Letters from Overseas

The United Church of Canada sends personnel overseas in response to requests from global partner churches and agencies. As members of the Christian community, overseas personnel attempt to work beside people overseas in their life and mission with its struggles and victories, sorrows and joys. Another part of the work is to communicate with people in Canada.

All of us like to receive letters. We invite you to open some of these Letters from Overseas. Share them with your community of faith, and read about the work and life of the global partners of The United Church of Canada and the overseas personnel currently serving with them.

The work of overseas personnel is made possible through your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada. See an example of overseas service on the United Church's YouTube channel.*

Recent Letters

Karen and Bill Butt Write from Mozambique, January 2010 [PDF: 2 pp/52 KB]

Letters by Country/Region

Brazil

Kathleen Stephenson Writes from Brazil, August 2009 [PDF: 4 pp/56 KB]: Kathleen Stephenson, United Church overseas personnel in Brazil, writes about a diverse interfaith dialogue gathering.
Kathleen Stephenson Writes from Brazil, April 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/28 KB]: Kathleen Stephenson, United Church overseas personnel in Brazil, reflects on her one-year anniversary as Ecumenical Officer at CESE.
Kathleen Stephenson Writes from Brazil, March 2009 [PDF: 3 pp/49 KB]: Kathleen Stephenson, United Church overseas personnel in Brazil, writes about attending two different world forums in Brazil.

China

Gary MacDonald Writes from China, December 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/32 KB]: Gary MacDonald, United Church overseas personnel in China, writes aChristmas message about seeing every day as an opportunity.

Mary Fraser Writes from China, December 2009 [PDF: 1 p/34 KB]: Mary Fraser, United Church overseas personnel in China, writes on the theme of Advent waiting.
Gary MacDonald Writes from China, October 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/32 KB]: Gary MacDonald, United Church overseas personnel in China, writes about how people support one another.
Mary Fraser Writes from China, April 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/34 KB]: Mary Fraser, United Church overseas personnel in China, writes about the burdens people cary, in China and in the West.
Gary MacDonald Writes from China, March 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/39 KB]: Gary MacDonald, a global mission personnel associate serving with the Amity Foundation in China, writes about Lunar New Year and the cost of education.

Japan

Rob and Keiko Witmer Write from Japan, December 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/31 KB]: Rob and Keiko Witmer, United Church overseas personnel with the United Church of Christ in Japan, write at Christmas about their work in 2009.

Middle East

Susan Palmai Writes from the Middle East, January 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/30 KB]: Susan Palmai, United Church of Canada overseas personnel in Israel/Palestine, shares reflections on the current situation in Gaza and Christmas in Bethlehem.

Mozambique

Karen and Bill Butt Write from Mozambique, January 2010 [PDF: 2 pp/52 KB]: Karen and Bill Butt, overseas personnel in Mozambique for the United Church of Canada, write about the effects of a simple bicycle on a congregation.
Karen and Bill Butt Write from Mozambique, December 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/28 KB]: Karen and Bill Butt, overseas personnel in Mozambique for The United Church of Canada, write about young women's centres celebrating Christmas.
Karen and Bill Butt Write from Mozambique, August 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/29 KB]: Karen and Bill Butt, overseas personnel in Mozambique, write about young women developing self-confidence through arts training.
Karen and Bill Butt Write from Mozambique, April 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/51 KB]: Karen and Bill Butt, United Church overseas personnel in Mozambique, write about a new school built by the Christian Council of Mozambique.
Karen and Bill Butt Write from Mozambique, February 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/36 KB]: Karen and Bill Butt, United Church overseas personnel in Mozambique, write about girls' education and the start of the school year.

Nicaragua

Deborah Elliot and Donald Gibson Write from Nicaragua, December 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/24 KB]: Deborah Elliot and Donald Gibson, overseas personnel in Nicaragua for The United Church of Canada, write about seeing what is possible at Christmas.

Switzerland

Kristine Greenaway Writes from Switzerland, December 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/27 KB]: Kristine Greenaway, United Church overseas personnal associate with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, writes about climate change.
Kristine Greenaway Writes from Switzerland, October 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/34 KB]: Kristine Greenaway, United Church overseas personnel associate with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, writes about the many transformation happening in the global church.
Kristine Greenaway Writes from Switzerland, July 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/27 KB]: Kristine Greenaway, a United Church of Canada global mission personnel associate serving with WARC in Switzerland, writes about engaging in prophetic ministry on economic justice issues.
Kristine Greenaway Writes from Switzerland, April 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/27 KB]: Kristine Greenaway, United Church global mission personnel associate serving with WARC in Switzerland, writes an Easter reflection about change and opportunity.

Zambia

Doug Varey Writes from Zambia, May 2009 [PDF: 3 pp/36 KB]: Doug Varey, United Church overseas personnel in Zambia, sends his final thoughts about 15 months living in this democratic, developing nation.
Doug Varey Writes from Zambia, March 2009 [PDF: 3 pp/36 KB]: Doug Varey, United Church overseas personnel in Zambia, writes about his experiences teaching in the theological college in Kitwe.

If you would like to receive these occasional Letters from Overseas by e-mail please contact Sarah Shepherd to be put on the e-list.