An Opportunity for your Congregation

The Presbytery of Western North Carolina (PWNC) has enjoyed a remarkable partnership with two presbyteries in Guatemala for over 15 years. We have grown together through sharing our faith, strengthening churches and friendships, and working together for the common good. Over thirty PWNC churches have a partner church in either Suchitepéquez or Sur Occidente Presbytery.

There are still several churches in Sur Occidente that wish to have a partner congregation in PWNC. If you want to know more about what is involved in a church-to-church partnership, please contact Ellen Dozier, ellendozier@hotmail.com.

The PWNC Partnership Committee also wants to offer its churches other ways besides a church-to-church partnership to be involved in the presbytery-wide relationship. Here are some opportunities for your congregation to be a vital member of this partnership:

1. Children's Scholarships: Join with another church in PWNC to help with scholarships for its partner church's children. You may instead contribute to the Partnership Committee's Children's Scholarship Fund, which will supplement existing programs as needed.
    
2. Health: The Health Project is starting up again after a two-year hiatus. After an initial assessment of needs by the Guatemalan churches, joint work will proceed.
    
3. Theological Education: PWNC contributes scholarship monies to help pastors and teachers further their training. This Theological Education Fund depends on the Alternative Christmas giving through the presbytery and through any designated donations.
    
4. Guatemalan Realities: Commit to learning about Guatemala -- its history, peoples, cultures, current events. Information is available on the web page Learning about Guatemala.
    
5. Prayer: Pray for the partnership and specifically for upcoming trips, such as delegation travels throughout the year and for the annual Executive Committee joint meetings in November. See Delegation Visits.

Members of 2011 – 2012 Guatemala Partnership Committee: