Don't hate me. I have been away with my wife Ruth for a week in the gently, breezy warmth of Cuba. The weather and sunshine were a tonic, and we have been informed since returning that we missed what was probably the coldest week of the winter. We ventured away from the protective bubble of the resort twice including a trip to a seminary in the city of Mantazas with which the United Church of Canada has a relationship http://www.cuba-theological-seminary.org/ . Mantazas is a busy city of roughly one hundred and thirty thousand souls. As we drove up the hill to the college our taxi driver carefully made his way around gaping potholes. He deftly avoided stray dogs who looked as though they could use a good meal as well the children playing in the streets. There were people everywhere and as we drove past houses badly in need of maintenance and repair we could see in through windows to the folk gathered around tables. While every person is guaranteed employment there is no apparent wealth in Cuba.
The seminary was a simple but well-kept oasis of order atop a hill overlooking Matanzas Bay. The administrator, rector, and another teaching staff member welcomed us warmly and explained their important work in preparing Cuban students for the ministry. The chapel shown above is used by the three denominations which run the seminary (Presbyterian, Episcoplian, Methodist) and, on occasion, by others in the city, including the Roman Catholics.
We were so glad we took time away from the beach to visit this centre of Christian faith. It was a reminder to us of the history of ecumenical openness and support which is our heritage in the United Church.
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