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ISSUED OCCASIONALLY by the NEAR EAST SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, BEIRUT - LEBANONFOR RELATED CHURCHES, SUPPORT AGENCIES AND A SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
P.O.Box: 13-5780 Chouran, Beirut 1102 2070 Lebanon • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.theonest.edu.lb • Tel.:(961-1) 349901 / 738639 • Fax: (961-1) 347129
December 2016≈fOC’G ¥ô°û∏d äƒgÓdG á«∏c
Many seminaries and faculties of theology in the western world have been introducing changes in
their curricula and revising their traditional conceptions of theological education. Gaining experience of other contexts and being exposed to global and ecumenical ways of theological learning has become highly recommended, if not required, in some places. In most cases this involves encouraging students to spend some time away from their immediate contexts and so to travel to other countries. NEST has been engaged in this global and ecumenical education endeavor for many years now, but our Middle Eastern students do not have to go anywhere to have that experience: the world and other contexts and cultures come to them. Increasingly NEST is becoming a multicultural, multi-linguistic and ecumenical locus of theological learning. There are this year 10 nationalities represented on our student body, speaking 7 different languages, hailing from 5 different continents. There are students from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox backgrounds and traditions; there are women and men almost equally divided; lay and ordained, old and young, and over 65% of all students reside together on the same premises. Where else in the Middle East, or the world perhaps, would one find a more global, ecumenical and inclusive community? Lebanese and German, Syrian and
Swedish, Jordanian and Danish, Armenian and British, American and Tongan (New Zealand), live, study, pray, discuss, argue, learn, laugh, and play together.
Not only is life at NEST an ecumenical and multicultural experience; it is also an opportunity to live and experience what it means to be the Body of Christ that is composed of a variety of members. Theological education at NEST affords one the possibility of learning to understand and appreciate the ways other members of the same Body live and experience and practice their faith, and so to be enriched by the lives and experiences and thought of others. But experiencing the variety and plurality of the members of the Body of Christ in the Middle East means much more. It means enacting solidarity with one another. This part of the world is going through great trials and tribulations for all its inhabitants, but especially for the Christians. To be in Lebanon and in the Middle East at this point in history is also to learn and to live what it means to affirm that we all are members of the one Body of Christ. If one member suffers, we all suffer together; if one member is honored all rejoice together. (I Cor. 12:26).
Christmas is the great celebration of the Head identifying and co-suffering with the Members in order to give hope and assurance of liberation to our world.
From The President
TO ALL
2 NEST
Pastors on SabbaticalEight persons are taking part in the Pastors Sabbatical Program that the Seminary organizes biannually. Pastors from Germany, Denmark and the USA arrived in mid September to spend 12 weeks in a special program that introduces them to Eastern churches, Islam and Christian Muslim Relations, as well as to the main Protestant churches and their work in the social, educational and spiritual spheres. The pastors attend some classes but also have special programs of visits and interviews and seminary organized for them.
The first day of classes was September 28, and as usual, the Opening Convocation was held at noon of the same day. Faculty, students, staff and Board Members, as well as guests from local Protestant congregations attended the Service. President Sabra spoke about solidarity in the body of Christ, pointing out how the presence of people
from so many countries and cultures at NEST is also a form of solidarity with the Christians of the Middle East. He welcomed and introduced all the new students. There has been an increase in student numbers in this year: 46 persons are attending courses in the various programs of the Seminary, almost double last academic year’s figure.
Opening Convocation
3NEST
The Book of Revelation Unveiled!
The Continuing Education program for summer 2016 focused on the last book of the Bible. Around 30 alumni and others spent 5 days at NEST taking part in a seminar that addressed different aspects of the difficult and obscure Book of Revelation. The main speaker was Prof. David DeSylva, Trustees' Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary, USA. He delivered 5 basic lectures that covered the most important aspects for the study and interpretation of Revelation. The program was highly appreciated by all who attended. Many said that it made them see the Book of Revelation in a completely new light. Prof. DeSylva
4 NEST
The Fifth Consultation between NEST and the Studies in the Middle East Program in Germany (SiMO) took place at NEST from June 23-28, 2016. Thirty-five participants from Germany along with a similar number from Beirut took part in a discussion of the theme “The Protestant Reformation 500 Years later in Germany and Lebanon”. All participants took part in a special visit to the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan, to hear about the theme of reform and renewal in contemporary Islam. For many of those who attended, the high point of the conference was the lecture given by Professor Tarif Kahlidi, Sheikh Zayed Chair in Islamic and Arabic Studies at the American University of Beirut, entitled “Does Islam need a Martin Luther?”
The main lectures given will be appearing in the April 2017 issue of the NEST Theological Review.
The Protestant Reformation 500 Years Later
Visit to Mufti Daryan
Prof. T. Khalidi
Haidostian, Tamche, Sabra
5NEST
The annual retreat of the Seminary took place at the end of October in the beautiful and calm village of Douma in north Lebanon. Students and faculty spent the weekend in gatherings of prayer and discussion and reflection. The theme of the Retreat was the story of Jacob in the book of Genesis. A walk through historic Douma was the first item of the first day, and a visit to the nearby Greek Orthodox convent on the second day.
The Resource Center for Christian Education conducted its 11th training seminar in the series, The Joy of Sunday School IX. Sixty-seven young men and women participated. There were two sessions, one on “Experiencing Authentic Worship at an Early Age” led by Rev. Bassem Melki, and the second on the question, “Will our Sunday School Children be Future Church Members?” led by Mrs. Mona Khawli.
Spiritual Retreat in Douma
The Joy of Sunday School
Mrs. Khawli
Rev. Melki
6 NEST
Mikhael Elias, known to all as Abu Elias, our concierge and guardian of the building, retired at the end of September after two decades of faithful service to NEST. Countless students and visitors, both local and foreign, knew Abu Elias and appreciated his readiness to serve and help, and also his cheerful and playful nature. NEST Administration arranged a farewell event in which several colleagues of his as well as faculty members spoke words of praise and thanks to one of the pillars of life at NEST. Abu Elias returned to his native village in Syria to be with his family.
In the same ceremony, Mr. Samir Francis, receptionist for 8 years was also honored. Both were given gifts of appreciation by the president.
Abu Elias and Samir Honored
Abu Elias
Samir
7NEST
Dutch Churches in Solidarity with M.E. Christians
President George Sabra was invited to the Netherlands in September to visit the offices of NEST’s partners and Board Members, Kerk in Actie and ICCO. The invitation to the Netherlands also involved Dr. Sabra’s participation in several events that were designed to support Christians in the Middle East. He spoke in a meeting for all Dutch churches, church organizations and NGOs working in the Middle East, took part in an ecumenical service in solidarity with Christians in Syria and preached in an Amsterdam congregation. All were occasions to speak publicly and privately about NEST and its ministry.
8 NEST
Class Visit to Balamand Monastery and SeminaryThe Contemporary Eastern Church class, led by Dr. Rima
Nasrallah van Saane, spent the day at the St. John of Damascus Theological Seminary of the Greek Orthodox Church in Balamand, North Lebanon. The Dean of the Seminary, Father
Porphyrius, as well as the Abbot of the Monastery, Father Seraphim, took turns in introducing the NEST visitors to Orthodox theology and worship. Patriarch John X happened to be there as well, and he received the group and spoke to them.
Patriarch John X with the Eastern Churches class
Dr. George Sabra was invited by the Dean of Kulliyat al Da’wa, Sheikh Abdul Nasser Jabri, to address a group of students from Iran about Protestant theology and the structure of theological education at a Protestant Seminary. Speaking in Arabic, Dr. Sabra explained what Protestants believed and how they envision and implement theological education. The discussion period was very lively with participants posing tens of questions and going way past the time allotted.
What is Protestant Theology?A Presentation at an Islamic Institution
9NEST
Marilyn Borst, Associate
Director of the Outreach
Foundation, accompanied
by 4 Presbyterian women
visited NEST in July. On
their way to a Prebsyterian
Women’s Meeting in the
Evangelical Conference
Center in Dhour Shweir,
the group met with Dr.
Sabra and some members
of the staff, as well as
with some of the Syrian
students that the Outreach
Foundation is supporting.
Outreach Foundation
Uniting Church in Australia
In preparation for an official visit of a delegation from the Uniting Church in Australia, Revs. Krikor Youmoushakian (M.Div. ’83) and Gaby Kobrossi visited NEST in September. The Australian visitors will come in January 2017 to visit NEST and church leaders in Lebanon.
Visitors
Rev. Marilyn Borst, Rev. Nancy Fox, Juli Brambl, Julie Burgess
10 NEST
PCUSA GroupA team of 14 people from PCUSA visited NEST in late September. Besides learning about the work of NEST from the President, they also attended sessions with faculty members Dr. Peter Ford on Christian-Muslim Relations and Dr. Rima Nasrallah van Saane on Eastern Churches.
Wyoming Presbytery
Rev. Scott Parker, PCUSA Regional Liaison to the Middle East, accompanied a delegation from the Presbytery of Wyoming, USA, on a visit to NEST in July. President Sabra met with them, and spoke about NEST’s ministry in this part of the world, but especially about its role in Christian-Muslim dialogue.
11NEST
On the occasion of ordaining a new priest for the English-speaking Episcopal Church in Beirut, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, The Most Reverend Suheil Dawani, visited NEST and met with President Sabra as well as with the Vice Chair of the Board of Managers, the Rev. Fadi Dagher, Moderator of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon. Archbishop Dawani inquired about the situation at NEST and vowed continued and increased support for its ministry.
Bishop of Kurhessen-Waldeck Church
Archbishop Suheil Dawani
NEST welcomed the Rev. Dr. Martin Hein, Bishop of the German Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck in October. Accompanied by the Dean of the church district of Hanau, Dr. Martin Lückhoff, Bishop Hein met with faculty members, as well with the German pastors who are on
Sabbatical at NEST this year. Discussion centered around the role of NEST in Lebanese and Middle Eastern society to the role of the churches in the Middle Eastern crises, as well as the experiences and impressions of the German pastors in Lebanon.
Dr. Sabra, Archbishop Dawani, Rev. F. Dagher
12 NEST
NEST President at Haigazian University’s Founders Day
Dr. Sabra was invited to be the main speaker at this year’s Founders Day at Haigazian University on October 17, 2016. On the occasion of honoring a number of HU graduates who are now principals and directors of schools in Lebanon, Dr. Sabra spoke about the importance of critical thinking as taught in schools and universities, while at the same warning against the danger of severing critical thinking from the cultivation of values, otherwise critical thinking degenerates into negative criticism and cynicism.
13NEST
Rev. Benjamin Weir passed away on October 14, 2016 in USA. The late Rev. Weir, along with his wife Carol, served as missionaries in Lebanon with the Presbyterian Church (USA) for nearly 30 years; he also served as N.E.S.T. Board Member from 1967-68 until 1984. In fact, he was on his way to a Board Meeting when he was kidnapped off the streets of Beirut in May 1984. He was freed 16 months later, and shortly thereafter he was elected moderator of the 1986 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, the highest elected office in that denomination. Ben Weir was a dedicated and selfless missionary who loved this part of the world and genuinely worked for its betterment. N.E.S.T. and the Presbyterian Church in Lebanon and Syria owe him a great deal.
Our sincerest condolences to his children Christine, Susan and John.
Benjamin Weir
14 NEST4 ST
Thank You!
Abqaiq Protestant Fellowship
Action Chrétienne en Orient, France
Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, GA
Rev. Claudia Barth
Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Leonard Bjorkman
Ms. Beth J. Blackbird
Mr. Zuhair Boulos
Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church, Citrus Heights, CA
Rev. Claire Chimelli
Church of Sweden
Mr. & Mrs. William G. Cobey
Elder Fares Dagher
Mr. Samer Dagher
Danmission, Denmark
Davidson College Presbyterian Church, NC
Erin Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Biedenkopf, Germany
Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Markgrӧningen, Germany
Evangelische Missionswerk Deutschland
Dr. & Mrs. Karim A. Fawaz
Fellowship of the Least Coin, The International Committee
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Warren Ferguson
First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA
First Presbyterian Church, Champaign, IL
First Presbyterian Church, Monterey, CA
First Presbyterian Church, Napa, CA
First Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo, CA
First Presbyterian Church Hayward, Castro Valley, CA
Rev. Garnett E. Foster
Fremont Presbyterian Church, Sacramento, CA
Mrs. Maxine J. Funk
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Gabrielson
Gereformeerde Zendingsbond (GZB), the Netherlands
Revs. Dr. Dorcas & Noel Gordon
Grace Presbytery, Irving, TX
Grosse Pointe Memorial Presbyterian Church, Grosse
Pointe Farms, MI
Dr. & Mrs. Raja Hajjar
Revs. Melinda L. Hall and Nathaniel W. Royster
Rev. Edwin & Arpine’ Hanna Endowment
Rev. & Mrs. Richard B. Hanna
October 2015 - September 2016
NESTN
Dr. & Mrs. Hugh R. Harcourt
Rev. Rebekka Herminghaus
Rev. Petra Huse
ICCO & Kerk in Actie, Netherlands
Mrs. Lesley Emmington Jones
Revs. Arne & Ingeborg Kappelgaard
Rev. & Mrs. John Khanjian
Dr. Ray Kiely
Ms. Gwen King, Kintronic Investment Co., Bristol, TN
Mr. Gary Braithwaite and Dr. Melissa Kirkpatrick
Mr. & Mrs. Yousef I. Makdisi
Mrs. Dicranuhi Karakashian Merguerian
Rev. & Mrs. Vincent Mok
Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, CA
Dr. & Mrs. Raja T. Nasr
Mrs. Winfired S. Nucho
Old First Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, CA
Orient Congregational Church, NY
Outreach Foundation, Franklin, TN
Parish of Lichtkring, Netherlands
Ms. M. Agnes Peebles
Rev. Dr. Anneke Peereboom, Church Klingelbach Congregation
Ms. Helen E. Petrill
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Presbyterian Church of Ireland
Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, CA
Reformed Church of Highland Park, NJ
Rev. Gunhild Riemenschneider
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Robertson
Second Presbyterian Church, Saginaw, MI
Rev. & Mrs. Kenneth W. Smith
Revs. Kenneth & Margaret Thomas
Mrs. Mary L. Toy
Mr. & Mrs. Donn N. Trautman
United Church of Christ and Christian Church, USA
United Presbyterian Church, Los Alamos, NM
Uniting Church in Sweden
Dr. & Mrs. John Waterbury
Mr. John C. Welker
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY
Willard-Mount Zion Presbyterian Church, MO
We continue to depend on your prayers and support. Our ministry is indeed your ministry. You can continue to support us in any of the following ways:
• Through the PC (USA)Make your checks payable to: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Indicate on your check: For deposit to ECO 862612 (N.E.S.T., Beirut)
Mail your contribution to: Presbyterian Church (USA)
P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
You will receive a receipt from the office in Louisville for your tax-deductible contribution.You will also receive a letter of thanks from the President of N.E.S.T..
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OR:Payment online: http://www.globalministries.org/near_east_school_of_theology.
Near East School of TheologyP.O. Box 13-5780 ChouranBeirut 1102-2070Lebanon
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