RESOURCES FOR CHURCH USE
INVITE YOUR CONGREGATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS EASTER
Embark on a journey of transformation with the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) through our “Renewing Hope” Spring Campaign. This season, we ask you to extend your support to the crucial humanitarian initiatives led by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem throughout the Holy Land. As we approach the Lenten season and anticipate the celebration of Easter—a time symbolizing renewal, hope, and unity—we invite you to be a part of this impactful endeavor. By partnering with us, you can create positive change and make a meaningful difference that echoes far beyond the springtime. Your contribution is a seed of hope for the renewal of lives and the blossoming of communities who have been devastated by violence. Join us on this transformative journey and be an architect of positive change in the Holy Land.
2024 EASTERTIDE FUNDRAISING FLYER FOR USE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Download this printable 2024 AFEDJ Spring flyer to share with your community during Eastertide, inviting them to be a beacon of hope in the Holy Land.
2024 EASTER APPEAL: A LETTER FROM JPBC GENERAL DIRECTOR VIOLETTE MUBARAK
Download the 2024 Spring Appeal letter written by Violette Mubarak, JPBC General Director. Violette shares a message of hope amid the many challenges posed by the current war, and JPBC’s unwavering commitment to bringing profound healing, support, and renewal to the lives of Palestinian children with disabilities in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
2024 SPRING APPEAL: THE JERUSALEM PRINCESS BASMA CENTRE PRINTABLE FLYER
The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre, nestled in the heart of East Jerusalem, is dedicated to empowering children with disabilities along with their caregivers. In the midst of violent conflict throughout the Holy Land, JPBC emerges as a powerful force, renewing hope and symbolizing resilience by providing essential care and support in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. This Easter, we invite your community to join JPBC in their mission of healing and renewal. Share JPBC’s story with this printable flyer.
BEARING WITNESS: SPEAK TO YOUR COMMUNITY ABOUT HOPE AND HEALING IN THE HOLY LAND
Misinformation and divisive opinions about the Israel-Hamas war have saturated our conversations with Arabophobia, Anti-Semitism and hopelessness. Christ calls us to elevate the conversation and focus on themes of mercy and our shared humanity. Bring voices of faith, hope and love from the Church in Jerusalem to your local community by using Bearing Witness, AFEDJ’s 5-session, free, video-based educational curriculum filmed on location in Israel and Palestine. In it you will hear extraordinary Christians, Muslims, and Jews describe life in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. It speaks to what news outlets often miss: that there are peacemakers of all faiths and nationalities who work to bring hope, healing, and dignity to all God’s children in the Holy Lands. Visit the Bearing Witness website here to get started.
USE AN AFEDJ PRESENTATION FOR YOUR EVENT
We have a slideshow prepared for your needs, and we offer it gratis. Included are robust slide notes to make short work of your preparations. Tell us a little bit about your event by filling out this form, and we will send you what you need.
HOW TO MAKE A GIFT FROM YOUR COMMUNITY
Visit this webpage to learn the best ways to give for churches.
PRAYER AND WORSHIP RESOURCES
A LITANY FOR THE RESTORATION OF PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND
Click here for a PDF of the litany
God of peace, we pray for the people of Palestine and Israel in these perilous and dangerous times.
For all who are fearful for the safety of their loved ones and themselves, we pray that the assurance of unfailing love, even in the midst of danger, settles upon them. Shelter them from despair and protect them from harm.
For all who are wounded, we pray they find healing.
For all who have died, we pray they find rest.
For all who grieve, we pray they find comfort.
For leaders on all sides, we pray for a renewed will to lay down arms, for the strength to put the grievances and wrongs suffered by their people to rest, and for the conviction to embrace a path of reconciliation and peace that preserves the rights and dignity of all of your children.
God of mercy, help us to remember there is no border that can separate us from your great love and protection, no stone that can sound the well of your deep mercy.
God of justice, we pray with hopeful hearts that your beloved children of the Holy Land will be spared a future of sustained violence and unrest and that a recognition of the humanity of all people will prevail.
We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
– American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
May 14, 2021
A Prayer for Pilgrims
Almighty God, you always show mercy toward those who love you and you are never far away for those who seek you. Remain with your servants on this holy pilgrimage and guide their way in accord with your will. Lead them on right and peaceful paths. Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light of your grace by night, and, as their companion on the journey, bring them to their destination in safety. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
adapted from www.catholicculture.org
Prayer for the Oppressed (BCP p. 826)
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of your world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Peace and Forgiveness
Loving God of all the earth, we pray for those who perpetrate injustices in the Holy Land, regardless of their motives; we pray that you will change their hearts and fill them with the spirit of mercy. Teach us all the pathways of peace and forgiveness. Spirit of comfort whose glory covers the face of our earth, comfort the oppressed, give shelter to those who have lost their homes, and let your peace dwell in every heart. With thankful hearts we pray in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
from Contemporary Way of the Cross, p. 49
Prayer for the Diocese of Jerusalem (BCP p. 817)
O God, by your grace you have called the Diocese of Jerusalem to a goodly fellowship of faith. We ask you to bless Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the clergy and leaders of diocesan institutions, and all the people of the diocese. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion all our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all whom we meet; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Palestinian People
In the name of Elohim, the most merciful. May the Palestinian people receive the healing powers of our prayers. May they be granted safety, success, love, security, and hope. May they enjoy the fruits of freedom and equality that they—and all human beings—deserve.
We pray for their well-being. We remember that the Holy Land is a shared space and pray to see the day when Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and all religions will live there together in peace.
We hope for the day when Palestinian refugees may return. We pray that together with their Jewish neighbors they can rehabilitate their history and rebuild what could be the best place on Earth. A place of many cultures and true equality.
We pray that Palestinians will be able to live lives free from violence and oppression. And we ask God to help us build bridges of peace with them.
May we be the light that brings peace and hope to our Palestinian friends and to all the world. Amen.
from Matt (Matah) Adler