Companion Diocese-Costa Rica
Engaging the Gospel in Transforming Ways
The Diocese of North Carolina currently enjoys a vibrant and expansive relationship with the Diocese of Costa Rica. In December of 2005 we entered our second 5 year commitment with the people and parishes of this lovely and hospitable country. Congregations across our diocese engage in on going service and friendship with Bishop Hector Monterroso, his clergy, staff and welcoming people. Together we build the Episcopal Church in their country by addressing health care needs, day care and education needs, church maintenance and programming and new church planting. Part of Bishop Monterroso’s vision for his diocese is, “They will know we who we as a church by how we take care of the children.”
Large, small, wealthy and modest parishes in our diocese find ways to connect to this ministry sending mission teams or joining with other parishes to lead vacation bible school programs, enliven EYC groups, train church musicians, facilitate medical screening clinics, or construct parish halls and day care centers. Some projects focus on bringing energy and hope to new congregations in neglected regions and neighborhoods.
God graciously blesses our efforts with the lasting friendships we form and the deep personal spiritual growth we experience as a result of our mutual ministry. Praying, sweating, laughing, breaking bread together, we experience the love of Christ in new and surprising ways. We take this experience of transformation back to our home parishes and share what we learned. Through our interaction communities in Costa Rica and North Carolina are touched and changed forever. Our Companion Diocese Relationship is indeed a ministry to be celebrated and grown.
To learn more about the many easy or more involved ways to engage this initiative, please contact The Reverend Sarah Hollar, chair of the Costa Rica Companion Diocese Committee at sarah.hollar@stmarks-church.org or follow up with one these churches enjoying the benefits of our relationship:
- Calvary Church, Tarboro
- Christ Church, Charlotte
- Church of the Nativity, Raleigh
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount
- Davison College Chaplaincy
- St. Alban’s, Davidson
- St. Luke’s Salisbury
- St. Luke’s Tarboro
- St. John’s Charlotte
