First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston presents peace speaker, dinner

Thang Van Lian, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar, will speak Thursday, Oct. 3, at the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, 505 Cayuga St. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and the presentation will follow at 6:45 p.m.

A pastor in Myanmar for nearly 20 years, Lian grew up in a poor and rural village experiencing significant challenges, racial and religious discrimination, and life-threatening situations.

Myanmar has been embroiled in ethnic conflict for centuries, resulting in human rights violations, poverty, oppression, racial and religious discrimination, a half-century-old civil war and, most recently, the internal and international Rohingya refugee crisis.

Lian is currently working on his doctor of educational ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He is also serving as pastor of a refugee community church in Clarkston City, known as one of the most diverse cities in the world with refugee communities from around the world. From this congregation, he has gained a unique perspective on life in the U.S.

He will speak about the Rohingya crisis, the current civil war on ethnic minority groups, the silence of the Myanmar churches, and what a faithful response of Christians and the Christian church might look like to a humanitarian crisis such as the one being faced in Myanmar today. He will also share the current peace, justice and development work of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar.

Those who wish to attend the dinner can call the church at 716-754-4945, by Sunday, Sept. 29. Arrive at the church by 6:45 p.m., if attending the presentation only.

A free-will offering will be available.

All are welcome and parking is available in the large lot behind the church, and on Cayuga Street.