A letter from Doug and Liz Searles in Poland
July 7, 2009
Dear Friends:
We have great news!
To celebrate our partnership in missions, seven youth from the Evangelical-Reformed Church in Poland will visit the United States in July and August. The youth, ages 15-18, will attend two church camps (in Pennsylvania and Iowa), be hosted by congregations in New York, Iowa and Illinois, be part of a three-day urban mission outreach and participate in youth events at the General Assembly of the Disciples of Christ in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“We are hoping that this opportunity will help broaden and deepen the faith of our youth,” says the Rev. Semko Koroza, pastor in Łódż, Poland. “They are coming from a small minority and diaspora denomination in Poland to be with people from large denominations in a large country. This experience will help them see themselves as participants in the life of the Church Universal and to recognize that they are not alone in their Reformed faith.”
Every member in the group has a great contribution to make wherever they go. They’ve developed and rehearsed a kind of avant-garde skit about how faith can transform the mundane choices of life and will present it at churches and camps.
From a partnership standpoint, the preparation and journey of these seven youth is a big step forward in our walk with the Evangelical-Reformed Church in Poland as mission co-workers. During their month of travel in the United States, each one will face new language, culture and faith challenges. They will learn more about what it means to “be church” in a North American context and will no doubt make many new friends. Forging new relationships, taking the risk of crossing cultures, learning from each other and deepening Christian faith and ministry is what partnership and accompaniment is all about, and it’s a two-way bridge.
Their travels are jointly supported by PC(USA)’s Synod of the Covenant and by Global Ministries, a combined international witness of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church / Disciples of Christ. This support, plus camp scholarships and their own fundraising have made their 2008 dreams a reality. Summer 2009 promises to be one they will always remember!
We wish we could accompany the youth to the United States, but we are working in summer camps and conferences here in Poland this summer. Soon we’ll send news about the July Evangelism Week for all ages in Zelow, August camp in Pstragna for young adults 16 and up and groups from the United States coming to Poland in late summer.
Please lift up the youth and Pastor Koroza in your special prayers, won’t you?
We know that things wind down a bit in the summer, but your news continues to be important to us, so please write!
blessings on all your ministries!
Liz and Doug Searles in Łódż, Poland
(and Mick, 16, with us for the summer)
