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August 31, 2015Israel-Palestine: Perspective of a Palestinian Christian
To have balanced insight into the Middle East, it is important to be exposed to eastern Christians whose faith dates back to the earliest Christian centuries. It is important to be exposed to Islam, another major world religion that is in full expression in the Middle East. It is important to be aware of the heart and mind of Judaism and its expressions in the Middle East. It is important to be aware of the interplay between politics and religion in the Middle East. And it is significantly important for us today to be informed first-hand as much as possible as to the Israel/Palestine conflict and prospects for peace and reconciliation.
In light of these things, the First United Methodist Church of Schenectady is hosting The Rev. Alex Awad, United Methodist minister, missionary, teacher and peace advocate, born in Jerusalem and a lifelong resident within Israel and Palestine, on Sunday, August 30, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. to share his personal appraisal: “Israel-Palestine: Perspective of a Palestinian Christian.”
Rev. Awad, who has taught in the USA, Europe, South America and Africa, has experienced that the Jewish story all but saturates public discourse, while Palestinians are all but voiceless, misunderstood and stereotyped. His purpose while in Schenectady is to provide a tangible resource … a summary of the situation from a Palestinian Christian perspective … to bring light to Palestinian experience and perspective.
Born in Jerusalem, his formative years were marked by the death of his father who was killed in crossfire between the Israeli and Jordanian armies in 1948. After the family became refugees, his mother was faced with the task of raising seven children. Alex reflects that the “silver lining in his family’s tragedy was his mother’s revived commitment to the way of Jesus that she experienced as a young student in a Christian School.” He leaned heavily on that faith as he developed his own, which has led him to a life devoted to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
This event is co-sponsored and hosted by First United Methodist Church, 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12309.
A Press Conference will follow on Monday, August 31, at 11 a.m., at First United Methodist Church, Schenectady. All media are welcome and encouraged to be present.
