August 25, 2008

Dear Friends,

The summer has been busy for me in California and for the Near East School of Theology (NEST).

I was honored to be commissioned to serve with the NEST on June 21 at the PC(USA) General Assembly. While there I was able to meet and reconnect with many friends of the NEST. I’ve also accepted invitations to be with various church families and share the ministry of the NEST.

NEST commencement services on June 14, 2008.  Graduates present include (left to right):  Elias Ousta Jabbour; Lilit Shaliko Ayvazyan; Ashraf Khamees Elias Tannous; Emmanuel Tongun Mathew Gore; Wassim Youssef Said; Anna Dikran Artin.

In Beirut, NEST held commencement services on June 14. Following are a list of recent graduates and their degrees: 

NEST certificate for Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education: Anna Dikran Artin; diploma in theological studies: Wassim Youssef Said and Sarah Porter Waterbury; Bachelor of Theology: Emmanuel Tongun Mathew Gore and Ashraf Khamees Elias Tannous; Master of Divinity: Lilit Shaliko Ayvazyan and Elias Ousta Jabbour.

I wrote of Ashraf Tannous in my last letter. Since graduation, he has returned to his home in Ramallah in the West Bank and is serving his denomination. He hopes one day to continue his studies for a Master of Divinity.

Emmanuel Gore received his B.Th. degree and, after much paperwork, has arrived at McCormick Seminary in Chicago to continue his studies in the M.Div. program. Recently Emmanuel told me about a popular eastern Islamic tradition, which asserts that one need only be with a group of people for 40 days before becoming a legitimate member of that group and enjoying all the privileges and rights that the members of that group enjoy. He is pondering his new community after leaving the NEST community.

One of the treasures I see in NEST is the ability of Christians to come together and live, worship, study, struggle, and love together, each bringing their theological, cultural, and racial piece to the table. As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continues to discover how we are the body of Christ, I find that NEST teaches me invaluable lessons and witnesses about the possibilities of our Christian community. I believe the Christian leaders who are nurtured at NEST are able to carry great insight into building community with them as they move into their call.

Recent M.Div. graduate Elias Jabbour and I talked about his experience at NEST last November.  “NEST for me is a nest,” he said, “a place where we come together and learn how to fly. It’s a beautiful place because we live like a big family. We study together. We serve together. And we share everything: the sad things and the joyful things.

Elias Jabbour, recent M.Div. graduate, is also an accomplished musician and often shared his musical gifts. He played often at the weekday worship service before lunch in the NEST chapel.

 “Sometimes when you are part of the family living in the same building you may lack privacy. Misunderstanding can happen, even between good friends. But that also educates us. It’s not just the academic stuff that educates us and prepares us for future ministry, but life itself!” 

I invite you to visit the NEST Web site to learn more about all that is offered to students and the community.  Keep checking my PC(USA) Mission Connections Web page, and please note I have created a friends of NEST group on Facebook.com!

As we approach fall, I look forward to continuing and new partnerships with NEST to ensure the continuation of this rich ministry. NEST has many needs. At the top of the list are funds to help with scholarships for students like Ashraf, Emmanuel, and Elias, and funds to maintain the facilities to provide a training ground. I pray for more partners to help fund this ministry so students may continue to be nurtured and go forth to serve. If you’d like more information on how to support NEST, I am always available to talk with you. We can partner with our brothers and sisters in Middle East and Africa to keep the Christian witness alive in the rich tapestry of Abrahamic faiths.

If you already are a friend of NEST, I thank you. If you are yet to be a friend of the NEST, I hope you will give it prayerful consideration.

I leave you with the benediction given at the NEST commencement services:

Keep hold of what is good and avoid all forms of evil.

May God Himself, the God of peace, make you holy through and through and keep you sound in spirit, soul, and body.

May God make safe to you each steep, open to you each pass, make clear to you each road.

May God shield you in the valleys, may Christ aid you on the mountain, may the Holy Spirit be your guide now and forever.

May it be so,

Salaam,