15 Jul Trying to Lessen the Isolation

Pastor Rubenia Bomatay was surprised, during my June 11 visit, when I told her they are the only United Brethren church in Massachusetts.

They feel very isolated in Jamaica Plain. The last visitor connected with the denomination was Billy Simbo, who was the cluster leader for that region. He visited Jamaica Plain three years ago. Finances prevented anyone from Iglesia Reformada Emanuel from coming to last year’s national conference.

They told me they needed help obtaining materials to teach their children. I sent an email to Jeff Bleijerveld, who found some materials to send. She also needed pastor’s card to prove that she is a licensed minister. I emailed Cathy Reich, our administrative assistant, and she took care of sending that to Rubenia. I hope these services helped them feel part of the larger church.

The most helpful thing we could do for them, they said, is to keep the connection going. That would be a big benefit to the people, showing that they are part of something bigger. I committed to them that Bishop Ron Ramsey or I will visit a couple times a year just to touch base with them.