A letter from Susie Frerichs in Mexico
October 14, 2011
Dear Friends,
Greetings from El Frijolillo! I trust this letter finds you well and rejoicing in Christ’s mercy and grace as you serve the Kingdom locally and around the world.
As you read in my latest update, on August 19 the General Assembly of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico decided to end its partnership with the Presbyterian Church (USA). While the decision saddens all of us who have worked so hard over the years to assist Presbyterians in the US and Mexico as they relate and minister together, the break in relations was somewhat expected by most of us as missionaries especially after the PC(USA) removed the “fidelity and chastity” clause from our ordination standards. The NPCM is a very conservative denomination and these recent changes have been interpreted to be opening the door to the ordination of practicing homosexuals, something they interpret the Scriptures to condemn. While the great majority of Presbyterians in Mexico would agree with that final statement, not all of them agree with their denomination’s drastic reaction to changes in our Book of Order. So please know that this decision does not necessarily reflect a rejection of US Presbyterians. The NPCM (including the Presbytery of the Huastecas) is deeply appreciative of the work of US Presbyterians in Mexico and the support that has made a lot of ministry in Mexico possible. Unfortunately the widening gap between the two churches theologically was just not something the Mexican church believed it could continue to ignore.
What does this mean for your partnership with the Huastecas and with me as a mission coworker? As I understand, the ECO account in Louisville which channeled funds for the Huastecas has been frozen (as have all accounts for the Mexican church). Someone from the PC(USA) will be contacting donors to that account in order to determine the future of those gifts.
As to my personal support, though I am no longer ministering in Mexico on behalf of the PC(USA), I will continue under the denomination’s employ through the end of April 2012. My term of service ends December 31st, 2011, but I am being granted an additional four months’ severance which is full salary and medical/pension benefits. So, if you are able, please plan to continue to support my salary and benefits with the PC(USA) through the end of April 2012. I did have the option of continuing in mission service with the PC(USA) in a different country, but have decided to end my service for three reasons: 1). My husband and I desire to remain in El Frijolillo, 2). I feel the Lord is granting me this time to focus on my new marriage and the work that comes with being a farmer’s wife, and 3). I have had my own concerns about the theological direction of the denomination.
Some of you have already asked how you can continue to support me even after I leave service with the PC(USA). While some of my colleagues are entering discussions with other mission agencies, I have decided to take advantage of what I believe is a God-given transition time to focus on my marriage. While I will continue to minister here in the Presbytery of the Huastecas, I want to be free to do so as my family schedule allows and not be pressured to say “yes” to every invitation (something that would be true if I was being paid for my work).
Finally, as I mentioned I do continue to serve the Presbytery of the Huastecas, but simply as a local volunteer. On Sundays, Abraham and I visit the 14 member Divino Salvador Presbyterian Church in La Laguna, Orizatlan, Hidalgo. I teach adult and children’s Sunday school in the mornings and after lunch visit church members and community members in need (with an eye on evangelizing), in the early evening I preach and play the keyboard during evening worship and we return home to Frijolillo (it is a 30-40 minute drive between the two communities).
I wish to thank you for your commitment to me and the Lord’s work in Mexico over these past 17 and a half years. They have been wonderful years during which I have been especially blessed by your partnership; your gifts, your prayers, your friendship.
The brothers and sisters here in the Huastecas send their love and their greetings, as does Abraham. Thank you for your prayers.
In Christ’s love,
Susie Frerichs de Hernández
