Dear People of St. James’,
In May of 2023, you’ll remember that The Rev. George Porter, a priest from the Diocese of Nicaragua, joined us in our celebration of Thurgood Marshall Sunday as a guest while he was in Texas for a Church Pension Group conference at Camp Allen. For me, it was a pleasure to get to see Rev. Porter again and serve at the altar with him. I had first met Rev. Porter when he was in the running for bishop of the Diocese of Costa Rica, and I had been impressed with his pastoral leadership.
As Rev. Porter was about to head home from this visit in May, his life was turned upside-down when he was denied re-entry into Nicaragua. As you may know there has been much persecution of religious leaders in Nicaragua. It is a tragedy to be exiled from your home and your people, your parish and the life you have sought to build. Imagine.
Seeking asylum is difficult. Once you file your asylum request, which is no easy task, it can take six months to a year simply to get a work permit. This does not account for the trauma of leaving one life and beginning another.
With diocesan permission and the full and unequivocal support of the Vestry, we decided to figure out how to welcome and make a space of refuge and (non-stipendiary) support for Rev. Porter. It has been a blessing to have him with our community this past summer, and he will continue to be with us as his immigration process continues. I am very grateful for the way the St. James’ community has already embraced Rev. Porter and journeyed with him during this time of many unknowns. This is the way we belong to each other as siblings in Christ, making the tragedy of exile bearable through the gift of radical hospitality.
As you are aware, St. James’ has been seeking an Associate Rector to serve both our Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities, and many of you have been asking about whether Rev. Porter might take up that role. Given where he is in his process, it is too early to answer that question, which will require mutual discernment and some process on the diocesan level once that kind of discernment is allowed. However, St. James’ can expect to enjoy having Rev. Porter with us into spring of 2024, and that is a beautiful thing.
This Sunday, during the Sunday Morning Forum, we will make some space for you to hear more about Rev. Porter’s years of ministry in Nicaragua. Our new seminarian Peter Meyr, whose own experience includes adapting to new cultures and places, will lead some conversation with Rev. Porter. Please join us if you can!
Rev. Eileen
