A PEOPLE TO PEOPLE WAY
TO HELP THE HOLY LAND

Relieve Suffering and Help Promote Human Rights
in Israel/Palestine through your Church

The Gospel in Arabic:
Jesus' words in His hometown synagogue:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

(Luke 4:19)
Communion Table, Christ Church, Nazareth

Why have this Campaign?

Given our two centuries of direct involvement in the Middle East, we Presbyterians are
not afforded the luxury of being innocent bystanders to this deepening conflict. We in
the Israel/Palestine Mission Network believe the Occupation of the West Bank and
blockade of Gaza are:

  • causing untold human hardship and suffering for the Palestinians;
  • a cancer eating at the soul of the Israeli nation founded on human rights and freedom and justice for all; and
  • a major cause of the continuing anti-Semitism and violence being inflicted upon
    Jews in Israel and world-wide;

Therefore we are doing what we can to promote justice, security and peace in Israel/
Palestine by raising funds to:

  • reduce some of the hardship and relieve some of the suffering of the Palestinians;
  • support our mission workers who are addressing human needs and promoting peacemaking on the ground in Israel/Palestine; and
  • support the ongoing education and advocacy work of the Israel/Palestine Mission
    Network in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Whose Promised land?
Israeli flags displayed in a settler’s window in the West Bank, which is Palestinian Territory according to international law.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?

The JUST PEACE Campaign seeks to raise at least…
$10,000 for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Gaza (PDA) for emergency
food and health services for children, pregnant women, families, chronically ill
persons and refugees being negatively impacted by the current blockade of
Gaza.
$5,000 for Ahli Arab (Christian) Hospital, Gaza, the only Christian hospital
in strife-torn Gaza area that is facing an increased patient load and a drastic
shortage of medical supplies.
$5,000 for the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza that provides deaf
education, audiology, speech language pathology, vocational training and better
parenting programs for literally thousands of deaf and hearing-impaired persons
and their families annually.
$25,000 for support of the network's mission to nurture the connection between
Presbyterian churches and our overseas partners through education and advocacy
projects within the United States.
$10,000 for Mission Personnel Serving in Israel/Palestine for the Presbyterian
Church (USA) including:

  • Douglas Dicks, the PC(USA)’s regional liaison for church partnerships
    in Israel, Palestine and Jordan.
  • Michele and Terry Finseth, facilitators for the “Joining Hands for Justice”
    network related to the Presbyterian Hunger Program in the West
    Bank and Jerusalem.
  • Matt Middleton, an accomplished pianist and organist who teaches music
    at Dar al-Kalima School in Bethlehem and is the organist and choir
    director of the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.
  • Shannon O’Donnell, who assists the director of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation
    Theology Center, an organization in Jerusalem engaged in publishing,
    hospitality, reconciliation, continuing education, interfaith dialogue
    and advocacy.

(NOTE: Because of the urgent need in Gaza, an initial payment will be made for Presbyterian Disaster Relief, for Extra Committee Opportunities and for Mission Personnel on January 15, 2008. An additional payment will be made when the campaign is completed in June 2008.)

 

 


 

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Q. What is the Israel/Palestine Mission Network and how did it come into
being?
A. The I/PMN is a grassroots group of Presbyterians who share a passion for
peace and justice in the Middle East. We were mandated by the 216th General
Assembly to deepen Presbyterian involvement with our Palestinian partners
to help change the conditions that erode the humanity of those living in Jerusalem,
the West Bank and Gaza while also working for a just peace in Israel/
Palestine through education and advocacy.

Q. What is the campaign’s dollar goal and how will the money be used?
A. Our goal is to raise at least $55,000 from presbyteries, churches and individuals
between November 15, 2007 and June 30, 2008, of which $20,000
is for Gaza emergency relief and for PC(USA) projects in Gaza; $10,000 for
PC(USA) mission personnel serving in Israel/Palestine and $25,000 for the
work and ministry of the Network.
An initial check will be sent for relief in Gaza on January 15, 2008.

Q. Is this campaign in competition with
other PC(USA) funding efforts?
A. No. This campaign in fact complements the Church’s fundraising in that,
with the exception of the Network’s operating funds (which have already
been covered by member pledges), this is for endorsed projects and personnel
for which the Church is already seeking support. In essence, the Network
is highlighting Extra Commitment Opportunity projects and International
Mission Personnel for which the Network has a special concern.

Q. How will these funds be raised and accounted for?
A. The campaign is being conducted by volunteer members of the Network
from across the U.S. who have themselves made gifts. Campaign expenses
will be kept to a maximum of 10% of which half will go to cover the PC (USA)’s management and oversight of the funds.


Inside the dome, Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem, West Bank