An Invitation For Discussion

Hunter Farrell and Karen Gadson of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be in Charlotte on Thursday, May 26, 2011. They will come to Sharon Presbyterian Church and speak about world mission on Friday, May 27, 2011.

The discussion will include how we are better together.  How Presbyterians can and need to coordinate their work with each other and with the local church's global partners through "communities of mission practice."  The critical issues that have been identified include:

• Addressing the root causes of poverty, especially as it impacts women and children
• Strengthening the capacity of the global church to witness to God's love in Christ
• Working for reconciliation in cultures of violence, including our own

Hunter Farrell is the director of World Mission for the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church. He received his B.A. in political science and Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin and his Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in cross-cultural studies. He earned his doctorate in cultural anthropology studying the impact of Peru’s political violence on the churches in an indigenous community high in the central Andes. For 10 years, Hunter and his wife, Ruth, served as mission co-workers in Peru, working to overcome poverty, in partnership with the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Before Peru, Hunter and Ruth spent five years as mission co-workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he taught Greek, New Testament exegesis and theology, and community development.

Karen Gadson is the east regional development manager for Presbyterian World Mission. She joined the denomination in September 2009, as part of a new initiative to build greater engagement in World Mission. Karen primarily works with individuals who have an affinity for World Mission, helping to build and steward their relationship in support of areas that are important to them. Karen has enjoyed a lengthy career in higher education and healthcare philanthropy, and considers this ministry with the church the perfect intersection of her professional experience and what is personally important to her in her faith and commitment to service. Karen is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, in West Chester PA, where she has served as a deacon; a member of Bridge of Hope, a mentoring program to empower homeless and at-risk single mothers; and will be part of a mission trip in Honduras this summer, with Westminster high school youth and the Presbyterian Church of Honduras.

The session will begin with a presentation at 10:30am followed by discussion and a boxed lunch in the chapel. If you are interested in this very special event, please RSVP by Wednesday, May 25 to Bev Johnson 704-969-4441 to order your lunch.  There will be a charge to cover the cost of your lunch and different menu options are available.

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