March 2003

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Partners in God's mission

On a beautiful spring morning in late October they began to arrive at the international airport in São Paulo—from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Brazil, and the United States. Their instructions were to find Dirce Naves at McDonalds. It was no surprise that the largest group was from Brazil, whose territory and population comprise over half of South America. We were the hosts, flying or driving in from every part of Brazil. It was the South America Mission Personnel Retreat sponsored by Worldwide Ministries Division. Dirce shepherded the intergenerational group of Spanish-, Portuguese-, and English-speakers into a comfortable tour bus for the ride to the lovely mountain resort hotel.

Dirce, a volunteer-in-mission, who has worked and lived with me for over 25 years both in Brazil and in the United States, helps me do things "the South American way" and see U.S. culture and mission from that perspective. Two cultures living together under one roof understand both countries better.

Partnership in mission is meaningless without the interaction and contribution of the children and youth members of our mission families. They were present in full force. Mary Lane and Dirce organized a space for them to watch videos, do homework, exercise their artistic skills, and just "hang out." They also climbed mountains and went to a water park one afternoon. Their participation in the talent night, in a drama during one Bible study, and in the final worship added creativity, humor, and life.

Partnership in mission is hypocritical if WMD staff in Louisville are not "Partners in God's Mission" with mission personnel on the field. The presence of Tony Aja, Maria Arroyo, Susan Rhema, Brunhilda Williams-Curington, David Maxwell, and Bill Simmons was a message of support and communication. Even Marj Carpenter came, representing the General Assembly Council. The North-South partnership functioned smoothly as Michael Sivalee, missionary-in-residence in Louisville, worked with Dirce and me here co-ordinating events.

Representatives from our two partner churches in Brazil and from our mission office in Campinas joined us. Those of us who live and serve in South America have many affinities and form one big family in love with Latin culture. It was good to be together, to share stories, to hear updates, to make new friends, to renew old friendships, to worship, to study the Bible, to enjoy the delicious Brazilian culinary, and to relax in the pools.

Women and men from South and North in partnership

Three months later. When we walked into the packed auditorium in the "ranch hotel," I knew that I had to go to the front and take a picture to register this moment. There were four women on the platform! In 1999 the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB), which had ordained women as deacons since 1934, voted to ordain women as elders and pastors.

Elder Eleni Rangel had been elected third vice-president of the IPIB two days earlier. She is the first woman to be on the national directory. The Rev. Niura do Amaral, the first female serving as a solo pastor and as moderator of a presbytery in the IPIB, was the preacher. It was the first time that a female pastor of the IPIB had ever been invited to preach in a worship service at one of their General Assemblies.

Niúra was my student at the seminary in Londrina. Her sermon on Acts 2:42-46 was eloquent, stirring, and challenging. As the banner in the background (see photo) indicates, the IPIB celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Niúra posed the question: "One-hundred years of what?" Of struggles and victories. Of "hits and mistakes." With boldness and clarity, she challenged the IPIB to continue the journey as a church in community, a church in mission, and a church of sharing.

Two hours later, another exhilarating moment. The president called the PC(USA) delegation to join the IPIB directory on the platform. Our two official representatives were Will Browne, WMD's associate director for ecumenical partnership, and Maria Arroyo, area coordinator for South America. Mission co-worker Archibald Woodruff and I joined them.

It was time for the "Memorandum of Understanding" between these two partner churches to be renewed and reaffirmed. After some encouraging comments and helpful suggestions from the floor, strong words of affirmation from the moderator, and a response with gifts from Will to the outgoing and incoming directories, they voted. The vote came in the form of a standing ovation and the spontaneous enthusiastic singing of the IPIB's official hymn. Thanks be to God for this partnership in mission.

Be on the look out for my article in the May issue of Presbyterians Today on "Brazil's Fiesty Presbyterians." It tells the story of Presbyterianism in Brazil and celebrates the birthdays of our two partner churches, the IPIB and the United Presbyterian Church.

A final prayer request

The doors closed for Geneva Press to publish the book I am writing about Partnership in Mission. I am sending a proposal to Orbis Press. Pray with me!

Sherron George

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 258