Category: Events

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Israel-Palestine Today and Tomorrow

Tacoma flyer

As Episcopalians, how can we support justice and peace in the Holy Land?

Date: Wednesday, May 15th
Time: 6:00 — 7:30 PM
Location: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7410 12th St, Tacoma
Information: See below
Tickets: Free
Event Details

CONNECT

+ Why are we here? Why care about Gaza and Palestine?

Revs Christy Close Erskine and Jack Erskine

setting the context for our time together

Anglican Temperament and the Baptismal Covenant

ORGANIZE

+  Bishop’s Committee for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land (BCJPHL)

Randy Urmston, Chair

Brief history and charge

A resource for congregations in our Diocese

Partnerships-  Who informs our work/strategies?

Resolutions,  Office of Government Relations (OGR)

+  Stones Cry Out Delegation-On the Ground in Palestine

Feb 27-March 3- Palestine, March 5-6th  Washington DC

Christy and Jack share photos and experiences from the delegation

ACT

 + Advocacy:  How your voice can have the most impact for change

Haynes Lund, BCJPHL

Advocacy 101…how to get started

Immediate Action Needs:  Ceasefire, humanitarian aid, limiting military aid to Israel

Resolution for General Convention…OGR…Call for Action

Resource Table and Advocacy Table

Lively Discussion while enjoying light snacks and fellowship!

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Mideast Focus Film Series

Brian Baird
former Congressman Brian Baird
Please join our brothers and sisters. . .
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024
Time: 7:00
Location: On-line
Information: seattlemideastfocus@gmail.com
Tickets: Free
Event Details

The Mideast Focus Film Series will offer its second film next week. There will be a discussion of the film on April 4th.  led by Congressman Brian Baird, an early defender of Palestinian Human Rights in Congress.  We will view the Al Jazeera film The Lobby – USA – Part 2. There are four parts available covering different aspects of the lobby’s work if you wish to go deeper.

Here is the link to watch the film.

This film is about the many ways AIPAC influences our government. Our discussion will focus on the lobby and other influences that “we the people” know little about.

Please view the film at your convenience before and then join in the discussion with our speaker, Brian Baird.at 7 p.m. Pacific Time via Zoom link, on Thursday, April 4th .

Send a message to seattlemideastfocus@gmail.com for the Zoom link. If you received messages from this address in the past, you are already on the list.

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Join or Plan a Lenten Pilgrimage for Gaza

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.

Participants will walk 25 miles, the length of Gaza, in prayerful solidarity with Gazans. You can plan your own walk using readily-available resources in the Organizers Toolkit, or you can join a walk that’s already planned in your area.

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.  

Learn more at https://www.gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com/.

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FOSNA & Pax Christi USA Join Delegation to Palestine & D.C.

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.

Learn more, reserve your spot on the delegation, & take action with us.

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)

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“The Stones Cry Out” Solidarity Delegation — February 27 to March 7, 2024

Dear friends,

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
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Immediate Actions & Upcoming Events for Ceasefire in Gaza

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:

Upcoming Events

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.

Register to attend the weekly briefing on February 1.

February 3 | From Turtle Island to Kashmir to Palestine, Settler Colonialism is a Crime

10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT

Register Here

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

Register Here

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.

Learn more & register!

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.

Thursday, February 15
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Learn more & sign up!

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January 30 | A Conversation with Munther Isaac

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.

Rev. Isaac will speak with Dr. Michael Spath, DMin, founder of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace. Everyone is invited to join on Zoom.

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

MIT Forum on Gaza with Dr. Alice Rothchild & Rabbi Brian Walt
Alice Rothchild joins Rabbi Brain Walt of Rabbis for Ceasefire to share important context for the current conflict. In-person at the Falmouth Public Library (Falmouth, Massachusetts) or online via Zoom.
Tuesday, January 30
7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT


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January 18 & 19 | Dr. Mark Braverman in Portland, Oregon

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!

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January 27 | The Bible and Settler Colonialism in Palestine and Beyond

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.

Register here!

Ticket prices are as follows:

  • Regular Rate (suggested to cover costs): $15
  • Welcome Rate (if cost impedes attendance, especially for those in the Global South): $0
  • Cooperative Rate (for students and low-income persons): $5
  • Supporter Rate (if you’re able to help subsidize others’ attendance): $50
  • Endorser Rate (if you want to offer extra support as a group or individual): $100