From Argentina to Greenisland

Friday January 23rd 2009

Cecilia Valdiviezo from Argentina, Red Box Co-ordinator for SAMS (South American Mission Society), arrived in Greenisland parish on January 22 for a long weekend.

Cecilia is in Ireland for a few weeks to visit supporting churches and participate in the SAMS Ireland Friday Night Live event on February 6.

In Greenisland, the Rev Paul Lyons has organised a variety of informal meetings and larger church events which will be fun, informative and challenging.

The Red Box Project is an initiative committed to supporting the Church in South America. SAMS Ireland is dedicated to resourcing local people through training and seed funding.

Cecilia’s teaching background, her commitment to community development and her passion to serve God have enabled numerous openings for service.

One of the exciting developments has been the Gap Year programme which has been developed through the Red Box Project and this has enabled numerous people from the Church of Ireland to experience and participate with the local church in South America. At present Megan Johnston from Lisburn Cathedral is part of the Red Box team. Megan travelled to Salta, Argentina, with a team from the Cathedral last year, and stayed on when the rest of the team left.

Everyone is welcome at SAMS’ Friday Night Live on Friday February 6, which will be hosted by the Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, the Rt Rev Ken Clarke. Keynote speaker is the Rev Dr Maurice Elliott, Director of the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.

The evening will feature guest speakers from Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, along with Cecelia Valdiviezo and the Rev Peter Bartlett, Bishop Elect of Paraguay. Music will be provided by Shankill Parish Music Group.

The evening gets underway at 7.30pm in Craigavon Civic Centre. For more information on SAMS events, opportunities and resources call 38310144 of visit www.samsireland.com