Global Friends & Partners
We are part of a global world and believe that relationships with Christians in communities around the world lead to spiritual transformation. We pray each Sunday for the dioceses of Peru, Cuba, Jerusalem, and the Diocese of George in South Africa. We also plan annual and bi-annual mission trips to Peru and Cuba. Click on Peru and Cuba to learn more about our relationship with these dioceses and our plans for future mission with them.
Mission Partnership: Cuba
The Church in Cuba has a long history; starting in 1871 when Bishop Henry Whipple of Minnesota found himself stranded in Havana on his way to Haiti. In his 1899 book entitled Light & Shadow – Reminiscences and Recollections. Bishop Whipple writes, “…God in His providence has brought me to Havana for some wise purpose…”
During his stay, Bp. Whipple discovered that the people of Cuba were in great need of spiritual comfort and ministry. Upon his return from Cuba, Bp. Whipple convinced the Episcopal Church to send missionaries to Cube to assist with the Spiritual care of it’s people.
Saint Mark’s continues in this connection to Cuba through it’s mission partnership. In 2005 and again this past December, missioners from St. Mark’s made a pilgrimage to Cuba, offering spiritual and physical support and receiving an enrichment of spirit and greater understanding.
Cuba Mission Trip 2013
Cuba Mission Continues
We will be traveling back to Itabo and Favorito, Cuba, March 16-23, 2013, to continue work on Bishop Griselda Delgado’s sustainable development gardening projects, to help with rebuilding from devastation of Hurricane Sandy, and to share worship and celebration with our Cuban sisters and brothers. If you are interested in being a part of this mission, contact MN Episcopal Cuba Committee president, Veronica Guevara. Deadline for submission Jan. 1st.
Ministry Friendship: Peru
We have built a relationship with the Diocese of Peru, inviting guest speakers from the diocese and engaging in mission trips to parishes in Peru.
“Only the walker who sets out toward ultimate things is a pilgrim. In this lies the difference between tourist and pilgrim.
The tourist travels just as far, sometimes with great zeal and courage, gathering up acquisitions and returns the same person as the one who departed.
The pilgrim resolves that the one who returns will not be the same person as the one who set out.
The pilgrim must be prepared to shed the husk of personality or even the body like a worn out coat.
For the pilgrim the road is home; reaching the destination seems nearly inconsequential”
(Andrew Schelling, Meeting the Buddha, edited by Molly Emma Aitken,)
