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The Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL),
addressed the churchwide assembly Aug. 9. He stressed the
important role that the ELCA plays in accompanying Christians in
the Holy Land. "We are deeply grateful for your accompaniment
and your support," he said. In an informational hearing for
voting members held Aug. 7, Younan stated, "The theology of
accompaniment allows one to get to know the other, to see the
needs. We invite you to come and see."
The assembly called on the ELCA to recommit to the Churchwide
Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine, through
awareness-building, accompaniment and advocacy activities. The
assembly also suggested some possible economic initiatives in
its amended action on Aug. 11.
The Rev. John H. K. Schreiber, bishop, ELCA Southeast Michigan
Synod, Detroit, said, "I applaud the efforts of the ELCA to walk
in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, to stand for peace
and justice. We also need to match our rhetoric with using the
vast resources that have been entrusted to us by God and this
church."
The assembly action underscored the call for economic
initiatives, in consultation with the ELCJHL, which could
include "purchasing of products from Palestinian providers and
exploration of the feasibility of refusing to buy products
produced in Israeli settlements."
Examination of investment activity by the ELCA was also
requested by the assembly in the amended action, but it would
"exclude the option of divesture." The Rev. H. Gerard Knoche,
bishop, ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod, Baltimore, proposed the
amendment, saying the motion "calls for examination of our
investment strategy, and I wanted to put some limits on the
results of that examination."
"I believe many people have said it is dangerous to travel in
the Holy Land. I believe that there is far more danger to our
spirit if we deny this very physical aspect of support and
accompaniment," said the Rev. Margaret G. Payne, bishop, ELCA
New England Synod, Worcester, Mass.
Read the full
news release.
Video Resource
Bishop Younan gives thanks for accompaniment by ELCA members
Bishop Munib Younan challenged the ELCA to work for justice
in the Holy Land in his address to the 2007 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly in Chicago.
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