Recent excavations near the Al Aqsa Mosque have brought protests, massive police presence and closures throughout East Jerusalem this week as Muslims claim the Israeli government is violating past agreements to preserve the religious status quo for all holy sites. Rumors and perspectives abound and differ about whether the constuction around the Bab Al-Magharbeh (‘Moroccan’ … [Read more…]
Bishop Hans Erik Nordin and a delegation of pastors, staff and lay people from the Diocese of Straengnes in Sweden arrived in the Holy Land Friday, February 2, to visit the ELCJHL and others working for a just peace in Palestine. Saturday they toured Bethlehem and some ministries of the ELCJH, and Sunday they traveled … [Read more…]
Redeemer Church hosted the third day of the Week for Prayer for Christian Unity Tuesday, Jan. 23, with a joint service in six languages urging Christians to unite in their struggles for peace, justice and reconciliation. During this week, church leaders and lay Christians alike gather at a different church each evening to join with … [Read more…]
Thursday, 18 January 2007 (Jerusalem) Maisa Abu Ghazaleh by Palestinian News Network Abir was carrying a book, a notebook and some pens in her 10 year old hands. She had yet to participate in a demonstration or a march protesting occupation, but that did not stop Israeli soldiers from hitting her. Abir Aramin was only … [Read more…]
A delegation of mostly staff from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America visited the Holy Land in January to meet and speak with their sisters and brothers in the ELCJHL. In addition, they talked with people and officials from various Palestinian and Israeli organizations and towns. Mr. Chuck Steinbach of Appleton, Wisconsin, who coordinated the … [Read more…]
The four presidents of Churches Together in the United Kingdom came to the Holy Land on pilgrimage especially to visit the Palestinian Christians during Advent and Christmas. The Presidents of CTE are the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor; the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams; Primate of the Armenian Church of … [Read more…]
A delegation of 12 African American church leaders and leaders from Church World Service visited the Holy Land in late October and early November. The group’s main purpose was to learn about life for the Christians here and to see what they could do to help in the search for faith, justice and peace. On … [Read more…]
Bishop Younan told a conference of 400 people on Saturday, November 3, that it is the responsibility of all Christians world-wide and the entire international community to help the Palestinians achieve some justice that will lead to peace He said the situation is getting very difficult for all Palestinians. The Bishop spoke at Sabeel’s 6th … [Read more…]
The traditional Reformation service was celebrated as usual on October 31, a festival communion service in 6 different languages. Many local heads of churches attended the Reformation Service even though their tradition does not celebrate it. In addition, His Beatitude Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos II came to the reception following the service for the first … [Read more…]
Bishop Munib Younan of the ELCJHL was invited to preside over the religious commemoration of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization Ceremony that honored the 32 UN peacekeepers who have given their lives since the organization was formed in 1948. Ambassadors from the 14 countries who lost people were asked to lay a wreath for … [Read more…]