November 28, 2006
E-newsletter #27
Dear Friends,
In this season, when the United States celebrates the national
holiday of Thanksgiving, the two of us have much for which we
are grateful:
- for the many friends and colleagues in South Africa who have
contributed to our transformative experience there.
- for our safe return to Ohio and for the warm welcome back
by many, including our home presbytery.
- for all those who have followed our journey by reading our
e-newsletters and those who have supported us in a variety of
ways, also financially.
- for our companions here and abroad who currently are part
of the process of envisioning our future.
Ken and Susanne with 2006 travelers to South Africa.
We returned to Cleveland, Ohio, on September 2 and have spent
the last ten weeks on “interpretation assignment”
for the PC(USA). We have preached and presented to congregations
and presbyteries in California, Minnesota, and Michigan and will
continue to do so around Ohio through the end of this year.
On January 1, 2007, we will officially retire—earlier than
some, but with the anticipation that this decision will allow
us to follow God’s call with fewer institutional restraints.
Continued connections with partners in South Africa will certainly
remain one of our commitments. In this regard we are pleased that
the Joining Hands coordinating team in the Presbytery of the Western
Reserve has asked us to resource their ongoing companionship with
the Sisonke Masilwe Indlala network. Together with the coordinating
team, we will plan to welcome a delegation from South Africa to
Cleveland in 2007 and to recruit and prepare participants for
a travel/study seminar to South Africa in 2008.
Your prayers and your gifts for Joining Hands are still needed.
The PC(USA) is not able to fill the position we vacated—companionship
facilitator in South Africa—until new money is secured to
fund a three-year term. The coordinating team in the Presbytery
of the Western Reserve also needs designated gifts to implement
its vision of “companions in transformation” with
the network overseas.
Contributions in support of either side of this mission relationship
may be sent to PWR, 2800 Euclid Avenue, Suite 500, Cleveland,
OH 44115-2496, Attn: Rev. Andy Jacob. Please note whether your
gift is for the companionship facilitator position in South Africa
or for the work of the presbytery’s coordinating team.
Khaya and Aly are the children of Dawn and Jon Barnes, United
Church of Christ mission workers in South Africa.
One of our recent hands-on connections with South Africa happened
earlier this month when we hosted friends from East London at
our home in South Euclid. Dawn and Jon Barnes are Disciples of
Christ missionaries assigned to development work with the Greater
Kei Region of the United Church of Christ in Southern Africa.
In the midst of their own interpretation furlough, they came to
Ohio with children Khaya, 3, and Aly, 2, for the meeting of their
mission board, which appointed them to another four-year term
in South Africa. Having enjoyed their hospitality so often in
East London, it was nice for us to be able to reciprocate a bit.
The kids had little trouble getting into the unfamiliar (to them)
routine of raking leaves and keeping warm in a northern hemisphere
November.
Again, thanks for your interest in and support of our ministry
of accompaniment with sisters and brothers fighting against hunger
in South Africa. Please keep both sides of the connection in your
prayers. To all of you, on whatever continent you live and whatever
climate you experience at this time of year, our very best wishes
for a truly blessed Advent and a joyous celebration of the coming
Prince of Peace.
Ken and Susanne
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 339 |
