Central America CEDEPCA

CEDEPCA is an ecumenical training center in Guatemala City that provides safe, accepting, creative spaces where women and men from many different Christian traditions can deepen their faith while they strengthen their ability to confront the key issues facing their communities. The acronym comes from the Spanish: Centro EvangÈlico de Estudios Pastorales en Centro AmÈrica.

CEDEPCA trains men and women in ways to recognize and address violence and injustice in their world, especially violence against women and children. CEDEPCA works on building women’s self-esteem and knowledge through intercultural encounters, theological study, workshops on domestic violence, public health and nutrition, and other pertinent, timely topics.

At CEDEPCA intercultural exchanges bring together people from widely differing cultural backgrounds, contributing to a more tolerant, just and equitable world. CEDEPCA also  provides pastoral training and theological study for women and men. Its offices are based in Guatemala City.

CEDEPCA works in five Central American countries:

• Guatemala
• Nicaragua
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Costa Rica

BPC supports CEDEPCA programs by:

• Sending financial support
• Staying in touch with the staff of CEDEPCA by email to show our interest, support,       and concern for their work and welfare
• Recruiting church members to participate in educational trips to Central America led/hosted by CEDEPCA and organized by our Presbytery of the Peaks
• Educating our congregation about the work of CEDEPCA and the issues facing Latin Americans through programs, newsletter articles, and special events
• Requesting to Presbytery that BPC be one of the churches visited when representatives from CEDEPCA are able to travel to the United States (This used to happen annually but due to financial restraints and more rigorous U.S. travel restrictions, it is much less frequent).
• Working with other churches in the Presbytery (Northside, New Dublin, Salem) and with the Presbytery office to strengthen the partnership.