December 22, 2006

Dear Ones in the United States and beyond,

It has been quite a while since you have heard from John and me through a Mission Connections letter. However, it has been an unusual year! Normally, we return to the United States for three months every two years to visit congregations, see our families, and attend to practical matters. However, following significant funding short-falls, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) asked us to double our time in the States, so that more congregations could converse with “real live” mission workers.

I could go on at length about the wonderful experiences that we had as we visited congregations in several states. For example, I might rhapsodize about the Central European hospitality that was extended to us at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Linden, New Jersey, which still holds services in both Slovak and English. I might recall how saddened we were to hear of the shootings of Amish school children that occurred shortly after we visited a supporting congregation in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I might rejoice in the examples of commitment, creativity, and caring of other Presbyterian mission co-workers during a week-long missionary sharing conference in August. I might celebrate the exceptionally warm welcome that we received during an extended period of itineration in Transylvania Presbytery, where we both acquainted a number of groups with the legacy of Czech Protestantism and were introduced to the multi-faceted heritage of eastern Kentucky. I might affirm the Twin Cities Area Presbytery for annually hosting a weekend conference that features mission workers from all over the world, the Detroit Presbytery for placing special emphasis on mission throughout the month of October, and the many gracious people and receptive congregations that showered us with care and encouragement. Yet, John and I are now back in the Czech Republic, where the Christmas mystery will soon be issuing its unique invitation to peace and joy. Thus, I want to conclude this greeting by describing a recent occasion when a long night of longing and strife gave way to a starburst of unity and peace.

After we returned to Prague, I received an invitation to the December meeting of the Czech Ecumenical Forum of Christian Women, whose membership includes both Catholics and Protestants. I always enjoy that group, but I was especially excited to learn that on December 8, the Forum was scheduled to celebrate the Eucharist together for the very first time. That event promised to be a historic occurrence in this country, where both bread and wine were first served to lay Christians at the Church of Martin-in-the-Wall in 1414. That revolutionary act precipitated centuries of struggle between advocates of Jan Hus and staunch Catholics, who eventually crushed the Czech Reformation with brutal counter-Reformation measures.

Despite the passage of time, resulting divisions between Czech Catholics and Protestants remain fairly deeply entrenched. Yet, deep bonds have formed between the Catholic and Protestant women who participate in the Ecumenical Forum. Thus, the idea that the Forum might hold a joint Communion service received a positive response, which was followed by conversations with the leaders of major denominations and a theological consideration of the Eucharist led by a Hussite pastor. Eventually, hymns and Scripture readings were selected, a liturgy was prepared, and a letter was sent inviting every member of the Forum to be part of this unique event. That invitation particularly encouraged individuals who did not feel that they should receive Communion in this context to be present in the circle of unity.

On December 8, as I approached the meeting room at the Franciscan Monastery, I could tell that something quite significant was about to happen. Members of the Forum had gathered early to “rehearse” the liturgy, but the voices that I heard practicing the readings already manifested a sense of awe. “How will the sacrament be different from the rehearsal?” I wondered, as I joined in. The answer was soon forth-coming, as the pastor put on her stole, prepared the elements, and led us in singing, reading, hearing, and anticipating. Then, as the bread was passed around the long rectangular table, each woman received the gift of grace as an individual and we repeatedly received that gift as a group. Slowly and reverently, we took the bread and ate. Then, as the cup made its way around the table, we followed the pastor’s invitation and drank long draughts of love. Slowly and reverently, past conflicts and divisions associated with the chalice dissolved, and even the few women who did not partake of the elements were part of the body of Christ and recipients of the new covenant.

In light of the divisions that often shatter our world and sometimes threaten our church, hope is sometimes a fragile commodity. However, the Eucharist celebrated by the Czech Ecumenical Forum of Christian Women offers a powerful symbol of the possibility that peace can prevail over strife, and that long nights of longing can be illumined by unity. May each of you find vital ways to nurture the legacy of grace and promise of love throughout the coming year.

With warm Noels,

Joyce and John Michael

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 179