Office of the Middle East and Europe offers webinar on Tuesday

Participants can engage with global partners in Southern Europe

by Kathy Melvin | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — Presbyterian World Mission’s Office of the Middle East and Europe has scheduled a webinar to discuss the interconnections of justice and solidarity from 9 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25.

“I invite those persons with a passion for partnerships and understanding the interconnections of justice and solidarity with the social and political dynamics in the call of Christ’s gospel to be faithful companions for peace-building and mutual ministry in global contexts,” said Luciano Kovacs, coordinator for the Office of the Middle East and Europe. “I offer an invitation to join a conversation about exploring that kind of emerging interaction in some creative ways.”

Kovacs said this conversation will provide an opportunity for participants to engage with representatives of global partners in Southern Europe, including Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. They have been invited to present highlights of their ministries and contexts for PC(USA) members and partners.

“Together we will discuss ideas for cohesive partnership and solidarity work between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Reformed churches, diaconal offices, migration services and partner NGOs in Southern Europe,” he said.

As part of the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s visioning process, World Mission is engaged in deep discussions around the best way to work together with partners to meet God’s mission for the next decade and beyond.

The Office of the Middle East and Europe has engaged with global partners in that region about how to best structure mutual partnership moving forward.

“One of the crucial regions of the world with many geopolitical implications and where small minority Reformed churches are very active in society to promote peace with justice is the Mediterranean,” he said. “Our partners engage on issues that are specific to that part of the world pertaining to geopolitics, migration and refugees, theological education, relations to the Middle East, social justice and young adult engagement. There are many similar issues with the U.S. that can be explored.”

One goal of the process will be to make certain that educational opportunities are offered to U.S. Presbyterian constituencies, advocacy efforts are fine-tuned and a cohesive platform for partnership and solidarity between the PC(USA) and churches/organizations in the Mediterranean is provided.

“One of the key elements of the event will be a strong sense of mutuality between conversation partners,” said Kovacs. “After a moment of worship planned by the Rev. Sandra Reis and the Rev. Maria Eduarda Castanheira Titosse from the Presbyterian Church of Portugal, our partners will present themselves and their work. Five PC(USA) constituents have been asked to be respondents based on common threads which they will have identified between the work delineated by our partners and the priority foci of the PC(USA). Rev. Dr. Diane Moffet, PMA’s president and executive director, will be leading the responses from the PC(USA). The meeting will end in small break-out groups, during which conversation about mutual partnership will unfold.”      Kovacs said one possible outcome from the conversation is the creation of a Southern European Partnership Network.

To register, contact Christina Cosby at christina.cosby@pcusa.org. Once registered, a Zoom link will be sent with further information.