Farewell Reflections

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Dear Partnership Family,

Today, I am sharing my final newsletter (the 77th, to be exact) as a PC(USA) mission co-worker. The Interim Unified Agency (IUA) is embracing a new approach to PC(USA)’s global ministry. This transition moves from a model centered on “mission co-workers” to a structure where “global ecumenical liaisons” will facilitate relationships between our global partners and the congregations, networks, and mid councils of the PC(USA).

In this transition, the World Mission ministry area will conclude, and the new expression of global ecumenical engagement will be housed within the Office of the Stated Clerk and Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency (IUA). This joins the ecclesial and programmatic ministry functions of the church into one work area. In this transition, my position was eliminated, so I want to use my final words to lift up the ministries and partners that have been my calling these past two decades.

As a university graduate with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, I had a strong feeling that I did not want to move into a “conventional” job. Did I know that that was God calling at the time? Maybe not. But I do know that it was persistent and came in the shape of many people and conversations, and eventually led me to serve for one year as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Kerala, India.

Since the day I flew across the world to teach English almost 21 years ago, a spiritual journey has unfolded – a journey that has called me to travel to different countries, to understand cultures from a deeper context, to serve with a variety of passionate and faithful global partners, and to put aside my ego and learn by listening, accompanying, and being. I have learned along the way that the strength of partnership is in presence and understanding.

Some of you have been with me on this journey since my YAV year of teaching English at a primary school for the Women’s Ministry of the Mar Thoma Church in Kerala, India. You supported my call to walk with and be present in this community – not only through teaching English, but through my day-to-day living and deepening relationships with those on campus: a girl’s Bible school, an orphanage, and a home for women with special needs. I have many memories of teaching English songs, dining together, learning Malayalam, attending a funeral of a beloved saint with the students, comforting students receiving sad news from home, and being dressed as Santa Claus in 80+ degree heat. There is nothing more necessary in partnership than being present to each other and sharing those moments together.

Jesus embodied this power of presence, as well as understanding. Jesus understood that the systems in place were unjust and created inequality. In Kerala, under the leadership of Rev. Thomas John, coordinator of the Indian YAV Program and Joining Hands Network, and his Bible and cultural studies and other events, my understanding of the importance of knowing what is happening around the world and the interconnectedness of the systems that move our world grew. I learned more profoundly about who Jesus was as a revolutionary in his time, advocating for the marginalized and outcast. His ministry of presence AND action, calling all to walk with our neighbor AND question and work to change the system that perpetuates inequality and poverty, became my call to do the same in my life and world.

This is the teaching that encouraged me to accept the call to Sri Lanka to serve as a facilitator for the new Joining Hands Network, Praja Abhilasha (“People’s Aspirations”). This network trusted in the power of partnership, in presence and understanding, and invited a young adult Christian female in a majority Buddhist country to walk with them in their struggle to advocate for land rights, just years after their island nation suffered the great devastation from the 2004 tsunami. This network campaign, just in its first phases of education and awareness raising, took us to protests, marches, long travels across the island to meet with refugees of the country’s ongoing civil war, to humid outdoor workshops under trees in various villages, and to many conferences, book launchings, and celebrations that taught about and lifted up the importance of this work for land rights, even when the government was cracking down on dissident speech.

Jesus spoke truth to power throughout his ministry and so do our partners.

When I moved to Bolivia to serve with the Joining Hands Network, UMAVIDA (“Joining Hands for Life”), I had learned from Praja Abhilasha what the building of a campaign to do what Jesus did – to speak truth to power – looks like. UMAVIDA was an established network and had been speaking that truth for years in its campaign, “El Agua es Vida/Water is Life,” advocating for water rights for communities affected by years of water contamination due to the mining industry. We supported our partners in researching and developing reports that identified the many ways the extractive processes were destroying the water and livelihoods. We educated youth on the importance of water and becoming water advocates. We celebrated the spirit of water through outside water ceremonies to ground us and remind us that water is that which connects us and sustains us.

Through my YAV year and Joining Hands, I experienced ministry and partnership through presence and action. When I moved to Peru to serve as partnership coordinator, I learned more deeply about community action through the Peruvian Joining Hands Network. This action is not only about struggling with the local neighbor and the immediate needs but knowing that in struggling locally, I am also advocating regionally, nationally, or even internationally for those in other regions affected by the same system and policies. I also had the new experience of directly serving alongside theological institutions and learning about the importance of the theological formation of leaders, particularly women. This formation, as carried out by our Peruvian partners of the Evangelical Church of Peru (IEP), grounds the Bible and Jesus’ words by taking action in the shape of community outreach, medical care, gardening, vocational training, and more.

All this to say, this spiritual journey with our partners around the world and with each of you, has been a blessing and joy that has no words. There are not enough newsletters to write about the many people throughout my service who have influenced and impacted who I am today and how I have served – both in my countries of service and in the U.S. There have been challenges and hard work, yet also so many smiles and laughter to get us through it all. Our partners are brave, strong, and persistent. And this is what inspires and strengthens me for this transition ahead – for them, for you all, and for my family and me.

We have learned so much together. We accompanied each other through a passion to follow Jesus’ call for radical love, justice, and equality.

Opportunities to support God’s partnership will continue in many ways. Be aware of the systemic issues around you and those affected by it. Explore the new mission vision of the Interim Unified Agency. Learn, accompany, understand, and simply be present to God’s work in your midst.

You will be amazed, just as I am as I reflect on this beautiful and unimaginable journey my life has taken.

Thank you for your faithful support, love, accompaniment, words and encouragement throughout it all. It truly has been an honor and blessing. If you want to keep in touch, please use chenoa.stock@gmail.com for future correspondence.

Peace and gratitude,

Chenoa