Written by Edith Guffey
I hate it when I can begin a column with the words “I remember when” because it not only indicates that I am no longer in the “young adult category but it could be read as meaning that I am also in the “longing for the past” category. But let me assure you that while the former is true, the later is not. In this particular instance, I say I remember when, only to illustrate that once it seemed that the world was so large and what happened in other countries had very little to do with me or the United States. That was probably just a matter of my limited experience and ethnocentrism, but I also think that incredible changes in our culture even in the last 25 have made the world smaller and more connected. With even a little bit of curiosity, I can easily learn and see what is happening in other countries and with maturity I have learned the interconnectedness of political systems. And yet it is still just as easy to be as isolated as I choose.
One area that I realize that KO has not had as much experience and exposure to in the UCC is Wider Church Ministries which includes Global Ministries. We have had national staff from Disaster Ministries which is part of Wider Church Ministries with us at Annual Meetings and have welcomed Missionaries who have back in the United States to our annual meetings. But in the years that I have been here, I have not tried to really highlight the work of Global Ministries. I have no explanation for that; other than I have deferred to the concerns that I see most close to home; here in the United States. It’s not that I don’t care about the global issues and it’s not that I don’t think or know that they are connected to the concerns we are facing in the United States they are. I just haven’t given them equal attention or energy.
I hear that same response when I ask local church members about their lack of participation in the Conference or wider church; there’s no reason they are active in what they see first in their local communities. I get that as I am “guilty as charged” of doing the exact same thing in a different way. I understand that it takes a special effort to see and move beyond what is the most immediate need because what’s right before us is so compelling, even when there might be something else just as important and compelling around the bend. My pledge to you is to be more committed to giving you a glimpse of other parts of the church that are “around the bend” as there may be something you don’t even know about that will make that extra trip worth it. Let’s start with the basics, as we begin to learn more about Common Global Ministries, like why is it called Common Global Ministries and what countries are we serving? And yes, it is supported by OCWM! https://www.globalministries.org/about
Thank you, Edith. Once upon a time, back when I was young, those who were serving as missionaries (now called fraternal workers) would spend a large part of their furlough year visiting local churches and letting folks know what was going on in what was called the mission field. I was one of those kids who always went to hear them speak and I vowed that was what I was going to do. I think this was the intent—to whet the appetite to serve of those growing up in our churches. It had to be, because when Armin and I ended up in those final three months of preparation, we ran into a lot of those who attended our UCC camps and colleges as well as the churches which entertained those missionaries on leave. I have to admit I am ashamed that I do not know who is serving where anymore and I am ashamed that I am not encouraging any young people to serve in the places needing fraternal workers. I hope it’s because there is less need for this type of personnel, but I fear they are still needed desperately in many countries. If for no other reason, they are needed to reassure the nationals of the love of God in this crazy world.
For an interesting read, I suggest “Around the World in 99 Beds” by Dottie Miller. It’s available from the used books in Amazon and is a fun tour of some of our missions in the sixties.
I will never forget traveling to India in 2008 and see our sponsored child, Saranya, for the first time at the Family Village Farm orphanage outside of Vellore India.
For years our family had shared letters back and forth. pictures of her seven years old, were posted on our frig. I never imagined seeing her in person. On that fateful morning, in perfect English, she spoke of my two sons, Chris and Dan, and my wife Linda.
To this day, I have the privilege of staying in touch with her. I love seeing pictures of her and her wonderful family on facebook.
That moment when I disembarked from an all night train trip across India and in the early morning light made my way to the orphanage where Saranya lives stays with me still.
None of this would have happened without our UCC Global ministries or our KO conference relationship with the Church of South India, a trail blazed by Dorothy Berry, John Kruger and others.
there is no substitute for direct face to face meetings, for building relationships, and realizing the love of Christ transcends all our boundaries and barriers.
Thanks for this initiative, Edith. K-O has a potential for many positive ties in many places, and I feel the UCC emphasis on fraternal…working with fellow believers and learning with and from them, presents a more advanced model of ministry. Ever since my early days as Christian, I have been a strong and balanced advocate of a “both/and” approach to outreach in the local church. I think this especially needed at a time when social media does and can give distorted views of “others.” It is vital to see the world our sisters and brothers in Christ live in from their perspective, not ours alone and certainly not the prevailing culture’s view. Looking forward to seeing what develops!
Will Best