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Almost eleven years ago, when Presbytery of Sacramento wanted to establish an international partnership, they turned to North East Southern Tagalog Conference (NESTCON) of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP), located on the island of Luzon in area east of Manila. Originally evangelized by Presbyterian missionaries these churches later joined what became the United Church of Christ of the Philippines.
Neither group knew what shape this partnership would take, but were open to God’s direction. Initially visits, correspondence and dialogue were exchanged resulting in understanding and appreciation of each other’s ministries. Partnerships between individual churches are beginning, with contact between pastors and church members through letters, e-mails and visits. The hope is that both Filipino and American churches will be enriched and enlightened by these partnerships.
As the Partnership has grown, Sacramento Presbytery has become an advocate for oppressed Philippine churches. Hundreds of killings, abductions and other human rights violations have occurred recently attributed to the military. Victims include over thirty pastors and certified church workers, predominantly from the UCCP. In May 2006, church worker Noli Capulong was shot by masked men. In the Philippines at that time, Rev. Larry Emery, chair of the Presbytery’s Philippine Partnership, spoke at the funeral and promised that the Presbytery would speak out on behalf of victims. Since then the Presbytery has been active in keeping the PCUSA informed about attacks on church leaders, as well as addressing Congress about the situation.
In 2007 Pastor Berlin Guerrero was abducted, tortured and imprisoned on unsubstantiated charges of murder and sedition. When he began ministry to his fellow inmates, using only one Bible with participants sitting on the floor during Bible study, Sacramento Presbytery purchased a hundred Bibles and plastic patio chairs. A delegation of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship visited Guerrero in February 2008 and the warden thanked the Presbytery and stated Pastor Berlin has made a positive impact on fellow inmates. In the midst of darkness, God’s light shines even in a prison! A few months later Rev. Berlin Guerrero was leased by a judge who claimed that their was no evidence against him.
In January 2008 a delegation from Sacramento Presbytery again visited their church partners in NESTCON where plans for church to church partnership were further developed to present to individual churches in the Presbytery.
"Merciful God, bless our partners in NESTCON as they to minister to the people of their churches and communities. May they continue to make known the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed. In this time of oppression, let your justice prevail for the people of the Philippines. Bring the violence to an end and release for the captives. Restore the dignity of the Philippine peoples and provide for them the abundant life that is your will. Help us to be good neighbors to them and advocates for a just peace for all. Amen."
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