Participate

The Anniversary in Caibarien

Written by John Walter Monday, 27 October 2008 18:50

Attention, open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Anniversary in Caibarien

Pastor Edelberto Valdes of the Presbyrerian Church in Caibarien, Cuba sends news of the community's anniversary.

A song from the 70's, as interpreted by the French singer, Charles Aznavour, was entitled:   Great Anniversary, in which are narrated all the  surprising events one couple experiences by celebrating their anniversary of commitment to each other.


Last night, the 26th of October, the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Caibarien also had a "Great Anniversary". which brought to a climax a month's worth of celebratory events to commemorate the one hundred and six years as an organized church.

Every Sunday during the month we held a Talent Show.    The first was for women, the second for men, the third for the youth, and the last for the children of the church. All of the profits from these  groups was contributed  to the Anniversary Offering which had as a  set goal $1,150 Cuban pesos, which represented a part of the $2,000 pesos dedicated to make  the reparations to the sanctuary. As of yesterdar we lacked only $65 pesos to reach the total dreamed of.

Special invitations had been sent to preach: Bruno Muller from our sister church in Germany. Carlos Piedra, the Presbyterian Pastor in Matanzas and ex-pastor of Caibarien in the  60's, and Elmer Lavastida, who gave the Anniversary Sermon. Elmer is the son of Baratolomo  Lavastida who was the Presbyterian  pastor who served in Caibarien from 1921 to 1925, and from there left to found the New Pines  church with the support of the Caibarien  church. Now this special Cuban church maintains missions around the world.

Brothers and sisters from the Baptist, Methodist, the Penecostal Assembly of God, Getsemani, Catholic, Brothers in Christ and the  Apostolic Faith,  even members of the Masonic Lodge Marti, were  present  at the  Anniversary service.

During the Anniversary Month we celebrated two children ´s baptisms and received one new member by letter of transferal from the Luyano Church.

What ´s left to be done? MUCH! but we give thanks to God because until now He has supported us. We celebrate and we commit ourselves to continue working for the Kingdom in this place where God has placed us.