Promise and Hope within the Promised Land: St. Thomas Advent Lunches
The hearts of people of many faiths are breaking as we watch devastating conflict unfold in the Middle East. Several St. Thomas parishioners asked for an opportunity to learn more about the history of the region and look at the current conflict from the perspective of faith, rather than partisan and political points of view. Join us for these informative sessions presenting a variety of perspectives on this complex challenge. May greater understanding lead to greater peace in our world.
December 4 - A History of Differing Promises and Hopes
Dr. Denny Clark, our beloved former Parish Theologian, returns to begin the series. He will share an overview of how the promises and hopes of many peoples have shaped the region over the years and provide insight into what hope might look like today. Denny and his wife Toni Fisher were involved in the Bethsaida Excavations Project in Israel for 26 years, spending 1-4 months per year in Israel/Palestine for about half of those years. They now live in Blair, Nebraska, where Denny volunteers with the Tri-Faith Initiative, a cooperative effort of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian congregations in Omaha.
December 11 - Jewish Perspectives on Promise and Hope
Rabbi Beth Schwartz, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Israel in Columbus, will speak about what the Promised Land has meant over 3,000 years of Jewish presence within the region, varying ways of understanding that promise over time and across many Jewish communities, and current perspectives today.
December 18 - Promise and Hope within the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Rev. Judy Quick, a Deacon with our neighbors in the Diocese of Alabama, has served for several years on the board of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which includes many ministries among Arab Christians living in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. She will speak about the ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem past and present and about their hopes for the future.
Tags: Advent & Christmas at St. Thomas / News / Voices
