Educational series features ideas on Middle East conflict

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by Matt Johnson, matt.johnson@lee.net

A three-part educational series dealing with conflict in the Middle East has been planned at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua.

On Sundays, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, at 11:15 a.m., the church will host videos and speakers that will address unrest in Palestine and Israel.

The event on Nov. 29 will include an overview video and discussion of an article in the June 2009 edition of The Lutheran magazine. The Dec. 6 event will include speaker Marla Engbloom, who has traveled in the Middle East and studied the issue. The Dec. 13 event will include a discussion with the Rev. Kent Johnson, who works on justice issues and is considered the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America -- La Crosse Synod’s foremost authority on the issue.

Good Shepherd assistant pastor the Rev. Margaret Hoversten said the idea of bringing the three-part discussion on the Middle East to the church came out of work done by the church’s social ministry committee and resolutions passed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s Assembly.

“Primarily we’re dealing with the issue of peace in the Middle East,” Hoversten said. “We’re bringing together resources and people who, we believe, can help people better understand the issues involved.” || Read more