2008 PW Global Exchange to Eastern Europe

Joined and Knit Together in Love

But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

Presbyterian Women will focus on how the changing political climate of Eastern Europe has affected women, the Church and the Roma1 people by

• hearing the cries of our sisters and responding with compassion,
  
• working for the end of all forms of violence,
  
• advocating for the rights of women and children,
  
• supporting our global partners and
• allowing ourselves to be transformed by partnership experiences.

1 The Roma people are itinerant ethnic groups in Europe, previously referred to in North America as Gypsies.

Learn about the trip

In September 2008, 28 Presbyterian women embarked on the sixth PW Global Exchange, visiting the Czech Republic, Hungary and Carpath-Ukraine.

Read the commitment statement
As they reflected on their experiences during the trip, participants created a commitment statement. The statement incorporates elements of what they experienced in Eastern Europe, and how this trip shaped their faith and commitments to justice for all. Read the statement.

Invite a participant to speak at your event
The 2008 Global Exchange participants are ready to provide first-hand accounts of their experience. Invite the participant from your synod to speak at your next event.

Read about the trip in Horizons
The March/April 2009 issue of Horizons is dedicated to the 2008 Global Exchange. Read articles from people the participants met and reflections from participants, while enjoying photos and images of the area.

If you invite a Global Exchange participant to speak to your circle or congregation, order the issue at a special discounted rate of $3 each for 10 or more, plus shipping (10 percent of order total, $5.25 minimum) — a 25 percent savings! To order, contact Jung Ju Winner or Carissa Herold

Read additional participant stories
Many participants wrote short profiles and/or journal entries on what they saw. In addition to the reflections in March/April 2009 Horizons, read these additional vignettes.

Background

Recovering from the effects of more than 70 years of communism, the people of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Ukraine are struggling to adjust to new economic, political and societal realities. The people of these countries must deal with rapid changes in education, health care, environmental issues and social equality.

The churches of Eastern Europe are working to renew a sense of cooperation, mission, servant-leadership and lay involvement. Ministry to the Roma is a central mission in the region. Churches are developing faith communities for the Roma, while addressing the issues of discrimination, poverty and social separation.

Local issues

Czech Republic – Emerging from a long period in which religion has been a source of controversy and enmity, our Czech partners feel a need to move toward grace and healing. 

Hungary – The problems of migrants, refugees and the trafficking of women and children are major concerns in Hungary. Our partners there are working to support the spiritual and community life of people who have lost their homeland.

Ukraine – In Ukraine, a nation of the former Soviet Union, multiple churches are reemerging after almost 75 years of state-sponsored atheism. Our mission partners are working to encourage cooperation between denominations and to build healthy connections with sister churches abroad.

Promote the Global Exchange

Download a commissioning service to bless your participant in the Exchange.

Help others find out about the Global Exchange and encourage them to apply to participate. Download the 2008 PW Global Exchange flier .

- Files marked with this icon can be downloaded in printable Adobe Acrobat format. This file requires the free Acrobat Reader. For best results, right-click the link (or click and hold for Macintosh), select " save target as" and save the document to your desktop for viewing and printing.