About Us

The Guatemala Partnership is a collaboration between the Congregational Church of Needham, Needham, Massachusetts, United States, and the village of Santa María Tzejá, Ixcán, El Quiché, Guatemala. It was founded in 1987 by Clark Taylor of Needham as a way to engage this church in a vital over-the-border mission, connecting with a group of people who had suffered badly in the civil conflict across Guatemala. While the conflict came to an end in 1996, the barriers to quality of livelihood in Guatemala have steadfastly endured.

The bonds formed in this partnership continue to lift the village and its citizens toward the time when they will be influencers, creating opportunity while fighting the corruption, crime and impunity that have gripped Central American society for so long.

The Congregational Church of Needham 1154 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA 02492

Our Mission

Witnessing for social justice in the village, Guatemala and around the world.

Offering financial support for community-wide education and development programs.

Encouraging one-on-one relationships between members of the village and members of the Needham and greater Boston communities.

Our current leadership

The Partnership Committee is led by 3 highly creative individuals, all who have taken on leadership tasks for delegations visiting the village of Santa Maria Tzeja.

Bill Garrett
(Contact me)
Brenda Metzler 
— Treasurer, HS scholarship coordinator
(Contact me)
Alan Clayton-Matthews 
Partner Family Letters, Newsletter
(Contact me)
Organizational Leaders of the Partnership
Other contributors
Dave Johnson 
Website manager
(Contact me)
Former leadership, delegation organizers

People who have volunteered a big part of their lives to leading roles in this partnership.

Clark Taylor: Founder of the partnership. August delegation leader 1988-2007

Kay Taylor: February delegation leader 1988-2007. Creator partner family project.

Tina Scharback: February delegation co-leader 1992-2008

Caryl Johnson: August delegation leader 2003-2019 (Contact Me)

Fred Moder: February delegation co-leader 2010-2020

MAIL ADDRESS

For direct mailings to the Partnership… Brenda Metzler, 21 Castano Court, Needham MA, 02494