Peace Not Walls

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

Holy Land Trip

Northwest Washington Synod is hosting a Trip to the Holy Land, led by Dr. Rod Schofield, former RMS Vice President

January 14-25, 2024

You are invited to join with others in the NWWA Synod for a life-changing trip to the Holy Land. Not only will we visit holy sites, we will also meet with, talk with, and listen to those who live, work, laugh, worship, and struggle in this land. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) is one of our partners in the Lutheran World Federation. They are excited to share their stories with us. There is also an additional post-trip to Egypt that you are invited to sign up for, as well.

We want this to be a time for people to interact with and learn with the people of this land. Therefore, we are only taking twenty-four people. We hope that you will come and be a part of this important trip. The trip will be led by Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee of the NWWA Synod and Rod Schofield, the former Vice President of the RMS. Please click the link below to find out more information or reach out to Rod at rodschofield93@gmail.com for any questions you might have.
https://www.eliastours.com/tours/northwest-washington-synod-holy-land-trip-with-bishop-shelley-bryan-wee-dr-rod-schofield

Support House Bill H.R. 2407

Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act

See resources for this legislations introduced by Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, which seeks to protect Palestinian children detained under military law. US foreign aid to Israel is used to support Israel's military, which has jurisdiction over civilians in the West Bank. So it is fitting that we should have information about where our tax dollars are being spent. Take a look at this bil and contact your Representative to ask for their support for this legislation.

Get Involved:

IMPLEMENT the ELCA resolutions on Israeli settlements and responsible investment - read a FACT SHEET on the Memorials
WATCH a video introduction to Peace Not Walls
CONTACT a speaker
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
WHY is a two-state solution unlikely? Watch a two-minute video: "Israel-Palestine, a Land in Fragments"
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.