Swords into Plowshares

A Jerusalem Prayer - May 29, 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011 begins the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2011. Here is a prayer for that day from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem:
 
Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:9
“In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it….”

“They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea….”
 
Almighty and Merciful God, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, you gathered the first Christians in Jerusalem.  Grant that, like the first church of Jerusalem, we may come together, and with courage, we may preach and live the Word, and the good news of truth, reconciliation, and peace.

God Creator, Giver of Life, Bearer of Pain, Initiator of Love, you made the world and everything in it.  You created the human race in your image and likeness, and gave us the earth for all to share.  Break down the walls that separate us.

God of Justice, your generosity is without bounds.  Guard us from selfishness; inspire us to be instruments of love, and witnesses of your mercy and justice.  Help us to face challenges and to struggle against all that is born of injustice.  Lead us to act together in places and situations of want and need: where families are driven from their homes, where the vulnerable suffer in the hands of the powerful, where poverty and unemployment destroy lives.

God of Hope, you continue to call us to work for Peace in our world, broken and wounded by injustice, violence, and indifference.  Alone, we are overwhelmed by challenges but together, and inspired by your Spirit, we can prevail beyond dreams and imagination.  In fear we lose hope, and feel the futility of our efforts.  Instill in our hearts and minds the image of your suffering and compassionate love as a source of courage and strength.

God, Protector of the widow, the orphan and the stranger, in a world where many know despair, you raised your Son Jesus Christ to give hope for humanity and renewal to the earth. Strengthen and unify your Church against the forces of evil in this part of the world, where aggression of all forms, killings and the blood of martyrs shed even in places of worship, obscure the hope of a new life.

God of Peace and Mercy, inspire nations to transform oppression and violence into freedom and peace for the sake of the poor, the vulnerable and the broken-hearted.  Help us to respect and promote the equality and dignity of all, particularly in your Holy Land.  Grant discernment to leaders and legislators, that righteousness and truth may flourish among all peoples throughout the world.

God our Father, we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to yearn through prayer for the coming of your Kingdom.  You are able to accept in us what we cannot acknowledge; to name in us what we cannot bear to speak of; to hold in your memory what we tried to forget.  Teach us to pray together to resist the evil and oppression by our non-violent actions and love for one another.  May your Son’s earthly life be the model for our own, as we recognize your presence and guidance through all our joys and tribulations.

We pray these in the name of the Risen Lord, and in the power of His Spirit.  Amen.

Learn about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministries and policies related to Israel and Palestine.

Big Tent Registration Extended

The registration deadline for the Peacemaking Pre-conference Gun Violence, Gospel Values:   Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call and Conference Growing Christ’s Peace at the Big Tent is extended to JUNE 15.  Peacemaking registration scholarships funds are still available on a first come, first serve basis through June 15.  Scholarship applicants need to register for the Big Tent while awaiting scholarship approval.  No registration funds will be required, simply select the scholarship option.   Although registration for the children and youth programs is closed, a few spaces are available; parents/guardians can contact the G. A. Meeting Service.   Please register online, or download a registration form to complete and return. Contact the G.A. Meeting Service by email or at (800) 728-7228, 2417 if you have difficulties registering.

The cut–off date for reservations in the Big Tent hotels is JUNE 3.  Rooms may continue to be available after this date, but to ensure access to the conference rates ($99/night at the JW Marriott, $97/night at the Marriott Downtown), reserve lodgings as soon as possible online or by calling (800) 266-9432 and specifying “Presbyterian Church Big Tent” as you speak with a reservations agent.

Ban urges restraint after day of deadly clashes across the Middle East

From the United Nations News Centre:

15 May 2011 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has led a chorus of United Nations calls for all sides in the Middle East to exercise maximum restraint after a day of clashes around the region in which at least a dozen people are reported to have died.

 Read the rest of the story.

YouTube films for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel

From the convenor for the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, to be held from 29 May to 4 June 2011:

A number of partners around the world have been working together to create new resources for our common use during World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, to be held from 29 May to 4 June 2011.  These new resources reflect this year's shared focus on the city of Jerusalem.

As a contribution to these resources, we invite partners and individuals or groups around the world to send brief YouTube films (1-2 minutes) to our partners in Jerusalem/Bethlehem in which a message of solidarity, prayer or concern is expressed on the theme of Jerusalem and the need for a just peace for this city and its people.

The film can offer for instance an image of a person speaking, but could also involve other scenes such as that of an event in your community.  The films will contribute to an occasion on 4 June in Bethlehem when in the evening an ecumenical service for a just peace in Jerusalem will be followed by a candle procession along the Jerusalem-Bethlehem checkpoint and a meeting near the Wall.  At this meeting the denial of access to Jerusalem will be the main speakers’ topic.  The YouTube films will be shown on a white space painted on the Wall in front of a local Palestinian and international community attending this event.  In order to be available for use at this event, we invite you to place the film on You Tube not later than 3 June, 16:00 Jerusalem time.

There is not necessarily a need to make artistic productions (though these are welcome as well); the simple human message is most important.  The preferred language is English.  Please inform Toine van Teeffelen/AEI in Bethlehem and John Calhoun, the Week’s convenor, with a cc to the Arab Educational Institute, about any film that is placed on YouTube, including the URL.

The links to the films may also be made available on the website of the WCC so that they can also be used for other occasions in the context of the Week.  However, for that latter purpose they need to be made available preferably before the beginning of the Week, on 29 May.

Our contact group in Jerusalem-Bethlehem will themselves contribute a 4 minute YouTube film especially made for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, in which the denial of access to Jerusalem will be discussed, including brief interviews with youths walking along the Wall, a mock “gate” painted on the Wall, a Palestinian women’s choir, and scenes from the situation around Rachel’s Tomb.  This film will be ready before the beginning of the Week.

Many thanks for your consideration, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Security Council meets on civilians in armed conflict

Twice a year, the United Nations Security Council has an open debate around the role of civilians in armed conflict.  Today, the Security Council held this biannual debate, with testimony from Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy and Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic.

The last time the Council met, as reported by Security Council Report, The Secretary-General called on the Council to:

• take a more consistent and comprehensive approach to addressing humanitarian access constraints and ensure accountability for grave instances of denial of access;
• request that situations where humanitarian operations are deliberately obstructed be brought to its attention;
• take action to enhance compliance with international humanitarian law, including by enforcing cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), requesting investigations of possible violations or mandating commissions of inquiry with a view to imposing targeted measures or refer situations to the ICC. (In this context, the Secretary-General expressed his intention to request the Secretariat to undertake a review of the UN’s experience with commissions of inquiry in order to identify how they might be used on a more consistent and less politically-influenced basis.);  and
• call on states to establish or mandate mechanisms  to receive claims from individuals  alleging to be the victims of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. 

During this meeting, the Council heard from experts regarding recent tensions in the Middle East and North Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and Israel-Palestine among others. 

In her testimony, Ms. Amos referred to the IDPs around the world as well as access of humanitarian workers in conflict situations and the use of sexual violence in conflict.  Mr. Le Roy commented on the ongoing dialogue between member states and his office in work to protect civilians.  Mr. Simonovic referenced the denial of human rights as a root cause of war.

The Security Council then heard statements from members of the Security Council and other UN Member states.  The statement made by the United States is available here.

The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations believes that the protection of civilians and access for humanitarian workers is necessary in areas of conflict.  Let us pray for these protections and peace and security for all God’s people.

 

UNRWA stages its first Gaza Marathon

From the United Nations News Centre (here's a slightly different version from UNRWA):

5 May 2011 – Gaza’s first-ever marathon took place today as some 1,500 athletes defied the sweltering heat to compete in a series of running events organized by the United Nations to raise funds for the forthcoming Summer Games that offer local children an opportunity for fun and recreation.

Nine runners completed the full 42-kilometre distance, and the winner was the 31-year-old Olympic hopeful Nader al-Misri, who crossed the finishing line 2 hours, 42 minutes and 47 seconds after the race began in Beit Hanoun, his home town, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Mr. al-Misri competed in the 5000-metre race at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and is training for the London Olympics next year.

Many other Gazans also entered, with 1,300 children serving as part of relay teams that completed the entire course, and 150 women running the last 10 kilometres to the finish.

“The idea of the marathon is to raise funds for the Gaza Summer Games,” said Chris Gunness, a spokesperson for UNRWA.

“We supply these Games each summer for up to 250,000 children – we have sporting activities, cultural activities and remedial activities for children because the situation is so terrible in Gaza. I can now confirm that the $1 million goal that we set to raise at the Gaza marathon has been reached,” said Mr. Gunness.

The marathon was the brainchild of UNRWA staff member Gemma Connell, who also took part in the event.

World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel

The World Council of Churches invites member churches and related organizations to join a week of advocacy and action for a just peace in Palestine and Israel on May 29 - June 4. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice are invited to take peaceful actions to create a common international public witness.

Participants are encourage to plan activities around three main areas:

• Praying with churches living under occupation, using a special prayer from Jerusalem.
• Educating about actions that make for peace, and about facts on the ground that do not create peace.
• Advocating with political leaders using ecumenical policies that promote peace with justice.

Learn about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministries and policies related to Israel and Palestine.

Accompanying Clark: A Brief Tour of Hebron

Check out Accompanying Clark: A Brief Tour of Hebron

Clark Scalera reflects on his service in Hebron with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Clark is a Presbyterian minister who served in Hebron from October to December of last year.

Easter Message 2011 from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem

14 Apr 2011  

Alleluia! Christ is Risen. He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!

We, the Heads of Churches of the Holy City of Jerusalem bring you our greetings and our joy in the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Christians find their joy is secure in the hope of the promise of eternal life which our Lord has won for all who believe. However, when we in Jerusalem, the city of redemption, see the suffering of our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt, Iraq and elsewhere in our region our joy becomes more solemn. We find sadness competes with the joy of Easter as we witness the violence which has erupted in the face of peaceful demonstrations by people throughout the Arab world these past months.

We Christians are watching in prayer the developments in the Middle East. We also pray that the reforms would lead to modern civil society where freedom of expression, freedom of religion, human rights — including the rights of those who are considered being a minority in numbers — are respected. We call upon all people of faith and good will to pursue peace while at the same time we recognize that peace cannot be bought at the price of silence and submission to corruption and injustice.

The violence, when it erupts, reminds us that the cross of Christ is ever present for the faithful followers of the Prince of Peace. The crucifixion is an ongoing reality for many of our clergy and people who continue to seek to live with mutual understanding and co-operation with their neighbors.

We urge all Christians to pray for reconciliation among people in the Holy Land, where the deteriorating situation makes peace and justice seem further away than ever before. We ask the Churches around the world to stand with us in giving voice to those who are silenced, in breaking down walls that separate us from one another and in building bridges of goodwill between people.

We pray for the leaders of the nations, and for those who demonstrate for change, to use wisdom and their best judgment to serve the needs of their people and to promote peaceful solutions to change for a better future for all of God’s children. Our Lord died for the sins of the whole world that all people will see in his example how violence only leads to death and destruction. In his resurrection we experience his victory over violence and death and we embrace a vision of the future in which all people live together in harmony.

This vision gives us hope to renew our faith in the face of despair. Christians all over the world celebrate the victory over death which is ours as a gift from God who has compassion and mercy for all of his creation. We share our joy in the resurrection with you. The cross is ever before us day by day and the cross is empty. New life has come. Christ is risen. We are risen. Alleluia. Thanks be to God.

+Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch
+Patriarch Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch
+Patriarch Torkom II Manoogian, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarch
+Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ofm, Custos of the Holy Land
+Archbishop Anba Abraham, Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, Jerusalem
+Archbishop Swerios Malki Murad, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch
+Archbishop Joseph-Jules Zerey, Greek-Melkite-Catholic Patriarch
+Archbishop Abouna Matthias, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch
+Archbishop Paul Sayyah, Maronite Patriarchal Exarch
+Bishop Suheil Dawani, Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East
+Bishop Munib Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
+Bishop Pierre Malki, Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Exarch
+Fr. Rafael Minassian, Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarch

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Issues Statement

Today, Reliefweb shared the statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Speaking on Palestinian Prisoners day, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Maxwell Gaylard called for protection of rights of Palestinians in Israeli detention, particularly women and children.

Gaylord referenced the approximately 6,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention.    Gaylord called for the treatement of the prisoners to confom to international human rights and humanitarian law.

Please join us in prayers for peace for all parties involved.