The Moment of Grace and Opportunity
The month of October and the first days of November have brought heightened tension and increasing harassment against Palestinians within occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza and Israel. Neighborhoods have been shut down and checkpoints have proliferated. Non-violent protests (although not covered by Western news media) have taken place. The question raised among many […]
I’m following up here on my recent post encouraging you and other Palestinian justice advocates to start planning for World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel. Set for Sept. 20-26, this year’s event carries the theme “God has broken down the dividing walls.” Plans are underway in multiple settings for public observances and worship services with […]
It’s been quite a ride! Our surprising, overwhelming and longed-for victory at the United Church of Christ General Synod sent many of us into orbit and I, for one, am just now returning to earth. For the record, 80% of the votes cast as Yes or No were affirmative. (If one counts abstentions, the Yes […]
The greater Seattle area boasts a wealth of seasoned activists in various efforts on behalf of justice in Palestine Israel. Some of these are church-related or faith-based, others are rooted in community or academic settings. Yet often these long-committed and highly-motivated advocates don’t connect with each other. They’re unaware of what the other groups are promoting […]
Moment of truth. Confession of faith. Call to action. These phrases sound familiar to those of us compelled and called by Kairos Palestine, the 2009 initiative that brings “a word of faith, hope and love” from the besieged Christian community of Palestine. In the years since 2009, Kairos Palestine has become a global movement. Churches have brought its […]
Checkpoint 300 controls travel between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian people pass through it daily under the surveillance and questioning of rotating Israeli Defense Forces personnel. Observers with Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel also report for duty here; they count the numbers who travel and note the treatment commuting workers receive. Additionally, […]
In support of World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, Kairos USA is encouraging peace and justice advocates across the U.S. and around the world to demonstrate against the illegal West Bank separation wall. World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel is an annual event sponsored by the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum of the World Council of Churches. […]
The story of Pentecost follows not long after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. It recounts the dramatic scene from Acts 2 where an international, multi-ethnic mix of pilgrims have gathered Jerusalem. These visitors receive flaming, ear-shattering signs and gifts of the Spirit. Suddenly everyone is speaking foreign languages and being understood by strangers. Memorable preaching […]
Traditional wisdom for the 40 days between the Resurrection and the Ascension of Christ advises, “Keep your eyes open. You just might run into the Risen Christ!” As the disciples discovered on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27), such revelatory moments leave our hearts warmed and our spirits engaged. So it was at our Kairos […]
When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, he arrived as a poor Palestinian worker. He understood that his message and actions threatened the powerful Empire in control of his country and his people. Contemporary Palestinians still face a similar situation. Their movement is circumscribed and controlled. They are not granted human rights. They are […]
