I
will be traveling to the Philippines (depart 2/19 and return 3/1) later this
month for the second of two week-long retreats to work with clergy in the
Philippines develop spiritual practices and communities of support to help
sustain their ministry over the long-haul. I’ll be working with Rev. Dr.
Matthew Lewis from my Wisconsin days. Matt is part of an organization that
provides training for clergy both in the US, Africa, and Asia.
You might wonder why in the world
I’d travel halfway around the world to visit a third-world nation that was hit
by a Category 1 hurricane on Christmas Eve, followed by the eruption of the
Taal Volcano with over 300 earthquakes recorded since its eruption.
For me, it’s personal. Shortly
after I moved to Hawaii in 2001, I met Fe Nebres, Hawaii Conference UCC
Associate Conference Minister. Fe was ordained to ministry some 35 years
earlier in the United Church of Christ Philippines. She was incredibly generous
in her acceptance and nurture of me as I sought ordination. She modeled the
extravagant welcome of the UCC and mentored me through that process. She
developed cancer and her final public act of ministry was at my ordination in
Hana, Maui. At the end of the service she came forward, stood face to face with
me, removed her beautiful, hand-woven stole, and placed it on my shoulders. The
stole was made by women in the mountains of the Philippines and presented to
her at her ordination. In giving it to me she passed on her blessing and
affirmation of my call.
Matt
contacted me two years ago to see if I’d be interested in mentoring a group of
clergy women in the Philippines. They had specifically asked for a mature woman
to work with them and apparently, I fit the bill. I didn’t know whether to be
insulted or honored!
I didn’t have to think twice.
Unknown to Matt, I’d traveled to the Philippines with a group of clergy from
Hawaii in 2009 with Compassion International. Rod and I have sponsored a girl
named Vhea for the past 10 years as result of that visit. And Matt had no idea
about Fe Nebres!
Last February I returned to the
Philippines and met the cohort of women clergy I’d be working with in-person
for that week-long retreat and then via internet video calls for the next
eleven months. Early in our time together, I told them the story about Fe, and
showed them her stole. The women broke down in tears, knowing the place where
the stole was made. One woman boldly declared, “You brought that for me!” I gave
it to her and she immediately put it on her shoulders and wore it for the rest
of the day. Later, she told me she’d lost her husband, with whom she
co-pastored, to cancer 5 months earlier. Although they were both pastors, that
denomination wouldn’t support her ministry in a ministry without her husband.
She had to move out of the parsonage and, without a home or job, she was
desperate. She discovered a home and ministry in the United Church of Christ
Philippines. She’d been praying for a sense of affirmation and peace, and the
stole was her answer.
This trip, I’ll spend a week
leading sessions, teaching, mentoring, and praying with these friends I have
come to love. As a bonus, I’ll make a side trip to meet Vhea, now 15 years old,
for the very first time!
It will be a busy month, with the
start of confirmation class, and preparations for my travels. I ask for your prayers for safety, good
health, a quick adjustment to jetlag, patience in the midst of language challengers,
and above all sensitivity and attentiveness to the movement of the Spirit in
our work together. I am sure I will receive far more than I can possibly
give! Please know that I will also be
praying for you!
Thanks
you.
Pastor
Anne
