Cuba Mission Team – November 2025 Trip
St. John’s will again send a mission team to visit our companion church, Iglesia Episcopal San Pedro Apostol, in Zorrilla, Cuba, Nov. 13-18. They will worship and share fellowship with the parish and community and deliver much-needed donations from St. John’s.
Missionaries are: Francine Walker and Chris Schoonover, co-leaders; Fr. Lonnie Lacy, Alison Dillehay, Joe Dillehay, Paula Kiger, Jan Porter, and JR Saginario. Each will take donated supplies for San Pedro Apostol, including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins for children and adults, altar supplies, and women’s items, and other support for the church.
Please help the November team collect the medicines, vitamins, and other needed health-related items. Purchase any time before Nov. 1 and drop-off to the Cuba Mission bin in the St. John’s office, or order for delivery to the church via Amazon: Click here for the list. As you scroll down to the bottom of each page, be sure to click on See More Items. Prices for most of the donated items range from $2-25.
We will also again hold another ministry Cuba Mission Fundraiser on the Patio at Cafe de Martin, Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30-7:30. For more information and to register ($25 per attendee) and/or to donate funds for mission work, CLICK HERE.
We will also be joined on the November mission trip by two members of Episcopal Church of the Advent, Tallahassee. Their companion is Iglesia Episcopal La Trinidad in Los Arabos, also a church led by Fr. Juan Carlos. The entire team will also visit the Episcopal Cathedral, in Havana and Seminario Evangelico de Teologia de Matanzas.
A Call to Mission: Crossing Borders with Love
At St. John’s Episcopal Church, we believe that mission is not just about traveling across the world—it’s about crossing any significant border with the love of Christ. Whether that border is an ocean, a street, or simply the pew behind you, we are all called to be missionaries through our baptism. The mission of the Church, as our Prayer Book reminds us, is to restore all people to unity with God and one another in Christ. And as Paul teaches, this mission is one of reconciliation—not through conquest or argument, but through love.
Recently, a team from St. John’s traveled to Zorrilla, Cuba, to visit our companion church, San Apóstol. Life in Cuba is challenging. Many buildings are in ruins, jobs pay very little, and resources like food, electricity, and medicine are scarce. As one of our translators put it, “We do not live in Cuba. We survive in Cuba.” Yet in the midst of hardship, the Church thrives, offering both spiritual and physical sustenance. Our partnership supports clean water systems, essential medical supplies, and a growing faith community. These efforts are not just acts of charity—they are faith in action, tangible expressions of Christ’s love.
But mission is never one-sided. Our friends in Cuba don’t just receive; they share their faith, generosity, and resilience with us. True reconciliation happens when we meet each other as equals, when we cross borders—not just geographical ones, but those that separate survival from joy, isolation from belonging. As followers of Christ, we all have something to give. Whether it’s financial support, supplies, advocacy, or prayer, each of us plays a part in this Gospel work.
Jesus himself crossed the greatest border of all to dwell among us. Now, in Him, strangers become companions, divides become meeting places, and despair gives way to hope. Every relationship in our lives is a mission field, and each of us is called to be an ambassador of grace. Because, whether we realize it or not, we are all missionaries of Jesus—the living, loving Christ of God.
We invite you to watch Sunday, March 31’s Sunday sermon with Fr. Lonnie and featuring, Beth Sylvester, Cuba Mission Team Member. And mark your calendars for April 28! We’ll hear the full Cuba Mission Team’s presentation.
New Way to Help
Here’s a great new way to help our sisters and brothers of San Pedro Apostol year-round when shopping at Costco, Sam’s, or a pharmacy and see a BOGO or a great sale price on any of these items. Or if you have extra funds in your FSA or HSA account, spend them any time and drop off your donations in the Cuba Mission basket in the church office.
Children:
Tylenol
Antihistamines
Multivitamins
Cough Syrup
Adults:
Multivitamins
Vitamins B, B6, B12, C, E
Probiotics
Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Cough Drops
Throat Lozenges
Antacids
Anti-Diarrhea
Anti-Nausea
Zinc
Hydrocortisone & Triple Antibiotic Creams
Antihistamines
Vicks VapoRub
Calamine Lotion
Bengay
Bandages
First Aid Supplies
