IGLESIA EPISCOPAL DOMINICANA

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Work Teams

Mission Teams

Work Teams

Team Tips

Airport Shuffle

Medical Teams

Bible School

 Mission Discovery

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Mission Team Coordinator

Ellen Snow

Oficina Diocesana

(809) 686-7493

Cel: (809) 323-9379

E-Mail

bobsnow_2000@yahoo.com

Work teams have played an important role in the development of the Episcopal Church in the Dominican Republic.  Teams have done a variety of projects including: installing a water line in a community, building church benches, constructing latrines, repairing homes of church members, helping build churches and schools, and doing many different maintenance projects. 

Each year, the Diocesan Team Coordinator asks priests to provide a list of possible projects.  The Bishop also develops a list of large projects which are diocesan priorities.  These major projects are normally too large for one team, so the diocese will seek the support of several groups.

In the United States, churches raise most of the required funds for a major project in advance before starting construction.  In the DR, Bishop Holguin uses a “field of dreams” concept of development.  For example, when the diocese has sufficient funds to start the foundation of a church, the construction begins.  The Bishop’s theory is that “if we start building” others “will come” to help us.  Major projects are often under construction for two to fours years and many teams may be involved before the project is completed.

The Dominican Development Group, a non-profit organization associated with Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana, has developed a unique concept for constructing major projects.  The DDG works with deaneries (convocations or regions in some dioceses) to develop resources for a major project.  The Tampa Deanery, Diocese of Southwest Florida, was the first to adopt this concept.  During the past five years, this deanery has helped build two schools.  The Deanery sends 3 or more teams each summer to work on a project and each team has representatives from the various churches. One benefit of this approach is that Episcopalians attending different churches in the same area have an opportunity to develop relationships which last beyond their Dominican experience.  One deanery team member said he felt deanery projects strengthened the Episcopal Church in his area.              

A diocesan goal is to have work teams maintain diocesan facilities, thus providing local church with additional funds to develop other ministries.  One team leader was disappointed that his group was being asked to paint church, because they were hoping for “a more substantial project.”  However, for the local church painting their church was a major priority, because they did not have the funds to do so. 

The diocese and local churches do not have the funds to buy the materials a team will need to accomplish their project.  As a result, the diocese asks teams to provide a minimum of $175 per team member to cover these costs.  Many teams provide funds well above this sum.  This per-team-member assessment does not include transportation, lodging or meal costs.

Your team will be working side by side with members of the local church and more than likely people in the community who are not members.  Teams, especially from the United States, attract a lot of attention.  Though teams provide much-needed resources, this diocese and its people provide teams with a cultural experience that almost always deepens the spiritual commitment of those involved.  We tell teams that if there is a choice between developing a friendship with a Dominican, or painting for 20 minutes more, choose the opportunity to develop a relationship. 

A mission trip should also be a spiritual journey.  The work project is secondary.  During your mission trip, you will experience the Anglican Church in a way which would simply not be possible if you confined your experiences to your own diocese.

The diocese is frequently asked this question:  “Wouldn’t it be better if our team stayed home, and sent you the money we would spend on the trip.”  Our answer is:  “NO”.  The money would allow us to complete a project in a shorter period of time. But money is impersonal.  The only way we can repay your kindness is by allowing us to pass the peace of Christ to you in our churches, and to share with you our culture and the beauty of this country and its people.

"You Are My Witnesses"

St. Luke 28: 48

Telephone #: (809) 686-7493; (809) 688-6016  FAX: (809) 686-6364