Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation. It is a time to reflect on the stories we tell about the arrival of hope and new life.
In this time of uncertainty as a denomination and a country, several Presbyterian ministries and partnerships have produced new devotionals for the Advent season to proclaim the constancy of God’s love and presence among us.
Widely published theologian the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, the founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, spoke with passion and authority this week at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., as part of the McClendon Scholars program.
Amidst the background of a “Ceasefire Now” sign and attendees holding signs with the same message, Christian groups gathered in front of the United Methodist building in Washington D.C., Wednesday morning just hours before Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to address Congress. The Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a denomination member, sponsored and organized the prayer vigil, which featured several notable Christian and Muslim leaders, including the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of advocacy for the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness.
The Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is one of 35 member denominations, is providing resources to help shape Sunday prayers, worship, and liturgy to mark a day of prayerful solidarity and calls for justice in Gaza and the broader Middle East on July 21.
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) condemns the violence and attacks being reported [in recent] days in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). We grieve the loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives and call on the U.S. government to do everything possible to bring an end to the violence. Unless the core causes of the conflict are addressed, violent acts perpetrated by both sides will continue.
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Associate Director for Advocacy in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will be speaking to Thursday’s meeting of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the invitation of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) about the current conflict between Israel and Palestinians.
The Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is encouraging the American people to rally behind Palestinian refugees by advocating for the restoration of U.S. funding to a vital humanitarian organization.
The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness issued an Action Alert Thursday requesting Presbyterian support for House Resolution 496, which affirms that all Americans have the right to participate in boycotts in pursuit of civil and human rights at home and abroad.
