Today in the Mission Yearbook - Putting the fun in fundraising

Two Texas congregations hold photo scavenger hunts to support the Presbyterian Giving Catalog

April 30, 2021

Belle Christoffersen, a youth member of First Presbyterian Church, Mission, said her favorite part of the scavenger hunt was taking a picture at the canal. She learned that not everyone in the United States has clean water. (Photo by Katie/Brad Christoffersen)

That onetime staple in every youth pastor’s toolkit — the Polaroid scavenger hunt — is getting a makeover and making a comeback.

And during a pandemic, no less.

“When I was trying to think of fun, connectional things our congregation could do separately, yet together, while staying in our cars with our families for safety, I remembered back when Polaroid scavenger hunts were so big,” said Sheri Dittman, commissioned pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, Texas, and part-time coordinator for Congregational Development for First Presbyterian Church in Mission, Texas. “Now that pretty much everybody has a cellphone, I thought why not each have ‘quaran-team,’ in their own cars, receive the ‘hunt’ list, and then travel around at a social distance taking pictures of items on the list, all representing the Presbyterian Giving Catalog, then sending them to one person to keep track?”

It was a photo scavenger hunt — with a purpose.

What was purposeful about it was that Dittman, a faithful follower of the Presbyterian Giving Catalog since 2015, had set an ambitious goal for both congregations she serves — namely to buy their way through the entire catalog, which offers a total of 44 gift options organized into seven categories of need and interest in the U.S. and around the world.

Now in its seventh year, the Presbyterian Giving Catalog — which is available both in print and online — is filled with gifts that provide real and positive impact, including aid for refugees, education scholarship funds for communities of color, access to clean water and ways to end hunger.

For the two scavenger hunts — held on Aug. 29 in Brownsville and Sept. 19 in Mission — each of the required photos on the participants’ lists corresponded to an item featured in the catalog, such as livestock or a community garden. Upon locating the listed item and snapping the photo, each team then prayed a prayer written by Dittman or taken from the Giving Catalog to address the corresponding situation. Prior to the hunt, teams had recruited sponsors from the two congregations, each of whom agreed to pay $5 for each photo with all proceeds going to the catalog. Once all the money was collected, the children of each church chose which catalog items to donate.

“In every children’s message, program, or ministry, my goal is to help the children in my congregations to think beyond themselves and toward others,” Dittman said. “The Presbyterian Giving Catalog is our modern-day Sears Christmas Catalog, only now not for ourselves, but for others. This is a good way for us to think of others, not only in our community or only in our country, but around the world and how we can make a difference $25 at a time.”

In addition to raising money for neighbors in need, the children also learned some surprising things as a result of the activity.

“My favorite part was taking a picture at the canal,” said Belle Christoffersen, an elementary schooler from the Mission church. “I learned that not everyone in the United States has clean water.”

Because a latrine is a featured item in the catalog, Dittman had described water in the children’s handout as “a precious commodity that we in the U.S. sometimes take for granted.”

“It never dawned on our kids that even in the U.S. there are many people who are without running water, which includes indoor plumbing and things like where their next bath is going to come from,” she said.

For one of the photos, Jaycee Acosta, an elementary school student from the Brownsville church, posed in front of the sign for an area hospital emergency room to illustrate how the catalog provides vital necessities to border regions. “I might not be able to physically work alongside my siblings in other parts of the world, but I can definitely do my part to assure they, too, have clean drinking water or food and seeds or basic hygiene supplies that I take for granted,” Dittman said. “Any time we can help people — especially children — think beyond themselves is invaluable. Children truly want to start making a difference right now.”

Emily Enders Odom, Communications Specialist, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Donna Jackson, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Susan Jackson-Dowd, Presbyterian Women

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, although there are many ways to serve you, remind us that we are all part of the same body of Christ. Encourage us to do our part to spread the gospel throughout the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Serve, Work and Transform: Medical Missions Live From Malawi - May 4 | MBF

Serve, Work and Transform: Medical Missions Live From Malawi - May 4 | MBF: A Frontline Look at Reenergizing Medical Missions 7:00 PM Central  |  Tuesday, May 4, Part 1 of 2 Dr.med. Jens Vaylann, Assistant Prof. of S...

Today in the Mission Yearbook - ‘Addressing the root causes of hunger is always better than focusing on the symptoms’

An International Peacemaker in the midst of war takes on hunger at the source

April 29, 2021

Jaff Bamenjo, an international peacemaker for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, knows just how important gifts to the Peace & Global Witness Offering are in helping to feed those who are hungry. Courtesy of the Presbyterian Mission Agency

Imagine learning your family member’s home was burned down by the army, or that your brother-in-law was brutally murdered by soldiers in your hometown.

It seems an impossibility, even a ridiculous notion, to those of us living in the U.S. But since 2016 that has been the reality for families and communities in Cameroon — violent acts committed by the very military members who should instead be protecting them.

“Civilized people cannot afford to remain indifferent to the unfolding silent humanitarian disaster in Cameroon,” said Jaff Bamenjo, coordinator of the Network for the Fight Against Hunger in Cameroon (RELUFA) and an International Peacemaker sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and World Mission.

It was Bamenjo’s aunt who, in April 2019, lost her home when the military set fire to it. It was his sister’s husband who was killed “not because he committed any crime, but simply because in a war zone everyone is a target,” Bamenjo said.

But even as he grieves for those lost and worries daily for the safety of his family, Bamenjo continues more than a decade of work to help others who are suffering. In 2005, RELUFA identified recurring hunger problems in the poor and densely populated northern region of the country.

“RELUFA worked with communities to understand what kind of intervention will respond to communities’ needs, avoid creating dependence and will be sustainable,” he said. “Communities involved in the initial program proposed a system that will make food available in the community at all times and that will not distribute but provide foods to grain bank members to reimburse during their next harvest. ”Creating these banks helped people in these communities avoid paying high prices for food during lean times and ensured that food was available year-round. But as RELUFA was addressing the root causes of hunger in Cameroon, a new danger was growing.

The English-speaking minority in Cameroon were feeling marginalized in a mostly French-speaking country. In 2016, response to growing inequities, lawyers and teachers organized peaceful protests. The government responded violently, and that escalated into war.

“These acts of barbarity and inhumanity violate the sacredness of human life and are sacrilegious to the worship of God,” wrote one member of the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon.

Amidst this chaos and violence, RELUFA continues to work to help the most vulnerable populations.

“RELUFA has developed a scheme to seek funds and help the people affected by the conflict in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon,” explained Bamenjo. “Addressing the root causes of hunger is always better than focusing on the symptoms. Solving problems at an early stage is always better than running behind to resolve conflicts.”

The Presbyterian Hunger Program has developed strong partnerships with RELUFA. Your support of the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the Peacemaking Program to host the International Peacemaker program so peacemakers like Bamenjo can share with congregations about the challenges some of sisters and brothers face.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) also has a long-term relationship with the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon. The Offering provides support for PC(USA)’s ecumenical relationship with the World Communion of Reformed Churches as well as International Peacekeepers in the region.

“As an individual, I feel helpless, but I know I have strength because of the many people in the world who do care,” said Bamenjo. “It is unacceptable to stay quiet, stand by and watch the slaughtering of innocent people who only demand their rights and accountability. Let us contribute in any way possible to make sure peace returns to Cameroon.”

Give to the Peace & Global Witness Offering to continue the valuable ministry of the Peacemaking Program.

 Bryce Wiebe, Director of Special Offerings, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Jose Irizarry, Board of Pensions
Valerie Izumi, Office of the General Assembly

Let us pray:

God of mercy and justice, we thank you for the fire that purifies and the Spirit that sustains. Bless our modest efforts to speak in your name. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Getting through ‘rough, anxious times’

Presbyterian Mental Health Network hosted panel discussion

April 28, 2021

Emma Simpson on Unsplash

The global pandemic’s impact on mental and sempiritual health was the focus of a recent panel discussion by the Presbyterian Mental Health Network.

 The online discussion was the first major event for the network, which is striving to become an information hub for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastors and members looking for ways to better serve the mental health needs of their congregations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a myriad of mental health challenges.

“During the pandemic, and everything else that’s going on right now, I don’t think you will find a human being that is not struggling with their mental health,” said Tara Rolstad, a network member and professional speaker. “These are just rough, anxious times.”

Sharing their expertise at the event was the Rev. Dr. Bridget Piggue, director of spiritual health at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta; the Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon, head of staff at C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Dr. Valerie Lipscomb, ruling elder/clerk of session at Kirkwood Church in Bradenton, Florida.

The panel discussion focused on “the specific issues that the pandemic has raised for our faith community,” Rolstad said. “So whether that’s pastors, church leaders, congregants and even families in the communities that we serve, how has the pandemic specifically affected our mental health and what are some of the issues that folks are already struggling with?”

The event, which was free and open to the public, also touched on “solutions and some of the ways we can help each other,” she said.

In a Kaiser Family Foundation Tracking Poll conducted in mid-July, 53% of U.S. adults reported that their mental health had been negatively impacted by worry and stress over the coronavirus. That was up from 32% in March, the first time the question had been included, according to KFF.

Many adults also reported specific troubles, such as difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increased alcohol consumption or substance use (12%) and the worsening of chronic conditions (12%) due to worry and stress over the coronavirus, KFF noted.

By holding a panel discussion for those who are affected or have an interest in mental health, “we definitely are hoping that they will be encouraged that there’s an organization dedicated to this issue now and that they’ll show up to be a part of this conversation,” Rolstad said.

The network also hopes to attract people who might be interested in becoming more involved with the network, which was called for as part of a Presbyterian mental health initiative adopted by the 223rd General Assembly in 2018.

The network is intended “to provide a point of connection and support for people who want to work on mental health ministry where they are,” said Donna Miller, Associate for Mental Health Ministry for PC(USA).

Darla Carter, Communications Associate, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Danny Hutchins, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Todd Ingves, Board of Pensions

Let us pray:

Almighty God, thank you for your gifts of grace, ministers, new initiatives, and the challenge and opportunity to grow in the knowledge of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

WCC NEWS: In Africa, “resilience of God’s people amidst adversity continues to amaze us”

During a regional consultation on 27 April focused on how churches in Africa are living out their commitment to a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace in the context of COVID-19, World Council of Churches (WCC) moderator Dr Agnes Abuom reflected that Africa is experiencing a number of socio-economic and spiritual challenges and opportunities. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 27 April 2021 “It is our hope and expectation that the outcomes of these consultations will form the backbone of reflections, experiences and lessons learnt for future work on justice and peace by churches, ecumenical organizations and people of good will,” said Abuom. “As you are aware, this consultation is held at a critical juncture in the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, sometimes referred to as the third wave.” The consultation, organized by the WCC and the All Africa Conference of Churches, is the first of a series of regional consultations to share experiences related to the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, with particular reference to economic and livelihood issues, peace and security, health, gender-based violence, and humanitarian aid. The 10th WCC Assembly statement on the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace is seriously challenged by COVID-19, said Abuom. “The call anticipated continued walking, working and praying together for justice and peace in a world so unjust and so violent,” she said. “What the pandemic has illustrated is the interconnection of unjust global structures and systems; and the non-functionality of governance and economic paradigms in our present contexts.” But above all, she added, “the resilience of God’s people amidst adversity continues to amaze us.” The notion of eco-justice—an economy of life—is at stake, Abuom said. “Just access to vaccines is problematic let alone hesitation by populations due to poor information,” she said. “This consultation is a journey into harvesting of our stories, our experiences, our lessons on the pilgrimage of justice and peace and the impact of COVID-19 on mission of the church.” Paska Nyaboth Alfred, peace advocate and advocacy coordinator for South Sudan Council of Churches, spoke on gender-based violence in South Sudan in the time of COVID-19. “Young people have lost their jobs, schools have been closed, and as a result many girls have been impregnated,” said Alfred. “There was an increase in forced marriages by families, and there was an increase in domestic violence especially between wives and husbands.” COVID-19 has increased trauma among communities already struggling with conflict, reflected Alfred. “There is an increase in sexual violence, rape and defilement in the communities,” said Alfred. “The South Sudan Council of Churches has initiated radio campaigns to advocate against gender-based violence.”  The South Sudan Council of Churches also created a psychosocial support center for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. “This is working well so far, because many found it easy to speak about their issues virtually and get help from the counsellors,” said Alfred. “We need to carry out and support more psychosocial support centers to help survivors and victims of gender-based violence in the time of COVID-19.”  Rev. Dr Felicidade Naume Chirinda, retired minister of the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique and president of Council of Churches in Mozambique, spoke on the economic impact on communities in Mozambique, with special reference to Cabo Delgado.  Mozambique registered the first case of COVID-19 in March 2020, and the president declared a state of emergency by 1 April 2020. “Maybe, the actual crises are due to human greed and disobedience,” said Chirinda. “Cabo Delgado is a case for new investigations that call for our theological and prophetical commitments to justice and peace.” The consultation was moderated by Dr. Lesmore Ezekiel, director of programmes for the All Africa Conference of Churches.  Read the full text of Dr Agnes Abuom's opening remarks to the consultation Watch the recording on the WCC YouTube channel Learn more about this consultation See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Michigan church uses referral panel to get mental health services to people in need

Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Mental Health Referral Panel ‘has had significant impact’ on both the congregation and the community of Grand Rapids

April 27, 2021

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is home to the Mental Health Referral Panel, which has served more than 130 members and friends. (Photo courtesy of Westminster Presbyterian Church)

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has developed a proven and comprehensive method to help members and friends receive quality mental health services when they need them the most.

The Rev. Lynette K. Sparks, the church’s new senior pastor and head of staff, said the church’s Mental Health Referral Panel “has had significant impact in our congregation and in the community.”

The inspiration for the panel, which refers people to the best-qualified mental health care and has a funding component, was inspired by the life and death of a baby boy in 2012. Born with severe birth defects, the boy survived only 19 days. When the boy’s father, a Westminster member, sought counseling after his son’s death, “his experience with the therapist was anything but healing,” Sparks said. “When he came to our pastoral staff to report his experience and asked for a good referral, the idea for the panel was born.”

“Our pastor at the time didn’t feel he had the expertise” to offer the parishioner counseling, said Philip Gibson, a church member and retired county mental health provider who helped form the Mental Health Referral Panel and has watched it grow. “We thought, ‘What would this look like if we have a panel of providers that pastors could refer to with confidence?”

The Barbara Molhoek-Callum McPheeters Fund for Mental and Spiritual Health was created to help underwrite the costs of therapeutic care for people who can’t afford it, whether or not they’re Westminster members living in the Grand Rapids community. After a church member died by suicide in 2010, her son provided the first gift for this fund.

To date, the Mental Health Referral Panel has connected 134 members and friends of the church with the mental health care they need, according to Gibson. More than $83,000 has been distributed to pay for services for people whose insurance won’t cover the services or who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

“Today the need for counseling is greater than it’s ever been,” Gibson said of the church, which has about 1,300 members. “We have youth struggling with gender issues, transgender issues. We want to make sure when pastors come across a need, they can refer the individual with confidence they will be treated well.”

The panel’s roster of approved providers has grown to nearly 25. Committee members, many of whom are themselves mental health professionals, interview prospective providers to determine if they’d be a good fit on the panel. It’s been a helpful process, Gibson said.

“We think we have a pretty good sense of each individual, whether they’re comfortable talking with someone about pretty traumatic issues,” Gibson said. “One issue we felt was important in terms of comfort level is people who might be struggling with gender orientation issues.”

“Westminster for many years has had an open door for the LGBTQ population,” Gibson said. “One person we interviewed; it was clear their perspective on being Christian and being gay was not in line with where we felt comfortable referring to that individual.”

Gibson called the panel “an amazing resource. Therapists have said they see the fund as being helpful, and the pastoral staff see it as a very necessary resource. Otherwise, they have to refer to therapists by reputation. With these therapists, we have vetted them, so they can refer with confidence.”

Gibson said he was talking with a Westminster Pastoral Care Team member about sharing the Mental Health Referral Panel’s story with the broader church. “She said, ‘I know it’s been absolutely wonderful for me. I can refer someone and know they are going to get great care,’” he said.

For the past few years, committee members and the therapists in the Grand Rapids community have had lunch from time to time. It’s been helpful, Gibson said, to hear their concerns and the issues that come up. “Every therapist who can access services for their client says this is amazing,” Gibson said. “They wish other churches had this.”

 Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Sherri Hunter, Office of the General Assembly
Demetria Hurnton, Board of Pensions

Let us pray:

Great Spirit God, thank you for your Spirit that flows through us and is always at work in us. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Belarus, Ukraine, Russia Mission Network talks climate change

Faith community actively involved in global issues

April 26, 2021

Mission co-workers Al and Ellen Smith visit an eco-education center in Belarus. (Contributed photo)

At its recent virtual meeting, the Belarus, Ukraine, Russia Mission Network (BURM) invited an internationally recognized Presbyterian to brief partners on the impacts of climate change and the importance of the work faith-based communities are doing to bring about change.

The Rev. Bill Somplatsky-Jarman, a member of the World Council of Churches Climate Change Steering Committee, spoke to the group. A retired staff member of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, he has been involved in looking at the intersection of Creation and justice since the 1980s.

Beginning with a historical perspective, Somplatsky-Jarman said the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other mainline denominations began to focus on climate change in the 1980s. That mirrored a resurgence in environmental issues globally such that by 1990, the Time Magazine Person of the Year was the planet Earth.

The PC(USA) began to update its policies and form programs addressing the increased interest. In 1988, Somplatsky-Jarman became the first half-time staff member focused on environmental justice. This led to a major statement adopted by the 202nd General Assembly (1990) held in Salt Lake City called “Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice.” It was based on a study guide his office created called “Keeping the Creation.” It was overwhelmingly adopted.

Presbyterians for Earth Care started in 1995. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program held a conference called “Making Peace with the Earth.” It was the largest one they had ever had, with more than 600 attending. The conferences became so big they eventually had to be split between east and west. Other groups, such as Interfaith Power and Light, were created to work on retrofitting church and personal properties to become more energy efficient.

Similar actions were occurring in Europe. In the aftermath of the WCC’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation conference, a group called the European Christian Environmental Network was formed in 1989 under the Conference of European Churches. Somplatsky-Jarman said the faith community felt it was important to come alongside the United Nations process and encourage them to look upon climate change as an issue of justice and morality.

In 2015 in Paris, all the nations of the world made a commitment to reduce their carbon footprint and to do so in a way that would hold climate temperature rise to 2 degrees centigrade, with a goal of 1.5 degrees centigrade. Two degrees was what scientists said was the minimum to prevent catastrophic changes in climate. The countries had to agree to assess the impact of climate change on their countries and do that on a regular basis, as well as develop implementations on how to meet those impacts and reduce their carbon footprint. Unfortunately, all the commitments that came in did not meet the goal of reducing temperature rise.

The five-year review process was set to occur in 2020 but didn’t happen due to the global pandemic. Somplatsky-Jarman said countries are to submit enhanced targets for their contribution to reducing emissions. For the churches, there have been efforts to highlight the need for enhanced commitments and speeding up the reduction process.

The BURM network learned that in terms of overall greenhouse gas, Belarus is a minor player, .24% of the overall total. Ukraine is similar at 1.04%. Russia is 7.23%, relative to its economy and geographic size. The United States accounts for only about 5% of the global population but is responsible for 30% of global energy use and 28% of carbon emissions.

Somplatsky-Jarman encouraged the group to look at the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy’s Environmental Performance Index, which uses dozens of criterial to evaluate how each country is doing in terms of meeting its environmental challenges. One hundred eighty countries are evaluated annually in the process.

Initially Russia resisted signing on to the Paris Agreement, but in 2019 announced it was joining. Around the same time, President Donald J. Trump said the U.S. would withdraw from the process.

Ellen Smith, World Mission’s regional liaison for Eastern Europe, had invited two Belarusians involved in climate issues, but that they became stranded on the side of the road and could not make the call.

Kathy Melvin, Director of mission communications, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Sy Hughes, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Rhashell Hunter, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

Lord, continue to bless all those who reach out to those in need. Amen.

Word rocks share the faith

Painted rocks of inspiration are hidden in plain sight

By Donna Frischknecht Jackson | Presbyterians Today

Robyn Myers

This past Lent, residents of Anacortes, Washington, found faith. Others found love. No, there wasn’t a Holy Spirit revival sweeping through the community. Rather, it was a revival of another kind — a word rock revival. And the woman behind the inspirational rocks was Robyn Myers. A member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Myers has fond childhood memories of painting rocks and then hiding them out in public for others to find. So, when she found herself on the beach one day thinking of what mission she could do for Lent that was COVID-19 safe, she was inspired by the rocks in the sand. Myers collected 46 rocks, one for each day starting with Ash Wednesday and ending with Easter. She painted them with flowers and rainbows and phrases such as “You got this.” 

She then took the rocks and “hid” them in places where they could be easily seen, like outside a restaurant or near a bench. Many of the rocks found their way in a city park, nestled near tree stumps yet still visible to those walking on the path.

Myers, who found the act of painting a time of personal contemplation, also prayed for those who would find the rocks. Now that Lent is over, Myers observed that this activity would be a wonderful summer project for congregations.

Donna Frischknecht Jackson is editor of Presbyterians Today.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Success and near-misses (such as serving lasagna for brunch) are part of intercultural ministry

Pennsylvania pastor shares joys, struggles of sharing and celebrating cultural heritage together

April 25, 2021

the Rev. Dr. Noé Juarez

Leaders of churches in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can be pastoral, intercultural and even fun — but it’s rarely spontaneous. Those sought-after qualities normally require careful planning and even some buy-in from the targeted audience.

But it’s richly rewarding work, according to the Rev. Dr. Noé Juarez, pastor for mission and family ministries at Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Juarez presented a workshop during the Intercultural Transformation Workshops, put on by the Presbyterian Intercultural Network, the presbyteries of Sacramento and Stockton and Charlotte and the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Juarez said he uses humor as a way to get people to open up. Rather than directing barbs at others, Juarez, who’s originally from Peru, tells jokes on himself. An example: What’s the definition of xenophobia? It’s the fear of Peruvians. “The safest way not to offend others,” he said, “is to laugh at yourself.”

Juarez said he learned English by watching the sitcom “Friends” and listening to English-language songs. These days and in previous callings in Florida and North Carolina, he and church members delight in hosting intercultural ministry events involving food, art, music and dancing. Celebrating in those ways allows participants “to be more festive and to have an open spirit,” he said. Special worship services followed by shared meals, art, music and dancing during important events on the church calendar — Pentecost and Christmas come to mind — “has always been meaningful,” he said. “It’s amazing how we can learn from each other in fun and meaningful ways.”

Juarez said he finds biblical and theological understanding of interculturality in these key passages:

• Genesis 1:27 — All humanity is created in the image of
• Genesis 11:1-9 — The Tower of Babel as a place of pride, fear of one another and confusion.
• Acts 2:1-8 — The story of Pentecost shifts the paradigm of confusion into the celebration of all The language and culture of every person are celebrated.
• Revelation 7:9 — The vision that every nation, every tribe and all peoples worship the Lord

Over the years, Juarez has helped offer any number of intercultural events that have blessed worshipers at the churches he’s served. World Communion Sunday and Christmas “are good times to be intercultural,” he said. In his present community, Lancaster residents hold a First Friday community event. Artists from different backgrounds share their work, and musicians “from all kinds of genres and backgrounds” play.

Other forays have been less successful. When he led a Hispanic ministry in North Carolina, he tried to unite his mainly Mexican community with a growing group of Cuban immigrants. “In my naïve understanding, I thought we could all come together for worship,” Juarez said. “We lost half of our Mexicans and half our Cubans. I am from Peru and I tried to be neutral, but their music and their attitudes were very different. The Cubans wanted upbeat, Caribbean music, and the Mexicans wanted something different. If I could go back, I would try to find a few things they had in common, and then gradually try to bring them together.”

At another stop, he led bilingual worship every Sunday. “That’s hard for the preacher,” he said. “It was just too much. In my experience, it works better to worship in one language or the other. You can occasionally combine them, but not every Sunday.”

Another important consideration: Who’s in charge of the kitchen?

At one church he served, members and friends served a once-a-month brunch from 10:30 a.m. through noon for the community “and for our homeless friends,” he said. On one occasion, the matriarch of the family in charge of the meal that week decided she wanted to provide the community with the best food she could: lasagna.

“Some of our white members were upset,” Juarez said. “How dare we serve lasagna for brunch? Our homeless friends enjoyed eating lasagna at 10:30 in the morning, but for some of our Anglo friends, that was not acceptable. It’s important to have clarity in communication.”

Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Tyler Holm, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Carl Horton, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

Loving God, continue to challenge us to grow in faith, always remembering to be grateful for the firm foundation you provide. May we be ever open to learning and sharing in your work in our world. Amen.