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February 2001
Changes and challenges
Dear Friends,
I was glad to be traveling with the women of the presbyterial
(women’s group of the presbytery) of Pacífico, as
I always enjoy visiting with women’s groups in the different
communities. As we rode in the pickup truck to Santa Fe, a small
rural community on the southwest coast of Guatemala, I was anticipating
a normal, routine visit, with a worship service and time to visit,
but was I ever surprised! I know how hard it is for people to
change, to accept new ideas, to let go of the past, but on that
Sunday afternoon I experienced such changes and many challenges.
On the ride to the church, knowing that this presbytery had been
adamantly opposed to the ordination of women, I asked Graciela
if there were any ordained women in the presbytery, thinking that
it would be several years before this would happen, even though
the Synod (General Assembly) of the National Presbyterian Church
had voted in 1998 to ordain women. "Hermana Elena, I can
hardly believe it, but I have been elected and ordained as an
elder!" I could hear the surprise and wonder in her voice
as she told me what had happened. The two men on the session who
had been most opposed to women’s ordination had changed their
minds! They had been the ones to say that they had seen that the
women were getting more education, participating in workshops,
studying theology. So they said, "We need to include women
as candidates for elder." The election took place with three
women and three men as candidates for the three position of elder.
Graciela and two of the men were elected. I gave thanks to God
for the openness of the men to embrace new ideas and to change,
and for the willingness of the women to study and to accept this
new responsibility.
When we arrived at the church I was in for another surprise.
The presbyterial had decided to present a video, produced in the
United States and translated into Spanish, about domestic violence.
This is a new theme for the women here to discuss, especially
openly and within the context of the church community. In the
past, women mostly listened to teachings from the Bible and saw
little relationship between these teachings and their daily lives.
There was a good group of women, several men and many children
waiting for us when we arrived. We viewed the video under less
than adequate circumstances—the first video machine didn’t
work and we had to wait while someone went for another; it was
hot inside the building; the children who insisted on seeing the
video wandered in and out; there was competition from a loud speaker
in a neighboring church. But the group was very attentive to the
presentation, which consisted of interviews with women who had
experienced abuse, and commentary from pastors, priests, rabbis,
and community leaders. When it was over, I asked if anyone was
willing to share their feelings. Several women said it made them
sad to see such abuse. Then the pastor said he was "content,"
and I wondered where this discussion was going! He went on to
explain that he was content seeing that there was domestic violence
in the United States, as he thought it only happened in Latin
America. This may sound like a strange comment, but from his perspective
it made sense, and I was grateful that he felt free to express
his feelings. Another man spoke up, saying that it was not sufficient
for the women to view the video and that they needed to bring
their husbands as well. Then the pastor said that the church had
done a study about women and he realized that women knew their
responsibilities within the home, but were not aware of their
rights as wives.
We have come a long way together! This growth is happening because
many people have been willing to work together. I thought about
Mercedes, a woman from the local community who tirelessly gives
herself to improve the situation of women; and of the other leaders
within the presbyterial who have been willing to try new ways
of doing things; and of those in the U.S. who have given money
so the programs and workshops are possible and to support my ministry
here. I thought of the words of Paul to the Corinthian church
and how appropriate they are in this situation, "for we are
partners working together for God." It seems to me that God
is using all of us to be about God’s work here, and surely
the Holy Spirit is in and with and through all that is done. This
is only a first step, but it is an important step, this openness
to new ideas, to talk together, to change and grow.
I do not want to leave the impression that everyone is open to
new ideas and that change is coming easily everywhere. The following
week I received a telephone call from a woman in another presbyterial
telling me that the session of a church in her presbytery had
denied permission for the presbyterial to have their annual convention
in their church! It is unclear why this decision was made, but
it reminds me that there is still much work to be done, but together,
as we are about God’s work, as the Holy Spirit moves in the
lives of people, I believe we will see and experience more new
life.
Ellen Dozier
The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 241
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