"Who's on 'first,' and what the heck are they doing there?"

   I was in Lebanon on the boardwalk with Dr. Laurie Kraus, executive director of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.  We were gazing out over the brilliantly blue Mediterranean when a large olive green military transport flew low overhead.   Both being Air Force brats, we immediately recognized it as an American made C-5A, one of the largest U.S. transports, capable of carrying three tanks and heavy weaponry.  It had no identifiable markings, but we assumed it was part of the U.S. support of the anti-Isis efforts.  Wrong!  In the next day's newspaper I read that it belonged to the Chinese!  China was supplying arms, in a U.S. made transport, to the Lebanese army and to Hezbollah to protect Lebanon's border from Isis.    Hezbollah is a Shi'a Islamist military group and political party based in Lebanon.  We, the U.S., have identified them as a terrorist organization. (Israel bombs civilian targets in Lebanon whenever Hezbollah steps out of line.)  So, China is helping terrorists protect Lebanon from terrorists.  Rather confusing, isn't it?  Then again, Lebanon is a small "Christian" country, about the size of Connecticut, with well over 12 militias (every Christian and Moslem sect has its own), and a representative parliamentary  government divided between Christians, Shi'a, Sunni, and Drews.  

   The strange alliances do not end at the Lebanese borders.  In Syria, the Christians are protected and defended from Isis by the Syrian Government, the army of President Assad.  We, the U.S., are against the ruthless regime of Bashar al-Assad.  We support and train the opposition Syrian rebel forces who fight against both Assad and ISIS.  

   In Iraq, the Christians have fled to the northern border where they are under the protection of the Kurds whom we, the U.S., support and provide air cover by bombing Isis forces from U.S. Air Force bases located in Turkey.  Turkey hates the Kurds and the Kurds hate Turkey.

   If I were to try to sum up all of this, I would do it in a few overly simplistic statements:  1) You support whoever can best protect you from destruction.  2) There are no "good guys," only difficult choices.  And,  3) Now I can understand why, in the Old Testament, trying to follow who is conquering and making alliances with whom is so difficult.  

   Join us on Wednesday evening, September 2 at 5:30pm, and I'll try to put into context how these seemingly crazy alliances affect the suffering Protestant Evangelical Churches  we support.

Worship and Music Retreat on August 16
   The Worship & Music retreat will begin promptly at 11:30am in the adult choir room on the 4th floor.  Please prepare to join us for a thoughtful, prayerful and joyous contemplation of worship at St. Andrew. 

Presbyterian Women
   Ladies of the Church mark your Calendars for the following dates to start our Fall Schedule
   August 25 at 9:30am in the church Parlor for Business Meeting.
   September 1 at 9:30 til 11:00am Women of the Church Horizons Study Overview presented by Lisa Patterson.
   The Study for 2015-2016 is entitled " Waters Images In The Bible" by Judy Fletcher.
   Questions? Please contact Linda Heilig, Moderator.

   After the success and fun of last summer's "coffee hour" after Sunday worship, we will do it again this summer! Each Sunday different groups will provide some treats for you to share. If possible, please use disposable plates/dishes for the treats.  If the plate/dish is not disposable, you may pick it up in the Narthex workroom later, so please make sure your name is on it. Extras will be frozen for later use and not wasted.

August 16 - T,U,V August 23 - W,X,Y,Z

August 31 - M

Community Outreach Committee Diaper Drive
   The Community Outreach Committee is collecting donations of children and adult diapers during August and September.  Donated diapers will be contributed to the Interfaith Diaper Program that provides diapers to needy families and adults.   Packages of diapers of any size may be placed in the two designated bins near the soda machines outside of Fellowship Hall.  The goal is to reach 2000 diapers.