Saturday, November 11, 2006

Congratulations Partners!

As a grassroots leader for Bread for the World, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to network with wonderful congregations and organizations. I want to take this opportunity to recognize two churches and one sacred dance group that celebrate milestones in October and November.















Daniel Erdman
interacts with sacred clowns at our Bread for the World "A Healing Spirit" worship service in September 2003

Congratulations and Muchas Felicidades to Iglesia Congregacional Unida, which was celebrating its 80th anniversary on November 11-12 with a series of events, including a music workshop by Dr. Irving Cotto on the music emerging from communities of faith in Latin America and Spain. Dr. Cotto is involved with Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans (MARCHA). People who attended the workshop had the opportunity to sing in a combined choir during a special service on Sunday afternoon.

The congregation also celebrated the 25th anniversary of
Pastor Daniel Erdman's ordination. Daniel, a long-time Bread for the World member, was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA but the congregation he leads is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

Iglesia Congregacional Unida has twice hosted our ecumenical worship services and has participated in the BFW Offering of Letters the past two years.












Members of the Iglesia Congregacional unida choir sang in our ecumenical worship service
"A Cry of Jubilee" in September 1999.

We also offer our heart-felt congratulations to Immanuel Presbyterian Church in the Nob Hill community of Albuquerque. The church planned a grand celebration for its Golden Anniversary on Nov. 18-19 with an organ concert, a special service, a Thanksgiving dinner and cornerstone ceremony (review contents of original cornerstone and place 2006 time capsule in cornerstone niche.

The church is special to Bread for the World members in Albuquerque because this is where we held our service to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bread for the World.

Rev. William Byron, S.J., one of the founders of Bread for the World, was the keynote speaker at our 30th anniversary celebration "Keep the Promise on Hunger and Health" in Albuquerque during September 2004

We also used the steps of Immanuel Presbyterian Church as a stage to commemorate The ONE Campaign's White Band Day in September 2005.


Finally, we want to congratulate Keri Sutter and the sacred dance company Surgite, which moved into a new space on October 29. The group's new home is at 4300 Silver SE, Suite H, in Albuquerque. Surgite, which was founded in 1985, blessed its new space with song, dance, poems and prayers. The group, which is comprised of several young ladies who perform with Keri, brings the gift of sacred dance to congregations, nursing homes and other settings. Surgite helped us plan a couple of our Bread for the World ecumenical worship services. Photo: Keri Sutter dances during our "Open Hearts, Open Minds" service in September 2002.

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