Courage and faith remain stalwart in war-torn zone: Faith Matters clergy column from the Rev. Elizabeth Deibert
Many stories can be told of activities in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq -- violent and distressing.
Despite the terrible conflict, some people remain hopeful, working for peace/shalom/salaam in these countries.
The Revs. Elmarie and Scott Parker are among those who have such courage and faith. They live out the call of God in Jeremiah 29, to seek the peace of those around you and in so doing, to find your peace.
They tell stories of courageous Muslims, who helped Christians escape ISIS, at threat of their own lives.
They tell of Christians who are teaching compassionately in church-run schools that non-Christian families are clamoring to attend.
They tell of persons of all faiths committed to peacemaking in the region, who are giving their lives to help others.
They tell of a Muslim in Iraq who has protected a Jewish holy place for decades after the Jewish residents of his village left in 1948.
He says: "My friends were Muslim, Jewish and Christian. There was no difference between us."
They tell of the hardships of children, and of the opportunities we have to make a difference.
This past Sunday in worship at Peace, we shared the story of Gunter Nitsch, a refugee in post-World War II from Prussia, who as a boy received care packages from Mennonite Christians in the USA.
Nitsch was so grateful for these gifts he is now sending care packages to Syrian children in refugee camps to pay the love forward.
Elmarie and Scott Parker can tell you what a difference "doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God" (Micah 6:8) can make in the Middle East.
You can hear Elmarie share about their mission to build healthy, effective, and appropriate alliances among nongovernmental entities, like faith groups and other helping organizations.
Elmarie and Scott say to their supporters in the Presbyterian Church (USA): "We have been serving here while the violence in Syria is growing worse and the self-proclaimed Islamic State continues to expand its reach into Syria and Iraq.
"Again and again we have seen all parts of the Christian family in these countries living Christ's way of peace and transforming love toward all those in need, praying regularly for those who are carrying out the violence, offering forgiveness to the perpetrators, and inviting dialogue and partnership with all who seek to build societies founded on values of human dignity, peace, and mutual respect."
Persons of all faiths are welcome to hear native Floridian Elmarie Parker tell her inspiring stories of peace and kindness in action.
She will be speaking at Peace Presbyterian in Lakewood Ranch, 12705 State Road 64 E. at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17.
The public is welcome to ask questions, share refreshments, make donations, and see slides from recent visits to refugee camps and Presbyterian Churches in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria.
(She also will be at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota at 5 p.m. Wednesday. RSVP for dinner.)
There is always hope in every painful corner of the world. You just have to look hard and listen carefully to the Spirit of God.
Speaking of hope, we encourage you to send your children K-5 to a day camp at Peace Church, where they will have fun and grow in faith -- a hopeful, open-minded, loving, and fearless faith.
Camp will run all day June 20-24, and will be staffed by trained counselors of Cedarkirk Camp in Lithia, and by responsible, background-checked volunteers at Peace.
The Rev. Elizabeth Deibert, 941-753-7778 Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 State Road 64, Lakewood Ranch. Email edeibert@peacepcusa.com or call 941-753-777. Faith Matters is a regular feature of Saturday's Herald, written by local clergy members.
This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Courage and faith remain stalwart in war-torn zone: Faith Matters clergy column from the Rev. Elizabeth Deibert ."