Lent Begins with Ash Wednesday Services
Blessed Lent to all. Tonight many of our congregations began this season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and inner renewal with the imposition of ashes. On Ash Wednesday we begin the journey toward Holy Week and Christ’s death and resurrection . Our congregations in Ramallah and Amman will join other churches in their cities in marking Lent, Holy Week, and Easter by the Eastern Liturgical Calendar. They will begin the Lenten season next week. Many in the ELCJHL will fast from meat, sweets, or other luxuries from now until Easter. “From dust you were form...
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EEC Leads "My City is Clean and Beautiful" Program
The Environmental Education Center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, in cooperation with the Beit Sahour Municipality and the city’s schools including the Evangelical Lutheran School, the Greek Catholic Patriarchate School, the Latin Patriarchate School, and the Orthodox Shepherds’ School launched a new campaign last week titled “My City is Clean and Beautiful.” The volunteer activity was attended by the Mayor of Beit Sahour, Dr. Elias Iseed, along with teachers, students, and club leaders from the environmental clubs of participat...
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Valentine's Day Youth Gathering
Tonight the ELCJHL Youth Ministry held a gathering for Valentine’s Day at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Pastor Ashraf shared a prayer about love reminding all that love is not just something we talk about, but something we show through kindness, patience, and caring for one another every day. The message encouraged everyone to support one another, forgive others, and build stronger friendships rooted in respect and understanding. After the discussion, youth enjoyed fellowship and games as a group. The gathering was a great chance to for youth to connect, have fun, and remember ...
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Ecclesiastical Court Judges Hold Training with PJI
The Lutheran Ecclesiastical Courts judges have successfully completed a two-day training workshop on international human rights conventions, with a focus on strengthening the protection of women and children within court procedures and decisions. The first day focused on women’s rights and related international conventions, while the second day addressed children’s rights and the principle of the child’s best interest. These sessions aimed to enhance judges’ legal knowledge and equip them with practical tools to handle family cases with a rights-based a...
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Bethlehem and Jerusalem Congregations Hold Welcome Services for Bishop Imad
This Sunday, the Arabic-speaking congregation at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem and Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem welcomed Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad for his inaugural services with them. We once again give thanks to God for Bishop Imad’s ministry and celebrate this significant milestone in the life of our church and community. Thanks to all who joined these congregations today to commemorate the occasion....
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Gender Justice Ministry Workshop Ramallah
Today the ELCJHL Gender Justice Ministry held a second workshop to discuss the forthcoming research study about the impacts of the war on Gaza, particularly on women and children. Today’s discussion with local experts and leaders was held at Al Quds Open University in Ramallah. The workshop was opened with remarks by University President Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shaer, Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad, and Palestinian Minister of Women’s Affairs Mrs. Mona Al-Khalili. All three speakers emphasized the importance of gender justice and efforts like this to protect vulnerable groups in so...
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Gender Justice Research Paper Workshop
Today the ELCJHL Gender Justice Ministry held a workshop to present the draft of a new research paper prepared by Al Hakimat Council, with the participation of local experts and organizations from Bethlehem. The research examines how the war on Gaza since October 2023 has led to the collapse of legal and social protection systems, with severe consequences for women and girls, particularly orphaned girls. The paper highlights the sharp rise in orphanhood, the increase in number of unaccompanied and separated children, the rise in early marriage, and the breakdown of judicial and family...
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Statement from Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad on Israeli Settler Attack in Birzeit
Read the full statement here....
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ELCJHL Hosts Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service
Each year in January we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This special week brings together Christians of all creeds to honor our shared beliefs as followers of Jesus Christ. This year, the theme for the week is, “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,” from Ephesians 4:4. Each day this week, a different church in Jerusalem will host a prayer. This evening’s service was hosted by the ELCJHL at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. We were joined by many of our Christian siblings f...
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Bishop Imad Holds Inaugural Services in Beit Jala and Beit Sahour
Today the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beit Sahour held special services and receptions to welcome Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad. We give thanks for our ecumenical partners, representatives of local government and institutions, and those from our congregations, schools, and scouts who joined us today. ...
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Bishop Imad Holds Inaugural Services in Amman and Ramallah
This week, Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad held his inaugural services at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Amman, Jordan, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah. Both in Amman and Ramallah, we were honored to be joined by local ecumenical and international church partners, diplomats, and representatives of the Jordanian and Palestinian governments for these special services. We share our sincere thanks to all who came to celebrate Bishop Haddad and join us for this important milestone in the life of the church. ...
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Lutheran Students Participate in PalMUN Conference
Organized by the ELCJHL Education Office, 40 students from the four Lutheran schools participated in the PalMUN Conference under the theme “Documenting the Truth.” Our students participated in several committees, including the General Assembly, UNICEF, UNRWA, UNESCO, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Human Rights Council (HRC), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Security Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Court (ICC...
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Statement from the Jerusalem Patriarchs and Heads of Churches on Unity and Representation of Christian Communities in the Holy Land
Read the full statement in English and Arabic....
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Bishop Imad Received by President Mahmoud Abbas
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a delegation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land today, including Bishop Imad Haddad, Bishop Emeritus Sani Ibrahim Azar, and Bishop Emeritus Munib Younan. They were joined by Ramzi Khoury, Chairman of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine. President Abbas welcomed Bishop Haddad, congratulating him on his installation as Bishop of the ELCJHL, and emphasized his support for preserving the indigenous Christian presence in Palestine. headquartered in Jerusalem, and wishing him success in leadin...
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ELCJHL Students' Art Displayed in "Children's Dreams" Exhibit
The "Children's Dreams" art exhibition, featuring art from students of the Lutheran Schools in Palestine, is currently on display at one of our partner churches in the Church of Sweden's Diocese of Strängnäs. This exhibition was organized by the ELCJHL Education Ministry in collaboration with the Diocese of Strängnäs. A performance from a local children's choir opened the exhibition, and many visitors have come to see the art and shared how touched they are by the thoughts and dreams expressed in the children’s work. Inspired by a painting of a giraff...
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Bishop Imad Received by King Abdullah II of Jordan
Today Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad, Bishop Emeritus Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, Bishop Emeritus Munib Younan, and a delegation of partner bishops from international Lutheran Churches were honored to be welcomed by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein. His Majesty welcomed the group and affirmed Jordan’s continued support for the Christian presence in Jerusalem. ...
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Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad Installed as 5th Bishop of the ELCJHL
We are proud to announce the consecration of Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad as the 5th Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Thanks be to God! ...
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Farewell Service and Reception Held for Bishop Azar
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 Today bishops, pastors, officials, faith partners, and siblings in Christ from the Holy Land and around the world gathered to honor Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and give thanks to God for his eight years of ministry as the 4th Bishop of the ELCJHL and for his decades of service in the church. We are so grateful to all those from near and far who came to join in prayer and fellowship celebrate and honor Bishop Azar’s faithful work in the service of God, the church, and the community as...
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Pastor Christy Lohr Sapp Installed in English-Speaking Congregation
Today Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar installed Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp as Pastor of the English-speaking Congregation of the Church of the Redeemer and officially welcomed her and her family to Jerusalem as Evangelical Lutheran Church in America missionaries in accompaniment with the ELCJHL. Special thanks to Bishop Dr. Meghan Aelabouni of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA Global Mission MENA Desk Director Rev. Gabi Aelabouni, and MENA Regional Associate Shadin Nassar for their participation in the service! Pastor Christy will serve the congregation with Pastor...
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Christmas Greetings with the Latin Patriarchate
Today Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and a delegation from the ELCJHL visited Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to offer Christmas greetings....
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