December 1, 2006

Dear Friends,

Recently an associate involved in peacebuilding initiatives died suddenly. I wanted to attend his funeral, but the death notice in the newspaper accidentally omitted the date and time. Believing that his background and the courageous steps he took for peace made him a significant figure, I found myself leafing through the other pages of the newspaper looking for an article about his contribution that might give funeral details. To my amazement he wasn’t mentioned anywhere!

Billy Mitchell was a former Loyalist paramilitary prisoner who served time for murder. During his lengthy prison term he was converted to Christ by reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Letters and Papers from Prison.” He also underwent a spiritual transformation that gave him a new perspective on the bigoted attitudes and violence that had been such a destructive part of his life. Believing that because he had been part of the problem he needed to be part of the solution, when he was released from prison Billy became involved in a community ministry to address the attitudes and circumstances that had led him into violence. He contributed greatly to a network of Christian community workers I coordinated, which brings Nationalist and Loyalist, Catholic and Protestant, into contact around common concerns.

At the opposite end of the political spectrum is Liam Maskey, a former IRA member who also spent time in prison. Like Billy, Liam reached a turning point in his attitudes and actions. Attending a Mennonite-sponsored seminar in the United States reinforced Liam’s growing conviction that violence is not the answer and, like Billy, he embraced a new vision.

In 1994, before the first ceasefire here, the “Protestant” UVF paramilitary group learned that the British government had engaged in secret talks with the IRA. UVF strategists wanted to get a message to IRA leadership to tell them that if they did declare a ceasefire, it was likely the UVF would also. They sent a message to Liam asking him to meet them on their territory, something that would have been regarded as absurd by most people with Liam’s background. But Liam prayed about it, and felt that just as he had taken risks for violence, he must also take risks for peace. So he accepted. Alone, though armed, he made his way into enemy territory, wondering if he was being set up.

At that unusual meeting Liam met Billy, and in Liam’s words, “something clicked” between them. It was as if they were being “called” to work together to help bring reconciliation between their respective communities. In the years that followed, a personal friendship developed and both men repeatedly took risks in terms of where they would go, who they would meet, and what they would say for the sake of peace. At Billy’s funeral, Liam gave a tribute. He said Billy taught him the truth that in order to build peace you must risk meeting your enemy and discovering a partner.

The experience of these two men is symbolic of the journey that whole political communities in Northern Ireland, divided by centuries of prejudice and decades of violence, are making. Efforts to find ways to political power-sharing falter time and again because of profound mistrust on both sides and the inability to see those they perceive as enemies as also being essential partners with whom they must take risks.

The Democratic Unionist Party demands that Sinn Fein must unequivocally support policing and the rule of law in Northern Ireland before the DUP will go into a power-sharing government with Sinn Fein. Likewise, Sinn Fein waits for the DUP to state unequivocally that they are prepared to share power in government with Sinn Fein before they will support policing and the criminal justice system. (For a recent update on the political situation see our December 2006 update on the Mission Connections site.) However, just as Billy’s death didn’t make the news, there are many unreported examples of risk-taking going on quietly, stories of church and community leaders learning to “look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:4).

At a recent conference organized by the Peacemaking Panel of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, we asked Baroness May Blood, Presbyterian laywoman and long-time community activist from Belfast’s Shankill Road, to speak about what is at stake economically, socially, and otherwise if Northern Ireland politicians fail to make the breakthroughs on policing and power-sharing that will enable a return to devolved government here. Over 180 participants heard her emphasize the need for risk-taking if there is to be any forward movement. She concluded, “…the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. Those chained by certitudes are slaves. Only those who take risks are free.”

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of the risk God took “while we were still enemies” (Romans 5:10) in reaching out to and forgiving us—in the hope that we would in turn embrace and act on the freedom offered in Jesus Christ. Please join us to pray that, being reminded once again of God’s way, people and politicians in Northern Ireland and in conflicts situations around our globe will find the freedom to leave behind ancient animosities, overcome current fears, and risk moving together into God’s future.

Faithfully yours,

Doug and Elaine Baker

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 175

We now have an over-the-Internet telephone line with a virtual number in the United States, which allows churches in the United States to phone us without paying international rates. It is (502) 413-6165. If you use it, please remember that we are five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and eight hours ahead of Pacific Time.

How to support us

While we personally are still strong believers in the importance of keeping up “undesignated giving” to support all General Assembly mission, the reality is that congregations and individuals increasingly wish to direct some of their GA giving to specific personnel or projects, and we are also being asked to secure more of our basic support from such gifts.

Direct Mission Support

Many congregations choose to direct a portion of their mission offerings toward one or more mission worker of our denomination as a way to interpret the use of the congregation’s mission dollars or perhaps to support particular areas of mission they care about deeply, while also contributing to the whole mission effort of the PC(USA). As mission personnel, we are also now being asked to take a greater role in encouraging you to contribute to our support.

Some of you receiving this letter already designate toward our salary and other basic support costs. We are grateful for this and ask that you try to increase the amount each year, at least to keep up with inflation.

Individuals may send checks to:

PC(USA)
Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Churches can send checks to their normal receiving site or:

PC(USA)
Church Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643678
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3789

Contributors should take care to put our name and DMS number, D500260, on the subject line of the check. Restricted or designated giving is subject to equalization at all levels and is a part of the PC(USA). For more information contact: Judy Pearson. Download a pledge form.

Extra Commitment Opportunities

For congregations or individuals who wish to support our ministry with financial gifts beyond salary and other basic support costs, a special ECO account has been established. These funds are used (1) for operating and administrative expenses of the regional liaison in helping implement programs with partner churches and institutions (2) for supporting PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries in direct mission involvement with partners, and (3) for giving practical, pastoral, and culture transition support to other PC(USA) mission personnel serving in the region.

Contributions from individuals may be sent to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Individual Remittance Processing, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Contributions from churches should be sent to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Church Remittance Processing, PO Box 643678, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3678. Write the title (Regional liaison for Ireland and the UK) and the ECO number (E052803) on the subject line of the check and put it on your cover letter, too.

Another ECO account, E442202, Peacemaking in Europe, allows us to use funds to provide further training and support for partners in the Irish churches engaging in peacemaking activities or some of the local projects where our Young Adult Volunteers serve. From time to time it also allows us to buy teaching materials and resources to use in special educational projects or training.

Churches or individuals wishing to specifically support the Young Adult Volunteer program in Northern Ireland can send contributions to account E047997. Write Northern Ireland YAV on the subject line of your check.

To give online, click one of the buttons below:

Regional Liaison to Ireland and the U.K.

Peacemaking in Northern Ireland.

Young Adult Volunteers in Northern Ireland.