Peru Fundraiser - Cornwall

Cornwall is also coming along with us to Peru in March Break 2010. Below you will find some entries they have been using for their Bulletin to get people to know what they are up to, and a bit about the culture of Peru. It has been wonderful to see this group of 7 latch on to what we are going to be doing and why.

On December 5th they held a movie night, and the pictures below are from that night. Enjoy.

Advent Sunday #1

Advent and The Peru Mission Trip

How far and deep does the meaning of Advent go?

Waiting and working, groaning and growing, yearning and yielding to God’s Spirit on the move... this is what Advent is all about.This year, the worship committee is celebrating our Church’s involvement in the Peru mission trip. You’ll notice the windows of the north side of the sanctuary have the English version of each Sunday of Advent and the windows to the south the Spanish version. The Christmas tree in the foyer is decorated as it would be in Peru. Each week throughout Advent during children's’ message, we will learn a little more about the roles that Gerry, Marsha, Sarah, Dianne, Julia and Blake will have when they go to Peru in March. They among other things, will be running a VBS program while they are there. Our congregation will be asked to help donate items for this program for them to take with them to Peru. This trip is something to celebrate! It’s time to get excited! Let’s show our support and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ as they prepare for this amazing trip.This Advent season, we encourage you to truly live in Advent so that the amazing gift of Christmas may shine that much brighter...Yours in Christ...The Worship Committee.

Second Sunday of Advent December 6, 2009 King ~ Rey Peru Mission Trip

March - 2009Peru is located on the west coast of South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, with Ecuador to the north and Chile to the south. 27.2 million people live in Peru.Christmas is the most important celebration of the year in Peru. It is celebrated as "Nocha Buena", which means "Good Night" in Spanish. It is when Santa comes to fill the stockings that have been placed near the manger scene. When the family returns from Midnight Mass, the figure of Baby Jesus is placed in the manger and then the children open their gifts while fireworks boom in the sky. Christmas in Peru is celebrated on December 24th with much excitement. In the evening, there is a family get together to celebrate which is also called "Christmas for Children". There is preparation of pavo (turkey) as well as applesauce in most of the houses of those who can afford it.The people of Peru decorate their churches and homes with Nativity scenes. They buy the pieces of nativity from the market of Santurantikuy or ‘the buying of saints’. The market is held in the Plaza de Armas on December 24th. The scenes are on display until the La Bjeda de los Reyes which is ‘the arrival of the three wise men’ on January 6.While their celebrations sound like a wonderful thing in Peru, it is important to remember that 54% of Peruvians live in poverty. The wonderful truth about the gospel message is that in the midst of the pain and struggles we have hope...We live in an Advent time of upheaval, of unknowns, of earthquakes and tornado's, famine and sickness, wars and threats of wars, hatred and abuse. We need to name our pain, our fears, and our troubles so that the Advent message of hope may ring loud and clear for us.

Peru Mission Trip March - 2010

3rd Sunday of Advent

Advent is a time of celebration of God’s love for us and our response in faith. Each week we have been learning a little more about what Gerry, Marsha, Sarah, Blake, Brenda, Dianne and Julia will be doing in Peru during children’s message. We’ve also been sharing facts about Peru each week in the bulletin.We are blessed with all the riches God has bestowed on us in our country, many in Peru are not so fortunate. Millions of Peruvians - more than half the country’s people - struggle to survive. Close to one fourth of them live in extreme poverty.A distinct aspect of Christmas in Peru, is the "chocolatada" where churches, businesses and those who are better off provide a bit of Christmas cheer to the poorer children and their families. These parties each December are a special treat for villagers. Panetones, which are fruit filled breads and everything needed to make hot chocolate - chocolate bars, sugar, evaporated milk and cinnamon are gathered. Open fires are made and big pots of water are put on to boil - the ingredients are added to make the hot chocolate and the panetones are cut into big wedges and spread with butter. Tables and chairs are set up and people gather for the fun. Children are served first and may also receive a small gift.We serve a God who walked among us, who befriended sinners, the rich and the poor and he healed the sick. His light shines most brightly in the darker places of life. Remember...we are a people of advent. We are a people of hope.