Veteran Missionary to Speak at EMU Interfaith Forum on Dialogue with Muslims

Bertha Beachy, long-time missions worker, will speak at EMU on interfaith relations between Christians and Muslims
Bertha Beachy, long-time missions worker in Africa and the Middle East, will speak at EMU on October 12 on interfaith relations between Christians and Muslims.

Bertha Beachy, a long-time worker in Africa and the Middle East with Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Central Committee, will speak at an Abraham’s Tent forum 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 12 on “Why and How We Should Carry on Dialogue With Muslims.”

Her presentation will be held in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU (see campus map). Light refreshments will be served starting at 3:30 p.m.

Beachy’s passion for relating to Muslims, promoting women’s issues and working for peace and justice have taken her to many different places and assignments throughout her years of service to the church.

After earning a degree in elementary education and English from EMC (now EMU), she moved to Somalia in 1958 to teach English and learn the ways and language of the Somali people.

She interspersed her service with educational opportunities in literacy, linguistics, Islamic studies and the Arabic language.

Now a resident of Greencroft Retirement Community in Goshen, Ind., Beachy continues to embrace opportunities to learn and serve, including a stint with a Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) to Iraq and a peace and learning tour to Iran with MCC.

She continues to relate to many Muslim friends and is a strong proponent of interfaith dialogue.

Abraham’s Tent at EMU is a center that plans and sponsors a variety of opportunities and programs for interfaith engagement.

Admission to the program is free.