NEWSLETTERLinks: |
The Skype’s The Limit!
by Susan Vlcek, South Africa Mission Partnership Member
Western Reserve Presbytery
Partnership is a feel-good word, one that creates a vision of connection, cooperation and communication. Partnerships create a synergy, a strength where, by working together for a common purpose, we can all be exponentially better together than we could otherwise each be alone. We find partnerships in the form of marriages, friendships, business alliances, health care fields, and community organizations, to name a few.
Presbytery visit by South Africa Joining Hands mission personnel and staff. Back Row (Left to Right): Bob Ault (PWR), Alexa Smith (staff), Jan Beeman (PWR), Bridgette Hector (JH Companionship Facilitator), Valery Nodem (staff)), John Hansen (PWR), Susanne Carter (PWR); Front Row (Left to Right): Susan Vlcek (PWR), Jenny Himmelman (PWR), Laura Van Dale (PWR) and Ken Jones (PWR) |
With visionary leadership, we in the Presbyterian Church USA have developed extraordinary mission partnerships between people around the world. Focus has shifted from “What can we do for you?” to “How can we together be better?”
All partnerships face challenges, with the greatest often being intentional, effective communication. Throw in the complications of time and distance, and the height of the challenge can rise dramatically. PWR’s South Africa Mission Partnership, or SAMP, is continually seeking ways it can best surmount this challenge. As part of the PCUSA Joining Hands program, SAMP members hail from across the presbytery boundaries. Their mission partners, Sisonke Masilwe Indlala, come together from many widespread South African provinces. Face-to-face time, both amongst groups on each continent and combined groups, is precious yet limited.
Enter the 21st century and its potential. Members of both groups can now huddle around their respective computer screens and tangerine-sized cameras, and dial into a new possibility of strengthening partnership. The Skype era is born. Momentarily, our northeastern Ohio and southern hemisphere counterparts can sit across from each other. Some are seeing each other for the first time. Partners are hearing each other’s voices, and soon sharing great conversation over realities of today and hopes for tomorrow.
As nice as skype is, there is nothing quite like sharing the meal! |
With the inclusion of Skype in our accompaniment, we can now share everything with our South African partners except the meal! The availability of free phone/video conferencing such as Skype has opened the window of possibilities much wider, and the potential for powerful partnership has grown new muscle.
There is real excitement flowing between groups, giving great energy to our desire to closely walk together even when our footsteps fall on different continents. How great it is to imagine how we might embrace these new possibilities! With Love as our guide, there are no limitations. We look forward to seeing our partners again soon!