Colombia Partnership

Columbia Partnership Mission Statement

In partnership with Justapaz, the Mennonite Churches in Colombia, and the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ seeks to:

Deepen the relationship between churches in the United States and Colombia and encourage spiritual growth and commitment to the mission of the Church through prayer, Bible study and worship;
Expand our knowledge and understanding of the history and causes of violence in Colombia;
Stand in solidarity with Colombians who have been displaced by violence;
Collaborate with partners in relief efforts and community building programs to improve the health and welfare of Colombians who have been displaced by violence;
Work for policies in the United States and Colombia that support peace and human rights in Colombia as well as assistance to Colombians who have been displaced by violence;
Collaborate in this mission with churches and other organizations who share these objectives.

Colombia Report: 2002

Hugh and Kate McLean, members of the ecumenical delegation to Colombia during the summer of 2002, have prepared this report. It describes the sources of violence in the Colombia, the churches' struggle to respond, signs of hope amidst the tragedy and some obstacles to creating a just and lasting peace. The report concludes with suggestions for actions to nurture and sustain those who travel the arduous journey toward a better day for Colombia.

[Complete Report]

Ecumenical Delegation to Colombia: June 26 - July 8, 2002

The Colombia Delegation

(L to R) Kent Siladi, Lyn Shaw, Davida Foy Crabtree, Kate McLean, Sarah Dowling, Jerry Streets, Hugh McLean

Delegation Returns: First Images

A collection of early images from the ecumenical delegation's journey through Colombia is now available, plus some collages.

Delegation Preview

Seven members of Connecticut Conference churches have joined a thirty-five person ecumenical delegation to the South American nation of Colombia. Civil war, narcotics traffic, government corruption, racial violence, and grinding poverty have severely afflicted this nation for decades. Recently the Colombian government ended a policy of seeking peace talks with rebel groups, and a new wave of violence on the part of numerous armed groups erupted. While quiet at the moment, the situation remains very uncertain.

The delegation will investigate the increase in violence and displacement in these predominantly Afro-Colombian areas, and the struggle of social and religious leaders to address the social crises.

The visit represents a show support by the US religious community for the work of Colombian churches and civil society in the search for a negotiated settlement to the armed conflict.

The members of the delegation from the Connecticut Conference are:

The Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree (Conference Minister; First Church in Windsor)
Ms. Sarah Dowling (First Cong'l, Cheshire)
Dr. Hugh McLean (First Church, Windsor)
Ms. Kate McLean (First Church, Windsor)
Ms. Lyn Shaw (First Church, Middletown)
The Rev. Kent Siladi (Regional Minister, First Cong'l Guilford)
The Rev. Jerry Streets (Church of Christ in Yale University)

We have prepared a series of resources on this web site for use in daily study, reflection and prayer during some of the period that the delegation is in Colombia. Additional resources will be mailed through the Colombia Partnership FIDO service. Join the Colombia Partnership forum at the FIDO signup page to receive these daily mailings.

Daily Resources

Colombia Information and Resources

Amy Beveridge has assembled this list of resources available through the Internet and at the Ruth Dudley Resource Center.