September 15th to 22nd

Church of the Ascension, seen from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

The World Council of Churches invites member churches, faith-based communities, and civil society organizations around the world to join together for a week of prayer from September 15th to 22nd for just peace for all in Palestine and Israel.  Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness.

This year, the theme is anchored in active hope and in striving for a better future with no occupation.  It builds on the theme of the WCC 11th Assembly, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.”  The theme is “Faith, Hope and Love in Action: Towards Justice in Israel Palestine.”  For more information and resources, go to this post on the World Council of Churches website.

Also, the World Council of Churches has recently published theological reflections for the World Week of Peace and an article entitled, “‘My hope is in you’ – youth in the Holy Land carry the future”.

Both Anglicans and Evangelical Lutherans have a presence in this region.  For information about the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, go to its website.  It includes parishes in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.  The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan & the Holy Land includes five congregations located in Jerusalem, Ramallah, and the Bethlehem area, and one congregation in Amman, Jordan.