Rev. Thang Van Lian

First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo is initiating opportunities the first week of October to meet a leading voice for peace, and to gather as a community with the common goal of promoting harmony and good will. Rev. Thang Van Lian, a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar, will visit Western New York as an “International Peacemaker” selected by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to attest to the power of non-violence.

Rev. Thang comes with first-hand knowledge of the cause to which he testifies. He grew up in a poor, rural village in Myanmar (the nation formerly known as Burma) experiencing significant challenges, racial and religious discrimination, and life-threatening situations.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 5-8 p.m.. First Church will host a public forum featuring Rev. Thang, Adela Smehlik from Journey’s End Refugee Services, and Isok Kim from the University at Buffalo School of Social Work, moderated by Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Hughes, Pastor of First Church. This secular event will cover the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and a discussion of what a peaceful response may look like.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a resource and cultural fair in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church, followed by the panel discussion, with opportunities for questions, from 6-7:30 p.m. The evening will end with a symbolic peace activity on Symphony Circle at 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Community leaders, politicians, people of the immigrant and refugee communities, and persons of all faiths are encouraged to attend.

Rev. Thang will make other presentations at multiple locations during his WNY visit:

Tuesday, Oct. 1 — 6 p.m. presentation and dinner at North Presbyterian Church in Williamsville;

Thursday, Oct. 3 — 6 p.m. dinner and presentation at Lewiston Presbyterian Church

Friday, Oct. 4 — 5 p.m. presentation at Robert H. Jackson Center, Jamestown under sponsorship of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown

Based on his life experiences, and 20 years in ministry, Rev. Thang will speak at these events about the Rohingya crisis, the current civil war on ethnic minority groups, the silence of the Myanmar churches, and what a faithful response might look like to the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar today. He also will share the current peace, justice, and development work of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar.

Rev. Thang will return to First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 6 to lead Adult Sunday school (9:30 a.m.), preach and lead communion at the 11 a.m. service, and attend a reception following. Westminster and Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian churches, and possibly other congregations, will worship jointly with First Church that day. Rev. Thang’s message from the pulpit is expected to address issues of reconciliation, peace and justice opportunities, and challenges in Myanmar.

All are welcome to attend any or all of these World Communion Sunday events.

To attend one or more of these sessions — which will include opportunities for dialogue with Rev. Thang — please register at: https://tinyurl.com/EscalatePeaceWNY. Details will be steadily added to the Eventbrite registration page, including presentation times if not already provided. Registering will help planners to provide adequate food and parking accommodations.