Phone: +972-(0)2-626-6800 Fax: +972-(0)2-628-5764 Address: Muristan Road P.O. Box 14076 Jerusalem 91140 via Israel
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land (ELCJHL) is known for its friendliness as it welcomes visitors and pilgrims to the Holy Land from throughout the world. Though Palestinian Christians have been here since the first Pentecost, the roots of the ELCJHL
are in the mid-19th century when German and English missionaries came to teach and minister to the local people.
Today, we have five congregations in Jerusalem, Ramallah and the Bethlehem area and one in Amman, Jordan. The churches in Amman and Ramallah are made up largely of families of refugees who fled their homes at the time of the tragic wars that followed the formation of Israel. We also operate four schools and four education programs.
BETHLEHEM/JERUSALEM, 2 May 2012 – If you’re on the ELCJHL News List, or peruse our website regularly, you have a feeling for who we are and what we do. But it can be hard to really get to know a people and a place without visiting in person.
So, over this spring and summer, we hope to give you the opportunity to get to know us better by offering for you a series of interviews with the pastors of the ELCJHL.
We begin today with the first of these interviews with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, and recent recipient of the prestigious Deutscher Medienpreis (German Media Prize).
We hope that this and upcoming interviews will help all of us to get to know one another better.
Click here to read the interview with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb.
Learn more about the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem.
Explore Photos from the ministries of the ELCJHL in Bethlehem.
Local and international pastors surround the newly-ordained Rev. Ashraf Tannous in prayer for his life and ministry. Photo © www.ryanrodrickbeiler.com
JERUSALEM, 24 April 2012 – There was much joy and celebration as Vicar Ashraf Tannous was Ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament Sunday afternoon, 22 April 2012, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem.
With more than 250 people gathered, including bishops, pastors and lay members; musicians and singers; young and old; local and international representatives, the excitement was palpable as all waited to celebrate this day of transition and articulate the call of Vicar Ashraf Tannous.
It had been a day long awaited for, since the now Rev. Tannous began his theological studies in 2004.
In his sermon, Bishop Younan focused on the characteristics of the Good Shepherd in action, voice, and community. First, the Good Shepherd as the one who laid down his life for the sheep, taking a position of lowly service. Second, the Good Shepherd as the one whose voice we are called to listen to in study and prayer, and reflect in honesty, and sincerity. And Third, the Good Shepherd as the one who preserves the flock in unity, encouraging the many and varied gifts of those gathered.
In closing, Bishop Younan called Rev. Tannous to always “remember Paul’s words of encouragement to Timothy. Trust in the Lord, and the Lord will be there to help you… Preach the Gospel… preaching boldly; knowing it is God’s word. And, most importantly, whatever you do, do it with prayer and in a spirit of humility.”
In his words of greeting the newly-ordained Rev. Ashraf Tannous, giving praise to God, thanked his family; Bishop Younan and all the pastors of the ELCJHL; Rev. Dietrich Fricke, his internship supervisor in Germany; his home congregation and its school “who always showed forth their love and support;” and for all those assembled.
“I ask you dear sisters and brothers in Christ,” Rev. Tannous said in closing, ”to remember me, my colleagues, our church, the ELCJHL, and all of the Christian churches in the Holy Land in your daily prayers. May we ever be strengthened in proclaiming Jesus’ word, carrying Jesus’ message, and serving in Jesus’ name all who are in need.”
Thank you for answering the call to serve, Rev. Tannous! We are overjoyed to have you as the newest pastor serving in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land!
View more photos from the Ordination of Rev. Ashraf Tannous.
Photo: Unknown, Jesus accompanies the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, as depicted on this tile from the Armenian Ceramic Center of George and Dorin Sandrouni in the Old City of Jerusalem. © www.sandrouni.com
JERUSALEM, 4 April 2012 (ELCJHL) – In his 2012 Easter Message Bishop Munib Younan speaks to how Easter transforms our sadness into joy, our paralysis into action, and our frustrations into living witness.
We invite you to read Bishop Younan’s full 2012 Easter Message.
Read Bishop Younan's full 2012 Easter Message.
Download Bishop Younan's full 2012 Easter Message.
The delegation of the Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and Bishop Dr. Munib Younan meet with Sheikh Abed Elathim Salhab, Chairperson of the Islamic Council and Sheikh Azzam Khatib, Director of the Islamic Waqf in front of the Dome of the Rock on the Haram Ash-Sharif during their recent visit. © ELCJHL/Rev. Elizabeth McHan
JERUSALEM, 3 April 2012 – The ELCJHL was honored to host the Rt. Rev. Dr. Kari Mäkinen, Archbishop of Turku and Finland, along with all of the Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, and spouses.
The 21-person delegation visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah as part of a week-long visit to the Holy Land.
Bishop Dr. Munib A. Younan hosted the Bishops’ visit, which included meetings with Israeli and Palestinian Authority government representatives, local and international organizations, schools, programs, and individuals.
Included in the visit were meetings with Mr. Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister for the Palestinian Authority; and Mr. Daniel Ayalon, Deputy Foreign Minister for the Government of Israel.
The delegation also met with the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Yona Metzger; with Sheikh Abed Elathim Salhab, Chairperson of the Islamic Council and Sheikh Azzam Khatib, the Director of the Islamic Waqf; and gathered for supper with representatives of the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.
Mutual words of greeting were shared during the dinner with the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. At the conclusion of the evening, Archbishop Mäkinen spoke to the church’s call and thanked all who were present for sharing their insights and experiences, saying:
“It is our call to give a voice to the voiceless and to bring light into darkness. This is not possible if you do not hear or understand narratives that are silent or hidden. Thank you for the opportunity to be present with the churches in Jerusalem. We will pray for you and we hope that you pray for us."
View photos from the various different visits conducted by the delegation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
Learn more about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
Pope Shenouda III and Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan exchange greetings at a past meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches. © ELCJHL
Coptic Church Leader Had “Deep Passion” for the Gospel, Says Bishop Younan
JERUSALEM/GENEVA 29 March 2012 (Lutheran World Information) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President, Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan, expressed LWF’s sympathy and prayers with the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in Egypt, following the death of Pope Shenouda III.
“We pray for you and the whole Coptic Church … in this difficult time of loss of a beloved leader,” said Younan in a letter of condolence to the Secretary of the Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church Metropolitan Bishoy.
Shenouda III served as Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa from 1971 until his death on 17 March, aged 88. He was buried on 20 March.
BETHLEHEM, 21 March 2012 – (ELCJHL)Dar Al-Kalima Evangelical Lutheran School in Bethlehem celebrated Mother’s Day in grand form this week!
The kindergarten classes kicked off the celebration with a special Mother’s Day carnival on Tuesday, March 20th. Kindergartners dressed up in different costumes and participated in different games and activities with their mothers, including making special Mother’s Day crafts to give their moms.
On Wednesday, students from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classes shared a Mother’s Day breakfast and made crafts to give to their mothers.
The school administration also gave special Mother’s Day presents to the female teachers and celebrated with cake.
From all of us here, we wish all mothers around the world a very Happy Mother’s Day!
View more photos from DAK's Mother's Day Celebrations.
Learn more about our ELCJHL Schools
JERUSALEM, 20 March 2012 (ELCJHL)– A High-level delegation from the Church of Norway, including Presiding Bishop Helga Haugland Byfuglien and Church Council President Mr. Svein-Arne Lindø, visited yesterday with Bishop Munib Younan and ELCJHL Women’s Work Facilitator Mrs. Bassimah Jaraiseh.
Bishop Younan met with the delegation to discuss the present and ongoing mission and ministry of the ELCJHL. Younan highlighted in particular the importance of the educational ministries of the ELCJHL, including the four ELCJHL k-12 Schools who annually educate more than 3,000 students.
Younan focused on the co-educational inter-religious educational environment offered to students in the ELCJHL Schools. Of the ELCJHL’s student enrollment, nearly half of its students are Muslim. The other half of student enrollment represent almost all thirteen church bodies present in the area. Five percent of ELCJHL students are Lutheran.
“Our goal,” Younan said, “is to raise up our Muslim students to be constructive, effective and moderate Muslims; to raise up our Christian students to be constructive, effective and moderate Christians; all together with our Lutheran students in a Lutheran spirit that uplifts equal education and opportunities for its students, regardless of gender, race, or religion.”
View more photos from the Church of Norway delegation visit.
Vice President Joe Biden meets with the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, February 28, 2012. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
WASHINGTON D.C./JERUSALEM, 8 March 2012 (Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land)– On a visit to Washington, representatives of the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land met with the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden, Madam Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator John Kerry and many other political, and Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders. It also met with organizations like American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), American-Palestinian Task Force, and participated in panel discussions at the United States Institute of Peace, Washington Institute for Near East policy and Georgetown University.
The Council delegation--was among others--comprised of the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, Rabbi Daniel Sperber, and the Director General of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Oded Wiener. The Muslims were represented by Dr. Mahmoud Habbash, the Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs at the PA, and the Director of the Ministry, Mr. Salah Zueikah. And the Christian delegation was represented by His Beatitude, Patriarch Fouad Twal and Munib Younan the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
The representatives of the Council came with a message which stated that peace in the Holy Land is a necessity – and possible. It continued by calling on the U.S administration and international mediators to seek the advice and utilize the competence of religious leaders when faced with issues where both political and religious concerns are involved.
See photos from the meeting.
Learn more about the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land.
Visit elcjhl.org to learn more about the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
WASHINGTON, D.C., 05 March 2012 (From the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East)– In the context of momentous developments in the Middle East, leaders of major Jewish, Christian and Muslim national religious organizations “affirm with urgency that Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace is more vital than ever.” Leaders remain guided by “Principles of Cooperation” that acknowledge their bonds with those on different sides of the conflict and reemphasize their common agenda for peace.
Appreciating that “the months ahead, leading up to U.S. national elections, present a special challenge,” they urged “candidates not to use any rhetoric that could make prospects for peace more problematic. “As Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, we strongly caution candidates to do no harm to chances for a two-state Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.”
We encourage you to read the full statement.
Learn more about the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East.
WASHINGTON D.C., 2 March 2012 (Churches for Middle East Peace)– This week, the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land (CRIHL) came to Washington, DC to promote the role of interfaith leaders in the peace process. The Council is a unique group that includes the highest official religious authorities in the Holy Land represent the three main Abrahamic faiths. The delegation participated in several high-level administration meetings, public panels and even took the time to sit down for lunch with CMEP.
Amid their busy schedule, the two Christian leaders on the trip, Latin Patriarch of the Holy Land and Jordan Fouad Twal and Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land Munib Younan sat down with CMEP Executive Director Warren Clark to talk about their experiences in the Holy Land and what people in the United States can do.
Visit the CMEP website to learn more about their message and work.
Learn more about the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land.
Watch the full CMEP interview with Bishop Younan and Patriarch Fouad Twal.
Washington, D.C., 29 February 2012 (The American Task Force on Palestine)– The American Task Force on Palestine yesterday hosted a Washington dinner for the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land (CRIHL), the consultative body that comprises the most senior official Israeli and Palestinian religious leaders. CRIHL was established as the implementing body of the historic declaration signed in Alexandria, Egypt in 2002 in which Israeli and Palestinian religious leaders pledged to work together to end violence and promote peace. The event was sponsored by ATFP board member Dr. Adnan M. M. Mjalli and moderated by ATFP President Dr. Ziad J. Asali. Numerous CRIHL members spoke at the event, which was a rare instance of Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders from Palestinian and Israeli societies assembling to promote dialogue and advocate for peace.
In his remarks, CRIHL Convener Rev. Dr. & Canon Trond Bakkevig of Norway noted that his family had lived in Amman, Jordan, before 1967, and travelled to Jerusalem, which is about an hour drive away, on a weekly basis. He said since those formative experiences, he has been committed to seeking peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. Bakkevig said that leaders in all local communities "need to take responsibility for resolving the conflict" and that what outsiders like himself can do is "help facilitate dialogue and promote understanding." He said the Council from the outset understood that it had to be based on these local religious institutions, and said the Chief Rabbinate, local churches and the Sharia Council all responded very positively when the idea was first floated and did not hesitate to join the Council. He said it is very significant that many of these religious authorities are linked to political institutions, for example the close relationship between the Israeli Chief Rabbinate and the Israeli Prime Minister's office, while Muslim and Christian institutions work closely with the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Wakf and Religious Affairs. Such religious leaders "do not substitute for political leadership," he said, but "they can help guide politicians on religious matters."
Visit the website of the American Task Force on Palestine.
Learn more about the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land.
See photos from the CRIHL visit to the US.
JERUSALEM, 27 February 2012 - Bishop Younan is in the US this week as a member of a delegation from the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land (CRIHL) meeting with interfaith and governmental representatives. The visit is centered in and around Washington, D.C.
On the schedule for tomorrow is an event hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) entitled “Preventing Incitement and Promoting Peace: Obstacles and Opportunities for Religious Peacemaking in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”. For more information, see the announcement from USIP below:
Click here to learn more about the USIP event on their website.
Click here to visit crihl.org and check for new updates on the US Delegation visits.
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Promotion of tolerance and mutual respect starts at an early age at the ELCJHL-run Dar al-Kalima Evangelical Lutheran School in Bethlehem where the student body is 40 percent Christian and 60 percent Muslim. © ELCJHL/Elizabeth McHan
Junge Lauds Holy Land Church Support to Peace-building Institutions
GENEVA, 24 February 2012 (Lutheran World Information) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has extended congratulations to Palestinian Lutheran pastor Rev. Dr Mitri Raheb on winning the 2011 “Deutscher Medienpreis” (German Media Prize). The award, which Raheb will receive later today, recognizes his individual and the church’s peace efforts, said LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge.
Raheb is pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
“The Deutscher Medienpreis is a recognition of not only your hard work and passion for justice, it is an affirmation of your approach, and that of the ELCJHL, to the complicated challenges of building institutions that change lives and of building relationships that strengthen prospects for a lasting peace,” wrote Junge in a congratulatory letter to Raheb.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the prize this year, it honors individuals who, in their work for peace, have quietly carried on without much media attention. The Deutscher Medienpreis jury said Raheb was being honored for building the Bethlehem congregation’s education, health care and dialogue programs.
Click here to read the full article on the LWF website.
Click on the highlighted links to learn more about the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, and the Diyar Consortium –an outgrowth of the ELCJHL Bethlehem congregation.
Click here to view more photos from a day spent in the classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds of Dar al-Kalima Evangelical Lutheran School in Bethlehem, one of four k-12 ELCJHL Schools.
JERUSALEM, 20 February 2012 (CRIHL) – Following the acts of desecration of the Baptist Church in West Jerusalem, the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land (CRIHL) released the following statement:
The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land condemns the acts of desecration of the Baptist Church in west Jerusalem this morning. The Council calls upon people from all faiths – Christians, Jews and Muslims – to respect all Holy Places and sites for all three religions, and strongly discourages extremists’ behaviour that exploits or involves religion in a political/territorial dispute.
In the name of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, The Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs at the PA and The Heads of the Local Churches of the Holy Land,
The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land
BEIRUT, 17 February 2012 (FMEEC) - In light of the radical changes that the Middle East region is currently passing through; changes that directly impact the present and future destiny of its Christian inhabitants -- instilling in them a genuine fear of what lies ahead -- the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches (Lutheran – Anglican – Reformed) held its first international conference on “Evangelical and Christian Presence in the Middle East” from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 February, 2012 in Beirut, Lebanon. The Conference was attended by most of the ordained and lay leaders and heads of the member Churches of the Fellowship, as well as delegates from sister Evangelical churches and church institutions in Lebanon, the ME region, Europe, the USA, Canada and New Zeeland.
Click here to download the full Final Communiqué.
JERUSALEM, 2 February 2012 (CRIHL) – Members of The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land met with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Willams and the British Consul General Sir Vincent Fean, in the Lutheran Church. Rev Dr Trond Bakkevig convener of the Council gave an overview of the councils work and highlighted the unique work of the council against incitement and abuse of Holy places. The Archbishop welcomed the Council in assisting in the interfaith efforts in the UK.
Click here or on the photo above to view more photos from the day.
Click here to view the original article on the CRIHL website.
FREDRIKSTAD, NORWAY/JERUSALEM, 1 February 2012 - This past weekend Bishop Dr. Munib A. Younan “joyfully participated” at the consecration of Rev. Atle Sommerfeldt as bishop of the Diocese of Borg in the Church of Norway.
Younan was present for the consecration both in his role as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and as president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
This may have been their first meeting as Bishop and Bishop for the two, but Sommerfeldt and Younan are far from strangers to one another. Younan previously worked in close cooperation with Sommerfeldt in his former role as General Secretary of Norwegian Church Aid, a position Sommerfeldt held for the past 17 years.
Sommerfeldt and Younan will continue to cooperate closely in Sommerfeldt’s new role as bishop, as the Diocese of Borg and the ELCJHL continue in their Partnership Agreement that has been a part of both of their ministries for more than a decade.
In his words of greeting Younan spoke to the differing contexts and challenges of their respective church dioceses, yet pointed to the essentials of spirituality, mission and purpose that hold the same across context. Essentials in which the theology of Accompaniment is rooted. Essentials that push us to ask and discuss together the broader questions of how to deepen love of God and love of neighbor; and how to strengthen community and unity in a spirit of diakonia.
Younan also thanked the Church of Norway for its important work for peace, justice, equal rights, and human dignity.
JERUSALEM, 31 January 2012 – The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Jerusalem is not only a time to come together in prayer, but also a chance to explore the rich diversity of Christian traditions in Jerusalem and to build relationships.
People came from near and far to worship together in both unity and diversity over the nine days of services.
Each service reflected the deep theological and liturgical roots of its tradition, while inviting church leaders from different traditions to participate in leadership and welcoming visitors in many languages.
We invite you to explore each of the services for yourself in our online photo galleries:
Click here to view photos from the Greek Orthodox Office of “Apodeipnon” (Compline) at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Anglican Cathedral of St. George the Martyr.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Armenian Cathedral of St. James.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Latin Patriarchate’s Church.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Upper Room “Cenacle” with the Franciscan Order.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Click here to view photos from the Coptic and the Syrian Church’s service at St. Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox Church.
Click here to view photos from the Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation.
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