In the wake of accusations of the desecration of Holy Scriptures recently, Bishop Munib Younan issued the following statement: A Call for Co-existence not Desecration: Sacred Scriptures, Sacred Places – A Sacred Trust for Peace: The reality of Jerusalem and the Holy Land has taught us deep respect for the three Monotheistic religions so that … [Read more…]
What is the role of women in strengthening the ministry and mission of the Church? Is it possible to develop a core group of key lay women in a region where many of the churches have not seriously sought to strengthen lay leadership, and are predominantly patriarchal, clerical and hierarchical? Can women leaders develop better … [Read more…]
Let us pray that Jerusalem, the city where Jesus suffered and died, will rise again at Easter, making Jerusalem the open city that it has been, open to believers of all three of the world religions. Norway’s Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik visited the Holy Land in February to support both Palestinians and Israelis in … [Read more…]
Twenty-five Catholic bishops through-out the Middle East and Africa have called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Israel and Palestine on Dec. 22 and for urgent action by the Christian world to do more to make peace. Bishop Dr. Munib Younan of the ELCJ, serving in Palestine, Jordan and Israel, has … [Read more…]
On Maundy Thursday, April 8, 2004, hundreds of Lutherans gathered together in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer for the remembrance of the Last Supper Jesus ate with his disciples, and to participate in the Eucharist. Bishop Younan, eight Lutheran pastors from six countries (Palestine, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Finland and the U.S.) and a vicar … [Read more…]
The Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala was filled to overflowing on April 4, Palm Sunday 2004. The Sunday School children processed into the sanctuary with flowers and palm branches, and sang their praises to God. Flutes, guitar and organ accompanied the singing of the children and a young adult choir as well … [Read more…]
On April 1, 2004, over one-hundred elderly women and men enjoyed a special program and a noon lunch to celebrate Mother’s Day. For this occasion the elderly people were brought to the refectory in the cloister area of the Lutheran church for a program of music and greetings. Later they sat at tables in the … [Read more…]
From March 15-23, 2004, a delegation of three people from the Church of Norway, Diocese of Borg, came to Jerusalem, Ramallah, the Bethlehem area and also Amman, Jordan, to learn more about the ELCJ churches, schools and community programs, and to enliven the partnership between the Diocese of Borg and the ELCJ. Bishop Ole Christian … [Read more…]
On March 23, 2004, Bishop Younan was the first of four lecturers in a series of cultural and religious events in Milan, Italy. Speaking on the topic “Co-Existence in Jerusalem and the Middle East,” Bishop Younan stated: “Jerusalem does not need walls. Jerusalem needs more places for bringing people together for mutual understanding. Christians around … [Read more…]
Representatives from the Lutheran, Baptist and Methodist churches in Denmark as well as representatives from DanChurch Aid and the Ecumenical Council in Denmark visited Palestine and Israel from March 13-20, 2004. The leaders of the delegation were the Rt. Rev. Kresten Drejergaard, Bishop of Fuenen (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark, ELCD); the Rev. Ane Hjerrild, … [Read more…]