SUMUD: For Justice in Palestine and Israel

A Personal Word from the Rev. Gabi Aelabouni

Tuesday, Dec 2, 7 pm MDT

Join us - RMS Sumud offers this session, available via zoom (register here).

As a neighbor with us in The Rocky Mountain Synod, The Rev. Gabi Aelabouni serves as the ELCA Area Desk Director for the Middle East and North Africa and, during much of this month, will be with our Lutheran siblings in Palestine. He has graciously offered to provide us time with him on Dec. 2 to hear what he continues to learn from our siblings in Palestine who seek to survive occupation. His time will focus on bringing requests of us and reports from our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. We pray, in these remaining weeks of November, for the well-being of "our own" Gabi and of all who strive for a better day.

Advent Resources

Check out the four weekly Advent reflections from the Lutherans in Palestine, with a short video on how to use these resources in your congregation and a bonus children's book, Issa Flies.

Sample Week One

Get to Know the Lutherans in Palestine

A video series from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL):

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Passes Resolution Calling for an End to Genocide in Gaza

The Resolution, "Toward Ending the Occupation of Palestine," calls for advocacy to end the genocide and human rights violations in Gaza, recognition of a Palestinian state, and an end to settler violence in the West Bank. It also reaffirms the ELCA’s commitment to amplifying the voices of ELCA partners in Palestine and Israel. Read the full text of the Resolution.

Resources for study and advocacy:

4- minute video about Sumud's work and longer webinar update - watch these below
Watch series of videos prepared by Sumud for Lenten reflection 2024: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6
Listen to Pastor Munther Isaac, Pastor, Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem on Democracy Now interview
Read Peter Beinart, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza
Read the call from Palestinian Christians for action from churches around the world
Read the call from 1000 Black pastors for ceasefire in Gaza
Film: Where Olive Trees Weep

Peace Not Walls is now "SUMUD: For Justice in Palestine and Israel"

Take 4 minutes to see an overview of SUMUD's work:

See the April webinar for an update on how the Lutherans in the West Bank are dealing with their current more difficult situation:

See the ELCA announcement: https://elca.org/Our-Work/Publicly-Engaged-Church/Peace-Not-Walls and note the new Lenten video series: "Following the Way of Jesus: a Lenten Holy Land Journey." Watch the video preview:

In the Rocky Mountain Synod, we participate in a special ELCA campaign working for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel, through

Accompaniment
Advocacy
Awareness-raising

Get Involved:

IMPLEMENT the ELCA resolutions on Israeli settlements and responsible investment - read a FACT SHEET on the Memorials
STUDY the KAIROS PALESTINE document, the Palestinian Christians' call to Christians around the world, asking for support in their struggle for human rights
SUPPORT Lutheran ministries and schools in Bethlehem through Bright Stars of Bethlehem
SUPPORT Lutheran schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) through Opportunity Palestine
WHY have more than 200 Israeli settlements been built on Palestinian land? Watch "The Iron Wall" documentary
Watch 1948: Creation and Catastrophe
Watch The Occupation of the American Mind
Summary of ELCA churchwide actions on Palestine

Direct Support to Palestinian Lutheran Ministries

Opportunity Palestine - supporting Lutheran schools in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Ramallah: http://opportunitypalestine.org.

Bright Stars of Bethlehem - supporting ministries of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem - K-12 school and after school programs, elder care programs, Dar Al-Kalima University College and more: http://brightstarsbethlehem.org

Worship Resource: Thomas Mass Liturgy

The Thomas Mass is a Lutheran worship liturgy designed for contemplation, prayer, and questioning. It is named for the Apostle Thomas because of his questions in faith. The bulk of this service is an Open Phase during which worshippers are invited to participate in different worship stations as they feel compelled. This particular Thomas Mass has been developed by the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Peace Not Walls committee. The service may be adapted for use throughout the year in various worship settings.