ELCJHL News March - April 2009

ELCJHL's U.S. partner church leader meets with Jordan's King Abdullah

Bishop Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, joined other U.S. religious leaders in meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2009. The meeting was a follow-up to Hanson’s January meeting with the king in Jordan. At both events, the king and Christian leaders discussed the importance of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

You can read more about the meeting here.

 

Easter morning on the Mount of Olives

A large crowd gathered in darkness and watched the sun rise over the hills of eastern Palestine. In his message, Pastor Mark Holman encouraged the congregation to reflect on the Easter story as told by the gospel of Mark. The congregation partook in holy communion as a small music ensemble played many favorite Easter hymns. Watch this space for more sunrise service photos.

Click here for Bishop Younan's Easter message in: English  Spanish

Click here for Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb's Easter message in:  English  Spanish

Click here for Rev. Mark Holman's Easter message.

Photo galleries:   Palm Sunday procession       Maundy Thursday     Via Dolorosa     Easter sunrise service

 

Bishops allowed to enter Gaza on third attempt

After three attempts in five weeks, three area bishops were finally allowed to enter Gaza to visit churches and humanitarian projects. Anglican Bishop Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani, ELCJHL Bishop Munib Younan and Greek Catholic Archbishop Elias Chacour made their pastoral visit to Gaza on March 10. Earlier, bishops Dawani and Younan were the only two of a delegation of five bishops denied entry at the Erez Crossing between Israel and Gaza on Feb. 4. Later, the three bishops applied for permission to enter Gaza on Feb. 24 but were denied for undisclosed reasons.

The ELCJHL's press release on the visit is available here.