Wednesday Chapel Service honors World Mission’s life-changing ministry

LOUISVILLE — About 125 people gathered online Wednesday for a moving Chapel Service to thank those whose ministry in Presbyterian World Mission has concluded and to celebrate the significant work they’ve completed over the decades.

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“We gather to give thanks to God for World Mission, which concluded as a ministry area on Monday,” said the Rev. Ellen Sherby, World Mission’s Associate Director for Global Connections. “Today, we lift up people, places and partnerships that have been life-giving, and we thank God and honor colleagues whose service with the Interim Unified Agency ended with the closure of World Mission. Their commitment and contributions, together with global partners, have been invaluable. We acknowledge and celebrate all work well done, and the friendships and shared work of colleagues and partners. Let us worship God together.”

Nearly a dozen World Mission personnel and others had parts during the service, which lasted nearly 45 minutes. The Rev. Sarah Henken read Philippians 1:3-6 and 9-11. Sherby joined Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, the Rev. Cathy Cang, the Rev. Cheryl Barnes and the Rev. Bob Rice to share prayers of grief. The Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of the IUA, offered these words: “Through every stage of grief, God responds with words of grace: For you, Beloved, I have ridden the rapids of grief. I have denied and raged, I have bargained and been brought to the depths of Sheol, I have seen a new thing, and another new thing, and another … For you and with you, my Beloved, I ride these rapids of grief again. I am your God, and you are my people. Forever and ever. Amen.”

World Mission’s Kristi Rice put together pictures shared by her colleagues from around the world, honoring the work they’ve done in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, at regional gatherings, in the Middle East, Europe and in the United States. Those photos were set to music and displayed during the service, and those in worship offered their words of appreciation.

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One person was “grieving in this time of loss and change and yet so very grateful to God for each and all of our World Mission colleagues, the co-workers who've dedicated their lives to service, and all the ways you've blessed my life and so many.”

The Rev. Tony Larson, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly (2024), offered gratitude “for all those who have served in these ministries, for partnerships built, relationships tended, ministries faithfully engaged, and the Gospel joyfully shared. Prayers for all the transitions taking place — for peace amid anxiety, comfort among grief, and for the presence of the Spirit.”

“So grateful for the commitment, dedication and service of so many beloved colleagues,” said Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, a Deputy Executive Director in the IUA. He offered “payers for health, well-being and clarity for all shifting vocation in this time.”

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“Prayers for comfort and peace, senses of renewed call, deepening relationships, and continuing shared witness with partners across the world,” Oh said.

“I am so saddened that so many of our World Mission partners have lost their positions,” one person said. “I am praying for the people whose lives their ministries have forever touched. May God bring comfort to the hearts of our colleagues for the pain of these changes.”

Another is “grateful for all I have learned from our colleagues around the world. May we remain connected as we travel different paths.”

“Prayers for the people of the congregations and mid councils who have longstanding and deep relationships with so many of you and your partners as they struggle to understand the changes and feel the loss,” said one. “They care for you all.”

Bob Rice, the Rev. Elmarie Parker and Chang joined Cintrón-Olivieri and Oh to read what is the PC(USA)’s “Four Waves of Mission.”

• The First Wave — Nearly 200 years ago, Presbyterians created the first denominational mission board in the United States, establishing mission stations and sending missionaries who represented the whole denomination across the globe. They led the opening of hospitals, clinics and schools around the world.
• The Second Wave — In 1958, Presbyterians created the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations (COEMAR), which encouraged relationships with churches and institutions around the world and responded to invitations of global partners to send fraternal workers to serve under local leadership. Understanding that the “Missio Dei,” the “Sending of God,” encompasses the whole world, mission stations were dismantled and resources turned over to local churches.
• The Third Wave — Beginning in the 1970s, Presbyterians continued moving into a deeper understanding of partnership, opening themselves to new partners who shared the same vision of mission. A missiology of partnership was articulated in “Presbyterians Do Mission in Partnership” and “Gathering for God’s Future.” World Mission lived out this missiology through communities of mission practice, which brought together partners, national offices, mission co-workers, local congregations and mid councils in missional relationships. Presbyteries and congregations formed partnerships with churches in different parts of the world. Mission co-workers remained on the ground during times of war, natural disasters and pandemics. Mission networks were developed, bringing together groups of congregations, presbyteries and individuals to encourage collaboration. These mission efforts offered a U.S. presence in the world that often radically contrasted with that of large transnational corporations and U.S. government policies. As the number of short-term mission trips grew, Presbyterians in the pew deepened their spiritual formation in relationship with partners. Humanitarian needs and social justice goals joined evangelistic goals as they shared incarnationally.

• The Fourth Wave — “Today, as we see the sunset of Presbyterian World Mission, staff members go forth in faith, trust and love,” Oh said. “As a denomination and as individuals, the future is unclear, and the callings are developing. Standing on the shoulders of the communion of saints that have embodied nearly 200 years of Presbyterian mission, we step forward in the knowledge that our desire to please God does please God.”

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Unaccompanied, Henken sang this benediction in Spanish:

“You shall receive blessing when you hear the voice of the Lord
Peoples of all the Earth will share your love for the name of God
You shall be blessed when come in
You shall be blessed when you go out
The Lord shall bless the fruit of the land and the fruit of our lives
The Lord shall bless.”