PC(USA) launches new Israel-Palestine resource page

Page aggregates worship, action, advocacy and church policy resources for easy access

by Scott O’Neal | Presbyterian News Service

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a new online landing page that will allow users to engage with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict more easily using digital resources.

The single page aggregates worship resources for congregations, advocacy, and action links for those wishing to have their voices heard, and a secure way to donate online for those wishing to ease the humanitarian tragedy unfolding daily. The page, which can be accessed here, also highlights and gives voice to our PC(USA) partners in the region.

“The landing page will offer multiple perspectives and resources for Presbyterians to understand the complexities surrounding the war in the Middle East,” said Luciano Kovacs, area coordinator, Middle East and Europe for the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s World Mission ministry. “We will lift up the voices of our partners in Palestine and Israel, refer to PC(USA)’s policies, highlight facts that are not covered by mainstream media and emphasize the work PC(USA) has done to promote peace with justice in the region.”

The resource page features worship resources for congregations seeking to respond to acts of war and violence. Curated by PC(USA)’s Office of Theology & Worship and excerpted from the 2018 Book of Common Worship, the three resources are:

• Justice and Reconciliation, which offers theological grounding and practical guidance for the church’s worship in times of conflict
• Service for Justice and Peace, which is designed for use in times of crisis
• Acts of Violence, Prayers for Peace, which features three prayers that may be used for a special service or incorporated into the church’s regular intercessions.

They may be reproduced, used, and adapted for public worship with the following credit line: Excerpted from the “Book of Common Worship”© 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.

The new page also provides direct links to church policies, including pertinent General Assembly overtures and statements from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) and timely Action Alerts from the Office of Public Witness. The news section features articles from the Presbyterian News Service. Historical documents accumulated by the Presbyterian Historical Society provide context around the Church’s historical record in Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East.

Digital and multi-media resources such as webinars, podcasts and videos addressing the region’s past and current conflicts will be added as they become available. Currently available are three “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast” episodes:

• “Palestinian Solidarity, Period,” with Nuha Khoury and Sam Bahour
• “An Israel-Palestine Epiphany” with Noushin Framke
• “Just Talk Live: No More Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia”

Available videos include “No Longer ‘Still’! Bethlehem 2020 Come and See” and a National Council of Churches Call to Prayer.

In addition, there is a section devoted to ecumenical partners in the region which will be updated as new statements and information become available.

“Our Christian siblings in Palestine have asked us to advocate for justice for all Palestinians and just peace in the region as they have emphasized in their “A Call for Repentance” to Western Christian leaders and theologians,” said Kovacs.

If you are able to support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance with ongoing humanitarian aid to Israel-Palestine there is a direct link to give securely online.