lay persons. The recipients are brother and sister, Varrisse Hodge and Beverly Hodge Smith, who have both served St. Paul's for more than 40 years, including as members of the Bishop's Committee and as Senior Warden.  Beverly is the current Senior Warden and has worked tirelessly to get the church building, hall, and vicarage repaired after they were damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria. In the days immediately after Irma, the two siblings took the initiative to lead efforts to recover some of the furniture, vestments, and books which had been blown outside and to do what was necessary to reduce further damage from the persistent rain. Beverly was such a constant presence in the aftermath of the hurricanes that vicar, Rev. Sandra Walters Malone, nicknamed her "Paula". 
 
The awards were presented by Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs during a service to close a week of celebrations.  During the service, the congregation also made its annual presentation to the Family Support Network and to the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly. (The congregation was recently recognized for 30 years of support to the FSN, a non-profit agency which supports persons affected by domestic violence or who are otherwise in need of assistance.)  During the service, the bishop commended the congregation for its outreach, noting that it was doing far more than its size would suggest. Manager of the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly, Mrs. Ritzia Turnbull-Smith, described St. Paul's as a "small congregation with a big heart", while FSN representative, Mrs. Wendy Charles, expressed the agency's appreciation for the many years of faithful support.  The bishop also used the opportunity to commission members of the Bishop's Committee and Convention Delegates and Alternates.
 
The week-long celebration began with a Prayer Breakfast, which was started four years ago and has become an annual tradition. This year's speaker was Bishop Dr. David Bryan of the Church of God of Prophecy.  Using the theme, "Draw Near: Be Doers of the Word", he focused on the epistle of James, reminding those attending that it is not enough attend church, but that members have a responsibility to deepen their relationship with God and to allow that to shape their response to the world around them.  
 
Another highlight of the week-long celebration was the bishop's blessing of a villa which was gifted to the congregation to be used as a vicarage and which was damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.  The three bedroom, three bathroom house, which overlooks beautiful Long Bay beach will be rented. 

Giving to the Least Among Us. 

The St. Croix Deanery and St. John’s Episcopal Church in the Diocese of the Virgin Islands are collaborating to host a “WE CARE” FAIR on Monday, March 2nd.  Described as a Personal Care Event for the Homeless. the fair will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church  in Christiansted. Homeless persons will be invited to have a clean shower, clothes and pampering, and will be referred as appropriate for further services from partnering agencies. Each church in the deanery is being asked to collect gently worn men's and women's clothing, trial size toiletries, and hair care products. Donations should be delivered to St. John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 between 11am and 1pm. Food items are also being collected so that meals can be served.

The St. Paul's Junior Club is this year celebrating its 70th anniversary.  The group was founded in October 1950 by Licensed Lay Minister, Mrs. Valerie O. Thomas, as a way to engage the youth in her congregation and the wider community by teaching them about the tenets of Christianity and essential life skills.  Members, who meet weekly, number about 20 and are led by Ms. Elvera Smith, Mrs. Sybil Hodge, Mrs. Michelle Todman-Smith, and Ms. Darlene Maduro.  One meeting each month is dedicated to visiting the sick and elderly in the community.  A celebration is being planned to mark for October to mark this significant milestone.

Junior Club members singing during the monthly Youth Sunday service.

An Easter service honoring the life of the Rt. Rev. George Phelps Mellick Belshaw was held at Trinity Church in Princeton on March 6. The service was celebrated by Bishop William H. (Chip) Stokes. The preacher was Trinity Rector the Rev. Paul Jeanes II. Among the dozens of clergy and hundreds of lay people attending and taking part were retired Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold III, and the Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle, Dean and President of General Theological Seminary, a position that Bishop Belshaw once held.

After completing his studies at the General Seminary, Mellick Belshaw served churches in Waimanalo, Hawaii; Dover, Delaware; and Rumson, N.J., where he was rector of St George’s-by-the-River for ten years. He was elected Suffragan Bishop of New Jersey in 1975, then Bishop Coadjutor in 1982, and in 1983 became the 9th Bishop of New Jersey. He served as diocesan bishop until his retirement in 1995.

Bishop Belshaw has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary and the University of the South; he has also been the recipient of an honorary degree from Hamilton College. His service to General Theological Seminary includes 31 years on the board of trustees, as well as serving at various times as tutor, fellow, adjunct faculty member, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and acting dean of the seminary.

Bishop Belshaw has been a fellow of the College of Preachers, a member of the Commission on Peace of the Episcopal Church from 1979 to 1985, president of the Coalition of Religious Leaders of New Jersey in 1986–1987, president of the Episcopal Urban Caucus from 1986 to 1989, and a member of the Economic Justice Committee of the Episcopal Church from 1988 to 1995. In the late 1990s, he was chair of the Coalition for Peace Action, a grassroots citizens organization that advocates for the global abolition of nuclear weapons, a peace economy, and a halt to weapons trafficking at home and abroad.

He is the editor two well-regarded books, Lent with Evelyn Underhill and Lent with William Temple, as well as a number of articles and reviews.

He was married to Elizabeth Wheeler from 1954 until her death in 2014. They have three children and several grandchildren, many of whom took part in Friday's service. 

Dessert Buffet and Presentation on Puerto Rico Mission Trip Hosted by SUNY Delhi Students and Saint James Church Lake Delaware
Contact: James Krueger, 607-832-4401, saintjames@delhitel.net
 
SUNY Delhi students belonging to the Delhi Campus Interfaith Club have recently traveled to Puerto Rico, where they worked on houses affected by the hurricanes and toured the areas more recently affected by the continuing earthquakes. The students will be hosting a dessert buffet and offering a slideshow and presentation about their trip. Learn about Puerto Rico’s history, the current situation there, and what we may be able to do about it. The event will take place on Sunday March 29 at 3 pm in the beautiful Parish Hall of Saint James Church Lake Delaware, located at 55 Lake Delaware Drive in Delhi on southbound State Route 28 halfway between Delhi and Andes. The event is offered for a freewill donation, which will help with the activities of the student club and the possibility of their taking another mission trip next year.
 
The Delhi Campus Interfaith Club is a student organization devoted to supporting religious and spiritual practice on campus, being a united voice across various religious affiliations, offering service and social opportunities to students, and addressing ethical and moral questions pertinent to our times. The Club is advised by SUNY Delhi Chaplain James Krueger, who is also Priest in Charge of Saint James Church Lake Delaware. For the past five years, Fr. Krueger has been taking the students on a mission trip during school breaks. They have served in Belize, in Baton Rouge, in Houston, and in western Virginia. Delhi Campus Ministry, an independent not-for-profit organization, employs the SUNY chaplain and has sponsored these trips with funding from the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, and other sources.
 
What: Dessert Buffet and Presentation on Puerto Rico
Where: Saint James Church Lake Delaware, 55 Lake Delaware Drive in Delhi, on southbound State Route 28 halfway between Delhi and Andes.
When: Sunday March 29, 3 pm.
Cost: Freewill donation to benefit student club.
Contact: 607-832-4401, saintjames@delhitel.net, www.saintjamesld.org.

                                                                                      La Habana, 12 de Marzo del 2020 
 
A toda la Familia Diocesana:                                          
 
En horas de la noche de ayer supimos por el Sistema Informativo de la Televisión (NTV) que dio a conocer la presencia en Trinidad, Provincia de Sancti Spíritus, de los 3 primeros casos positivos del Coronavirus en nuestro país.
 
Ante esta situación tan dolorosa y delicada, nos parece necesario y conveniente, hacerles llegar estas medidas a tener en cuenta.
 
Considero conveniente activar el Comité EpiscopaI Diocesano de Gestión ante Desastres y todos los CGD locales, y trabajar en la preparación ante el posible desastre.
 
**Recomendaciones**
 
1. Lavarnos las manos con frecuencia, con jabón y agua tibia, especialmente después de toser, sonarnos la nariz, preparar comida e ir al baño.
 
2. No tocarnos la cara, especialmente la nariz, ojos y boca, a menos que acabemos de lavarnos las manos.
 
3. Quedarnos en casa si nos sentimos enfermos y tomar contacto con el centro de salud más cercano.
 
4. Es perfectamente apropiado usar gel antiséptico ante la vista de todos al celebrar la eucaristía o distribuir los elementos consagrados.
 
5. Es perfectamente aceptable recibir la comunión con el pan (o la hostia) solamente, colocándola por parte del Ministro en la mano de cada fiel, que la consumirá inmediatamente. Solo consagrar una pequeña cantidad de vino que consumirá el Sacerdote.
 
6. Es mejor evitar abrazos, besos y apretones de manos. (Usar saludos gestuales).
 
7. Orientar a los que se sienten enfermos a que se queden en casa, y que sepan que oraremos por ellos en la oración de los fieles.
 
8. Evitar aglomeraciones innecesarias de personas en locales poco ventilados así como tratar en lo posible de mantener la distancia entre personas de al menos un metro.
 
9- Poner en la puerta de la Iglesia un pomo con preparado de alcohol y agua o un porciento de cloro y agua para lavar las manos de todos los que entran.
 
10- En la medida de lo posible se confeccionará nasobucos para repartir.
 
11- Cada persona debe tener al menos 3 nasobucos . Estos nasobucos debes cambiarse cada 4 horas y lavar los usados y ponerlos al sol.
 
12-Repartir información impresa, la mayor cantidad posible sobre medidas sanitarias.
 
13- “Recomiendo como medida importante difundir mensajes educativos relacionados con la higiene y salud, empleando todos los medios locales posibles."

• Quedan suspendidas todas las actividades Diocesanas programadas para estas fechas: Pre seminario y encuentro de la OMEC.
• Se cancela también el taller de Gestión de Desastres para nuevos promotores,  previstos para Abril.

 
Pedimos sus oraciones de intercesión y apoyo espiritual para enfrentar como familia de fe, la lucha contra esta terrible Pandemia, encomendamos a Dios todas las personas afectadas no sólo en nuestro país, sino en todos los lugares donde esta enfermedad ha cobrado tantas vidas humanas, y donde tantas personas se han visto afectadas.
 
Que el Dios Uno y Trino nos acompañe y proteja en este delicado momento y que nos dé la fe, sabiduría, y fortaleza necesaria para proceder según las circunstancias lo requieran. 
 
En el Amor de Cristo,
Seguimos unidos en la oración,

Este evento se llevará a cabo en la Catedral "La Santísima Trinidad" en la Habana.

En la Santa Eucaristía de Apertura tendrá lugar la celebración de la Re-inserción de la Diócesis de Cuba a la Iglesia Episcopal, el cual será un evento histórico.  Estará presente el Primado Michael Curry, quien también predicará. Se espera la presencia de varias delegaciones. Estará presente la Obispo Dede Duncan en representación de la II Provincia. Varios Obispos compañeros de Clase, del Colegio de Obispos, de la Obispo Griselda Delgado. Otros representantes de varias diócesis, entre ellas de La Florida (norte), que es diócesis compañera de Cuba por 35 años.

On January 19, 2020, the Canterbury Cross was presented to the congregation of Holy Trinity Nice, France, during their service.. The organizing team of the next Convocation Convention came forward to receive the Cross from Samuel and Helena Mbele-Mbong of Emmanuel Episcopal Church Geneva Switzerland. It was well received, and many wondered about the story behind the Cross.

At the Closing Service of the Convocation Convention at Emmanuel on 27 October, the Canterbury Cross was presented to Father Peter Jackson and Joe Voelker representing Holy Trinity, Nice, where the next Convention will be held. However, they could not take it with them on the plane. So Samuel and Helena drove down last week with the cross. Although part of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe of the Church of England, Holy Trinity, Nice, has a special and very welcomed relationship with the Convocation since absorbing the congregants of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Nice when it closed many years ago.

The Canterbury Cross was made in 1997 for the Convocation from wood removed from Canterbury Cathedral during renovations. That year the Cross made a pilgrimage to all parishes and missions of the Convocation, coinciding with the pilgrimage from Rome to Canterbury to commemorate the 1400th anniversary of St. Augustine being sent to England. The first group of Youth Across Europe brought it forward at the Convention which was in Paris that year with Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning. Since then, at the close of each Convention, the Cross is presented to the parish hosting the next Convention.

The new rector of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents, Beach Haven, NJ, The Rev. Dr. Caroline Carson, has just been on an adventure in Bangladesh.  That’s a long way from New Jersey and she was not on vacation.  What was she doing?

Mother Caroline is an exceptionally talented person.  In addition to her recent ordination to the priesthood and call to serve at Holy Innocents’, she has a Masters of Divinity from Sewanee School of Theology, a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Conducting from Emory University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Carolina. This trip adds to her adventures from her recent grants, the Seminary Consultation on Mission (SCOM), the United Thank Offering (UTO), and with Episcopal Church Global Partnerships funding (with the SCOM grant). Carson was following up on last year’s Global Partnership visit to the Church of Bangladesh, the first official visitation from The Episcopal Church since The Most Reverend Ed Browning went to Dhaka in 1997. The goal for this mission partnership outreach process is to continue to help build relationships, if possible, parish to parish and/or diocese to diocese. She also provided the Church of Bangladesh assistance with their 2020 UTO grant application, sang with every group she visited, and brainstormed development and grant ideas with bishops around the various dioceses there.

Dr. Carson is a missioner interested in global partnerships, peacemaking, interfaith relationships, and Anglican ecumenism. A professor for 20 years, she continues to enjoy conducting and singing professionally. Caroline is also a member of the Episcopal Communicators and a volunteer with the NASA Solar System Ambassador Program. She has a high energy and enthusiasm for life and is dedicated to discipleship, learning, pastoral sensitivity, missional engagement, and recognizing the movement of the Holy Spirit in each person. (https://www.worldanglican.com/united-states/beach-haven/the-episcopal-church/the-rev-dr-caroline-carson )

The Rev. Carson provided her congregation back home with a running account of her adventures.  The whole story from her trip is on the Holy Innocents’ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HIBeachHavenNJ/

1/28/2020
Rector’s note: I arrived safely into Dhaka, Bangladesh and am staying at St. Andrew’s Theological College. I received a VERY warm welcome and the group here sends many prayers and greetings to you! There was a reception program in the theological library and I met several students and some seminary staff as well as the Dean and choir director. They sang me a hymn and we shared introductory greetings and then we had a question and answer time. They graciously gave me a gorgeous shawl...and I’m sure you noticed the BANNER, WOW! That was a really sweet surprise!

Tomorrow, I’ll participate in morning worship, teach a class, see the cathedral and another large church, talk to the Moderator (primate there), Synod staff and others.
The Episcopal Church Global Partnerships website (https://episcopalchurch.org/global-partnerships describes its mission and ministry this way:

The Rev. Canon Bruce Woodcock, Partnership officer for Asia and the Pacific, says “Similar Asia Pacific partnership development efforts are envisioned for several Anglican Communion partners, such as Korea (ACK) Japan (NSKK) and the Philippines (ECP) among others under consideration in Oceania (ANZP). My hope is that Caroline+ can also help make a similar connection (perhaps for Dioceses and Parishes in Province 2) with the Anglican Church in Ceylon perhaps in May 2020, if travel support can be located.”

Global Partnerships are formed by networking and story-telling.  Dr. Carson will share her story with her congregation in NJ and with the Diocese of NJ, at least.  All too often we hear about the disasters and exploitation in Bangladesh but nothing about the vibrant Christian community in the Anglican tradition that welcomes connections, prayers and support. 

Any congregation can get involved.  There are resources on the Global Partnerships website at https://episcopalchurch.org/global-partnerships/resources .  One example is Carson’s trip, but that’s not the only possibility.  There are covenant and bilateral relationships that bring churches together. https://episcopalchurch.org/bilateral-and-covenant-relationships . Groups from around the world have formed official links, finding their rewards in new friendships, mutual learning, and an expanded awareness of the world. Together, they share prayers and fight poverty, throughout the Church and abroad. Groups in mission relationships take on responsibility for each other. https://episcopalchurch.org/page/mission-relationships .  Our young people are always ready to get involved with partnerships.  St. Andrews School in Maryland has international partnerships with Haiti and with Bokamoso, South Africa. 

Mother Caroline spent an exhausting week on a whirlwind tour.  We can all look forward to seeing what comes next.  What will result from these friendships newly forged?  Where will she go next?  We’re waiting to find out.  Meanwhile, just look at all she accomplished!

1/29/2020
Rector’s update: Yesterday (Wednesday, Jan. 29), I attended Morning Prayer in the Theological College, met with students to talk about practical ministry, discernment, well-being for clergy, and being a pastor/preacher/teacher in the world today. We also shared some singing. Then, I visited St. Thomas cathedral and the Church of Bangladesh offices. When I got out of my car, I saw myself on a tree! There was a short program of welcome led by the Moderator (primate) Samuel S. Mankhin and I was given a plaque. Afterwards, it was wonderful to share lunch with his grace and his assistant Prodip. Later, I met to talk about grant writing, a UTO (United Thank Offering) grant project, asset-based community development (ABCD), and more. Archbishop Mankhin asked me to come and say hello to visiting Coptic Orthodox bishops who actually know three people I know in the new province of Egypt, N. Africa, and the Horn of Africa. It was a laughter-filled discovery and an amazing moment of just how small the world is (and they liked my Coptic cross!) Evening Prayer was held in St. Thomas Cathedral before dinner. I’d forgotten how spicy the curries are, WOW! I hope you’ll enjoy these little video clips (if they show up!) and photos from a moving car. Hopefully, it’ll give you an idea of life in Dhaka. Wednesday evening, we left to northern Bangladesh by overnight steamer on the Burigonga River to the Kirtonkhola River. It was dark and foggy and rumbled like crazy. Not sure of upcoming internet availability as I’m going to be in and out if smaller villages. More in a bit with what I experienced today.

Rector’s update: Sunday, while Canon Woodcock was with you (The Rev. Canon Bruce Woodcock was the celebrant and preacher filling in for Carson at Holy Innocents’ on February 2, 2020), I preached at St. John’s Cathedral in the Kushtia diocese and served with Bishop Hemen Haldar. After lunch, it was time to head off to Lalon Shah - Bengali philosopher, Baul saint, mystic, songwriter, social reformer and thinker from the Indian subcontinent. He was an icon of Bengali culture, inspiring and influencing many poets, social and religious thinkers including Rabindranath Tagore. There at the shrine area, we heard a fantastic music group with singer Babo Shah. We then drove north four hours to Idilpur parish. It is the area of the Garu tribal indigenous people, also known as “mandthee” or “original man.” Here, there is a “Children’s Village” where poorest families may send their children to grow up having education and enough food. Last night, I taught the kids three songs. I also heard a Garu group practicing for a worship service.

And there’s more on the Facebook page of Holy Innocents’!
https://www.facebook.com/HIBeachHavenNJ/
Check out some of the photos here >