Interruptions Are Opportunities

A letter from Doug Baker serving in Northern Ireland

June 2016

“Well, that wasn’t what I had anticipated!” My comment to Elaine as I arrived home recently. About three months earlier I had received an e-mail from a retired minister. He had served a PC(USA) congregation in New Jersey that we visited several times while on interpretation assignment. In the e-mail Don told me that he, his wife and two friends were going to be visiting Belfast and wondered if it would be possible for me to meet them and share about my experience and ministry here. I agreed. Closer to the date he suggested I meet them at their hotel for dinner. Come the day, that is what I did, only to discover that they were part of group of 26 “Road Scholars” on a visit to Ireland organized by a secular organization. As we began to eat it also become clear that he didn’t want me to share just with this other couple. He had asked the hotel for a seminar room after the meal and had invited anyone in the group to join us. I thought to myself, “This is going to be embarrassing for him when only two or three show up.” As it turned out 20, from various U.S. denominational backgrounds and none, came, and I ended up spending two hours sharing and answering questions.

Mission Co-workers Elaine and Doug Baker (second and third from right) with visiting group from Grace Presbytery

I began by telling them what I have told so many visiting groups: It is not so important to learn about Northern Ireland, to get all of the dates and key players straight in your mind. It is more important to learn from Northern Ireland. Use Northern Ireland as a mirror to look at where you have come from and other places in our world about which you care. Use your time in this divided society to reflect upon the dynamics in divisions that exist in your own town, country and around the world. By all means, learn about some of the efforts being made to bring about reconciliation here and remember them in your prayers, but go away also thinking about what you might do to promote reconciliation across racial, religious, economic and political divisions where you live. Heads began nodding around the room—not out of boredom or falling asleep, I hasten to add, but in agreement. And the questions that came one after another showed they were taking that challenge to heart.

This was another opportunity not just to talk about Northern Ireland but also about the biblical and theological affirmations underpinning ministry for peace and reconciliation anywhere. And an opportunity to do so with those who had not necessarily come with that interest in mind or even an awareness that such values and insights are found in the Christian gospel.

Doug introducing speaker on Celtic Spirituality to visiting group from Grace presbytery

As PC(USA) mission co-workers it is our privilege to serve in a challenging setting. We are very aware that we do so not simply as individuals but as an expression of the concern and commitment of our whole denomination to stand with those who work for reconciliation in situations of conflict and violence. Because we serve in the name of the whole church, what we are learning should also be shared with others, not just when we are doing itineration in the U.S. but also when groups come our way. As international travel becomes more common and Northern Ireland is no longer viewed as a dangerous place to visit, the number of visiting PC(USA) and other groups we come into contact with here just keeps multiplying.

There are many study groups from U.S. universities that come to Northern Ireland. Several each year from PC(USA)-related colleges. Often I am asked if I would meet with these students to speak about a ministry of reconciliation. Following a recent visit by a group from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, Patrick Van Inwegen, the professor leading the seminar, wrote: “Thank you for taking the time to share with my students and me your story, your wisdom and insights, and your valuable time and energy. I know that your time with my students was meaningful in their developing lives and that they will take the lessons they learned into their many different communities, continuing to be agents of peace. Thank you also, personally, for the pastoral role model you’ve provided for me as I try to better work for understanding.”

Doug sharing with students visiting from Whitworth University

When such student groups visit I always make a point of having them meet some of the PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteers currently serving here in the hope that some might consider a YAV year somewhere in the world after leaving university. The seed sown on such occasions has led several to apply and at least one to end up serving right here in Belfast. There is another university that comes to mind whose groups I have often spent time with in recent years. The institution is not PC(USA)-related, but the professor leading the student group is a PC(USA) member and has made a point of exposing her students to both the concept of ministry for reconciliation and the YAV program when she brings them to Northern Ireland.

A third area in which I am often called upon to share learning from our years in Northern Ireland is when parents of currently serving Young Adult Volunteers come to visit them. There have now been dozens of these encounters, which generally include providing a political / historical background and tour along with exposure to some of the initiatives the PC(USA) has supported here.

Coffee with Joan in Brevard, North Carolina

This week I received an e-mail from a YAV mother who visited last year. What she shared epitomizes my hope that those who visit will learn from Northern Ireland. She and her husband were intrigued to experience one program at the church where Allison served. It is simply called “Coffee with Joan,” Joan being the minister of that congregation three prior to the current minister. She then worked in Jamaica but has retired, moved back to Belfast, and attends the congregation. Each Thursday she hosts a fellowship gathering for any who wish to attend, with a particular emphasis on integrating newcomers. Jill Stewart wrote: “This past fall we began our own ‘Coffee with Joan’ at our Episcopal church here in Brevard, N.C., and it has proved very popular. We even call it ‘Coffee with Joan’ as a nod to the emphasis on experiencing fellowship with someone you haven’t met yet.”

We serve through the generosity of the whole denomination and are so grateful for the financial and prayer support that you and others continue to provide as partners in our ministry here. We are also learners bound to share what we glean from our context with others to make use of in their context. In truth, I often view requests to meet with visiting groups or show people around as unwelcome interruptions. Then time and time again I am reminded that these “interruptions” are, in fact, integral opportunities for partnership in ministry. May God also bless you with opportune interruptions.

Faithfully yours,

Doug and Elaine