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New Congregational Resources: Pray and Act for Mideast Peace
~October 26, 2007~
Churches for Middle East Peace is working in multiple ways to generate Congressional and public support for the international meeting on Israeli-Palestinian peace that is planned for Annapolis this fall. On October 15, CMEP Board members signed a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that closed with: "For our part Churches for Middle East Peace will work to generate support among the clergy and members of our churches for your efforts and will encourage congregations across the country to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the compassionate wisdom and bold courage that all political leaders in this momentous initiative will need." In addition to guiding your personal advocacy and that of church members across the country, CMEP has produced resources appropriate for prayer and advocacy by congregations and church leaders. In the mail now is a packet sent to over 1500 congregations and churches which includes a bulletin insert and a prayer for peace as the Annapolis meeting is being planned and especially during the time (as yet unknown) of the summit itself. We also provide a sample letter and guidance for church leader communications to members of Congress asking them to support sustained diplomacy toward Israeli- Palestinian peace. We encourage your personal use of these resources and ask you to bring them to the attention of your church's lay leaders and clergy. These resources are printed below and are also available in PDF format here: Prayer for Peace & Bulletin Announcement Christian Clergy Letter on the Occasion of the November 2007 Summit
MEMORANDUM October 2007 TO: Local church leaders and congregations
RE: Pray and act for Middle East Peace President Bush and Secretary Rice are organizing an international meeting dedicated to progress on a peace agreement that would end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and create a viable state of Palestine. The meeting will take place in Annapolis, Maryland; the Fall date has not been set. As the summit is being planned and especially at the time of the summit, we encourage your individual and collective prayers for peace, the Israeli and Palestinian people, the wisdom of the leaders and success of the meeting. We also urge you to express your hopes for the summit to your members of Congress and ask them to support sustained diplomacy toward Israeli-Palestinian peace. Our website (www.cmep.org) includes CMEP’s October 15 letter to Secretary Rice, updates and more information about the summit. In this mailing, we include a prayer for peace, an insert for your worship bulletin at the time of the summit, and a sample letter that you can send on your church’s letterhead to members of Congress with a copy to Secretary Rice. These are also available on our website. Congressional support for this diplomatic initiative is important. Please call or write to your members of Congress encouraging them to express their support for the summit.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
O God, we come to you with open hands and open hearts.
We pray for peace and for all those that suffer violence and injustice in the midst of war and conflict. We pray for the innocent, combatants, peacemakers, and religious and political leaders. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the holy city of God and spiritual home to all the children of Abraham.
O God of mercy and compassion, Embrace our Israeli and Palestinian brothers and sisters. They have endured profound loss and sorrow. They are fatigued by fear and anger. Mend their broken hearts and failing spirits. Ignite in them sparks of hope. Comfort them and guide them onto the road of peace.
O God of peace and reconciliation, Lift up the international leaders who search for peace. They have talked before without success. They face a difficult road and many obstacles. Inspire them to move from words to actions that fulfill a greater vision of peace. Arouse in them a passion for righteousness. Bless them and their work for peace.
O God of all creation, Your people cry for peace. May your promise of justice and enduring love Breathe renewed Life Into our commitment to a sustainable peace, When two states – Israel and Palestine – are a reality, Living side-by-side in security, harmony and peace.
Amen.
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT
Our denomination/church supports Israeli-Palestinian-Arab peacemaking and encourages us to pray and act for peace. The United States will be hosting a summit of international leaders in Annapolis, Maryland this Fall [or insert exact date, if known] to make progress toward ending the conflict in the Holy Land. Let us join together in prayer in support of our government’s efforts and for the success of this important meeting.
CHRISTIAN CLERGY LETTER ON ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACEMAKING
This sample letter may be printed on church letterhead and sent to members of Congress.
Dear [insert name and title of member of Congress],
(Name of church) supports a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the vision of a viable, contiguous state of Palestine living in peace with its neighbor Israel. We are hopeful that the meeting being organized by Secretary Rice in Annapolis, Maryland will result in concrete steps toward Israeli-Palestinian peace.
We remain steadfast in our pursuit of peace and justice, and we continue to be hopeful that peace and security will be achieved for both peoples. These three elements reflect the long-standing positions of [insert the name of your denomination or church] and Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical coalition of twenty-two churches and church related agencies. A negotiated resolution of the conflict that realizes the vision of two viable states, Israel and Palestine, side-by-side with secure and recognized borders. The sharing of Jerusalem by the two peoples – Israelis and Palestinians – and by the three religious communities that call it sacred. Our congregation joins others across the nation in praying for peace, for the Israeli and Palestinian people and – particularly as the summit approaches - for the wisdom of the leaders and success of the meeting.
We urge you to express your support for Secretary Rice’s efforts and to join us in praying for lasting peace in the Holy Land.
Sincerely,
CMEP Home CMEP Members E-mail Alerts Government Contacts CMEP Letters Statements ~ Churches for Middle East Peace -- 110 Maryland Ave., NE #311 - Washington, DC - 20002 -- 1-202-543-1222 ~ |
