2009 Conference of Bishops
More than half of the 66 bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the ELCA secretary, and five of the six bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), plus spouses and staff visited the Middle East, Jan. 6-13, 2009.
The Group Has Landed
By Daniel J. Lehmann
What happened to Saturday? A small group of ELCA bishops, spouses and
churchwide organization staffers boarded a jet in Chicago in the dark
evening hours of Friday only to deplane some 12 hours later in the
gathering black of Saturday night in Amman, Jordan.
The group was to link up later with a few other bishops as well as
Presiding Bishops Mark S. Hanson of the ELCA and Susan C. Johnson of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada for a two-plus day visit to Jordan
before hooking up with a majority of the bishops from both nations in
Jerusalem.
The trip is part of a long-planned journey to Jordan, Israel and the
West Bank as part of the 2005 ELCA “Churchwide Strategy for Engagement
in Israel and Palestine.” Its goal is to build relationships with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, foster
awareness of the issues there and increase advocacy for a just peace in
the region.
The group that flew direct from Chicago was greeted at the entrance of
Hotel Jerusalem in downtown Amman by ELCJHL Bishop Munib A. Younan, his
wife, daughter and a welcome cold glass of sweet and unusually thick
orange juice.
Fighting at the Gaza Strip along the Mediterranean Sea cast an air of
uncertainty over the visit. Bishops decided earlier this week to
proceed, as the trip had been delayed in the past. With reports of
Israeli ground troops entering the Gaza Strip late Saturday, it is
unknown what other security measures may be put in place that could
change the agenda of the visit later in the week to Jerusalem, Bethlehem
and Ramallah, the largest city on the West Bank.
But first, sleep. At 6 a.m. Sunday, suffering from jet lag or
not, the bishops and others get on the bus for a quick visit to the
spectacular Roman ruins of Petra before worship and a reception in Amman
later in the day.
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on January 3rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Thank you for letting us know of your safe arrival in Jordan. I trust that you will continue the updates due to the escalating violence. You are in the prayers of the entire ELCA and in particular the Upsate NY Synod as we hold Bishp Marie Jerge and husband Pr.Jim in our prayers as we pray for safe travel for the enire week you are gone.
Nancy Clees
on January 3rd, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Subject: Yes! to Bishops Academy in Jerusalem, despite Gaza invasion
Despite today’s ground invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israeli troops, I want to urge you and the other ELCA and Canadian bishops not to be dissuaded from convening your annual academy in the Holy Land this month. In my earnest view, your collective witness to God’s love and justice is needed there now more than ever, in view of the horrific events of the past few days. And when your week-long colloquium in Jerusalem and Bethlehem takes place as planned, despite the unspeakable violence taking place less than forty miles away, we Lutherans back home will draw courage and inspiration from your steadfastness–what our suffering Palestinian brothers and sisters call sumoud–and your reliance on God to be your refuge and strength.
I look forward to hearing and reading about your experiences and accomplishments on your return. Blessings!
Paul H. Verduin–Member, Middle East Working Group of the Metro Washington, DC Synod
Area Coordinator for Maryland, Friends of Sabeel–North America
Member of the Board of Directors, Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace
721 Dartmouth Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-495-7891
on January 4th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
All the pilgrims, especially Bishop Margaret Payne and her husband John Payne, are in the prayers of the New England Synod. We will continue to monitor this site as the week progresses, as we pray for peace and justice in the Middle East.
on January 4th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I will be praying for all of you, during your visit for everyone’s safety. May God Bless all of you as your light of Christ shines through your work. Though we all hope that this is a beginning to show others how to pray rather than fight, may we all gather around the Lord’s table, and be ONE as the Lord prayed at the Last Supper. We at St. Michael’s in Cherry Hill, NJ will continue praying for your mission of Peace and Justice in the Middle East. Peace and Joy Always,
Deborah G. Stuart, Joyful08108@comcast.net
on January 6th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
The Lord, gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us within situations as we face in an unsettled world. Hopefully, we are all guided to teach one another to listen to our souls, to gather in Peace in all situations. May the “Light of Jesus’ Love”, continue to grow from within each of you, on this courageous mission. The peace that God gives is a lasting one. Peace and Joy, Deborah G. Stuart, St. Michael’s Luthern Church, Cherry Hill, NJ Joyful08108@comcast.net