This page is created as a place to bring issues that call us to action as we answer Micah’s call.

Rev. Henry Littlejohn (HR), Seattle Presbytery

We are privileged this month to have a concern raised by the Rev Henry Littlejohn (HR) about the crisis of Christians fleeing the Middle East.

” Recently I was reviewing the June 2009 issue of the National Geographic Magazine and read the article “The Christian Exodus from the Holy Land” . It had a “chilling” effect on me. This development in that region may have a radical significance to the worldwide Christian community. So, we need to have all Christian communities to be aware of this grave development, in the land where Christ’s life and ministry took place.”  The Rev Henry Littlejohn (HR), Seattle Presbytery

The Rev. Henry Littlejohn served as a Merchant Marine Third Officer on Victory Ship, The Durham Victory during WWII. After WWII he went to Seattle Pacific University and after graduating, marrying Dorothy, attended San Francisco Theological Seminary. His professor,Dr Lamont, of Christian Mission influenced him to consider overseas mission. The Littlejohn’s applied for an overseas assignment with the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions and in 1953 were given the opportunity to serve in the Middle East (Lebanon and Syria) as career missionaries. They,initially served three terms in Lebanon for a total of 14 years. Returning for their last term(16 years!) Henry decided to translate a book from Arabic to English: Kitab al-Subr-wa-l-Shukr, translation: The Book of Patience and Thankfulness, 25 chapters written by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d.1111 ) It’s fully Muslim in its tenor, yet dealing with the two virtues held by both faiths.

Your comments are encouraged as to actions you are taking in response to Henry’s concern and any actions you would advise the Social Justice & Peacemaking committee to take in it’s counsel to the Seattle Presbytery and it’s congregations.

Thanks for visiting Micah’s Children and visit often to see the next concern!

Sometimes, however, what isn’t better can at least steer us to what is more basic.  And so while we defer to MLK on levels of eloquence and profundity, there is something yet to add as a worthy footnote.

For to arrive at a goal of peace must presuppose that the traveler of its challenging road carry an inner peace sufficient to navigate the land mines on the way.  Peace within is of necessity a product of placing all worldly concerns at the foot of an all-powerful God, then trusting in wisdom and grace.

The contemporary hymn, “They’ll Know We Are Christians (By Our Love)” carries a convincing case that being recognized in a certain vein is dependent upon what one projects from within.  Love is, of course, one of the fruits of the spirit—as is peace.  They will also know we are Christians by our peace.  Is it not therefore persuasive that those who have cultivated an inner peace in Christ will likewise be recognized as a peacemaker?

Jesus leaves this promise for his followers:  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”  And on his unshakable authority we may humbly add a sturdy foundation to the words of Martin Luther King, an acknowledgement that to be able to walk the road of peace, we must first have the peace of Christ established within us.

It is only then that, when tempted to go the way of conflict and confrontation, we may instead find ourselves equipped for the higher callings of restoration and reconciliation.

Lew Witham, SJ&P Committee Member