“Our” Cultures èç “Their” Cultures
Gaining Closer Understandings of Modern Middle-East Challenges
Bishop Jim Justman recently journeyed with 43 other Lutheran bishops to Jordan, the West Bank, and Israel to gain first-hand experience with some of the cultural and societal issues that challenge that part of the world.
Join us on Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Oshkosh for presentations by Bishop Justman and others who have recently spent time in the Middle East. Each will offer some of their reflective impressions about cultural thinking in this part of the world – differences and commonalities.
A light buffet of Palestinian foods will be served beginning at 12:30 PM. Join Us!
No registration is needed; there is no charge for the event.
Information is available at: www.OurCulturesTheirCultures.org
An New Addition – a “Pre-Event” beginning at 10:00 AM (May 21).
As a prelude/preparation to the 1:00 PM event (described above) seminary intern Peder Johanson will provide a photo presentation of his travel in March to many of the places visited by the bishops’ tour. Peder’s photos and sharing can help provide information and perspective to some of the complex issues and realities faced by the Palestinian people. Also, Firas Abu Taha (a Jordanian with Palestinian roots who recently moved to the USA) and Marna Johanson (married to Firas) will share some of their perspectives. Firas and Marna will provide a Palestinian-style lunch at noon to pre-event participants.
There is no cost or registration for the day’s events. Because a lunch concludes the morning’s “pre-event” it would be helpful to indicate your interest in that event.
Email: PadrePoint@gmail.com or go to www.OurCulturesTheirCultures.org
St. John’s Lutheran Church
808 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI - (920) 231-5480
St. John’s Lutheran Church is part of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
This event is organized and sponsored by Pastor Ted Johanson – Interim Pastor of St. John’s
Text of an email sent on April 30, 2009 with the above attached:
April 30, 2009
The “Our” Cultures =><= “Their” Cultures event will begin at 1:00 PM on Thursday, May 21 (three weeks from today) at St. John’s Lutheran in Oshkosh (the only church on Main Street… near the downtown area). The event is organized to provide Bishop Jim Justman and others a platform to share some of their experiences and perspectives in recent visits to Palestine, Jordan, and Israel.
This email includes information about:
1) the presenters for the event
2) a new “pre-event” in the morning: 10 AM
3) a new website: OurCulturesTheirCultures.org
4) an updated event flyer (attached)
1. Presenters include:
Bishop Jim Justman, who joined over 40 other ELCA bishops in a recent trip to the Holy Land, is the primary presenter and moderator. He has composed and made available a report about his experiences and developing perspectives. It is available on the ECSW home page (upper right corner).
Dr. Kim E. Nielsen, Professor of History & Women’s Studies, Chair of UWGB Department of Social Change and Development, and author of a soon-to-be-released book. Kim has spent time in Jordan in her professional roles and as part of her vocational interests.
Peder Johanson, seminary intern, traveled last month with OSU students to Palestine and Israel. He’ll share some his experience in the “pre-event” as a way for people to become more informed for the afternoon event with Bishop Justman (see below… the “pre-event” begins at 10 AM on May 21).
Firas Abu Taha recently moved to America from Amman, Jordan and married Marna Johanson. Firas and Marna will offer some of their thoughts about their “cultural exchange” in terms of family, religion, society, cultural perceptions, etc.
2. A “Pre-Event” is offered in the morning of May 21
As a means to become more familiar with some of the issues being addressed by the “Our” Cultures =><= “Their” Cultures event at 1 PM on May 21, a supplemental event has been arranged for the morning… for those who might be interested. Peder Johanson will walk through some of his photos as a means to describe what he and other OSU students experienced in a cultural awareness tour last month. The group visited many of the same places as did the ELCA bishops.
Firas Abu Taha and Marna Johanson will share some their experiences and perspectives. Firas grew up in Amman, Jordan, has family roots in Bethlehem, and has lived in a number of different countries. In their marriage, Marna and Firas are literally living in a “cultural exchange” as each brings their own unique life perspectives to each other. They will serve as hosts for the lunch and afternoon buffet.
A lunch of Palestinian foods will be offered to morning participants at 12:00 and a light buffet will be available throughout the afternoon. To better prepare for the lunch, people planning to attend the “pre-event” are asked to let their interest be known by emailing PadrePoint@gmail.com or by using the website: OurCulturesTheirCultures.org. (Marna and Firas will host the lunch and buffet.)
3. A New Website for the “Our” Cultures =><= “Their” Cultures Event
A website has been created as a means to provide information before and after the May 21 event: OurCulturesTheirCultures.org. It can provide space for many people to contribute information and thoughts by registering as a contributor and/or by offering comments. Only basic information is on the website at the moment… more will be added in the next few weeks… especially if a number of people register onto the website… (please consider contributing to the website.)
4. Attached: An Updated One-Page flyer – Word and PFD formats
To include “pre-event” and website information, an update was made to the one-page flyer sent out a few weeks ago. The flyer attached to this email is in two formats: Word and pfd. The flyer’s information and this email are available on-line. The flyer and this email may be shared and forwarded. The event is open to all.
Finally – No Registration/No Event Fee
While no registration is required for the May 21 “Our” Cultures =><= “Their” Cultures event at 1:00 PM, it will be helpful to let intentions of attending the 10:00 AM “pre-event” be known (to assure sufficient food for lunch.) Do so by emailing PadrePoint@gmail.com or by using the website: OurCulturesTheirCultures.org. Lunch for “pre-event” participants begins at 12:00 and a light buffet for the afternoon begins at 12:30.
