Here is a list of our Ecumenical Partners
Heads of Churches
We have an important ongoing relationship with the local Jerusalem Patriarchs and Heads of Churches. Through these regular meetings, we are improving our understanding of the issues faced by our respective churches. We also have released joint Christmas and Easter statements, as well as a statement on the US decision to no longer abide by the international law declaring settlements illegal. During the current health crisis, it has been a blessing that our ecumenical relationships are strong.
Anglican Church
We greatly value our relationship with the local Anglican Church, as we were once one church together. The Anglican church ministers to the northern areas in the Holy Land, and our Lutheran church ministers to the southern areas, while we both have churches in Jerusalem. We have recently started to do joint services together on Christmas and Easter, and our partnership has been a fruitful way to stay connected.
BMW (Berliner Missionwerk)
Our church is in partnership with the BMW organization, who shares land with us in Beit Jala. We enjoy help from their volunteers they send annually, and staff they send to Talitha Kumi, one of our four ELCJHL schools which has an independent relationship with German funders.
EAPPI
The World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC-EAPPI) was created in 2002 by the World Council of Churches based on a letter and an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country. The EAPPI program is represented by a continuous presence of 25-30 Ecumenical Accompaniers on the ground, serving for three months in accompanying, offering protective presence, and witness. They have a team in the Old City of Jerusalem receiving, training and supporting those accompaniers on the ground. They also have a Local Reference Group representing communities and churches who have asked for and are benefitting from the program, and a team in Geneva for the overall coordination of the WCC-EAPPI programme.
ACT Alliance/APF
ACT Alliance is a global alliance of over 100 churches and church related organizations. Members of the Alliance are committed to working towards a world community where all God’s creation lives with dignity, justice, peace, and full respect for human rights and the environment.
The main objective of the ACT Palestine Forum (APF) is to increase the effectiveness and impact of the humanitarian assistance and development work being undertaken by members through improved coordination. One of the projects of the APF is to conduct joint advocacy on behalf of the members of the forum.