Guatemala 

St. David's has been involved in outreach efforts in Guatemals since 1999, as part of the Companion Diocese program of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. During that time we have provided money for education, clean water and building projects and our youth and parishioners have traveled there as part of mission work trips with Habitat for Humanity. We work with two sister parishes, Santiago de Jerusalen (St. James the Less) in Chimaltenango, and Santa Cruz del Monte Calvario (Holy Cross of Mount Calvary) in the small town of Santa Cruz Balanyá.   

Contact  Carol Kangas, kangascarol@gmail.com

History about St. David's Relationship & Ministry Initiatives
The congregation in Chimaltenango were worshiping in what had been a garage constructed of cinderblocks with a cement floor and tin roof. There were wooden benches that were arranged in rows for services and then quickly moved against the walls for fellowship after the services. St. David’s provided funds for the construction of a second story on this church, which was completed in 2004.

The church of Santa Cruz in Balanyá was started by people of the Kakchikel group of the Maya.  Many of them speak Spanish but are more comfortable in their native tongue, so the sermons are usually preached in both Spanish and Kakchikel.  The original members of the congregation were all members of a Roman Catholic parish who were discouraged by their priest from incorporating some Mayan customs and rituals in their worship. They left the Catholic Church and asked Padre Lucas to help them form a new church. For about 15 years, church services were held in the front room of the senior warden’s house, but the people have long dreamed of building a church.  St. David’s sent money to purchase land, and very recently, the diocese finalized the purchase of two pieces of land in Balanyá:  one for a church, and one for a rectory.

In 2006, Padre Tomás Calel became the rector of Santa Cruz; in addition, he is responsible for the Church of San Bartolomé in Chichicastenango, and in 2008 we helped him purchase a car to make it easier to travel between the two churches. 

Padre Lucas was elected Suffragan Bishop in 2006, but his death in 2007 prevented his consecration. In 2008, Padre Miguel Salanic became the minister of Santiago, and he is also working with a small congregation in San Andres Itzapa to establish and grow a church there

St. David’s groups have visited our companions in ministry many times, including four youth trips under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity, when groups worked on the construction of houses in Chimaltenango and Santa Cruz Balanyá. The last youth mission trip occured in June 2012 (G4)

Guatemalans Visit St. David's
In Nov. 2009, we were pleased to be visited by Bishop Armando Guerra and his wife along with Padre Miguel Salanic, his wife, and two of their sons.  During their visit, they attended part of our diocesan convention and saw some of the historical sites in Philadelphia, and Bishop Guerra gave an illustrated talk as one of the Adult Ed. offerings after church.  In addition, about 80 parishioners attended a dinner in Fellowship Hall in honor of our visitors.

A New Priest in Guatemala
On Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, Padre Miguel Salanic, the rector of our companion church in Chimaltenango, was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcipal Cathedral in Guatemala City.  St. David’s was represented by Cheri McCaslin and Carol Kangas, who were among the lay presenters at the ordination.  The red chasuble that Miguel wore was a gift from our own Rector, The Rev. Frank Allen, and it will continue to serve as a tangible reminder of the mission and friendship we have been sharing since our companion relationship began in 1999.

Money from St. David’s Outreach grants, the Gift Shop, and World Gifts has helped support the following projects:

• Arts and Crafts School
Established first in Chimaltenango as an after-school program for children to teach them some useful skills and also provide a safe alternative to spending time on the streets, this was later expanded to include both children and adults in both parishes.  St. David’s funds were used to purchase sewing, embroidery, and knitting machines

• Christian education materials for both parishes

• Painting and staining walls doors and windows
In 2008 and 2009, groups of St. David’s men spent several days working on the Church in Chimaltenango.

• Annual aid to children in both parishes to help pay for school expenses
We have provided funds to partially defray expenses for 150 children for such things as tuition, books and supplies, and uniforms.

• Land purchases in Balanyá
We sent money so that the congregation could purchase farmland on which to raise cash crops for the support of the church. Also, in 2008 the congregation finally decided to give up their legal battle to regain possession of the Catholic church building they felt was rightfully theirs. Funds were sent so that they can buy land and build their own church.

• Contributions to the discretionary fund of Bishop Armando Guerra

• Travel expenses for visits of Guatemalan clergy, family members and parishioners to St. David’s

• Habitat for Humanity trips

• Providing a bell for the empty bell tower in Chimaltenango
During the 2008 men’s work trip, Padre Miguel mentioned that something he really wanted was a church bell.  Members of the men’s group remembered that when the new Chapel was constructed at St. David’s, the bell that had hung in the old steeple was no longer needed.  Funds were solicited to refurbish the bell, ship it to Guatemala, and install it in the Church of Santiago.  It was first rung on Easter, 2009.
Read the story of the bell

• Purchasing furniture and equipment for Chimaltenango
The refurbished first floor worship space of the Church of Santiago has an altar rail, pulpit, lectern, altar and 10 wooden pews purchased with St. David’s funds.  The second story had a roughed-out space for a kitchen, and in 2009 we sent money for a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and other items to fit out this space.

Carol Kangas' reflection on Guatemala 2013 Trip

Carol Kangas' reflection on Guatemala 2012 Trip

Report from Padres Partners Trip 2008

Carol Kangas' reflection on Guatemala 2008 trip