On January 10th, Bishop Ibrahim Azar, accompanied by Reverend Fursan Ayed Zumot, Reverend Gabi Aelabouni, Reverend Doctor Meghan Aelabouni, Reverend Carrie Ballenger, and Probst Joachim Lenz, were welcomed to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in the Old City of Jerusalem to celebrate the Christmas holiday together. Each Head of Church spoke to those gathered, reflecting on … [Read more…]
On January 7th, members of our Ramallah, Jerusalem, Beit Jala, Bethlehem, and Beit Sahour congregations each boarded a bus and headed north. Our Gender Justice Program Coordinator, Ranan Issa, worked hard to create a wonderful experience for all our interested participants, including many who were able to receive special permission to pass the checkpoint just … [Read more…]
The ELCJHL had a jam-packed Christmas season filled with caroling, worship, candle-lighting, and fellowship. We rejoiced in school Christmas programs, a multitude of Christmas bazaars, eco-Christmas creations through our Environmental Education Center, local musicians, parades, and everything in between! If you’re interested in learning about more details from our 2021 Christmas season, we invite you … [Read more…]
Yesterday was Palestinian Teacher’s Day! Our schools celebrated our amazing staff at all of our schools with food, speeches from our principals, and gifts for each staff member. Though yesterday was the national holiday, we thank God every day for our amazing teaching staff at each of our schools. Without them, our educational ministry is … [Read more…]
A twenty-minute documentary was released this month at the second annual ELCJHL Gender Justice Conference about the Lutheran Ecclesiastical Courts, and how they came to be. As family laws in Palestine often cripple women financially, occupationally, and socially, the commitment of the Lutheran Ecclesiastical Courts to fight just as hard for women’s rights as they … [Read more…]
This past Friday, leaders and representatives from each Christian church in the Bethlehem area congregated as one Christian community to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. The ELCJHL was represented by bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, Reverend Doctor Munther Isaac, and Reverend Ashraf Tannous. Attendees sang together, and enjoyed music by a local youth music … [Read more…]
Last Sunday night marked the first official event of the reconstructed Diaconal Ministry of the ELCJHL. Starting this month, the ELCJHL’s Diaconal Ministry will begin its work of directly serving the financially and spiritually vulnerable in the community. Bishop Ibrahim Azar welcomed attendees to the concert alongside Pastor Ashraf Tannous and Probst Joachim Lentz. The … [Read more…]
Faith leaders, governmental officials, and community members gathered in Ramallah yesterday for the ELCJHL Women’s Desk’s second annual national conference entitled “The Path to Gender Justice from a National and Religious Perspective”. This event occurred as part of the #16DaysofActivisim campaign. After opening words from Bishop Ibrahim Azar, online and in-person participants heard from important … [Read more…]
One of the EEC The Environmental Education Center ’s biggest events of the year is the annual Palestinian Conference for Environmental Awareness and Education. Environmental researchers, experts, and enthusiasts gather from around the country (with some international presence as well!) to share insight, research, and experience. In addition to sharing, the conference also has an … [Read more…]