08213
March 18, 2008
Presbyterian legacy in Lebanon focus of upcoming event
New York’s 5th Avenue Church to host university president Jabbra
LOUISVILLE – New York City’s Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church will host the head of Lebanese American University (LAU) in April during an event that will highlight the Presbyterian presence in Lebanon and the Middle East.
Joseph Jabbra, president of the LAU, which has campuses in Beirut and Byblos; will speak April 6 at 1 p.m. on the topic “The Presbyterian Legacy in a Troubled Land: Lebanese American University, Lebanon & the Middle East.”
"U.S. Presbyterians have, for much of their history, been involved in Lebanon," said the Rev. Roland Perdue, interim pastor and head of staff at Fifth Avenue. "Indeed, a lot of Presbyterians are Lebanese."
“We are glad to keep that kind of reality present,” he added.
Presbyterian missionaries founded LAU as the American School for Girls in 1835. Today the university is a coeducational institution with more than 7,000 students. Presbyterians also are present in the country in other ways and through various organizations.
“We have a heritage, the Presbyterian Church, … with this university,” said Fifth Avenue member Ronald G. Cruikshank, who is in his second term on the board of trustees of LAU. “We wanted to make sure that women got an education in the Middle East.”
“It’s a wonderful legacy,” said Cruikshank, also a trustee at Fifth Avenue. Perdue said Cruikshank has been the catalyst for Jabbra speaking at the church several other times too.
Jabbra, a native of Lebanon, is the author of 10 books and has spoken widely about issues in the Middle East. He has particularly advocated using higher education as a conduit for tolerance and peace in the region, which has suffered violently over political, religious and territorial concerns.
“That land is really troubled,” said Perdue. Yet “this is a world in which we really can get along together if we really make the effort to do so.”
The April 6 event is free and open to the public, and Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church is located at 5th Avenue at 55th Street. For more information, contact (212) 870-2592. |
