Presbyterian Church (USA)

Advent 2009

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

The dawn from on high will break upon us … to guide us in the way of peace (Luke 1:78-79).

Earlier this fall, I traveled to the Middle East. The trip included a stop in Bethlehem, where I had the opportunity to visit an ancient cave that is similar to what a cave stable might have looked like when Joseph and Mary arrived over 2000 years ago.

The cave stable was small, cool, very quiet, and peaceful. It was not hard to imagine the space being used as a birthing place for a child.

While there, I thought about how that quiet, peaceful spot is located in a wider region that is marked with ongoing violence and tension. I thought about other areas in the world where people’s lives are uprooted by such things as famine and warfare, and I wondered about the quiet places one might find there.

I reflected on how, closer to home, we have seen our own level of tension heightened this year because of an economic crisis, rising unemployment, mass shootings, a flu epidemic, ongoing deployment of troops, and so much more. I have heard about and seen firsthand how difficult these stressors have been on our congregations across the denomination. Mission giving, programs, building plans, and staff have been reduced in an effort to make ends meet.

It has been a difficult year. Yet, a quiet, confident strength has been present across the church from which amazing things have happened.

I have heard stories of compassion, generosity, and hope during these tough times. Food pantries, shelters, health clinics, employment training, and countless other creative approaches have been taken to help meet the needs of neighbors and strangers alike.

During the Advent and Christmas seasons, I am reminded anew of the importance of the peaceful birth of Jesus in that quiet cave stable in Bethlehem so long ago. The circumstances surrounding his birth didn’t stay peaceful for long, but the very presence of the Christ child was anchored completely in God’s redeeming love and hope for the entire world.

From that quiet beginning came the Word-made-flesh, breaking upon us to guide us in the way of peace. May it be so again this year – for each of you, for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), for the church worldwide, and for this very world itself.

The peace of the Christ child be with you.

Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

Winnebago Presbytery subscribes to a membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Resource Center housed in the East Central Wisconsin Synod Office at 16 Tri-Parkway, Appleton.

All members of Winnebago congregations are eligible to check out resources from the center.  You may visit in person or browse the catalogue on line at their new  website.

If you have questions or looking for just the right information to lead an adult study,  feel free to give them a call.  Darlene or Karen will be glad to help you.

ESTHER, is an interfaith social justice organization in the Fox Valley.  In Omro, WI the local ministry established Casa Esther two years ago.  That group established a local community garden in the city; the resulting produce is given to local food pantries in Omro and Oshkosh.

When the land was sold in this past spring, the Mission Committee and Session of First Presbyterian Church came forward offering  space on their church property so the project could continue another year.

Early in May members of Casa Esther, Fr. Joe Mattern, Garden Manager Mike Stadler,  and Pastor Ed Slusser planted the garden.   The harvestwas large enough that extra produce was  offered to church members in gratitude for the use of their land.

International Peacemaker ~ Diversity Circles for Sustainability

Join the Rev. Diego Higuita, Presbyterian Church USA Peacemaker from Colombia, in Diversity Circles on sustainability with trainer Sande Sliwicki

• at Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1300 Main Street, Stevens Point

If you want peace and sustainability and are concerned about racism:

• participate in dialogue in Diversity Circles to create action and change in sustainability
• learn more about accomplishments and goals of the Winnebago-Uraba Presbytery Partnership problem solve in this democratic process
• acquire tools for making your own plans for sustainability

Come and bring your friends for a pleasant, thought-provoking and valuable afternoon.

Questions–Call Frame Church at 715-341-3040 or Marian Seagren Hall at 715-842-7464

August 2009

Dear Friends:

As I write, the rain is coming down hard on my roof, nothing unusual for the extended rainy season here in Costa Rica (May-December). The worst is yet to come in October. Fortunately, unlike so many, I have a safe and warm place to be.

These past few months have been about the search for new faculty for the university. Between last year and this, four faculty members are leaving the School of Biblical Studies. It is a challenge to keep up with all the course work both in Costa Rica and in our associated centers throughout Latin America. For me it has been an especially challenging time as I have been struggling with unexplained chronic anxiety. I appreciate your prayers as it makes every task a challenge.

Our largest group of students these months is from Perú and Bolivia. It has been interesting to share with them concerning the many things going on in their countries— especially Bolivia. Our Honduran students have been very concerned with what is happening in their country, of course, due to recent events.

I must say that our students amaze me sometimes. Most of them come from situations of great need and have struggled to fulfil their dream to study. Victor Hugo is one of those students. I met him for the first time when I taught a course in Lima, Perú. He was front and center, inquisitive, a critical thinker, interpreting our study of Ezra through the lens of the many injustices in his country. Last year Victor Hugo finished his undergraduate degree with us and is now on his way to Costa Rica to begin the master’s program shortly. I say “on his way” because, due to economic constraints, he is travelling by land, a week-long trip. We trust he arrives safely. You see, Victor Hugo earns his living as a taxi driver, or rather, driving a taxi that belongs to someone else. They say Lima, Perú, has the best educated taxi drivers in the world! (During my time there an economist drove me to and from classes.)

I don’t know what Victor Hugo’s perspectives are for the future. At the Latin American Biblical Institute (UBL), we do our best to prepare our students for pastoral and academic ministries. Will his dreams come true? Jobs are few and far between, no matter how great the need for theological education. The economy has other priorities. But Victor Hugo is moving forward with his dream, overcoming obstacles we can only imagine, both internal and external. We look forward to having him here again.

Dreams are what keep us moving forward. We have dreams at UBL—to open new master’s programs in the area of gender and theology, AIDS ministries, Bible translation, and others. Our faculty is going through a time of turnover, with several retiring in the next couple of years. We dream of a team of diverse, energized, visionary professors to move us forward into this century.

Some of the challenges we face are the varied educational backgrounds of our students. The educational level varies considerably from one country to another, and while some students come to UBL and excel, others struggle because of a lack of basic skills. Finding ways to meet these needs and provide quality theological education is one of our goals. The diversity of the student body is enriching and many times an eye-opener for some of the students. For people of all different cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds, learning to live together in the dorm is an education in itself. Many inner conflicts come to the fore under stressful situations, which is why we have a staff psychologist ready to work with the students and accompany them during their time here.

One of our big dreams is to renew the deteriorated married student housing that is just off campus. It means tearing down the seven apartments that are there and building something new, both for students and to rent for scholarship income. It’s a huge project, a huge dream that requires financing, and we’re going at it little by little. When the time comes to build, we hope work groups from the United States will volunteer with us in helping make this dream come true.

My own personal dream of working on my Ph.D. is on hold for now. But I trust not for long.

May your dreams, hopes and prayers come true as we dream forth life in troubling times.

Don’t forget to support the mission worker of your choice and thus become a part of the dreams of many as we partner with churches, hospitals, and seminaries around the world.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth

The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 283