|
| |
|
Moderator Abu-Akel and peacemaking
in Middle East |
Our new Moderator, Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel, has been
involved in many ways in seeking reconciliation in Israel/Palestine.
Darrell Yeaney, a retired Presbyterian campus minister who has long
been involved in Middle East visits, exchanges, and mission projects,
has shared this added information about our Moderator's engagement in
seeking peace in his homeland.
Friends,
If you haven't seen it, the report below will tell you
all I know about the new Presbyterian moderator's views on the
Palestinian/Israeli conflict and his ideas for resolution. What I
can add follows:
The Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel was born and grew up in the village of
Kuffer-Yassif, Galilee, Israel, the son of Christian Palestinian Arab
parents. He holds a D. Min. degree from McCormick theological Seminary
in Chicago and a masters from Columbia Seminary in Georgia and has been
the Mission Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta for 20 years.
In 1986, as a commissioner to the Presbyterian General Assembly, he
helped found the PC (USA)s Middle Eastern Caucus. He served on the
church's Initiative Team on Racism and Racial Violence that produced the
denomination's seminal document on "Facing Racism, a Vision of
the Beloved Community."
While at First Church Atlanta, he began and became executive director of
the Atlanta Ministry with International Students, an ecumenical
organization that provides hospitality to more than 5,000 students from
140 countries.
In regard to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, he established "Mushalaha"
(the Arabic word for reconciliation) . This is an organization focused
on bringing together Palestinian Christians, Moslems and Jews "in
order to help them share hopes, solve common problems and seek mutual
understanding." "Musalaha" is an excellent model for the
resolution of the conflicts in the church as well.
Prior to his election and in response to a question about religious
extremism and America's increasing reliance on military measures to
"solve" large and very complex problems, Dr Abu-akel said,
" In the context of Roman military occupation over Palestine and
the call by religious extremists for violent response, Jesus gave his
own life as a sacrifice to save the world. After his resurrection Jesus
commanded his disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. What better response could there be from the Church to the
hatreds rooted in religious extremism. "
Regards,
Darrell |
| |
|
Some blogs worth
visiting |
|
Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott,
who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years
of scholarship and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here,
we present the voices of feminist theologians of all stripes:
scholars, clergy, students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers,
artists, lovers and devotees, from many parts of the world, all
children of the God in whose image women are made. .... This blog
seeks to glorify God through prayer, work, art, and intellectual
reflection. Through articles and ensuing discussion we hope to
become an active and thoughtful community.
Witherspoon’s Facebook page
Mitch Trigger,
Witherspoon’s Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page
where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own
news and views, or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest
to you.
John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and
philosophical reflections on everything between summit to shore,
including kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy,
theology, politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), New York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by
a progressive New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a member of
the Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North
Presbyterian Church in Flushing, NY.
John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian
minister, currently serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church
of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion
(both organized and disorganized), life, evolution, literature,
Jesus, and lightening up.
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note,
and we'll see what we can do! |
| |
|
Plan now for ...
GHOST RANCH PEACE & JUSTICE
WEEK
July 27 - August 2, 2009
Now's the time to make reservations to be a part of
the 2009 Peace & Justice Week at Ghost Ranch, July 27-August 2.
There are eight seminars to choose among, including the
Witherspoon-sponsored class “New Eyes for Peace & Justice from the
World Church” led by Clifton Kirkpatrick.
More
information >> |
| |
|
If you like what you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep this website going ... and growing!
Please consider making a special contribution --
large or small -- to help us continue and improve this service.
Click
here to send a gift online, using your credit card, through
PayPal.
Or send your check, made out to
"Witherspoon Society" and marked "web site," to our Witherspoon
Bookkeeper:
Susan Robertson
9650 Clover Circle
Eden Prairie, MN 55347 |
| |
|
Check out our report from the
Conference
on
Terror, Torture,
and Security |
| |
|
