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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: president@theonest.edu.lb • 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..

• Direct checks in the name of N.E.S.T.: Near East School of Theology P.O. Box 13-5780 Chouran Beirut 1102-2070 Lebanon• Bank wire transfers:Byblos Bank, Bliss Branch - Beirut, LebanonAccount Name: Near East School of TheologyByblos Bank Swift Code: BYBALBBXAccount #: 475-2100883-008 for Dollars TransfersAccount #: 475-2100883-009 for Euro TransfersIBAN: LB43003900000004752100883008 for Dollars Transfers LB16003900000004752100883009 for Euro Transfer

• Through: Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Send check to: Dr. Peter E. Makari Executive, Middle East and EuropeGlobal Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)700 Prospect Ave., #718, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 USADesignate the gift for NEST in the Memo line

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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