Thanksgiving Offering – Church of the Transfiguration, Guaimaca, Honduras

Honduras Team

 Historically, the churches in the Diocese of Central Florida designate their Thanksgiving Offering to be used for mission in the Diocese of Honduras. This year Bishop Lloyd Allen, Bishop of Honduras since 2001, has asked our diocese to focus on a church with great potential, but in great need.

 Before burglars and vandalism left their mark on the Church of the Transfiguration in the city of Guaimaca, Honduras, it was one of the church jewels of the Diocese of Honduras.

Not only were the Eucharistic vessels stolen, not only was the organ and guitar stolen, not only were two vital sewing machines stolen, but every wall plug, the florescent tubes and the wiring panel were stolen from this lovely church building. With the theft also came vandalism of the sanctuary itself with many windows broken.

Church of the Transfiguration, which sits on unusually spacious and attractive grounds, is one of the best built and most useful sanctuaries of the Diocese. It also has a well-constructed building that at one time was used as a medical clinic.

Bishop Allen is seeking to renovate this Diocesan asset and revitalize its congregation with the goal of not only reestablishing its place in community life, but also to deepen and develop Church of the Transfiguration’s impact on the community of Guaimaca, a city of some 20,000+ in North Central Honduras

Father Comforted Keen, Father Gary Jackson, Erick Perez and Deacon Kathy Pennybacker, members of the Diocese of Central Florida, saw firsthand the damage done to Church of the Transfiguration on their visit in October. They could see the great potential of this congregation, whose membership has dropped to 17. The local lay pastor, who covers two congregations on a regular basis, said that repairing the damage done by burglars and vandals will draw the community back to this lovely worship space.

Following next month’s ordination of fifteen new deacons, Bishop Allen will be assigning a deacon to live full-time in Guaimaca and be in charge of Church of the Transfiguration. Part of the resurrection of the Church of the Transfiguration will include turning the building that was once used as a medical clinic into a home for the new pastor.   Having someone living on the property and living full-time in the community are both essential to the re-development and the sustainability of the church.