|PIC1|Around the world next week, churches will take part in a wide range of activities to help end the 60-year conflict between Palestinians and Israel.
Seminary students in Brazil will debate the conflict over the Holy Land, while Canadian, Australian, Norwegian, British and French citizens contact their lawmakers as part of an effort led by World Council of Churches to pray, educate and advocate for peace between the two long-time foes.
This year’s events for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, June 4 to 10, will focus particularly on Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory, which is illegal under international law.
In Scotland, parishioners, parliamentarians and a Palestinian legislator plan to meet for an advocacy event in Edinburgh where they will have to walk around a full-sized image of the Wall, a barrier that divides the West Bank from Israel, before entering the church.
In France, church groups have joined a civil society campaign for Palestinian rights focused on candidates in the upcoming June 4 election for the European Parliament.
Directors of church-related aid agencies will also be visiting Israeli and Palestinian partner organisations.
Churches and related organisations in more than 20 countries will take part in the action week.
During that week, peace prayers will be read aloud near settlements, at demolished homes, at checkpoints, in refugee camps, and in parishes and schools in the West Bank and Gaza. WCC invites individuals and congregations to send personal prayers for peace to Bethlehem via email.
In addition to advocacy, another goal of the week is to counter misinformation about conflict-related problems such as tourism and theology regarding the “Promised Land”. Norwegian organisations have planned educational seminars to examine these contentious issues.
The highlight of World Week for Peace will be an ecumenical service sponsored by the heads of churches in Jerusalem on June 7.
Other countries that will be holding events for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel include the Philippines, South Africa, Ireland and the United States.
On the web: www.worldweekforpeace.org
-
European hate speech laws are ‘dangerous’, says politician prosecuted for Christian beliefs
-
Ex-BBC reporter tells of 'cabal' of journalists who influenced trans coverage
-
Belfast City Council votes again to celebrate abortion after failed attempt
-
NI conversion therapy ban 'dead in the water' after consultation
-
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
-
Why John Stott’s ‘Christian Counter-Culture’ still challenges the church
Most Popular
News
Faith in difficult times: lessons from 1930s Britain
Architectural historian Steven Brindle talks to Christian Today about the faith that shaped 1930s Britain, the churches that supported struggling communities and what lessons the decade might have for us today.
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.
