Three ELCA bishops and their planning delegation traveled to Palestine and Israel in early February to plan the January, 2009, conference of bishops, where 55-60 bishops from the US and Canada and their delegations are planning to attend. The delegation visited Bishop Munib Younan and the congregations of the ELCJHL, the partner of both the ELCA and the ELCIC, to hear about faith and life in the Palestinian Lutheran church. The group met Palestinian and Israeli officials from the governments and other organizations to seek out information about prospects for peace and justice in the Holy Land. The people of the ELCJHL were heartened that their partners were coming to see for themselves the realities on the ground.
Click here to read Pastor Eric Shafer’s blog about the trip and links to his videos.