A global coalition of faith organizations and communities are walking in solidarity with Gaza during Lent. Currently, pilgrimages are planned in 85 cities across 12 countries.
For those in and around Seattle, we encourage you to join the pilgrimage that begins in Kirkland on March 9 — find event details here. The route starts in Kirkland, proceeds around the north end of Lake Washington, south along the Burke-Gilman trail and across 520 back to Kirkland. People are welcome to walk all or a small part of it. Â
Our Palestinian siblings are urging us to stand with them in Palestine, in front of our own government, and in our communities across the U.S. We are responding boldly, with courage and in faith.
Our “Stones Cry Out” Delegation will gather in Bethlehem, Palestine (February 27–March 3), Washington, D.C. (March 5–6). We are also encouraging congregations, organizations, and communities across the U.S. to plan actions and demonstrations on March 6, in solidarity with our action in D.C.
Friends, we realize the time is short. But we must answer our Palestinian siblings’ urgent plea. Please share this invitation widely with your network.
Delegation Co-Sponsors: Kairos USA, Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, Kairos Global, Episcopal Bishop’s Committee for Justice & Peace in the Holy Land (Diocese of Olympia), Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Pax Christi USA, FOSNA (Friends of Sabeel North America)
In these dire days, our Palestinian siblings are crying out to us, urging us to stand in solidarity with them in Palestine, to witness and demonstrate to the world that they are not alone in their struggle for justice. And so we respond boldly, with courage, and in faith.
“The Stones Cry Out” Solidarity Delegation has three actions:
1) Delegation to Palestine — February 27 to March 3 Palestinians are urging us to come and stand with them. A delegation comprised of U.S. church leaders, lay leaders, and representatives from organizations devoted to Palestine will meet with Palestinian religious, political, and NGO leaders in Bethlehem from February 27 to March 3. Visits and meetings will be planned by Kairos Palestine and the Global Kairos for Justice Coalition in Bethlehem, in coordination with the delegation’s organizers. On Sunday, March 3, we will worship with our Palestinian siblings and hope to offer a worship experience that can be shared with congregations at home. Delegation participants are asked to make their own travel arrangements and to arrive in Bethlehem on Tuesday, February 27. Detailed schedules and costs for meetings, in-country transportation, meals, and more are forthcoming.
2) Delegation to D.C. — March 5 & 6 We must speak directly to the U.S. government, which is not only complicit but actively funding Israel’s genocide. We will meet in D.C. with allies from area organizations who are preparing for meetings and actions. Drawing on the power of our having just returned from Palestine, we plan to garner widespread media attention. Those who aren’t able to make the trip to Palestine are welcome to join us in D.C.
3) Action Across the U.S. — March 6 It is important that we publicly demonstrate nationwide support for the urgency of a ceasefire and immediate relief for the people of Gaza, and a sustainable solution that ensures justice for the Palestinian people. We are inviting denominational Palestine-Israel committees (PINs), churches, justice organizations, and individuals across the U.S. to plan actions, including demonstrations, prayer or worship events, and educational events, on Wednesday, March 6, in coordination with our actions in D.C.
Friends, we realize the time is short. But we must answer our Palestinian siblings’ urgent plea. Please share this invitation widely with your network. For complete information about the delegation and to reserve your spot, please contact Michael Spath at Lmichaelspath@gmail.com.
On behalf of the delegation’s sponsors, planning committee, and especially our Palestinian partners,
Michael Spath, Mark Braverman, Doug Thorpe, Don Wagner, & Wendell Griffen
Mark your calendars for upcoming events and actions — meanwhile, keep the pressure on your elected officials by phone, email, letter, and fax.
“Almost 2,000,000 people in Gaza have been thrown out of their homes… 70% of the housing units in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed,” said Senator Bernie Sanders in a recently shared video. “Only 25% of what the people of Gaza need to survive is currently making it through the border checkpoints.”
Our tax dollars are funding this humanitarian disaster. Join us in pressuring our representatives to demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, that vital humanitarian aid be delivered to the people of Gaza, and that the United States stop arming Israel’s occupation:
Every Thursday | Churches for Middle East Peace Weekly Briefing
Register to attend weekly briefings, which take places on Thursdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. ET. Hear current news in Palestine and Israel and participate in a Q&A.
February 4 | Virtual Discussion with Rev. Munther Isaac: Confronting Christian Zionism and Empowering Advocates for Palestinian Liberation
Learn how to combat Christians Zionism and empower people of faith to advocate for Palestinian liberation. This will be an insightful discussion, shedding light on the intersection of religion and social justice.
Sunday, February 4 8:30 p.m. Jerusalem / 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT
February 14 | Jewish Day of Advocacy for Peace (JVP Seattle)
Join Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Seattle and participating groups from around the state for a Jewish-led advocacy day at the State Capitol in Olympia, WA. Participate in a training and then meet with elected officials in support of “the freedom and collective safety of Jewish and Palestinian communities locally and globally.”
Wednesday, February 14 All day, with options to participate remotely.
February 15 | Mass Mobilization Call: Christians Against Genocide
This is a call to action to our Christian siblings to use your public voice and collective power to advocate for justice, challenge Christian Zionism, and demand an immediate ceasefire.
In less than one week, we hope you’ll join Kairos USA, Kairos West Michigan, and the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace for a conversation with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac. Rev. Isaac is Pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and Co-Director of the Global Kairos for Justice Coalition.
A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac & Dr. Michael Spath Tuesday, January 30 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT Register Here
More Upcoming Events
The Bible & Settler Colonialism in Palestine & Beyond Webinar presented by the Center & Library for the Bible and Social Justice, featuring Rev. Prof. Mitri Raheb with Atalia Omer and Revelation Velunta. Saturday, January 27 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT Register Here
We’re excited to share that Dr. Mark Braverman, Executive Director of Kairos USA, will be speaking in Portland, Oregon on January 18 & 19. Mark’s talks and follow-up Q&A sessions will cover:
Jewish history, Zionism, and Palestinian resistance leading up to October 7th.
Antisemitism — what it is and why it’s important.
The history of church complicity in colonialism, its struggles with equality and human rights, and why the church matters today.
The U.S. political landscape — coming to terms with our settler-colonial DNA.
What’s next — a return to the status quo, or a new future from the river to the sea?
Thursday, January 18th First Unitarian Church — Eliot Chapel SW Salmon St. & SW 12th Ave., Portland, OR 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mark’s talk will be followed by a reception.
Friday, January 19th Grace Memorial Episcopal Church 1535 NE 17th St., Portland, OR 10 to 11:30 a.m. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided!
Please share using the fliers below, and invite your friends and family to attend!
All are invited to this webinar, presented by the Center & Library for the Bible and Social Justice, featuring Rev. Prof. Mitri Raheb with Atalia Omer and Revelation Velunta: “The Bible and Settler Colonialism in Palestine and Beyond.”
The event will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT.
In-person in Chicago or on Zoom, join communities of faith on January 12 & 13 for an Emergency Summit for Gaza, a two-day event that includes speakers, discussions, prayer, and collective action. The summit is sponsored by the Rainbow Push Coalition, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), Red Letter Christians, Jewish Voice for Peace, If Not Now, the Arab American Institute, Faith for Black Lives, the Muslim Civic Coalition, the U.S. Palestinian Council, Sojourners, and others. Tickets are free, but registration is required!
Christians calling for a ceasefire in Gaza will meet in Washington, D.C. ahead of the national March on Washington for Gaza on January 13. Gather with CMEP, FOSNA, and other Christian voices for Palestine at 12:30 p.m. at the National Museum of American Historyon Madison Drive NW between 12th Street and 14th Street NW. The march begins at 1 p.m.
January 13 | Candlelight Prayer Vigil for a Ceasefire
Join Christian leaders in prayer for a ceasefire and demilitarization in Israel and Palestine. The vigil will take place at 4 p.m. ET at The Ellipse (south of the White House), 15th St & Constitution Ave NW, south of the chainlink fence. You can also livestream the event with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). Learn more, register, & find the link to the YouTube channel where the event will be livestreamed at CMEP.org.
January 14 | Ceasefire Prayer Service
Live from Jerusalem, join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Bethlehem Bible College for this streaming of a live prayer gathering in Jerusalem on Sunday morning. The event will take place at 12:30 a.m. PT.
On January 26, several organizations including Jewish Voice for Peace and U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) are holding a National Day of Action and encouraging communities across the country to plan local activities.
On Sunday, December 10, Dean Thomason at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle was joined virtually by Father Fadi Diab, rector of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Ramallah. Father Diab provided updates from the Christian community in Ramallah.
“We’re very much, psychologically, devastated,” he said. “The community we serve [is] also overwhelmed with the pain that mainly comes from Gaza, but also from places that the Israeli army invades in the West Bank.”
St. Andrews is providing stress-relief and trauma-response training and programs for teachers and community members, and shelter and sustenance for community members who’ve been displaced from homes and jobs. Demolition of Palestinian homes, he said, is happening quickly.
Fr. Diab also discussed the harms of propaganda in the West, far-right political power in Israel, and increased settler violence in the West Bank, armed and encouraged by Israel’s government.
“I don’t dare to drive on these roads, because you don’t know when the settlers will attack,” said Fr. Diab. And from the side of Israel’s police: “Any call for a ceasefire puts you in danger of being arrested.”
Take Action
Read more updates and donate at afedj.org — the American Friends of Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Write to friends and Christian siblings in Palestine, who feel isolated and alone.
“We are called to save lives,” said Fr. Diab. “It is your role as Americans to reach out to your leaders, and convince them that this is not acceptable, this is morally indefensible, and we need a ceasefire and end to this conflict forever.”
Listen to a recording of the full conversation between Dean Thomason and Father Diab here.
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