Our Companion: The Episcopal Church of Panama FYI: Frederick Regional Council Partnership with the Diocese of Panama - 2005 Report Posted by The Companion Diocese Committee Of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark Episcopal Church of Panama + Companion Diocese Web Links + Report to 2007 Convention Companion Diocese Home Page + Diocese of Newark home page Report of the Frederick Regional Council Of the Diocese of Maryland On its partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Panama - 2005   Panama Mission By The Rev. Kay Rice Several years ago the Frederick Regional Council of Episcopal Churchesl (FRC) entered into a long term partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Panama and then into a relationship with FRC's sister region, the Grand Region. This relationship, now entering its third year, has taken on a life and passion of its own. As the 2005 Panama leadership team began planning the August medical and construction mission, it became clear that medicalservices had to be expanded to meet the specific needs of the Grand Region identified in 2004. To satisfy those needs, the mission focused on a program entitled From Your Family to Theirs. The spirit of partnership has continued to grow over the past two years, both within the FRC and within the Grand Region. The generous outpouring of support from the FRC Home Missionary Support Network was unparalleled. Mounds of soap, towers of wash cloths and piles of toothbrushes, along with other supplies too numerous to count were packed by intergenerational teams from the FRC. At the Arenosa Medical Station in the Grand Region, teams of local adults and youth alike partnered with the FRC Medical team to manage the clinic. This inclusive team lovingly saw 1,200 people in three days. Nearby the construction team continued its partnership with local craftsmen to near completion of the work begun in 2004 at the Iglesia Episcopal San Andrés. The structure was scheduled to be completed by the end of October. When the FRC first embraced the call to partner with its brothers and sisters in Panama, the mood could be characterized as joyful tentativeness. This year the focus shifted from tentativeness to the more affable spirit of brothers and sisters who share a common love of God and each other. FRC participating members: All Saints', Frederick; Catoctin Parish, Thurmont; Church of the Transfiguration, Braddock Heights; Grace Church, Brunswick; Grace Church, New Market; Saint James', Mount Airy; The Gathering, Walkersville. The Rev. Kay Rice is a deacon at All Saints' Parish, Frederick, and director of the FRC 2005 Panama Mission.   Reprinted from the Winter 2005 Maryland Church News, Diocese of Maryland This page was posted on December 12, 2007