The ELCA’s 2005
Churchwide Assembly adopted a strategy for engagement in Israel and
Palestine, including the campaign called “Peace Not Walls – Stand for
Justice in the Holy Land.”
Here are five
ways you can help involve your synod’s congregations in Peace Not
Walls:
- Welcome the Holy Land
Communion Ware
– A beautiful hand-crafted set of communion ware is on a journey
from congregation to congregation in each ELCA synod, carrying a
witness of justice, peace and reconciliation and Peace Not Walls
resources.
Find our how your synod plans to use
the communion ware at your next synod assembly. Explore with your
synod assembly planning committee ways that Peace Not Walls resources
can fit into assembly worship.
Consider showing the 9-minute
video "Forbidden Family" at your synod assembly. View the
video online at Forbidden Family.
- Promote
advocacy on two main issues - The strategy
calls us to seek peace by calling for an end to the construction of
the Israeli
separation barrier being built on Palestinian land - Members of
ELCA congregations should write to Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice and their members of Congress, asking the administration to
call upon Israel to cease construction of the separation barrier and
remove all portions of the wall on Palestinian land.
Our second concern is the future of
the Lutheran hospital in Jerusalem - Write to Secretary of State Rice and
ask her to urge the Israeli government to reaffirm the tax-exempt
status of Augusta Victoria Hospital so the
humanitarian work of the Lutheran World Federation in Jerusalem may
continue. Send a copy of your letter to your Congressional
Representatives.
- Encourage your bishop and members of congregations to
visit - ELCA bishops have made a commitment to visit and
encourage the Lutherans of Palestine. For some bishops it may be
possible to travel in the company of a Member of Congress (they
should contact the ELCA Washington Office to make
arrangements).
Bishops and pastors can sponsor a trip
for members of congregations. Join together with other congregations
for a visit to the Holy Land. To get started, go to
http://www.elca.org/peacenotwalls/accompany/index.html
- Promote the
Prayer Vigil - The Ecumenical Prayer
Vigil is an opportunity for ELCA members to join Christians all over
the USA in regular prayer for peace and healing. Participants focus
their prayers on one day each month for the Christian communities in
Jerusalem, for all those who are suffering in the Holy Land, for
Palestinians and Israelis, and for peace in the Middle East and the
world.
For more prayer resources link to
the Prayer Pages.
- Tell folks how to
make a gift - A special fund in
ELCA Global Mission allows individuals and congregations to make a
gift to the schools and the peacemaking work of the Evangelical
Lutheran
Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
More information is available
online
or you can can call Reverend Twila Schock, 800-638-3522, ext.
2481. |
