A letter from Farris Goodrum serving in Brazil
September 2014 - Many months of festivity!
Dear Friends,
Greetings from the beautiful island city of Vitoria, in southeastern Brazil. We are in the winter months now, so are enjoying comfortable, cool days. We have had several months of enjoyable activity, beginning with the arrival of our son Michael, who is studying in a college in the Atlanta area. It was wonderful to have Michael in Brazil with us for four weeks in May and June.
Farris and Thelma wearing Brazil's colors of green and yellow
Michael, Thelma, Joel and Farris at Domingos Martins
Decorations for the June Festivals
Thelma opening presents at her birthday party
Rev. Thelma, Rev. Eliane, and Rev. Anacleto of the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil
Thelma with dear friends at the recent G.A. of the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil
June Festivals are a tradition every year in Brazil, when people wear straw hats and plaid shirts, and when foods, typical of life on a farm, are served. Joel’s high school promoted a June Festival, as did many schools and churches. Thelma, Michael, Joel and I made a one-day trip to a mountain town called Domingos Martins, which was founded by German immigrants in 1893, and the streets and restaurants were brightly decorated for the June Festivals.
June 8 was Pentecost Sunday, and I was invited to bring the message that Sunday evening in the worship service. I had suggested that church members wear something red that evening, if they should choose to do so, and many people did. There was an air of festivity as we celebrated what is often considered to be the birthday of the early Christian church.
And then, of course, there was the World Cup, hosted by Brazil in June and July! Everything was decorated with Brazil’s colors of green and yellow, and there was an air of excitement throughout Brazil. Schools gave a day off to students each time Brazil played on a weekday so that all could enjoy the games together. Thelma’s birthday, which is July 3, was celebrated with a surprise party at a gathering for one of the Brazil games on July 4. Brazil won that day, so there was much celebration. Everyone had hoped, of course, that Brazil would win the World Cup for the sixth time, but even though that did not happen, we were pleased with Brazil’s hosting of this huge event because Brazil is well known for its warm hospitality and friendliness to visitors.
In the midst of all this activity we celebrated the 62nd birthday of our church, the United Presbyterian Church in a neighborhood called Maruipe, here in Vitoria. There were special worship services on Saturday and Sunday evenings, and the adult choir that I direct sang in these services. Thelma sings in the choir, and Joel plays guitar in the praise band. The Saturday evening activity was followed by a dinner that featured different soups that are typical of this region, and many friends from other churches came to celebrate with us.
The senior pastor of our church is Rev. Anacleto, a pastor we appreciate and admire very much. When we were new to Vitoria in 2010 he reached out to us and began to look for ways to match our gifts with ministry activities of the church. As a result I have developed gifts that I had not had the opportunity to develop before, and Thelma, who was ordained by the United Presbyterian Church in 2011, has become the associate pastor of the church. Many things that we have asked to do at the church have come to fruition because Rev. Anacleto has given us many opportunities, and we have enjoyed teaching activities, not only at the church but also at the seminary, where Rev. Anacleto is the vice director. Thelma has often expressed admiration for Rev. Anacleto’s pastoral style, whose ministry is marked by calm patience and encouragement. As Thelma is on the administrative staff of the seminary, she works closely with Rev. Anacleto at the church and seminary, and I have always appreciated the fact that, in spite of so many responsibilities at the church, he still takes the time to sing in the adult choir, which I direct. Rev. Anacleto is very supportive of our presence here, which is a result of the partnership that exists between the PC(USA) and the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil.
And the festivity continues here in Vitoria! A few Sundays ago it was Father’s Day here in Brazil, and I directed the children of the Junior Sunday School Class in a puppet show that morning. We are working on choreographed music for Children’s Day in October. Recently, on a Saturday evening, our church hosted a Noite Tipica de Louvor (a “Typical Night of Praise”), and the adult choir sang in the program. All of the churches of this presbytery were invited, and foods common to this region were sold at a reception after the program to raise money for our annual spiritual retreat in February.
Thelma recently attended the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil. The big event at this assembly was the election of a new moderator for the denomination. Our dear friend Anita Wright Torres was the previous moderator and the first woman moderator of the denomination. She has a long family history in missions as her parents and grandparents were Presbyterian missionaries in Brazil. The new moderator is Wertson Brasil de Souza, from the neighboring state of Minas Gerais, and the vice moderator is Elson Rubens, who is from our own church here in Vitoria. We ask for your prayers for the new leadership of the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil.
Much has been going on in our lives lately, and we appreciate the support of the home churches, which makes our ministry in Brazil possible. We thank God for the opportunity to use our God-given gifts in partnership with this denomination. We are very grateful to the churches and individuals who contribute to our sending and support, and we invite you to continue your faithful support through your prayers, correspondence, and financial gifts. Thank you for all you do to further God’s mission in Brazil. Thelma joins me in sending this news of our ministry, and in expressing these words of appreciation.
Sincerely, In Christ’s service,
Farris Goodrum
C.P. 01-5021
29045-970 Vitoria, ES
Brazil
farrisgoodrum@hotmail.com
thelmagoodrum@hotmail.com
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 61
Read more about Farris and Thelma Goodrum's ministry
Write to Farris Goodrum
Write to Thelma Goodrum
Individuals: Give to E200349 for Farris and Thelma Goodrum's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D506380 for Farris and Thelma Goodrum's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).
