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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 1, 2001

ARAB AND MIDDLE EASTERN LUTHERANS FOCUS ON WITNESS AND HERITAGE
01-209-MR/BA*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Witnessing to the gospel" among people of Arab
and Middle Eastern heritage was a focus for the sixth biennial assembly
of the Association for Lutherans of Arab and Middle East Heritage
(ALAMEH) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) here July
20-22.
     More than 125 participants received reports and updates from two
pastors and a mission developer responsible for building congregational
ministries in Arab and Middle Eastern communities throughout the United
States.  The reports featured "tools" some congregations use for
ministry among people of Arab and Middle Eastern heritage.
     The Rev. Khader El Yateem, Salam Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.,
described the many ministries made available by Salam which include
Bible study, youth group activities, immigration counseling and a pre-
school.  El Yateem emphasized that worship -- conducted in Arabic -- and
Bible study are the core of the congregation's ministry.  Salam
initiated and participates in a multi-faith community task force in
Brooklyn.
     The Rev. Rimon Sai'd, St. Elias Church, Chicago, said St. Elias
was "recently inaugurated" as a congregation of the ELCA at Immanuel
Lutheran Church, Chicago.
     Rani Abdulmasih, an ELCA mission developer, Dearborn, Mich.,
provided a progress report about an Arab and Middle Eastern mission
congregation in Dearborn, one of "the country's largest concentrations
of Arab and Middle Eastern [people] outside of Los Angeles."  Abdulmasih
is active in community multi-faith activities in Dearborn.
     The Rev. Mark N. Swanson, associate professor of Islamic studies
and director of the Islamic Studies Program, Luther Seminary, St. Paul,
Minn., delivered a keynote presentation called "You Shall Be My
Witnesses."
     Swanson offered five distinctive gifts Arab and Middle Eastern
Christians offer the church.  The gifts are a long, deep and distinctive
spirituality; the experience of cooperative living among Christians of
different denominations; an unbroken continuity with the Apostolic
church; an experience of Christian life and witness in a multi-religious
environment; and the experience of being a distinctive Christian
community.
     "You have much to teach us, a heritage to share and a mission to
accomplish," he told the assembly.  "I am grateful for your witness and
for the promise of the Lord that you will be my witness," Swanson said.
     In response to Swanson's presentation, the assembly divided into
five groups to develop ideas for witnessing among people of various
ethnic groups in Arab and Middle Eastern Christian communities.
     The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, Grace El Yateem,
president of ALAMEH, and the Rev. Frederick E.N. Rajan, executive
director, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries, greeted the
assembly.  The assembly honored Susan Thompson, executive for newly
organized congregations, ELCA Division for Outreach, for her
"indispensable role" in the formation of ALAMEH and the development of
ELCA Arabic-language congregations.  Thompson will retire this fall.
     ALAMEH relates to the ELCA Commission for Multicultural
Ministries.  Business sessions at the assembly were conducted in English
and Arabic.  Members of St. Elias hosted the assembly.
-- -- --
     *The Rev. Bassam J. Abdallah is consultant for Arab and Middle
Eastern ministries, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries.

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