Although Belize is a developing country with many needs and challenges, it is also a country that has a lot to offer. One such area is its witness to human diversity.
Belizian population is made up of indigenous Aztec and Mayan. It also has strong and deep African and Spainish ancestry's. And now with modern mobility globally, other cultures are also finding a home in Belize.
Such cultural diversity has evolved over the centuries to a more and more open acceptance and normalcy. In every gathering I've been part of since my arrival, I am amazed at the very obvious differences in ancestral backgrounds of the people gathered. Yet they are all "Belizian." What amplifies this sense of unity is the common use of Creole - a unique form of broken english that most of Belizians use.
Last night Bishop Phillip took me to the launching of a book on the Mayan calendar and the erroneous stories about the end of the world in 2012. The world will come to end at some time, but there is certainly no predicting it. There is nothing in the Mayan system that says the world will end in 2012; its calendar does end there, but it is designed to start again. What was most important about last night's presentation was how it highlighted for me the very rich and diverse people of Belize.
We can learn from the witness of Belize of how to better live with human diversity.
Stories and Poetry about Life and Spirit
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Challenges and Opportunity in Belize
It is now Wednesday, into my 3rd day in the diocese of Belize. Bishop Phillip and his staff have been nothing but warm and welcoming to me.
After attending the Tuesday morning Eucharist at the Cathedral, I had a lunch meeting with the diocesan administrator and the manager of Anglican Schools.
I am beginning to have a better understanding of how the diocese of Belize operates, and what some of its many challenges are. An immediate concern for the diocese is its need for priests. There are not enough priests to do all the work required in the Anglican Church throughout the country. And with very limited and lacking resources, both human and material, the diocese is also trying to discern new ways to re-connect with the people of the country. Although there may be differences, this is some of the same song we are singing in our own diocese and province.
I am also beginning to get a better sense of how closely the schools of Belize are connected with the various churches. What an opportunity for the church to positively influence the young people of Belize. The government is of course involved in the funding and operating of all schools, but it is in partnership with the churches. Although we in Newfoundland and Labrador will never again know this kind of relationship between church and school, is there something we can learn from Belize about how the church can recover maybe some degree of relationship with local schools that can positively influence students and families?
Last night, Tuesday, the Bishop and I traveled to the capital city, Belmopan (forgive me if it is spelled incorrectly), about an hours drive west of Belize City. There we met with the local church committee on some issues of how they are to move forward in a period of leadership transition. It was very much like a vestry meeting in our own diocese, and the issues are very similar. Growing and enabling leadership and better connecting with the city were of the concerns. After the meeting we spent an hour or so with the men's fellowship group in one of their homes.
This morning, Wednesday, I had the privilege of joining the Bishop at a church service for the re-opening of the cathedral school after the Christmas holidays. 500 students were in attendance, and I had the opportunity of being able to share a homily with them. What a joy to see so many young high school students engaged in worship.
I feel privileged to have this opportunity to get to know the diocese of Belize and some of its people a little more intimately. And i am looking forward to meeting more of these beautiful people throughout the week. This is the stuff of relationship.
After attending the Tuesday morning Eucharist at the Cathedral, I had a lunch meeting with the diocesan administrator and the manager of Anglican Schools.
I am beginning to have a better understanding of how the diocese of Belize operates, and what some of its many challenges are. An immediate concern for the diocese is its need for priests. There are not enough priests to do all the work required in the Anglican Church throughout the country. And with very limited and lacking resources, both human and material, the diocese is also trying to discern new ways to re-connect with the people of the country. Although there may be differences, this is some of the same song we are singing in our own diocese and province.
I am also beginning to get a better sense of how closely the schools of Belize are connected with the various churches. What an opportunity for the church to positively influence the young people of Belize. The government is of course involved in the funding and operating of all schools, but it is in partnership with the churches. Although we in Newfoundland and Labrador will never again know this kind of relationship between church and school, is there something we can learn from Belize about how the church can recover maybe some degree of relationship with local schools that can positively influence students and families?
Last night, Tuesday, the Bishop and I traveled to the capital city, Belmopan (forgive me if it is spelled incorrectly), about an hours drive west of Belize City. There we met with the local church committee on some issues of how they are to move forward in a period of leadership transition. It was very much like a vestry meeting in our own diocese, and the issues are very similar. Growing and enabling leadership and better connecting with the city were of the concerns. After the meeting we spent an hour or so with the men's fellowship group in one of their homes.
This morning, Wednesday, I had the privilege of joining the Bishop at a church service for the re-opening of the cathedral school after the Christmas holidays. 500 students were in attendance, and I had the opportunity of being able to share a homily with them. What a joy to see so many young high school students engaged in worship.
I feel privileged to have this opportunity to get to know the diocese of Belize and some of its people a little more intimately. And i am looking forward to meeting more of these beautiful people throughout the week. This is the stuff of relationship.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Day 1 in Belize
Its a long haul to get from Cupids, Newfoundland to Belize city! But after an overnight in Houston, I finally arrived on Monday at noonish.
Father Eric Richards (a retired priest in the diocese of Belize) and his wife and granddaughter greeted me at the airport. After bringing me to the small B&B that I am staying at to drop off my bags, happily gave me a driving tour of the city of Belize, before having lunch in an old colonial style building overlooking the ocean, and then delivering me to the diocesan office and Bishop Phillip - who showed me an agenda that didn't leave me much time for being a tourist! But that's ok :)
After conversations with Fr.Eric and Bishop Phillip I quickly came to realize that there are similarities between Belize and Newfoundland and Labrador - which unfortunately does not include sun, warm temperatures, and palm trees!!
The population of Belize is approximately 300,000 (NL is 500k). Most of the country is rural and undeveloped. It has a high unemployment rate. It has significant English and Colonial influence. It speaks mostly English, but has it's own unique or native language. And many of its people move out in order to find work and a better living for their families. Sounds like Newfoundland and Labrador at a glance!
But of course Belize is not Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a very poor democratic country that is trying to find its way forward in making a better society for all its people.
The Church has a role in Belize "finding its way forward." As one comes to know their Divine Life in Christ, they come to know their responsibility to help their neighbour, they come to know their responsibility to build up their town or city, they come to know their responsibility to build up their country. Our faith is not an individual faith, it is a faith that builds up society's that are just, equal and free.
The Church in Belize has a responsibility to help move its society forward.
We too in the Church in Newfoundland and Labrador have a responsibility to help move society forward - both in Belize and at home.
Father Eric Richards (a retired priest in the diocese of Belize) and his wife and granddaughter greeted me at the airport. After bringing me to the small B&B that I am staying at to drop off my bags, happily gave me a driving tour of the city of Belize, before having lunch in an old colonial style building overlooking the ocean, and then delivering me to the diocesan office and Bishop Phillip - who showed me an agenda that didn't leave me much time for being a tourist! But that's ok :)
After conversations with Fr.Eric and Bishop Phillip I quickly came to realize that there are similarities between Belize and Newfoundland and Labrador - which unfortunately does not include sun, warm temperatures, and palm trees!!
The population of Belize is approximately 300,000 (NL is 500k). Most of the country is rural and undeveloped. It has a high unemployment rate. It has significant English and Colonial influence. It speaks mostly English, but has it's own unique or native language. And many of its people move out in order to find work and a better living for their families. Sounds like Newfoundland and Labrador at a glance!
But of course Belize is not Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a very poor democratic country that is trying to find its way forward in making a better society for all its people.
The Church has a role in Belize "finding its way forward." As one comes to know their Divine Life in Christ, they come to know their responsibility to help their neighbour, they come to know their responsibility to build up their town or city, they come to know their responsibility to build up their country. Our faith is not an individual faith, it is a faith that builds up society's that are just, equal and free.
The Church in Belize has a responsibility to help move its society forward.
We too in the Church in Newfoundland and Labrador have a responsibility to help move society forward - both in Belize and at home.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Exploring a Relationship with Belize
The diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador and the diocese of Belize in Central America have begun the process of partnering, coming along side one another in support of a shared ministry to the whole people of God.
I'll be departing on Sunday for 10 days in the diocese of Belize. While there, in addition to seeing various aspects of the diocese and country, I will spend a day in an Anglican high school, get to meet the students, and share a message with them. I'll also spend a day with some of the clergy of the diocese, another day with some of the lay leadership, and spend a day in one of their northern parishes.
Any healthy partnership, any healthy relationship, is meant to work in both directions.
Most of the time, when one thinks about mission in a 3rd world country, it is thought about in the context of money and resources, knowledge and experience, going in a one way direction. "What we can do for them." Such an approach can be a help, but not really a relationship or partnership.
Regardless of what one's financial or human resources are - whether it be a diocese, a parish, a household or an individual - there is always something to offer in an ongoing relationship.
From cradle to grave, every human being has the potential to offer a unique richness to the family, the community, and society.
Our developing relationship with Belize is meant to be mutually beneficial. It is for us to find ways to do so.
Our relationship with those in Conception Bay North, is meant to be mutually beneficial. It is for us to find ways to do so.
I'm sure I will be blessed by the people of Belize during my visit.
I'm sure I will see ways in which the Anglican Church in the middle the North Atlantic can assist the Anglican Church in the Carribean Ocean.
And I'm sure I'll see ways that the Church in Belize can be a blessing to the Church in Newfoundland and Labrador.
It is for us to find ways to do so.
I'll be departing on Sunday for 10 days in the diocese of Belize. While there, in addition to seeing various aspects of the diocese and country, I will spend a day in an Anglican high school, get to meet the students, and share a message with them. I'll also spend a day with some of the clergy of the diocese, another day with some of the lay leadership, and spend a day in one of their northern parishes.
Any healthy partnership, any healthy relationship, is meant to work in both directions.
Most of the time, when one thinks about mission in a 3rd world country, it is thought about in the context of money and resources, knowledge and experience, going in a one way direction. "What we can do for them." Such an approach can be a help, but not really a relationship or partnership.
Regardless of what one's financial or human resources are - whether it be a diocese, a parish, a household or an individual - there is always something to offer in an ongoing relationship.
From cradle to grave, every human being has the potential to offer a unique richness to the family, the community, and society.
Our developing relationship with Belize is meant to be mutually beneficial. It is for us to find ways to do so.
Our relationship with those in Conception Bay North, is meant to be mutually beneficial. It is for us to find ways to do so.
I'm sure I will be blessed by the people of Belize during my visit.
I'm sure I will see ways in which the Anglican Church in the middle the North Atlantic can assist the Anglican Church in the Carribean Ocean.
And I'm sure I'll see ways that the Church in Belize can be a blessing to the Church in Newfoundland and Labrador.
It is for us to find ways to do so.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Faith and the beginning of the universe
I listened to Bob McDonald of CBC a few weeks ago trying to explain the latest theory of the beginning of the universe - the beginning of matter. According to this theory, there is a cosmic energy that produced the beginnings of matter and the universe.
In the Christian Church we refer to this "cosmic energy" as the Holy Spirit, God, the Divine.
Life is so much more than we can know or experience. Who could possibly deny such a comment?
Faith alone, reasonable faith, is what is required to move beyond our limits, that we may know our oneness with the "cosmic energy," with God's Divine Life.
Jesus is the Shepherd who leads us into the fullest experience of Life-giving faith.
He is worth getting to know a little better.
In the Christian Church we refer to this "cosmic energy" as the Holy Spirit, God, the Divine.
Life is so much more than we can know or experience. Who could possibly deny such a comment?
Faith alone, reasonable faith, is what is required to move beyond our limits, that we may know our oneness with the "cosmic energy," with God's Divine Life.
Jesus is the Shepherd who leads us into the fullest experience of Life-giving faith.
He is worth getting to know a little better.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Your Neighbour
Our global village is full of neighbours.
Our little towns and city's are full of neighbours.
There are neighbours everywhere!
What is our attitude toward our neighbour? Toward the people living next door? Toward the familiar person and the stranger that you meet daily?
How we "see" our neighbour makes a big difference into how we live our lives.
St.Augustine says "Love your neighbour, then, and see within yourself the power by which you love your neighbour; there you will see God."
Wow! Being aware of our love for our neighbour is to be aware of God, for God is love. To love our neighbour is to love God. To love God is to love our neighbour.
In every face, let us see God, and love God. What a world this could be. And it starts with you and me.
Our little towns and city's are full of neighbours.
There are neighbours everywhere!
What is our attitude toward our neighbour? Toward the people living next door? Toward the familiar person and the stranger that you meet daily?
How we "see" our neighbour makes a big difference into how we live our lives.
St.Augustine says "Love your neighbour, then, and see within yourself the power by which you love your neighbour; there you will see God."
Wow! Being aware of our love for our neighbour is to be aware of God, for God is love. To love our neighbour is to love God. To love God is to love our neighbour.
In every face, let us see God, and love God. What a world this could be. And it starts with you and me.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Friendship
As we enter into the new year, we recognize that there are many and varied ingredients that can add to a fulfilling life. Some we may already know and experience, some we may be still wishing or longing for.
One of those ingredients that we should be at least seeking to find and develop is that of friendship.
Friendship is not about using another person, nor about how a relationship can benefit you. Friendship is a gradual opening up to love and respect for another person in such a way that the life journey can be shared in a mutural and supportive process.
Today the church is remembering Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen. They lived in the 4th century, and in addition to their desire to be Christian, they give a strong witness to the value of friendship.
The Church is first and foremost a community where relationships and friendships can be found and fostered, where the journey of life can be shared.
One of those ingredients that we should be at least seeking to find and develop is that of friendship.
Friendship is not about using another person, nor about how a relationship can benefit you. Friendship is a gradual opening up to love and respect for another person in such a way that the life journey can be shared in a mutural and supportive process.
Today the church is remembering Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen. They lived in the 4th century, and in addition to their desire to be Christian, they give a strong witness to the value of friendship.
The Church is first and foremost a community where relationships and friendships can be found and fostered, where the journey of life can be shared.
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