The Church of the Transfiguration

Short-Term Projects

1. Take Polaroid® pictures of each kid in a Sunday School class. Have each child write her/his name and age next to each picture along with a brief description of their family (including pets). Encourage the kids to include a special message of greeting. Send the poster to Bishop Benito’s office for him to deliver to a congregation in his diocese.

1. Collect school supplies for the children in Southeast Mexico. Package and ship them to Bishop Benito’s office for him to deliver to a congregation in his diocese.

2. Collect clothing for kids and adults (all sizes needed). Ship them to Bishop Benito’s office for him to distribute as needed. Remember: Southeast Mexico is subtropical. Only warm weather clothing is needed there, including light jackets.

3. Collect, package and ship Prayer Books, Hymnals and other religious books to Bishop Benito’s office. See sources for new Spanish language books. You may be able to find these books used if you are resourceful.

Medium-Term Projects

Fundraising ideas:

1. Subsidize a priest. Most priests on Southeast Mexico serve more than one congregation. They need financial support to pay for bus transportation, purchase prepaid cell phone cards and buy everyday needs for their families. Suggested amount: $200.

2. Subsidize a congregation. There are two or three congregations that are desperate for basic repairs and supplies. Any amount of money will help.

3. Purchase a laptop computer or digital camera for a priest or a congregation in Southeast Mexico. Younger priests send and receive email at internet cafés in neighboring towns. Sometimes a computer of their own would reduce the cost of using a commercial establishment (although they would then need dial-up, which some of them already have). Digital cameras help them send pictures to us here. Contact Barbara Gustafson for information on shipping things to Mexico.

4. Help a congregation improve its facilities. For example, there is almost no indoor plumbing in the churches in Southeast Mexico. For around $1,000, a clean, new outhouse can be constructed, replacing an old and worn out facility or perhaps even providing one where there has been none.

5. Adopt a Southeast Mexican seminarian. Recently, Bishop Benito said that there are two young persons interested in attending seminary, but unable to due to its high cost. This would be a three-year commitment and could be negotiated through Bishop Benito’s office.

Hands-on Ideas:

1. Form a congregation-to-congregation companionship. Bring the diocesan companionship home to your own church! Then, by communicating with your church companion, you can learn of their greatest needs, hopes and dreams. Initially what they will want most is the same as what you want: to get to know them. Send photographs of your families (don’t forget your pets). Write little notes about yourselves. Tell them what your family has planned for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and ask them what they are planning for their holidays. Contact Deacon John Nachtrieb to help you find a congregation in Southeast Mexico who would love to become your church companion.

2. Collect unused (old but presentable) priest’s vestments, excess sacred vessels (chalices, ciboria, lavabo bowls, linens) and ship them to a needy congregation in Southeast Mexico. Items can be shipped to Bishop Benito’s office from which he will distribute them where they are most needed. Alternatively, you can give them to Deacon John Nachtrieb who will hand-carry them on a forthcoming trip.

3. Collect Spanish language prayer books, hymnals and other liturgical materials. With a little resourcefulness, they can be found and are often free for the taking. Of course new ones can be purchased but they can be expensive. Contact Barbara Gustafson for information on shipping things to Southeast Mexico.

Long-Term Projects

Of course any of the medium-term ideas suggested above can become long-range projects. Although it might seem that time is the only difference, in truth the greatest difference is depth.

When relationships become longer term, new companionship opportunities arise. For example:

1. Form a small mission trip group including teens and adults. Visit your Southeast Mexico companion church. Stay in their community. Spend time with them, perhaps assisting them with some building repair or helping with a summer vacation bible school.

2. Make a project-specific trip to your Southeast Mexico companion church. Help them with a building improvement project. Work with them in the style of Habitat for Humanity. In advance of your trip, do a fundraiser to enable your companion church to purchase the necessary building materials.

3. Adopt a priest (perhaps at your Southeast Mexico companion parish). Help finance their transportation or living expenses. Work through the office of Bishop Benito to subsidize a priest’s compensation. Transportation is one of a Southeast Mexican priest’s biggest challenges. Through a major fundraiser, a serviceable car can be purchased in Mexico, for around $5,000 US. An ongoing subsidy could help keep that car on the road for several years.

A Secret you will learn ...

It is so easy to think that we have so much to offer the people of the diocese of Southeast Mexico. In relative terms, we are financially wealthy. How can our companionship be equal or balanced? Won’t our relationship be one-sided?

What you will discover is that you will learn from these incredible people. You will see living examples of people who place a priority on their relationship with God, of relying on Him and trusting in Him. A partnering relationship is an unparalleled opportunity for you and your congregation or a smaller group to truly experience the meaning of a mission.