Concejo Ecumenico Cristaino de Guatemala

Concejo Ecuménico Cristiano de Guatemala

 On January 17, 2012, a delegation of Illinois Maya Ministries members met with Vitalino Similox and Nora Colom in Guatemala City at the offices of Concejo Ecumenico Cristiano de Guatemala.  Vitalino and Nora had visited Illinois in the fall of 2011 and we had met them then.  This was a return visit to learn more about their work.  They are affiliated with Global Ministries in Indianapolis, and are developing a partnership with the Disciples of Christ Region that includes Illinois.

 The council does work coordinating a Christian witness in Guatemala.  The blue poster, above lists the member organizations.  Please note also the web address.  (You can also reach their website by clicking on the blue underlined name of the organization in the first line of this post, it is a hot link.)

We had a pleasant visit.  It was their first day back after their honeymoon - they were married earlier in January!

Our delegation was composed of Martha Pierce, Rev. Michael Swartz and Jeanne Omelia of IMM and Sydney of CRLN - the Chicago Religious Leadership Network.

Gloria Vicente

 Illinois Maya Ministry met today, Friday, May 18, 2012 in Warrenville, Illinois, at the home of Rev. Denise Griebler, to listen to a very pregnant Gloria Vicente share about her work in Guatemala as a missionary through Common Global Ministries.  Gloria was able to explain in depth about her experience at Guatemalan Christian Action (ACG).  She also talked a little about her plans for her future work in Guatemala.  Part of the work of IMM is to accompany our missionaries with Mayan people.  

Honoring Bishop Samuel Ruiz

There are different ways of honoring someone who has  died.  Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia (3 November 1924 – 24 January 2011) died a little over a year ago.  He was instrumental in building positive ecumenical relations between and among Mayans, Catholics and Protestants in the Diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas, where he served for many years.

The top photo is of the Mayan altar that was used during the Fiesta at INESIN.   This is a Mayan way of honoring a person, as we would at a memorial service in our church.  We too use candles and flowers.  The basked and bowl are filled with earth and water, respectively.  The various colors of flowers and candles represent the cardinal directions.  This is a way that Mayan folks honor Bishop Ruiz.

The lower photo is of our group from Illinois Maya Ministries including Felix Ortiz-Cotto of Global Ministries.  We are standing on the foundation/slab/footing of a new building that is being constructed at INESIN.  This is how North American Protestants honor someone who has died who was beloved and appreciated.  IMM set a goal of a $10,000 to help build this building that will include an assembly room named for Bishop Ruiz.  And we have met our goal and sent the $10,000.  And we know that additional gifts have been sent by the Wisconsin UCC Conference, and by other donors. 


INESIN is able to receive and benefit from various sorts of contributions to honor one of their spiritual founders.