Church Seasons and Special Sundays

The first week of June marks the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. Many churches around the globe will be using this special week to pray, educate, and advocate for peace there. The United Church’s 39th General Council in 2006 passed a resolution, Pathways to Peace in the Holy Land, supporting this annual time to pray with others, learn about actions that make for peace, and recommit to work for peace.

Since 2006 this has been a unique occasion for Palestinian Christians of many denominations and their Jewish and Muslim colleagues to gather in worship together in Jerusalem on May 29, praying the same prayers in many languages. Participating churches around the globe will be using the same prayers on that day.

Initiators of the 2011 World Week for Peace urged Christians to pray and act for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. The call is "timely," as the systemic violence of the occupation hardens and the levels of violence increase.

Non-violent actions to bring pressure to end the occupation are needed now more than ever. The Kairos Palestine document that brings a cry from the heart of Palestinian suffering asks of brothers and sisters in the churches today: "Are you able to help us get our freedom back, for this is the only way you can help the two peoples attain justice, peace, security and love?"

This is a busy time of year across the United Church, with Sunday school year-end events, annual Conference meetings, and ordination of new ministers. Still, there is always time to pray for peace in services, committees, and small groups, and as individuals. You can follow the Jerusalem service, adapt it, or simply read portions of the prayers aloud and reflect on them as part of your commitment to peace in the Holy Land. There is time to take action to support Palestinians and Israelis in ending the occupation and attaining justice, peace, and security.

Special prayers and liturgies from Jerusalem

Use these in your group, congregation, presbytery, and Conference meetings:

• a prayer from the heads of churches in Jerusalem in English and French
• an updated worship service in the Prayer and Worship Resources section
• a downloadable 13-page resource "Jerusalem: Issues and Perspectives"

Programs for sharing prayers with others around the world

Individuals and congregations around the world and in Palestinian towns are invited to send prayers for peace by e-mail to Bethlehem as part of World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel.

Special bulletin insert

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, of which the United Church is a member, has created a bulletin insert for the World Week of Peace to use in congregational worship and discussion. Watch for it on their Palestine Israel Resources page.

What you can do

There are many ways individuals, groups, congregations, and communities can support justice and peace: visit our Israel/Palestine page to learn about some of them. Share what you are doing with others around the world: e-mail us us or visit our Facebook page and tell us what you are planning.

This is in keeping with the 40th General Council's recommendation in 2010 that “the United Church Conferences, presbyteries, congregations and community ministries immediately enter into consultation, dialogue, study and prayer, and then take appropriate action toward ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory...”