Wednesday, July 9, 2003
|
Wednesday, July 9, 2003 |
|
Hopewell UMC to host Abu-Akel in special 'Service for Peace' July 30 Hopewell United Methodist church in Tyrone will have a special "Service for Peace" Wednesday, July 30, with special guest speaker Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and Atlanta Ministry with International Students, Inc. Abu-Akel will speak to the congregation regarding relations between Christians and Muslims. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m., followed by the service at 7:30. Abu-Akel was born in Kuffer-Yassif, Galilee, Israel, the son of Christian Palestinian parents. He received a B.A. from Southeastern College, Lakeland, Fla. He later earned a master of divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill., and his doctor of ministry in Atlanta from Columbia Theological Seminary. He is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has recently completed a term as the moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA). For 21 years, he served on the staff of Atlanta's First Presbyterian Church. He is the founder and executive director of the Atlanta Ministry with International Students (AMIS), a ministry of friendship and hospitality to the 5500 international students and scholars from more than 140 countries who are studying in the 22 metro Atlanta colleges and universities. Among his long list of accomplishments and recognitions are the 1988 Greater Presbytery's Peace Making Award, board member of the Interfaith Coalition of Metro Atlanta, the Atlanta Interfaith Leadership Award by the Jewish and Christian Southern Committee, and the Arab American Community of Georgia Award. "Dr. Abu-Akel is a Palestinian Christian and this gives him a perspective that is valuable to us as we strive to relate to our Muslim brothers and sisters in an understanding and tolerant fashion," a spokesperson said. "God has called us to show our faithfulness through love and compassion for others, yet events of the past few years have caused many Christians to close their hearts to Muslims and others who are not familiar. Worse yet, we often see both Christians and Muslims who twist their scriptures to justify violent acts towards their fellow man. We know that this is not the answer. It is our hope that this service can play a small part in helping us to find the way." Hopewell UMC is at 351 Jenkins Road, Tyrone, near the intersection of Jenkins Road and Ga. Hwy. 74, across from Sandy Creek High School. For more information, call the church office, 770-306-7537. |
