Background

Over the past couple of months, the CRCC Global Engagement team, with input from the pastoral staff and the CRCC congregation, settled on a list of five countries in which to explore possibilities for long-term commitment and investment in ministry and partnership. The list of counties was determined through several criteria, including: need, accessibility, Cedar Ridge connection, and presence of a local Diaspora in the Baltimore-Washington area. Please refer to the summary document from January, available at <www.crcc.org> for more information. The "short list" of countries is Ethiopia, Guatemala, El Salvador, India, and Nicaragua.

Recent meeting

To further refine our focus and determine one or two countries where we could commit to long-term partnership, the Global Engagement team held a meeting on Saturday, April 18, with an expanded group of the Cedar Ridge community. All members of the congregation were invited, but we especially encouraged those who had direct connections to one of the five countries or the local Diaspora to join the discussion. The meeting was a time to hear from involved members in our community and to expand the discussion beyond the smaller Global Engagement team. As small groups, we discussed relationships, connections and possibilities for partnership within these five countries. It was clear through this meeting that there were several countries where our community has clear connections. Though we explored opportunities and areas where God is already at work in all these countries, Ethiopia and Guatemala clearly emerged as countries in which the CRCC community has significant connections and relationships. Both of these countries were highly represented by those who attended this meeting (alternatively India, Nicaragua and El Salvador were minimally represented, if at all). Though representation at this meeting was certainly not the criteria for making a final decision about where Cedar Ridge might focus, it was a clear indicator of where we have internal interest and commitment within our community.

So where do we go from here?

Since meeting, the different teams have been exploring opportunities for partnership and Cedar Ridge commitment within these countries. We have especially focused on Guatemala and Ethiopia, due to the strong connections and interest we as a church community have in these countries. We are praying for God's guidance as we look to make a decision about Cedar Ridge commitment to a specific country very early this summer. Please pray as we examine where we can join God's work. If you have a specific interest or connection to any of these countries, please contact Dayna Kranker.