A letter from Burkhard Paetzold serving as Regional Liaison for Central and Eastern Europe, based in Germany
Christmas 2014 - Questions and Answers
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Rev. John Pavelko at Crossroads Pres Church Community Garden in Walled Lake, Michigan
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Burkhard with Julie Beretz from Farminton Presbyterian Church at the Presbyterian Women meeting of the Detroit Presbytery (Photo Mary Nebelsick)
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Glacier Presbytery meeting in Hamilton/Mont. (Presbyterian Women's group)
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In Whidbey Presbyterian church, Oak Harbor, Washington (Photo Nancy Collins)
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Presentation in Whidbey Presbyterian church, Oak Harbor, Washington (Photo Nancy Collins)
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Kids at the second mile center Detroit, Michigan
Dear Friends,
Warm Christmas greetings from Germany!
Perhaps you would expect a Christmas letter from Germany to include references to Hoffman’s Nutcracker or to the joys of eating pfefferkuchen (a typical Christmas cookie in Germany). Or perhaps you might imagine that a Christmas letter from Germany would include a picture of a snow-decked castle in the Alps. If only I could enclose a tasty pfefferkuchen, I would.
What I can do is wish you a blessed and Merry Christmas!
At Christmas people from every nation join in universal prayer for peace and reaffirm their hope that the promises of Christmas will become true.
I spent September through November visiting churches in presbyteries in Michigan, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Illinois and North Carolina. This letter gives me a chance to thank you all once more, especially you who were involved in preparing my itinerary, or who hosted and fed me or gave me rides, or listened patiently (!) to my stories or shared your own stories with me.
Thanks even more to all of you who have encouraged me in my ministry and who have supported my work with your prayers, thoughtful mission involvement, and financial contributions.
As someone who doesn't have a home congregation in the U.S., it's profoundly touching that you and people like you made me feel at home in every place I visited. It was wonderful to see each of you. That’s why, whatever the issues people might be arguing about, it’s sad for me that some congregations are choosing to leave our denomination. It feels as if the people in these congregations are leaving me and my fellow mission workers.
I'm grateful that I have had the chance over many years to learn from you. I have learned about your faith and your desire to stay connected with Christ's mission in so many parts of the world.
My time with you has helped me answer some questions people have been asking me on my side of the Atlantic.
Some have asked me about the relatively high carbon footprint in the United States. What are Christians and congregations doing to limit climate change and save resources for future generations?
Because of the time I have spent with you, I can say, yes, I have seen places where public transport is almost non-existent and the number of SUVs and pick-up trucks with only one driver is far greater than the number of energy efficient cars, let alone bicycles. I've seen how in some places resources are wasted, for example, the hotels in which breakfast is served with throwaway plastic dishes and forks and spoons. But I also met Christians who are very much aware of these issues. Some told me about their involvement in a denominationwide fossil fuel divestment initiative.
I have also been asked if I was not afraid of being shot during my travel in the United States, given that handguns and automatic weapons are so readily available. I can say, yes, I could sense the fear many people have about gun violence. I can also say I’ve talked with many Christians who think gun ownership should be limited in one way or another.
Other people ask me about the widespread availability and relatively high consumption in North America of fast food, genetically modified foods, and agricultural products grown and harvested by workers in the Third World who themselves cannot afford to eat the foods they grow or harvest.
I can tell these people that a growing number of Christian friends in the United States now grow their own vegetables or work in community gardens or buy from regional producers and farmers markets. And I know many others who buy organic and fair trade items whenever they’re available.
Others ask me about the growing economic disparities in U.S. society. To these people I can say I have met many volunteers and groups in churches and NGOs that are working to help poor children improve their chances through education. I can also say I have met with others who are advocating for societal changes that will benefit “the least of these.”
What is universal? What binds us together? Our challenge is to work for the poor and needy and for reconciliation for those who need to be reconciled.
Let's celebrate the birth of Christ together, each in his or her own way, with the same hope, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.“
Burkhard
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 312
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 328
Read more about Burkhard Paetzold's ministry
Write to Burkhard Paetzold
Individuals: Give online to E200392 for Burkhard Paetzold's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D506900 for Burkhard Paetzold's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).
Double Your Impact!
A group of committed donors has pledged to match all gifts sent by individuals for mission personnel support now through December 31, 2014, up to $137,480. This means your gift today will be matched by a gift to support mission personnel around the world, wherever the need is greatest. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Thank you!
