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Peace Not Walls

Responses to President Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” document

On January 28, 2020 President Trump presented his administration’s “Peace to Prosperity” proposal. Here is a brief description (from the Washington Post ): “The Trump administration’s now-published “vision for peace,” the culmination of what the president said was “a long...

Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land Video Featuring Students

In this video high school students share about their experience learning at the Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land. The 4 ELCJHL schools (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land) start with preschool and continue to Grade 12...

Rev. Dr. Saïd Ailabouni: God is on the side of rejected, oppressed, occupied

“Born in Nazareth, Galilee, Rev. Dr Saïd Ailabouni moved to the US at the age of 19 to become a physician. But he was so angry at God that he went to study theology instead, becoming a Lutheran pastor. Now...

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Passes Assembly Actions Related to Israel and Palestine

  On August 6, 2019, at the ELCA’s 2019 Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, the assembly approved by 96% (YES-829; NO-33) four Assembly Actions related to Israel and Palestine (the memorials were presented en bloc with other memorials). The Assembly Actions...

Easter messages from the Holy Land

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem shared an Easter message: read it here. You can find the Easter message from Bishop Ibrahim Sani Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land here.

US Churches and Christian organizations reject President Trump’s recognition of Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights

On March 28, 2019 the ELCA joined other US churches and Christian organizations in a statement rejecting President Trump’s recognition of Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights. Read the full statement here.

Letter on UNRWA and bilateral funding to West Bank and Gaza

On March 25, 2019 the ELCA joined other churches and church organizations in a letter to Congress advocating for the disbursement of funds appropriated for UNRWA and bilateral ESF assistance to the West Bank and Gaza and the inclusion of...

Update on Human Rights screening at Portico Benefit

In April of 2018, the ELCA Church Council approved a Human Rights social criteria investment screen. Following this, at its August board meeting, Portico’s Board of Trustees approved the ELCA Human Rights screen for future use in its Social Purpose...

Christmas message from Jerusalem

Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) shares a message of joy from Jerusalem. Read the full message here.  

Bethlehem Simulcast Service: Dec 15 at 9:30am ET

Bethlehem Simulcast Service Saturday, December 15, 2018 | 9:30am ET Join the congregations of Washington National Cathedral and the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem (a congregation of the ELCA’s companion: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land),...