Our Companion: The Episcopal Church of Panama News archive From 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 An archive of companion news: October 2006 - Companion Dioceses Build Relationships - A report from Companion Diocese co-chair Martha Gardner: -At their respective conventions in early 2006, the Dioceses of Newark and Panama voted to enter into companionship. In March 2006, Ms. Martha Gardner and the Rev. Robert Griner, co-chairs of Newark's Companion Diocese Committee, visited Panama for a planning session with Panama's Companion Diocese Committee, chaired by the Rev. Glenda McQueen. It was agreed that the goal for the first year was to find ways to get to know each other's dioceses and to build relationships. Both committees agreed that in 2006 Panamanian youth would attend Cross Roads and visit the Diocese of Newark, and Canon Echols would visit Panama to work with their clergy on congregational development. Four young people from Panama&emdash; Clarissa Smith, Raquel McQueen, Maribel McCouli and Shekisha Murray&emdash;visited Newark in July and attended camp at Cross Roads, worshipped at local services with their gracious host families, did some sightseeing in Northern NJ and New York City, and spent quality time with Bishop Croneberger.They were accompanied by some of our energetic youth, as well as members of our Companion Diocese Committee and our Diocesan Youth Missioner, Kaileen Alston . Not only did we all have a good time, but we all grew as companions in our journey of faith. In August, Canon Echols spent a week in Panama which included a day-long workshop on congregational development for 80 clergy and lay leaders. The new Panama Companion Diocese co-chair, the Rev. Jane Trent Surles, reported that "the Congregational Development consultation has already had a tremendous impact across the church in Panama. The Newark story had a powerful effect on us and tapped a readiness for action that we have been unable to tap before. We are reorganizing ourselves and our priorities to support con- gregational development and will keep New- ark posted on our progress. Muchas, muchas gracias to our Newark companions for sharing such a valuable 'gift' with us!" In early October, since both the Rev. Glenda McQueen and the Rev. Jane Trent Surles were in the United Stated to attend a memorial service, we invited them to come to Newark as well to meet with our Companion Diocese Committee for a day. Unfortunately the other co-chair from Panama, Ms. Patricia Valee, could not be with us, but we did explore future opportunities such as clergy exchange, Newark diocesan youth visiting Panama in 2007, and consciousness raising about what it means to be companions in mis- sion. At the meeting, both committees agreed to find ways that congregations could develop relationships with their companion dioceses. The Newark Companion Diocese Committee will be working with the district conveners and diocesean committee chairs to see how this companionship can best be incorporated into the life of our congregations and diocese. For more information on our growing companion diocese relationship, look online at companiondiocese.dioceseofnewark.org/.   February 2006 - Companionship underway Formal action has been taken to create a Companion Diocese relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the Episcopal Church of Panama. Approval was given when delegates from all six regions of the Episcopal Church of Panama converged at the parochial school of San Cristóbal in Panama City for their 86th annual convention in January 2006. The Rev. Robert Griner, rector of Christ Church, Newton, and co-chair of the Companion Diocese Committee of Newark, attended the convention to present in person the invitation to the companion relationship. With a dramatic flair, he dropped to one knee, extended his hand and asked for a response. The hall erupted with a standing ovation, applause and shouts of, "We accept! We accept!" The Rt. Rev. Julio Murray, Bishop of Panama, said with a smile and a hug, "you have your answer." The following day a formal resolution was passed by acclamation, officially recognizing the Diocese of Newark as a Companion Diocese with the Episcopal Church of Panama. Leaders from both committees have been meeting to prayerfully consider how to mutually share gifts and talents with each other. As part of this process, the Companion Diocese Committee has asked that parishes include in the Prayers of the People "Julio, Bishop of Panama." This page was undated on March 10, 2007