Letters to the editor

 

Bolivian Methodists mark
100 years’ service to nation
This August it was my privilege to travel to Bolivia to represent the Southwest Texas Conference at the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Methodist Church in Bolivia.
The weeklong celebration included a service of remembrance and thanksgiving for the lives and sacrifices of the founding missionaries.
That service was in the Anglo-American cemetery where many of these missionaries are buried. Several descendants of these intrepid founders were present.
Members of the Bolivian Methodist Church and workers in its many schools and institutions attended a two-day women’s Bible study and a conference for Methodist educators.
At a meeting of past and present Methodist workers, I introduced myself as a descendant of Moisés Merubia, the first ordained Bolivian Methodist minister.
The final weekend consisted of a gala dinner for those who had come from far away, a foot race for Methodist youths Saturday morning, a very nice and informative ministry fair, and a talent contest featuring representatives from each of the church’s 19 districts.
The culmination of the celebration came Sunday morning with a march through the streets of La Paz led by Bishop Carlos Poma.
We were about 7,000 strong when we reached the city coliseum for a service of thanksgiving.
Special guests at this service were Evo Morales Ayma, president of Bolivia; his vice president; and three cabinet members—one of whom, Justice Minister Casimira Rodríguez, is a Methodist.
During the service, the president presented the Bolivian Methodist Church a medal for distinguished service to the country.
Indeed God has blessed and will continue to bless Bolivia through his people called Methodist. 
Sonia Merubia
Austin

Critics of preaching haven’t
heard any of my sermons
I write to set the record straight. Numerous times in the last few years, I have read generalizations about preachers’ sermons by columnists in the Witness.
I want to make it known that not one of those people criticizing sermons has ever attended a service where I preached.
An unscientific poll of some of my friends reveals they have never seen the critiquers listening to their sermons either.
I want to make it clear that when columnists criticize preaching they do so with a limited knowledge of the subject. 
Larry Shores
San Antonio