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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.
With a mixture of locals and internationals coming together in worship, every space was filled each evening, and in the receptions that followed each service, you found yourself at first nodding, then chatting, then truly beginning to know both visitors and locals, lay and clergy who were, like you, attending each service.
And after nine services in as many days and as many churches, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity drew to a close in Jerusalem on Sunday evening with an Agape meal of shared bread following the final service at the Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation.
So, as the week itself draws to a close, we pray that the blessings of this week will extend in strengthened relationships, shared experiences, greater understanding, and closer unity throughout the year.
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.
JERUSALEM, 25 January 2012 – Worshippers from nearly every Christian tradition crowded into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem last evening to mark day four of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Together, those gathered celebrated a Service of the Word in Arabic, German, and English with Bishop Dr. Munib Younan, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), preaching.
In his sermon, Younan reflected on the centrality of the cross of Christ not as doctrine or decoration, but as the very way of life, unity, history, experience, and call in the church—not only in the past, but in the present life and witness of the church in society.
“The church today is again called to be bridge-builders and ambassadors of reconciliation.” Younan said. “We are called to play a role in building a modern civil society, but also to inject into society the common values of all religions that promote coexistence, peace, and justice, and accepting the other. We are called to a prophetic role, speaking the truth to power. Only when the church is involved in society, and especially among the suffering, then it will have a future.”
Younan spoke to recent articles published questioning the survival of Arab Christianity in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and developments in the Middle East that point toward a growth in extremism and threaten to curtail human rights, in particular women’s rights.
Yet, Younan said, “even in these circumstances, we will continue to be steadfast and not emigrate. For we are a people who carry a message—a message of love, a message of moderation, a message of undying hope—a message entrusted to us that is so essential in these days as the situation in the entire Middle East continues to develop. We are called to remain because the Lord called us to be brokers of justice and instruments of peace in the Holy Land.”
Younan called on the local Christian community to “Remain steadfast. Do not give up hope. Remember your calling. Be a source for moderation in the midst of a sea of extremism.”
Younan also called upon expatriate and global Christian communities to “take up your crosses in an accompaniment relationship with the local churches. Walk with us as the Emmaus disciples and Jesus walked together on that first Easter afternoon, listening to one another, learning about the current situation in Jerusalem… Come abide with us. Come share our bread. Come and see.”
Younan closed his sermon with a call to “live and witness in this spirit of the resurrection that started from Jerusalem. Let us revive our conviction that the things that unite us as Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical are much more those that divide us. Let us put aside our differences and listen to the voice calling to us to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and in the whole world.”
The service was a joint service of the Arabic-speaking, German-speaking and English-speaking congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. As well, all pastors of the Lutheran and Reformed traditions were invited to take part in the leadership of the service.
In all, there were representatives participating in worship from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), the Church of Norway, the Church of Scotland, the Church of Sweden, and the United Church of Christ.
This was the fourth of nine services this week in Jerusalem to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for this year, developed by churches in Poland, is: “We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:51-58). The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a joint ministry of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order.
Services continue throughout Jerusalem this week, ending on Sunday, 29 January. Visit our online gallery to view new pictures from the services each day this week.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Armenian Cathedral of St. James.
Click here to view more photos from the service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Click here to read Bishop Younan’s full sermon.
JERUSALEM, 24 January 2012 – Services for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began in Jerusalem this weekend with an invitation to join with the Greek Orthodox Church for the Office of “Apodeipnon” (Compline) at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday evening.
The local Christian community joined again together on Sunday evening for a service at the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, presided over by the Rt. Rev’d Suheil S. Dawani, the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
In his sermon, Bishop Dawani reflected on Jesus’ words to his disciples in Mark 10 and God’s continuing call to us: “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
“Our Lord connects [the idea of] greatness with the love that works not for its own greatness, but for the benefits of the other” Dawani said, and proclaimed that in Jesus God was sweeping away humanity’s “love of greatness” and replacing it with God’s “greatness of love”.
In closing Dawani called upon the Christian churches in the Holy Land “to join efforts as the one family and the one Body of Christ to work towards the ministry of peace and reconciliation.”
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated in Christian churches around the world each year. It began in 1908 as the “Octave for Christian Unity”. It is jointly prepared for and published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches through its Commission on Faith and Order.
Traditionally the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is marked between 18-25 January (in the northern hemisphere) or at Pentecost (in the southern hemisphere). In Jerusalem, the Week of Prayer is marked annually during the last week of January, following the celebration of Armenian Christmas on January 18th.
Each year, ecumenical partners in a particular region are invited to form the theme and resources for the year. In 2012, preparations were made by representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and Old Catholic and Protestant Churches active in Poland.
The theme for 2012 is “We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58), with special concern on the transformative Church, the Body of Christ.
Services continue throughout Jerusalem this week, ending on Sunday, 29 January. Visit our online gallery to view new pictures from the services each day this week.
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 learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
JERUSALEM, 20 January 2012 – Earlier this week Bishop Younan invited ELCA Seminary groups in the Holy Land for international study courses to visit with him over lunch at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Younan, who has served as Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) since 1998, and as President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) since 2010, began conversation speaking about the rootedness and importance of a Theology of Accompaniment, saying:
“This theological idea comes from Luke 24, where the two disciples were walking together on the way to Emmaus—confused, asking questions. And Jesus was all the time facilitating the dialogue, hearing their queries. Until they get to Emmaus, and Jesus breaks the bread, and in the Eucharist they see Jesus to be as he is, because they accompanied each other—Jesus accompanied them, they accompanied Jesus, and both of them accompanied each other."
"I think this is exactly how we are working—the ELCJHL and the ELCA. We are working in a theology of accompaniment that is so strong. That respects the local church—the local church in the United States, and the local church here, the ELCJHL. And always in accompaniment, we never count how many members belong to that church or to this church. We accompany each other as sisters and brothers in Christ…"
"We accompany each other by asking one another ‘how can we proclaim the Gospel of Christ and administer the sacraments in our context in a very strong way?’ ‘How can we help each other?’”
Together, the group also explored issues of the Arab Spring, the current political situation in the Holy Land, Arab Christian emigration, the call to service in the wider community, and witness.
The seminary groups have been spending time this January visiting Holy Places and Holy People as they learn about this Holy Land: past and present. Most of the ELCA Seminary groups have also visited ELCJHL Schools and Educational Programs during their visits and worshipped with ELCJHL congregations.
Groups included ELCA students preparing for ordained or diaconal rosters, families, and guests. The students will return later this month to their seminaries to begin spring semester classes.
The more than 100-person gathering included groups from three of the eight ELCA seminaries. Represented were the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), led by Professors Esther Menn and Barbara Rossing; the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG), led by Professors Robin Steinke and Marty Stevens, with Professor Kristin Largen; and Wartburg Theological Seminary (WTS) in Dubuque, Iowa, led by Professor Thomas Schattauer.
Also joining the groups for the lunch was Jonathan Steiner, an MDiv Middler from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), who came to learn more about the Holy Land because of his sister, Michele Steiner’s, year of service abroad as a 2011-2012 ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) serving with the ELCJHL in Jerusalem.
Also, YAGM Courtney Weller, on leave this year from her MDiv studies at LTSG, spent time with the group from her seminary as they were introduced to some of the ELCJHL congregational and educational ministries. Courtney is serving this year at the Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour.
Because of a prior scheduled trip to Jordan, the group from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS), led by Professor Lamontte Luker, was unable to attend the luncheon, but visited with ELCJHL congregational and educational ministries earlier in their trip.
Make sure to check back next week as we follow the group from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa as they visit Dar al-Kalima Evangelical Lutheran School in Bethlehem, one of four k-12 ELCJHL Schools encompassed within the ELCJHL Educational Ministries.
Click here to view more photos from the luncheon.
Click here or press play on the video above to view a clip from the day with Bishop Younan speaking on the theology of Accompaniment.
BETHLEHEM/JERUSALEM, 17 January 2012 – The ELCJHL is proud to announce that Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and President of the Synod is to be awarded to prestigious “Deutscher Medienpreis” (German Media Prize) at an official ceremony in the city of Baden-Baden in Germany on 24 February 2012.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awarding of the Deutscher Medienpreis, which annually awards prizes to individuals who show exceptional performance, leadership qualities, and visionary work. Usually this prize is awarded to those individuals whose work has garnered much media attention, but to mark this anniversary the jury decided to honor individuals who, in their work for peace, have quietly continued on without much media attention.
In the official announcement from Deutcher Medienpreis, Pastor Raheb’s work in building up the outreach of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem in the areas of education, health care, and dialogue through the meeting places made available and welcoming.
The ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church and the Diyar Consortium, along with the other congregational and educational ministries of the ELCJHL reach out to thousands of individuals and families each year in Jerusalem, other parts of the West Bank, and in Amman, Jordan.
Bishop Younan congratulated Pastor Raheb on his prestigious prize, and expressed his pride in this international recognition for the work of Pastor Raheb and the ministries of the church.
Pastor Mitri expressed his delight in receiving this award and was humbled by the international appreciation and recognition of the efforts made on the local, regional, and international levels.
The ELCJHL is truly growing up generations of workers for peace, justice, and reconciliation, who see the image of God in all they meet and work for the rights and dignity of all.
Pastor Raheb will receive the award in February alongside the three other recipients, Stanislaw Petrow of Russia, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi of Afghanistan, and Dr. Denis Mukwege of the Congo.
For more information about the Deutscher Medienpreis, visit their website at: www.deutscher-medienpreis.de
JORDAN/JERUSALEM, 16 January 2012 – On the Feast of Epiphany, 6 January, ELCJHL members and leaders gathered at the Baptismal Site at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan to celebrate the ground breaking for the new Evangelical Lutheran Pilgrimage and Retreat Center at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan.
Celebrations began with a service of Holy Communion by the Jordan River with Bishop Younan preaching and presiding, and Pastor Mitri Raheb, pastor in Bethlehem and President of the Synod; Pastor Sani Ibrahim Azar, pastor in Jerusalem; and Pastor Samer Azar, pastor in Amman assisting.
In his sermon, Younan celebrated the gift of Baptism and reminded those gathered of our shared baptismal calling:
“In Lutheran theology we baptize infants according to our understanding of Baptism as a gift of God given through grace by faith, and not because of our works. In Baptism we carry Christ and becomes heirs, with Christ, of the promises of God. To this gift of grace and promise the whole church has been continuously witnessing.”
“And we Arab Christians, too, have carried this witness for 2,000 years. Our existence has always been a call to be apostles of love to the world and to be integrally involved in our society, in which God has called us to carry out the call of our Baptism as living witnesses to ourselves and to others.”
“Because of our covenant of Baptism we have stood steadfast in this place, as we have stood steadfast to our calling to be instruments of peace, brokers of justice, defenders of truth, advocates for the voiceless, promoters of human rights, including the rights of children and women, and ministers of reconciliation in service for the sake of all humanity.”
“Today, we renew our baptismal covenant and witness again to the manifestation of God, by the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus, and to the love of God, through which we are all called. And we break ground today as we begin to build this new church to the glory of God and the service of all Christians—not only Lutherans—who wish to come to this place to pray and renew their baptismal promises.”
The land for this project was granted the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the ELCJHL in 2008 and visioning and architectural planning has been underway since then.
The new Evangelical Lutheran Pilgrimage and Retreat Center will be one of twelve churches built at the site that aims to focus on the spiritual, historical, and environmental aspects of the area, with special emphasis given to:
Mr. Nayef El-Fayez, Minister of Tourism, was present on behalf His Highness Prince Ghazi, the Special Advisor to the King on Religious Affairs, for the service and groundbreaking, speaking words of welcome and encouragement to the ELCJHL.
Others present included Mr. Akel Baltaji, a Senator in the Jordanian House of Senate; Mr. Ghazi Musharbash, a Representative in the Jordanian Parliament; and Father Nabil Haddad, from the Board of Trustees of the Baptismal Site.
Mr. Nabil Zaki Goussous, Principal Architect at NZG Architects, has served as architect on the project.
With construction beginning soon, the ELCJHL hopes to have the Pilgrimage and Retreat Center finished before next year, and to hold the consecration of the site on the next Feast of Epiphany on 6 January 2013.
Bishop Younan invited all present this day to return in one year, and extended an invitation to “all Lutheran churches, both the local congregations of the ELCJHL and the global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition to… come on the 6th of January to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany at the Baptismal Site at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan in the spirit of love and ecumenism.”
The ELCJHL gives thanks for the generous support given and pledged by various international partners, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) working closely with the OSMTH, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland for their grant, and many other friends of the ELCJHL.
Funds given in the US may be directed through the ELCA Global Gifts “ELCJHL Baptismal Site Project”. Donations from other countries abroad can be directed to the ELCJHL.
Click here or on the photo above to view more photos from the day.
Click here to view other galleries of photos from the Baptismal Site.
Click here to read Bishop Younan’s full sermon from the groundbreaking.
BETHLEHEM/JERUSALEM, 4 January 2012 - Just as Mary and Joseph had difficulties finding room in Bethlehem so long ago, it looked as though worshippers at the Christmas Eve service at the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem would have difficulties finding places to sit this year as more and more visitors kept arriving. But the congregation welcomed everyone in for the service, inviting people to line the aisle sitting on the floor, to stand in the balcony and to fill in the space behind the pews at the back. And, despite the crowded space, all stayed to worship and share the Christmas Gospel together in Arabic, German, and English.
As the Christmas Season draws to a close and we approach the season of Epiphany and beyond. As the New Year dawns and we set new goals and make new resolutions. As we continue to wait and work in hope for the fullness of reconciliation, redemption, and wholeness. We invite you to continue to carry the message of Christmas with you this year as we remember:
“Christmas is about welcoming Jesus into our midst, as we welcome the least among us, as we show hospitality to the stranger, for then we may discover that we have been entertaining angels unawares, or even God’s own son.”
– Rev. Fred Strickert, from his Christmas Eve Sermon
Click here or on the photo above to view more photos from the Christmas Eve service.
Click here to watch a video of the Christmas Gospel proclaimed in English, German, and Arabic.
Click here to read the Christmas Eve Sermon Rev. Fred Strickert shared with those gathered.