Creating the Cuba Partnership

The Cuba Partnership is a formal relationship between the Baltimore Presbytery, PCUSA, and the El Centro Presbytery, IRPC (Iglesia Reformada Presbiteriana en Cuba). While this association began under the aegis of the Presbyterian Churches in both Cuba and the United States, neither partner seeks to limit participation solely to the Presbyterian denomination; therefore, all are welcome to join with us in the important work which these pages will describe.

Mission Statement

In recognition of God's call, we dedicate the efforts of this partnership to uniting our communities with prayer, worship, and fellowship while compassionately sharing our burdens and joys in acts of mutual assistance.

Bienvenidos a la Compartida entre Los Presbiterios de Baltimore y El Centro

Esta compartida es una relación formal entre el Presbiterio de Baltimore, PCUSA y el Presbiterio del Centro de la Iglesia Reformada Presbiteriana en Cuba, IRPC. Mientras esta asociación comenzó bajo la deteminación de las iglesias en los dos países, no quiere la IRPC ni la PCUSA limitar la participación solamente a esta denominación específicamente, entonces todos son bienvenidos compartir en este trabajo que se halla descrito en las páginas que siguen.

Declaración de Misión

En reconocimiento de la llamada de Dios, dedicamos los esfuerzos de esta compartida por unir nuestras comunidades en oración, cultos, y compañerismo mientras compartiendo compasivamente los cargos y las alegrías en hechos de ayuda mutua.

Our Agreement

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cuba The Central Presbytery

The Presbyterian Church USA Baltimore Presbytery

Declare

A partnership between the Presbytery of Baltimore, U.S.A., and the Central Presbytery of the Synod of the Cuban Presbyterian Church.

That we:

Are united in one mission proclaiming the Gospel, maintaining love, hope, and mutual respect. We are organizing for the purpose of initiating a partnership between the two Presbyteries, suggesting that the partnership include:

That we:

Will constantly pray for each other.

Will name a Partnership Committee that will promote the work and the relationship.

Will establish close ties of information about projects, life, mission of the churches, Bible studies, and special activities with regard to the liturgical calendar we both celebrate.

Will, whenever possible, visit each other for the purpose of getting to know one another and to dialogue about current topics within and without the church: international tensions, violence, and difficulties in our communities.

And That we:

Will affirm each other as partners despite our cultural differences and will support the work of the Presbyterian camp as a vital spiritual center of recreation, training and spiritual growth for all age groups.

Will be collaborators in doing the work entrusted to us, sharing and interacting with each other in areas related to leadership development, resources, and worship with clergy and lay participation, always with the approval of both Presbyteries and in consultation with both Partnership Committees.

Will maintain a social vision sharing ideas and offering mutual help in specific cases that may occur in our communities.

Will share our life experiences mutually and with others.

And that:

For now our relations will be between both Presbyteries; promoting in the future the interchurch partnership always through local Sessions and approval of the Presbytery.

Our partnership will be in effect for five years beginning at the time when both Presbyters affix their signatures. One of either ofthe Presbyteries may elect to end the partnership after informative discussion. At the end of the five years we will evaluate the partnership to determine if it should continue.

We ask God to guide us in this partnership that we are about to begin.

The Partnership agreement was executed June 9, 2004.

© 2005 * Revised October 25, 2005