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October 17, 2007

The healing power of memory

Two kindred spirits discover a common bond and a shared calling to tell the stories – past and present – of the Lebanese people

by Emily Enders Odom
Associate, Mission Communications

Carol Dolezal-Ng

Berkeley, CA — A steadfast believer in the ancient rabbinic wisdom that “memory and hope belong together,” Carol Dolezal-Ng has always been drawn to the art of scrapbooking.

“My greatest gift is being open to people, wherever they are in their journey, and in making albums with them, so they may have their stories preserved,” Dolezal-Ng said.  “It is with innate gifts of grace, patience, and reverence that I walk with people through both great joy and great sorrow while they document their lives and lessons, and reclaim the hope that emerges in remembering.”

In her work since 1999 as a consultant with Creative Memories, Dolezal-Ng has acted as a virtual midwife in birthing her diverse clients’ stories in the light of their photographic histories.

One of those clients was Carol Weir, a former professor of Christian Education at the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, Lebanon.  Weir is the wife of former General Assembly moderator, Ben Weir, who was taken hostage in Beirut in 1984 while serving there with the Jinishian Memorial Program, a program designed to help needy Armenians in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Weir was held, mostly in solitary confinement, for 16 months before being released on a Beirut street corner.

Carol Weir, who already knew Dolezal-Ng through their work together in the Presbytery of San Francisco, wanted to create a scrapbook for her son John’s fiftieth birthday documenting his father’s captivity.

“In the year that it took to get the scrapbook together,” Weir said, “Carol gave me the freedom I needed to tell our family’s story, while at the same time being very supportive and creative.  The finished scrapbook is the only piece we now have that offers such extensive background on our family, with connections and dimensions never shown before.  Carol invested her energy fully in the project.”

And that was not all she invested.  While working on the Weir scrapbook, Dolezal-Ng found herself strangely drawn to Beirut and to the work of NEST.

“To me, the project was so fascinating,” Dolezal-Ng said.  “Here was this guy about my age who went to high school in Beirut.  The scrapbook hooked me to learn more about Lebanon and its people.”

Dolezal-Ng, who had experienced a spiritual awakening following her service as an elder commissioner to the 216th General Assembly (2004), was inspired to become better educated about the complexities and critical needs of the Middle East.  This passion led her to a trip there in Spring 2006, which — because of the Weir family scrapbook — included a life-transforming visit to NEST.

NEST, an interdenominational Protestant theological seminary serving the Evangelical churches of the Middle East and Africa, was established by the PC(USA) in the early 19th century.  Having maintained and deepened its strong historic ties to the Presbyterian Church, NEST today claims a wide circle of friends and supporters in the U.S. and around the world.

Seeing the Middle East through the Weirs’ eyes awakened Dolezal-Ng to a new chapter in her own story, a call to serve NEST as its development associate for interpretation & support, to assist in interpreting its mission and to strengthen the base of support for that mission.

Carol Dolezal-Ng and kids play in Bi'lin in the West Bank. Photo by Nadar.

And to tell NEST’s many stories.  “I like to empower other people to tell their stories,” said Dolezal-Ng.  “What is so powerful about NEST is hearing from the students who went through so much to get there.  I want to stand in solidarity with them, to exemplify what Christ told us to do.”

The projected cost of Dolezal-Ng’s three-year term is estimated at $198,000, for which she and the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands (MIJHH) national staff team are currently fundraising. MIJHH is the five-year campaign of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to raise $40 million for new international mission personnel and for church development in the U.S., particularly racial ethnic and immigrant congregations.
 
“Of course I’m very excited that Carol might do this job,” Weir said.  “NEST is a safe place where the Protestant community can come and get together for Muslim-Christian dialogue to better understand each other.  The seminary is also central in keeping the Christian voice and witness there, and not just through words, but by opening their doors to provide food and shelter during times of crisis.”

Dolezal-Ng has experienced the Weirs as those who are intimately familiar with Lebanon’s times of crisis. “Seeing the pictures of Ben released from captivity and reunited with his loved ones, was profoundly moving to me,” she said.  “You would think that the Weir family would be bitter, but they continue to witness to the faith, hope and abiding love Christ teaches us, especially with the conflict in the Middle East.  Their steadfast love for Lebanon and its people is clear.”

Weir, who still maintains close ties with NEST — especially with its president, Mary Mikhael, a former student of hers — is actively advocating for Dolezal-Ng’s position there.  “With Carol’s tremendous energy, personal style, and gift of telling stories,” Weir said, “she will really help people to become involved at this critical time.”

To make a gift or pledge to Joining Hearts & Hands on behalf of Carol Dolezal-Ng, visit the Joining Hearts & Hands Web site or call (888) 728-7228 x5611. Contributions for Carol Dolezal-Ng, account number MI910003, can also be sent by mail to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Individual Remittance Processing, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.