ELCJHL News May - June 2009

June 7 ecumenical service is part of World Week for Peace in Palestine-Israel

All are invited to attend an ecumenical service for the World Week for Peace in Palestine-Israel. The service will be 4 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2009, at St. Stephen’s Basilica, 6 Nablus Road, Jerusalem.

Sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the World Week for Peace in Palestine-Israel is an opportunity for churches in different countries to send a clear signal about the urgent need for a peace settlement that secures the legitimate rights and future of both peoples. The local service is organized by the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.

Settlements, like the one pictured here, are a special focus of this year’s campaign.

You can read more about the worldwide observance by clicking here.

ELCJHL congratulates its high school graduates

It's graduation season! Dozens of young women and men are celebrating the completion of their ELCJHL school careers with festive graduation ceremonies this month. Here, Dr. Charlie Haddad, ELCJHL director of education, addresses graduates at the School of Hope, Ramallah, on May 21.

ELCJHL and friends meet with PA prime minister

A delegation of Christian leaders meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (third from right) at his Ramallah office on May 18. He said it was a "matter of high national interest" to help Palestinian Christians stay in their native country. Diversity and peaceful coexistence are key to Palestine's survival, he said. PA Minister Dr. Kholoud Dubeis-Abu Dayyah (far right) also participated in the meeting.

Click here for an article in the Arabic newspaper Al Quds about the visit (PDF).

ELCJHL reacts to papal visit to the Holy Land

This May,  the region played host to Pope Benedict XVI, adding a layer of complexity to an already busy ELCJHL calendar. Shown is a May 11 interfaith papal audience at the Notre Dame Center of Jerusalem, at which ELCJHL Bishop Munib Younan and other Lutheran leaders were in attendance. (M. Brown photo)

Click here for Bishop Younan's response to the papal visit.

Click here for Bishop Younan's statement at an April 30 symposium prior to the papal visit.

Click here for a Jerusalem Post article about the event.

Click here for a message from Jerusalem Christians to the pope delivered to him in Bethlehem

Click here for a New York Times article about the decline in Mideast Christian influence.  Click here for a response from:    Bishop Younan     Churches for Middle East Peace

ELCJHL anniversary celebration attracts local and international friends

The ELCJHL celebrated a trio of anniversaries with dancing, exhibits, speeches and praise to God on May 16-17. Here the Talitha Kumi scout troupe leads a march from the Beit Sahour municipal building to the ELCJHL Beit Sahour church and school campus on May 16. Following are many of the church's local and international friends.

Click here for more photos and stories.

Partners from around the world joined the ELCJHL in celebrating its anniversary at a celebratory worship service at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem, on May 17. After the service, attendees viewed a photo exhibition on the ELCJHL and enjoyed sweets.

Click here for Bishop Munib Younan's sermon in: English Spanish French

ELCJHL partners come together in Bethlehem for annual meeting

COCOP – the organization of the ELCJHL's international partners – recently finished a productive three days of meetings at the International Center of Bethlehem.

ELCJHL anniversary celebration approaches

This May the ELCJHL will celebrate its 50th anniversary. This year is also the 30th anniversary of its Arab bishopric and the 170th year of Lutheran witness in Palestine.

Festivities begin the morning of May 16 with music, dancing and lectures at the Lutheran School of Beit Sahour.

The following day at 3 p.m. there will be a special worship service with communion at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem, followed by a reception and the unveiling of a photo exhibit of the history of the ELCJHL.

The synod will welcome many guests and friends to the area for events, including its international partners in the Coordination Committee for Cooperation, better known as COCOP, for its annual meeting.