| PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN OFFICERS |
Moderator—Lois Bruns
Vice-Moderator—Mabel Jensen
Secretary—Margie Friedrich
Treasurer—Goldie Miller
Coordinator of Missions—Lorna James
Vice-Moderator—Mabel Jensen
Secretary—Margie Friedrich
Treasurer—Goldie Miller
Coordinator of Missions—Lorna James
| MEETINGS |
General Association Meetings will only be held as special
occasions arise. Advance notice will be given in The Chime
and Sunday bulletins.
Executive Board—9:15 a.m. the 1st Tuesday of the month
Circle 1 (formerly Circle 2) -------- 1:30 p.m. -- 3rd Thursday
Circle 2 (formerly Circle 4) -------- 1:30 p.m. -- 1st Tuesday
Circle 3 (formerly Circle 5) -------- 9:30 a.m. -- 3rd Thursday
occasions arise. Advance notice will be given in The Chime
and Sunday bulletins.
Executive Board—9:15 a.m. the 1st Tuesday of the month
Circle 1 (formerly Circle 2) -------- 1:30 p.m. -- 3rd Thursday
Circle 2 (formerly Circle 4) -------- 1:30 p.m. -- 1st Tuesday
Circle 3 (formerly Circle 5) -------- 9:30 a.m. -- 3rd Thursday
| HOME |
The author of the new Presbyterian Women’s Bible study, Mary Mikhael, was born in
Syria and grew up in Lebanon, in a Greek Orthodox family that traces its Christian
roots back to Pentecost. Dr. Mikhael is a Presbyterian Elder in Beirut, Lebanon, and
an Associate Professor of Christian Education at the Near East School of Theology,
serving on its faculty since 1994. She has also directed the women’s program of the
Middle East Council of Churches and has been involved in international women’s
movements.
Given the violence of the Middle East, the book of Joshua is particularly challenging.
The Lebanese Civil War (1975 - 1990) was fought during her formative years. Mary
Mikhael was born shortly before establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
Approximately 750,000 people were displaced from their homes surrounding 1948.
Many moved to refugee camps within Israel/Palestine and countries nearby. These
refugee camps were set up by the United Nations. These camps were never meant
to house the people permanently; but most refugees were never allowed to return
home. Many still live in the camps.
All of Dr. Mikhael’s political memory is related to the conflict between Israelis and
Palestinians. This conflict is related to land occupation, land restor-ation, and people
coming to Israel/Palestine from all over the world claiming the land as their historical
inheritance, promised to them, they believe, by God, in many cases. Since the
indigenous people have lived there for many centuries, the Hebrew scriptures are
often viewed with suspicion in the current situation.
Dr. Mikhael believes the wars in the Middle East should not be understood as
"religious wars," but as political conflicts related to injustice. We are asked to delve
into important questions that arise from the study of Joshua and consider the use and
misuse of biblical texts in current Middle East conflicts. The study will be challenging
as we journey with the ancient people of Israel into the Promised Land. We are
encouraged to walk and live faithfully as God’s people today.
Syria and grew up in Lebanon, in a Greek Orthodox family that traces its Christian
roots back to Pentecost. Dr. Mikhael is a Presbyterian Elder in Beirut, Lebanon, and
an Associate Professor of Christian Education at the Near East School of Theology,
serving on its faculty since 1994. She has also directed the women’s program of the
Middle East Council of Churches and has been involved in international women’s
movements.
Given the violence of the Middle East, the book of Joshua is particularly challenging.
The Lebanese Civil War (1975 - 1990) was fought during her formative years. Mary
Mikhael was born shortly before establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
Approximately 750,000 people were displaced from their homes surrounding 1948.
Many moved to refugee camps within Israel/Palestine and countries nearby. These
refugee camps were set up by the United Nations. These camps were never meant
to house the people permanently; but most refugees were never allowed to return
home. Many still live in the camps.
All of Dr. Mikhael’s political memory is related to the conflict between Israelis and
Palestinians. This conflict is related to land occupation, land restor-ation, and people
coming to Israel/Palestine from all over the world claiming the land as their historical
inheritance, promised to them, they believe, by God, in many cases. Since the
indigenous people have lived there for many centuries, the Hebrew scriptures are
often viewed with suspicion in the current situation.
Dr. Mikhael believes the wars in the Middle East should not be understood as
"religious wars," but as political conflicts related to injustice. We are asked to delve
into important questions that arise from the study of Joshua and consider the use and
misuse of biblical texts in current Middle East conflicts. The study will be challenging
as we journey with the ancient people of Israel into the Promised Land. We are
encouraged to walk and live faithfully as God’s people today.
| 2009 - 2010 Horizons Bible Study "Joshua: A Journey of Faith" |