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Celebrating our 32nd Year in 2006
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Updates from 
217th Meeting of the General Assembly The Presbyterian Church has been involved in mission efforts in the Middle East for nearly two centuries. The denomination's long-standing witness in Israel and Palestine has spanned a range of efforts: supporting mission personnel; working with partner churches; contributing to refugee relief and resettlement; combating hunger and poverty; supporting ministries of local churches; sponsoring travel-study seminars; promoting education, health and leadership development; vocational training programs and self-development projects; programs supporting peace, justice and human rights movements; engaging in constituency education; and mobilizing to influence public policy. Since 1948 General Assemblies have repeatedly addressed the Middle East and particularly Israel and Palestine. The Presbyterian position has consistently been: to affirm the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign state within secure, internationally recognized borders, and the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, including the right to the establishment of a neighboring independent, sovereign state, toward the end of establishing a just and durable peace. [Read More] Learn about the issues before the 217th General Assembly related to Israel Palestine Relations. [Read More] |
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A Pastoral Letter Links of Interest Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) Website: http://www.pcusa.org/mrti Guidelines for the Implementation of Divestment related to Israel and Palestine. The Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) has adopted and supplies for information the following classification system and process to identify multinational corporations in Israel and Palestine and to implement the General Assembly policy of phased selective divestment. Read more. http://www.pcusa.org/mrti/guidelines.htm Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Website: http://www.cmep.org CMEP is a coalition of 19 public policy offices of national churches and agencies -- Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. CMEP began its work in 1984 out of the conviction that the policy perspectives and long Middle East experience of our member bodies should be more widely known in the public policy arena. We therefore seek to maintain an on-going dialogue with Congress, the Administration and the diplomatic community, to advance such concerns, assessments, and advocacy positions. The work of Churches for Middle East Peace focuses on Washington in the knowledge that sound United States policy is crucial to achieving and maintaining just and stable relationships throughout the Middle East. In addition, CMEP seeks to help the members of our organizations advocate in a knowledgeable, timely and effective way their concerns about justice and peace for all people and countries in the region. Israel and Jewish Relations Website: http://www.pcusa.org/israelandjewishrelations/ Continuing the Journey: A Background Document on Israel & Jewish Relations was sent to the Commissioners and Advisory Delegates to the 216th General Assembly. This Document offers information on Four areas related to actions taken by this Assembly: Christian Witness to Jewish People Process of "phased, selective divestment" Christian Zionism and Reformed Theology Ending construction of the "separation barrier" Office of Theology and Worship A Theological Understanding between Christians and Jews. Many questions have been raised recently about the relationship between Christians and Jews. "A Theological Understanding of the Relationship Between Christians and Jews" was approved by the General Assembly in 1987 to assist the church in deepening our understanding of Christian belief and how it intersects with the Jewish community. Read More. 
http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/ From the Resource Center - Shenandoah Presbytery Resources for Study and Understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian Issues ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: The Quest for Peace (Church & Society PC (USA), September/October 2003) In his Forward to this issue, Victor Makari, Coordinator for the Office of the Middle East and Europe within the Worldwide Ministries Division, PC(USA), writes, "No words can adequately convey the urgency for understanding - and seriously pursuing a durable resolution for - the turmoil and anguish so many are suffering in the mIddle East today." PDS 72-630-03-605 BETHLEHEM BESIEGED, Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble, by Mitri Raheb (Fortress Press, 2004). On the back cover, Desmond Tutu describes this book: “This is a heartrending account of what has happened to ordinary people…and how they have lived and survived under siege by Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. It should shake us out of complicity with the injustice being visited on ordinary people…” Perhaps the message shared here should accompany our singing of the familiar lines “Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light…” and thus bring us all to a deeper understanding of the ‘hopes and fears of all the years’ that seem to focus once again on Bethlehem. A WALL OF SECURITY, A BARRIER TO PEACE (Church & Society PC (USA), September/October 2004 issue.) This issue focuses on “The Separation Barrier” that has been erected by Israel through The West Bank. Included is an analysis and reflection of ‘the Wall,’ Voices of Christian Partners, and Resources for Further Study and Engagement, as well as a Detailed Poster Map of the Wall’s Route and Impact. This is an excellent ‘companion piece’ to the above resource: Bethlehem Besieged. PDS 72-630-04-605 |