Loren McGrail, Global Ministries missionary and former CUCC member, gave us ideas for how we might work for justice and peace for everyone in Israel and Palestine. The notes below are what I remember from her stories and from a conversation after the gathering. Which step might be right for you?
Purchase a meaningful gift for Christmas or a birthday and support the talented artisans of Palestine. Loren worked with these talented embroiderers to create the clothes on the olive wood dolls and told us the story of one of the women. These three products, distributed by a partnership of the YWCA and Global Ministries, provide income to the Palestinian craftsperson's who live in the refugee camps Loren visited.
Stay up to date on what the United Church of Christ is doing by connecting to PIN (Palestine Israel Network). Then spread the word to others at CUCC who want to be supportive but don't have time to do the research to know what actions would be helpful. You can also read the UCC's 2015 and 2017 resolutions on Palestine/Israel which Loren mentioned. The former focuses on ways the Church might work toward peace; the latter focuses on protecting children who are mistreated when detained by the Israeli military.
Review your investments and consider divesting in companies which support state violence (including those in Palestine/Israel). The American Friends Service Committee has an easy to use website, Investigate, where you can look up your investments.
Pay attention and think deeply when people discuss the following:
- the "two state solution" for peace in Palestine/Israel and how that might conflict with the human right of refugees to return to their homes
- whether it is helpful for US police forces to be trained by the Israeli military in the tactics used to deal with Palestinian protesters (Durham was the first US city to ban training of their police by the Israeli military). Is your town considering such training?
- look for connections to find wisdom, humility, courage, and hope. How are the settlements by Israel of Palestinian land like the westward expansion into territories where Native American peoples lived? What are people in US groups like Black Lives Matter learning from the experiences of Palestinian people? In what ways is the situation in Israel/Palestine like that of apartheid-era South Africa? How is the proposed wall on the US's southern border like and not like the wall built by Israel on Palestinian lands?
Thank you, Loren, for spending the evening with us. Thank you, Religious Education Ministry, for a delicious meal.
Those of you who attended: If you notice I missed something, or misstated what Loren told us, let me know and I will correct this post.
- submitted by Jane Smith
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| Fabric of Our Lives dolls |
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| Breaking Down the Wall with readings and prayers for Advent |
Review your investments and consider divesting in companies which support state violence (including those in Palestine/Israel). The American Friends Service Committee has an easy to use website, Investigate, where you can look up your investments.
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| Three Wise Women |
- the "two state solution" for peace in Palestine/Israel and how that might conflict with the human right of refugees to return to their homes
- whether it is helpful for US police forces to be trained by the Israeli military in the tactics used to deal with Palestinian protesters (Durham was the first US city to ban training of their police by the Israeli military). Is your town considering such training?
- look for connections to find wisdom, humility, courage, and hope. How are the settlements by Israel of Palestinian land like the westward expansion into territories where Native American peoples lived? What are people in US groups like Black Lives Matter learning from the experiences of Palestinian people? In what ways is the situation in Israel/Palestine like that of apartheid-era South Africa? How is the proposed wall on the US's southern border like and not like the wall built by Israel on Palestinian lands?
Thank you, Loren, for spending the evening with us. Thank you, Religious Education Ministry, for a delicious meal.
Those of you who attended: If you notice I missed something, or misstated what Loren told us, let me know and I will correct this post.
- submitted by Jane Smith