| March 2002
Dear Friends,
Greetings of Peace!
My life path has been making twists and turns in recent months.
My work and rhythm with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines
(UCCP) had grown to an incessant drumming with my assignment in
the Partnerships, Ecumenical and External Relations. There was
so much to do at the national office of the UCCP with facilitating
partnership visits of UCCP friends from around the world, preparing
UCCP representatives for their various international meetings
and responsibilities, orienting new mission personnel, and holding
retreats with young adults under the UCCP Ecumenical Interns in
Mutual Mission Program (including PC(USA)’s Young Adult Volunteers).
The days seemed so full that it was hard to focus on writing letters
such as this one. Even more importantly, I found it difficult
to regularly take time to meditate, reflect, and pray. When this
happens, it is unfortunate since, as Christians, this meditation-reflection-prayer
should be the base of all of our decisions and activities.
A restructuring at the UCCP National Office has offered me the
opportunity to step back and ask the question, "God, where
are you calling me?" I loved my work, even to the point of
working most waking hours. As hard as it was, I was facing both
burn-out and a desire expressed by the UCCP General Secretary
that I be given a different work assignment. "God, where
are you calling me," I questioned.
Since my position was being perceived as a position of "leadership,"
I could understand the desire to have a Filipino take over much
of the work I had been doing. On the journey of partnership, the
UCCP call for "self-determination" must be given great
respect. Presbyterian mission work of the early 1900s along with
that of other American denominations led to the founding of the
UCCP in 1948; thus, until the 1970s, the PC(USA) was called a
"parent church"of the UCCP. It is now considered a "heritage
church" as we learn to work together as mutual partners,
respecting and uplifting one another. We must re-order any traces
of the PC(USA) being a "parent" and the UCCP being a
"child." So, I could affirm the right of the UCCP General
Secretary to assert his desires regarding my work, but naturally,
it is hard to distance myself from work that I care for deeply.
The typhoon in my heart continued to beat, "God, where are
you calling me?" I embraced once again a discipline of meditation-reflection-prayer
to find God’s voice amidst the storm. I could see the evidence
of God’s call. All around, God’s children were receiving
God’s call. Let me share just a few examples,
- A young man named Edil recently entered the Union Theological
Seminary. He comes from high in the mountains of the northern
Philippines and has a shy hesitance in dealing with some of
the more cosmopolitan students. If Edil left his parents’
farm to go to the seminary, not only would Edil have to overcome
a stereotype of being a less-educated, "tribal" person,
he would also have to trust God to provide for his physical
needs. Edil made the long journey to the seminary. God is calling
him.
- More than 50 internal refugees entered the UCCP National Office
compound. They had come from the mountains of Mindoro, an island
to the south of Manila. They are afraid for their lives because
of the threats of the military who have targeted them as supportive
of the New People’s Army, the revolutionary army that operates
high in the mountains of Mindoro. It is not uncommon for poor
people in the mountains to be "disappeared" by the
military. The National Office became their safe haven and the
UCCP Staff mobilized themselves into a task force to support
them. Even though funds are tight in the UCCP, staff prepared
a sanctuary for these people. How could they do otherwise? God
is calling them.
- Pastora Josie completed her studies and headed back to the
mountain village from which she came. She has three children
now, and when not in the church, you can find her and her husband
in the fields growing vegetables. Such a small mountain community
would not be able to support a full-time pastor. Pastora Josie
approaches all her work with joy, love, and humility. The smile
on her face sears to your soul as you feel how much she values
you. Her joyful attitude amidst difficult work in the vegetable
field radiates a similar respect and value for creation. Pastora
Josie may not have an elite life, but she surely has a meaningful
and fulfilled one. Of course she does. God is calling her.
And as I listened, I could also hear God’s voice calling me
to be open to new possibilities for ministry. I was asked to teach
an intensive course in creative liturgy at the Ecumenical Theological
Seminary. I was challenged to work with and learn from the local
churches in the mountains of Mankayan. I have cried at the environmental
degradation caused by the mining corporation in Mankayan that is
pouring its toxic refuse into the mountain river. I have learned
by working in vegetable fields, listening in Bible studies, and
watching God’s children go about their lives.
My new long-term assignment with the UCCP is currently being
negotiated—this is a conversation that includes UCCP, PC(USA)
and me. I know that God is calling me and that this call is not
something I can declare on my own. "Where God is calling
me" is being discovered with God’s people of faith.
Your prayers continue to be very important for me. I know that
they have sustained me throughout this journey. I always look
forward to hearing more about how God is calling you in ministry
across the street and around the world. May we continue to journey
together, rooted in justice and compassion, as we work as partners
in the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely yours,
Rebecca Lawson
The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 189
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