| Mary Ferris
Str. Babadeg, nr 19, bloc 11
Scara B, Apart. 3
Tulcea 8800
Romania
Email: Mary
Ferris
Mary Ferris has served since 2001 as a mission co-worker
in Tulcea, Romania, in partnership with New Opportunities for
Romanian Orphaned Children (NOROC). Mary assists the director
and staff of NOROC with three different programs: (1) Big-Hearted
Grannies, which employs retired persons to give individual attention
to three or four infants or toddlers on a daily basis; (2) Big-Hearted
Teachers, which depends on retired teachers and professors to
tutor students; and (3) Big-Hearted Friends, which focuses on
developing life-skills training and transitional employment and
housing for older children, who are required to leave the orphanages
at age 18.
"I envision mission as a bridge that bears good news both
ways," says Mary. "We have a lot we can learn from the
witness and faithfulness of Romanian Christians through years
of persecution and ostracism. Their warmhearted hospitality, their
courage in the face of adversity, their humor, and the balance
Romanians achieve between work and leisure are all areas that
make visiting Romania a nurturing experience. The generosity of
the Americans and, in this case, of the Presbyterian church at
all levels, means that the seemingly insurmountable problems in
the orphanages can be tackled together, knowing that all things
are possible through Christ who strengthens us."
Mary holds a Master of Divinity
from McCormick Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. She was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament on August
5, 2001, at First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene, Texas.
Prior to her ordination, Mary was a member of First Central, which
is the church that founded NOROC and provides the primary support
for the program. She is a minister member of Palo Duro Presbytery. |
