September 7, 2007

Dear Friends,

Following a near fatal automobile accident a quarter of a century ago, I found myself asking a question borne of a keen sense of the ephemeral nature of life and the fragility of human activity. I phrased my question in a curious way as I tried to determine what ultimately “has meaning and matter.” As time went on and I regained confidence in the ordinary rhythms of life, that question faded into the background, and my service here in the Czech Republic has given me strong appreciation for traditions that have meaning and tasks that matter. Yet, during moments of introspection, I am still prone to wonder what really matters.

I was profoundly moved by a recent email that included these words: “Although sharing our lives with others is inherently difficult, we need each other!” Another message expressed a similar theme: “Thanks for your caring and concerns for us, even at your great distance.” At the time, I wondered what sort of care I could have extended across the time zones, but now I am merely grateful that some sense of solidarity had been conveyed. I am finally beginning to realize that the complex webs of relationships that bind us together are what really “has meaning and matter.”

In the end, the number of pages of Czech texts that I manage to translate into English will matter only to the extent that they encourage people to enter into a living relationship with Czech culture and its Protestant community. But it really does matter that Eva Grollová and Pavel Vychopen have sat with countless PC(USA) groups and individuals, painting vivid word pictures of the services that the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren’s Diaconia extends to its secular and Christian neighbors alike. Eva and Pavel both struggle with significant health issues these days, but their passionate advocacy of the Diaconia will not be obliterated. It really does matter that a number of other people—both here and in the United States—who have strong commitment to ECCB/PC(USA) partnerships regularly engage in serious consideration of the best ways to nurture the ties that bind our hearts across continents and cultures. I see many such dear folk in my mind’s eye. They surely know that “meaning and matter” reside in living connections that enable us to share lives, show concern, and stand in solidarity across the distances of time and space.

Thus, I am glad my letter has a focus that transcends our usual attempts to provide you with snapshots of our partner denomination and the Czech milieu. I am honored to invite you to participate in a unique event called Mission Challenge ’07, which will take place this October. Throughout that month, the Presbyterian Church (USA) hopes to put speakers in 700 churches to share the news that every day—in Christ’s name and thanks to your faithful support—lives are being saved, wells are being dug, and hope is being shared with people in need around the world.

I am encouraged to tell you that Mission Challenge ’07 is also an appeal to every church in the denomination to support Presbyterian missionaries like John, myself, and our illustrious co-workers in mission service whose stories of commitment and perseverance are always so heartening when we are at conferences together. Finally, I am pleased to encourage you to contact a Presbyterian congregation in your area to find out more about Mission Challenge ’07 if you happen to belong to another denomination.

Although 47 PC(USA) missionaries will spend a week in 143 presbyteries sharing the stories of their ministry, it will be impossible to send a missionary to every church. In mid-September a letter will be mailed to the pastors and clerks of session of all 10,884 PC(USA) congregations, alerting them to the fact that they will be receiving materials, which will interpret the excellence of the Presbyterian Church as a mission-sending agency and will invite them to offer financial support to Presbyterian missionaries through World Mission.

During the first week of October, every congregation will receive a box of bulletin inserts that will include a call to action designed to encourage everyone to participate in mission by praying faithfully and giving generously. That package will also contain a DVD, featuring our new director, Hunter Farrell and two brief videos that bring to life a representative sample of our missionaries. Thus, every congregation will have an opportunity to participate in Mission Challenge ’07 by choosing a Sunday to view the DVD and distribute the inserts.

Initially, I was not inclined to include all of these practical details, which seemed to diverge so significantly from my existential starting point. However, I now realize that such details must be spelled out, lest international relationships, which have been nurtured with love and sacrifice for generations, whither away from lack of support. Thus, I will end this letter with a very practical question: Will you commit yourself to what “has meaning and matter” by supporting and encouraging your church’s participation in Mission Challenge ’07?

With gratitude for your abiding care and faithful concern,

Joyce and John Michael

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 178