July 2006

Graduation At The Seut And Our Retirement Celebration

Dear friends and family,

One of the wonderful things about being in mission for so many years is that we learn about different processes, realities, and the people we accompany who are being empowered by so many, as ourselves, in mission. This wonderful process is part of what we recently celebrated here in Spain, as the Seminario Evangélico Unido de Teología (SEUT) held its first graduation ceremony in many years on July 1, 2006. The event also included a celebration of thanks and retirement for both of us as we completed our seven years of service with this wonderful institution. Many of us who have worked in the mission field know just how difficult it is to build institutions and credibility in some places of the world. Thanks to the PC(USA), there have been mission coworkers in Spain working in theological education for a good long time. Seven years ago, we were invited by the SEUT and the Iglesia Evangélica Española (IEE) to accompany both into a new phase, and to witness the solidarity and support of the PC(USA) as it continues to stand by its partners the world over. We were sent by the Worldwide Ministries Division with full support. The Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela (IPV) willingly and lovingly “loaned” Edgar for this period of time, and we are grateful for that support and love.

As we end our service to the PC(USA), we want to celebrate this small yet promising seminary’s first graduation in years. A total of five students graduated, including among others, three students from neighboring Portugal. All three come from yet another small reformed church, in this case the Igreja Presbiteriana do Portugal. These three very fine students were able to complete their theological studies in Spain thanks to a grant from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), as well as a partnership through a special arrangement between the two national churches, Spain and Portugal. In addition to our Portuguese students, a promising Spanish married couple also graduated, both of them coming from independent churches. Many other students are completing their second and third years of studies, and many more have recently enrolled to begin their studies at the SEUT, both in residence and at distance. This is very exciting, and a blessing to both the seminary and the Spanish and Portuguese national churches, as it provides for the continuing growth, and much needed trained lay and future pastors for these growing church communities. Further information about the SEUT’s graduation and programs, as well as photos from the event can be found on their Web site.

It has been truly wonderful to find in our Spanish and Portuguese partners loving and accepting communities who have seen us for who we are, and who have celebrated our gifts in this place. The words of one of our students, who happens to be Catholic, touched us: “Gracias por vuestro tiempo—thank you for your time”. She, along with so many others, know that “time” given by us as we approach retirement age was one of the best gifts we could have given the Seminary and Spain. We were also touched by the words of our church’s pianist, who in an emotional farewell ceremony planned by our local church, said that she had never met two people like us before. This reaffirmation of our commitment, our love of the church and our love of the people we share a part of our lives with, has given us a renewed sense of the love and promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our love of the church. The fact that the people we have shared so much with in these past seven years have witnessed our love of the church only makes us wish our time here could continue. We are both aware that the spaces in which good things come to bear fruit always come by Gods grace.

Our call to mission is present and has been fruitful, and although some processes are closing for us, others are being re-opened. We are excited at the opportunity to go out to some of the churches and presbyteries of the PC(USA) as we enter our interpretation assignment period to share some of the memories and lasting experiences we have witnessed here. We are also excited to be returning to Venezuela and to our long-time partnership with the church there, and we know that they are anticipating our return with great joy. The feelings are indeed mutual and we feel a great anticipation for the work we know must continue there. But we also feel a certain sadness to be leaving our partners here in Spain with whom we have shared and learned so many things. We give thanks to God for the constantly growing spaces that bring promise and joy to this life and to our Christian faith. It is our continued hope that the presence of Jesus Christ will be seen in all that we do, and our own experiences will continue to be enriched by the presence of Jesus Christ in our partner churches. May God’s blessings continue with the IEE, the SEUT, the IPV, the PC(USA), and all our partner churches throughout the world.

Love and Peace to you all,

Edgar Moros-Ruano and Donna Laubach Moros

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 183