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Turlock church featured on National Geographic show
Assyrians on Nat Geo
In a recent episode of The Story of God on the National Geographic Channel, Turlock residents Matius and Mervat Shlimoun were interviewed by actor Morgan Freeman about their journey from Syria to the United States as they escaped religious persecution. - photo by Photo Contributed
Turlock residents Mervat and Matius Shlimoun were recently able to meet one of the most famed names in Hollywood while sharing their own story of persecution and relocation to the United States, as the National Geographic Channel show “The Story of God” featured their church in its most recent episode. The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, Mar Addai Parish of Turlock was featured in the show, which follows actor Morgan Freeman in his quest around the world to uncover how religion has evolved and shaped society. In the show’s Jan. 23 episode titled “Heaven and Hell,” Freeman interviewed the Shlimouns, who escaped persecution in Iraq and Syria by fleeing to the U.S. in 2011.
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Lourenco family remembered at Stanislaus County Fair
Pitman High graduate shares story behind award-winning tribute bench
Lourenco bench 1
Pitman High graduate Chrys Kamesch and school FFA advisor Trenton Kemps pose with the custom bench that Kamesch created in honor of the Lourenco family, a project that won top honors at last week’s Stanislaus County Fair (CHRISTOPHER CORREA/The Journal).
As thousands took to Turlock over the last two weeks for the 2025 Stanislaus County Fair, the absence of a family that was incredibly dedicated to the community and especially its agricultural activities was heavily felt by several attendees. That included members of the Pitman High School FFA chapter.
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