The Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Palestinians, and Israelis, too, are doubtful and hopeful at the same time. There have been numerous other occasions when peace seemed to be at hand and then everything fell apart, and usually the situation grew worse instead of better. “It is for these reasons,” Bishop Younan states, “that the Roadmap must not be a pacification but must address specific issues in order to bring about just peace and security for all. Those specific issues must include a plan to deal with the Israeli settlements on Palestinian land; a shared Jerusalem; a resolution for Palestinian refugees right of return; and a fair distribution of the water resources.”

"As I watched the recent terrible violence and bloodshed on both sides, I wept. Why is the world quiet, I wondered, allowing this violence to continue. These waves of spiral violence create such fear and insecurity among the people here. I still believe that a negotiated settlement should be possible in the Roadmap in order to stop violence and allow us all to walk in peace. We must listen to the fears and the problems of the other, and not listen only to the mass media. The Lutheran Church does not believe in violence of any sort. Rather the Church chooses to teach by word and example that non-violent methods will bring us to a just peace. We pray that the world communities will stand by their commitment to bring a just peace through continued negotiation and hands-on involvement, not becoming fearful and discouraged. We have hope, knowing that God's will for all people is peace and reconciliation, and an abundant life."

Bishop Younan also states, “We must work on these issues to bring about a just peace – not only a time of no war and no peace. This is the time for the Middle East to jump into the bosom of justice. When the two-state solution succeeds, we will have moved from lip service into genuine implementation. I know there are some critical remarks about the Roadmap but a conflict of more than fifty years needs a serious track of justice and peace so this train will roll. The Roadmap is a golden opportunity because we are at the beginning of the right track of implementation."

2. Lutheran World Federation Youth Pilgrimage
"We did not simply encounter Christ in history or along the pilgrim path. Rather, Jesus embraced us in community and was present as we celebrated and worshipped and even more so when we cried in this land of injustice and oppression." This statement was made by one international participant in the 2003 group of young people who traveled, worked, communicated and worshiped together April 13-20 in Palestine and Israel. Eight members of the group came from LWF member churches in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Suriname and the USA. Four of the Palestinian participants were from the ELCJ: Fouteen Ansara, Ala Tannous and Rami Jaraiseh from Ramallah, and Annaliza Younan from Jerusalem. Nadia Taraze was a Palestinian ecumenical guest from the YWCA in Jerusalem.

Rev. Ramaez Ansara, pastor of the Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah and also the ELCJ youth pastor, worked closely with the LWF Youth Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage was the result of an invitation made by Bishop Younan to young people in the global Lutheran community to visit the Holy Land and share in the daily life of people here.

Rev. Ansara stated that the aim of the visit was to "follow the steps of Jesus as we live in faith and walk with hope," a phrase he described as the slogan of the pilgrimage. Together the youth visited holy sites found in Nazareth, the Mount of the Beatitudes and at the Sea of Galilee, and also took part in the ecumenical Holy Week celebrations, such as the Palm Sunday procession from Bethany to Jerusalem and an Easter sunrise service on the Mount of Olives. They worshiped together in a synagogue in West Jerusalem. The group experienced the reality of checkpoints, armed military restrictions and refugee camps in Ramallah and Bethlehem. The young people committed themselves to continue to work for peace and justice. A Palestinian young woman expressed her desire to "tell my youth group how much international people still care about us," and emphasized the solidarity she experienced among the pilgrimage participants. Rev. Ansara believes that "the Palestinian youth had a very significant impression and for most of them it was the first time to participate in such activities."

Thank you to Rev. Ansara and the Lutheran World Information Service for the details about the youth pilgrimage.

3. Heads of Middle East Evangelical Churches Meet in Amman
During the week of June 1 the Heads of the Evangelical Churches in the Middle East met in Amman, Jordan. The Evangelical Churches include Lutherans, Anglicans and Reformed who also are part in the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) together with Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Catholic Churches. However, the Evangelical Churches also meet regularly around their own particular issues and concerns.

Bishop Younan, as the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCJ) in Jordan and Palestine, reports on the recent meeting in Amman:
“We began our meetings with a worship service in the Lutheran Good Shepherd Church in Amman. Rev. Dr. Salim Sahiouni, the President of the Higher Evangelical Council in Syria and Lebanon, was the preacher. He is one of the four presidents of the MECC.

“The aim of the meeting in Amman was to discuss the possibility of developing a multi-lateral agreement between Reformed, Lutheran and Anglican Church bodies in the Middle East. We carry the same joys and problems of the Christian Church worldwide, even though we are not majority churches in any of our locations in the Middle East. It became apparent in our discussion that a multi-lateral agreement will not be possible at the moment. Instead, I believe we as Lutherans will move ahead on two tracks:

• We will pursue the Jerusalem Lutheran-Anglican Mutual Full Recognition Agreement which is already in process.
• We will begin work on a Lutheran-Reformed Agreement in the Middle East.

“If the ELCJ succeeds on these two tracks, we would be preparing fertile ground for a multi-lateral agreement in the future, such as the Anglican-Lutheran-Reformed agreement in France, the DeReuilly Agreement.

“We also had an important discussion about the name ‘Evangelical.’ We are facing a larg problem in the Middle East with right wing Christian groups who use the name Evangelical but whose theology, practices, exclusivity and frequent espousal of Christian Zionist beliefs are counter to the ecumenical, mainline Evangelical Churches (as described above). The policies of the right wing groups are also harming Muslim-Christian relationships in the region. We as Heads of the Evangelical Churches had a long discussion about the name issue but could not resolve the problem.”

Bishop Younan states, “We embrace our identity as ‘Evangelicals’ and should not be ashamed to use it. We cannot allow the right wing groups to kidnap the name Evangelical that we have had since the time of the Reformation. The name Evangelical is connected to the principle of the Reformation to preach the gospel purely and rightly administer the sacraments. It is precious to the established mainline churches in the Middle East. No resolution to the name problem can be found now; it will take time. Meanwhile, we are praying about the problem, asking God to help us find a way to maintain our strength in ministry and to address our fears.”

The MECC also gathered in Jordan at the end of May, preparing for its assembly in early December 2003 which will have as its theme "Remain in My Love." The Heads of Middle East churches, including Jordanian church leaders, met with Crown Prince Hamzeh. The need for strengthening Muslim-Christian dialogue was discussed, understanding that the time is right for deeper and richer dialogue.

4. President of the German Federal Republic visits Tailtha Kumi Lutheran School
On Sunday, June 22, the principal of Talitha Kumi Lutheran School, Mr. Wilhelm Goller, together with Bishop Dr. Munib Younan of the ELCJ and other guests, welcomed His Excellency Johannes Rau, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, to Talitha Kumi. President Rau expressed his delight and honor to be visiting the Lutheran school. He spent time visiting with the children.

The visit by President Rau was significant for Talitha Kumi and all the Lutheran schools in Palestine. There is financial support given to the schools from the German government and related agencies. The German president was impressed with his visit to Talitha Kumi and we are thankful for his presence with us.

5. Farewell and Godspeed to the the Pastors Thomas
For the past five years Pastors Susan and Michael Thomas (ELCA) have served the English-speaking congregation at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. On Sunday, June 15, many people gathered in the worship service and the reception which followed to thank the Thomases and say farewell and Godspeed to them and to others in the congregation who are now leaving Jerusalem.

Bishop Younan spoke of “accompaniment” which is a primary policy for the ELCA Division for Global Mission in its overseas work and he emphasized the ongoing need for this accompaniment to continue in Jerusalem.

The Thomases are now the pastors at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. We thank them for their ministry among us for the past five years.

6. Special Luncheon in Ramallah for "Meals on Wheels" Particiapants
.A noon luncheon was held at the Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah on June 13 for fifty-five elderly people who participate in the congregation's Meals on Wheels program. Special transportation was arranged for the guests. A short program featured a medical doctor who spoke to the people about the basics of First Aid and alerted them to safety measures regarding gas stoves and other potential dangers in their homes. A choir of the Sunday School children entertained the guests with several songs, both before and after the lunch.

Ten people from the Lutheran Church and the church women's group helped to serve chicken and rice, salad, fruit, sweets and coffee to the guests. Much conversation took place until it was time to be transported home. These special luncheon gatherings at the church are held about twice each year.

Sixty-two people participate in the various aspects of the Meals on Wheals program in Ramallah, which is administered by a five-person committee from the Lutheran Church. The program offers hot meals twice each week (about twenty-five people receive the meals) and also transportation to medical appointments, payment for the delivery of prescriptions, provision of basic foodstuffs (rice, coffee, flour,etc.) and perishable food such as meat, vegetables and fruit, help with laundry and also friendly visits from Church members. Neighborhood gatherings each week are another feature of the Meals on Wheels program. Five or six "neighborhoods" have been identified, based on the location of program participants. Six or eight people come to a home, usually within walking distance, and enjoy cake, coffee and conversation. Many elderly people live alone so the weeekly gatherings provide an important social connection.