ELCJHL News September 2007

Pastor Mark and Marcia Holman Installed at Redeemer's English-Speaking Congregation

September 16, 2007

Pastor Mark and Marcia Holman were installed Sunday at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer's English-Speaking Congregation in Jerusalem. Pastor Mark comes most recently from Lutheran Services in America, and Marcia is a special education specialist. Mark will serve as pastor, following Pastor Russ Siler who was here for 4 years and retired in June. Marcia will serve in the ELCJHL schools. Bishop Younan preached from Mark 10, about how we are all called to serve as servants. Sunday was also the last day for Paul Pierce and Kathy Kamphoeffner, who served the American Friends Service Committee in Jerusalem for 4 years, who are moving to Cairo to do the refugee ministry for the ELCA. For photos, click here.

Ten Redeemer Students Confirmed at Lutheran Church of the Ascension on the Mt. of Olives

September 9, 2007

Ten students of the ELCJHL's Redeemer Lutheran Church were confirmed today at a special worship service held at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension on the Mt. of Olives Augusta Victoria Compound. During the festive service, the confirmands spoke the creed and prayers together and were confirmed by Bishop Munib Younan, Pastor Sani Ibrahim Azar and Finnish Deacon Tappany. More photos

Sweden's Social Democratic Leader Mrs. Mona Sahlin Visits Holy Land, ELCJHL

September 3, 2007

Sweden's Social Democratic Leader Mrs. Mona Sahlin is leading a delegation to Palestine/Israel this week to meet leaders, gather information and see the realities on the ground here.  Monday Bishop Younan led them through the Via Dolorosa, the path that Jesus is believed to have walked on the way to his crucifixion.   The Social Democratic Party in Sweden has been an active advocate for a just peace in the Middle East.  More photos

God's Reign and People's Rule"

August 27 - September 1, 2007

The International Center of Bethlehem held its 4th annual international conference this week as a follow-up to the conference two years ago on "Land, Peoples and Identity." The more than 100 participants gathered from many different countries are experiencing a mix of culture, music, arts and presentation about the intersection of faith and political states and structures.  Read Bishop Younan's speech.

Back to School at the ELCJHL

September - The more than 2000 ELCJHL students are back to school and hard at work.  ELCJHL  Schools' Director Assistant Sister Sylvia Countess, said the teachers' will also be hard at work implementing a new action plan.  The plan calls for more innovative teaching methods, more cooperative learning and alternate forms of evaluation, such as more projects and less testing.