November 4-10, 2025

The Cuba Partnership Team is leading the Encuentro (Encounter) trip to Cuba November 4-10, 2025. This is our first time on a trip like this as a presbytery since 2019. Representatives from each partnership church, including previous partnership churches considering a renewed partnership, will be given priority. Baltimore presbytery has seven churches in partnership with El Centro Presbytery. We are prayerfully seeking five more churches to join the Cuba Partnership team. If you or your congregation are discerning a new mission partnership, this is an excellent trip to encounter Cuba and its rich Reformed heritage!

We have room for up to 30 people for this trip. We must limit the trip to 3-5 people per congregation. The spots will fill up on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. This means – the sooner you register and pay your deposit, the better!

Itinerary

Application Deadline is July 15, 2025

• Tuesday, November 4: Depart Baltimore, MD for Santa Clara, Cuba
• Tuesday, November 4 – Thursday, November 6: Stay for two nights at the Cuba Reformed Church National Retreat Center (CANIP) in the countryside of Santa Clara, Cuba for two nights with members of our partner churches
• Thursday, November 6 to Sunday, November 9 : Stay for three nights with various partner churches throughout the presbytery
• Sunday, November 9 – Monday, November 10: Closing reflection, meals, and celebration of the partnership at CANIP
• Monday, November 10: Depart Santa Clara, Cuba for Baltimore, MD

Additionally

• Deposit Due by July 15: $500
• Application Due by July 15
• Total cost: $1600~ 

Scholarships are available. Please inquire with Rev. Michele Wallen, Associate Presbyter for Community Engagement

Apply Today

About Me

Name *

First

Last

As it appears on your passport

Name for Name Tag *

Preferred Pronouns *He/HimShe/HerThey/Them

GenderMaleFemaleTransNon binaryOther

Email *

Phone *

Documentation

Date of Birth *

Passport # *

Expiration Date *

Country of Issue *

Congregational Involvement

Church you attend or are a member *

The support of your congregation is an important aspect of this experience. Please discuss your plan to participate with your pastor or mission committee. *

Emergency Contact Information

Emergency Contact Name *

First

Last

Emergency Contact Relationship *

Emergency Contact Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Emergency Contact Phone

Emergency Contact Email *

Medical Information

Please indicate if any of the following applies: *

• Mobility Issues
• Allergies
• Will travel with CPAP
• Immunocompromising conditions
• Seizure disorder
• Surgery with the last six months
• Cardiovascular event within the last twelve months
• Respiratory illness within the last two months (including COVID)
• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Chronic mental health condition
• Other
• No medical concerns

PLEASE NOTE: If you use medical marijuana on a regular basis, be advised that possession of marijuana is considered a crime in Cuba. You will not be able to bring or use marijuana on a Presbytery of Baltimore trip.

If any boxes were checked in the previous entry, please explain:

Any dietary restrictions?

Current medications and dosage

Questions For Consideration

to trip Relationship

Have you ever traveled to Cuba before? When and why?

Why are you interested in going on this trip?

How would you describe your Spanish skills?

• Native Speaker
• Fluent/Bilingual
• Proficient
• Conversational
• Know a few words
• None

(no Spanish skills required for this trip)

I will attend a required trip orientation, to be scheduled by the group

• Yes
• No

Alternative Funding Sources

• Myself
• My Church
• My Ministry Group
• Scholarship through the Robert J Turner Memorial Fund
• Scholarship through the Herbert D Valentine Fund

Links for more infomation below this form.

How are you paying the deposit? *

• By Check in the mail
• Online Payment

Please follow instructions below this form.

I acknowledge that I undertake this trip representing Christ, my church, and the Presbytery of Baltimore. I understand that this trip is intended to enrich me personally and spiritually and that it may also challenge me in unexpected ways. I agree to show respect to our Cuban partners, the Cuban people that I meet, and the Cuban culture I encounter. I will abide by trip guidelines, show courtesy to my fellow travelers, and fulfill my personal and financial obligations. *

• Agree

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