As a number of our churches have shown interest, the Syria Lebanon Partnership Network is inviting you to be part of their Annual Gathering at the Claremont Presbyterian Church, September 20-22, 2022.
It will be a hybrid event and feature the Network leadership, including our own Tim McCalmont and others from around the country and the Middle East. The in-person format will be the first time this event has been held on the West Coast.
The theme is “We Choose Abundant Life” and we will be using materials provided by pastors and church leaders from the Middle East to guide our time together. Presenters include Rev. Najla Kassab, Pastor from the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon and the current President of the World Communion of Reformed Churches along with her husband Rev. Joseph Kassab, General Secretary of the National Synod of Syria and Lebanon. Also presenting will be Luciano Kovacs, PCUSA World Mission Area Coordinator for the Middle East and Europe. Together with Elmarie Parker, Mission Liaison for Syria and Lebanon, they will bring a current picture of the situation on the ground and how churches are facing the challenges of the on-going crisis in both countries. Luciano Kovacs has been involved in responding to the war in Ukraine and will speak about how the situation there is impacting events in Syria and Lebanon. We will also hear from the Jarjour family, recently from Costa Mesa, who will be just returning from a trip to Syria during the summer months.
This gathering will begin in the late afternoon Tuesday, getting to know one another followed by dinner and the first meeting. A full day of presentations and a panel discussion is planned with mission partners in the middle east. Wednesday will conclude with attendees being served an authentic Mediterranean supper by Syrian families who have relocated to California. They will share about their experiences and how they have maintained family connections in their homeland. Thursday will include breakfast, worship and a meeting to discuss plans for the SLPN in the coming year prior to adjournment at noon.
Registration costs are $100 per person for full-time in-person guests. ($50 per person for commuter, Wednesday-only guests). For those who would like to join us virtually the cost is $25 per person.
The Doubletree Hotel, two blocks from the church, has blocked out rooms for use during the Gathering at a reduced rate of $144/night when reserved by September 2. Two breakfasts and lunches will be provided by the church. Each guest is responsible for making your own reservations. You will find hotel reservation information on the SLPN website (syrialebanonPN.org).
You may register online by visiting the SLPN website (syrialebanonPN.org) or the Facebook page (Friends of Syria Lebanon Partnership Network). Please register by July 30 so our planning committee can make arrangements for this hybrid meeting.