The Evangelical Lutheran Church
in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL)
Salaam and grace to you from Jerusalem, City of Peace
November, 2005
Working for Tolerance and Co-Existence
In the midst of a resurgence of violence and
intolerance in both word and deed this past month,
we continue to believe and work to make faith and
religion the power for peace and justice it should be
rather than part of the problem. Despite all the bad
news, there are signs of hope to celebrate.
The Amman Message
In late October, Bishop Younan joined almost 200
Muslim, Christian and Jewish faith leaders gathered
in Amman for the one year anniversary of the
release of the Amman Message by King Abdullah
last year. The Amman Message is an initiative to
raise the moderate voices of Islam who interpret the Koran as teaching co-existence, peace and justice
among all people. Learned scholars, patriarchs and church leaders spoke about the importance of
taking this message to the world to help temper the fundamentalism and extremism that threatens a true
understanding of the faith as they see it. One scholar reminded the group that the standard Muslim
greeting is one of Peace: May Peace be upon you. Others urged the world to listen to other voices of
Islam:
"Just as we don't judge Christians by the actions of those who came to occupy our lands, and just as we
don't judge Judaism by the actions of their extremists, so we ask the world not to judge Islam by the
actions of a few extremists. Bid Laden and Zakawe are criminals and killers. They do not represent
Islam," said Salah El-Din Kaftaro from Syria. (See www.kingabdullah.jo for the full text.
Bishop Younan spoke on a panel about Christianity's role in helping the Amman initiative. He praised
the initiative for its theology that promotes an Islamic theology of tolerance, love and mutual respect for
one another. It also condemns any kind of terrorism or extremism. He said the Arab Christian Church
can be instrumental in building bridges between Islam and the Western world because of its 1400 years
of living peacefully with Muslims.
The Nostra Aetate
An interfaith group of about 100 in Jerusalem attended a 40th anniversary celebration of the Catholic
Church's Vatican Two document encouraging dialogue and mutual respect toward Jewish and other
faiths. It was a groundbreaking document that has opened the way for useful interfaith dialogue and was
a catalyst for building good relations between faiths.
International Center of Bethlehem Hosting Conference: "Shaping Communities in Times of
Crisis: Narratives of Land, Peoples and Identities"
Over 100 theologians, biblical scholars, artists and people from over 16 countries will gather to explore
these timely and important topics in early November. See www.annadwa.org for more information.
ELCJHL Women attend Leadership Conference in Amman
Also in Amman in late October, the Fellowship of
Middle East Evangelical Churches brought together
over 50 Evangelical women from Palestine, Jordan,
Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait and Egypt. A psychologist
and the director of the Permanent Peace Movement
in Lebanon held sessions on empowerment,
effective leadership and communication and conflict
resolution. There were more than a dozen ELCJHL
women from both Palestine and Jordan, who
enjoyed rare fellowship together. The conference
sought to build leadership and team-building skills
especially in young women to be able to take on
more leadership as the church evolves.
Conference organizers Suad Younan from the
ELCJHL and Rose Angelo Janjour from FMEEC were pleased with the event.
Fadi Abi Allam, from the Permanent Peace Movement in Lebanon, told participants that conflict
resolution and peacemaking are not only possible but the only way to true harmony as individuals and as
communities. He talked about the reconciliation work they have done in Lebanon in 90 villages with
those who were displaced and those who displaced them:
You can't tell me this is just theory.
Reconciliation and healing are possible. I have seen it and done it."
ELCJHL Reformation Celebrations
ELCJHL seventh-graders now have a better understanding of the Reformation after their day of study,
games, and interaction held Tuesday, Nov. 1. Since Bishop Munib Younan had declared Monday,
October 31, a school holiday, the schools’ celebration took place the following day at Talitha Kumi
School in Beit Jala. Students from Dar al-Kalima in Bethlehem, the Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit
Sahour, and Hope School in Ramallah also participated in the event. Because of distance and
transportation problems due to the Separation Wall, this was the only time this year that these 134
students from all four schools would be able to come together.
The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, introduced Dr.
Charlie D. Haddad, Schools’ Director, and Bishop Younan, who both spoke briefly of the importance of
the day. Then students and teachers joined in songs, dances, games, and dramatic skits
commemorating the event. Each school prepared a presentation related to their study of the Reformation
and the Lutheran churches in the area.
Every participant received a tee shirt with the prize winning design from last year’s contest.
Students from Dar al-Kalima had the honor of seeing their school’s entry, “Seeds of Reformation,” worn
by their fellow seventh graders and teachers. The final event of the day involved four groups of four
students chosen at random to represent each school in a competition based on website research and
study about the Reformation. In an oral multiple choice test with over twenty questions, the Hope School
team from Ramallah edged out the other three teams to take home the competition’s prize plaque.
The planners of the Schools’ Reformation Celebration, which was encouraged and facilitated by
the Schools’ Director Dr. Charlie Haddad, plan for it to become an annual event promoting the goal of
educating about Palestinian Lutheran identity. “We hope that all students in each school will have the
chance to participate in such an event at least once during their school years,” observed Dr. Raheb; “we
hope the day will be memorable for them.”
The annual Reformation Service at Jerusalem's Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was held Monday,
Oct. 31. As always, the English, German, Danish and Arabic speaking congregations celebrated jointly.
Ecumenical Accompanier's Meeting in Geneva
Bishop Younan attended a "Theological Reflection on
Accompaniment" for the Ecumenical Accompaniment
Programme for Palestine and Israel September in Geneva
and presented a reflection on his theology of
accompaniment. The meeting brought together over 30
past ‘Ecumenical Accompaniers’ (EAs), partners from the
region, EAPPI staff and national coordinators and staff from
across the WCC. Over 200 people have participated in the
program since it began three years ago. The experience
has proven to be a deeply spiritual one for accompaniers
and accompanied alike. Bishop Younan, who is Chair of
the Local Reference Group, thanked the accompaniers,
their staff and partners for their service and presented a
clear vision of accompaniment and its rooting in the
ecumenical movement.
Bishop Younan, Chair and Moderator of EAPPI
Local Reference Group, with International
Programme Coordinator, Rifat Kassis.
Bishop Younan Assists in Consecration of Swedish Bishop
On the same trip, Bishop Younan traveled to Sweden to assist with the consecration of Hans-Erik Nordin,
the new Swedish Bishop. Clergy traveled from Africa, England, Ireland, Finland, Norway and Latvia to
attend the ceremony held in Stockholm.
Questions for the Bishop
I've heard that the real reason the Christians are leaving the Holy Land is because they are being
persecuted by the Muslims. Is this true?
No, not on a widespread basis. We Palestinian Christians have lived side by side with Muslims – and
Jews – for centuries as neighbors, integrated together in the same community. There may be isolated
problems, but often they are cultural and not really religious.
For example, you may have heard about recent problems in the Christian village of Taybeh. A Muslim
woman from a nearby village having an affair with a Christian man from Taybeh was the victim of an
"honor-killing." The ELCJHL has repeatedly spoken out against such reprehensible acts. Men from the
village then went to Taybeh where they went on a rampage and burned 7 homes, making 12 families
homeless. This crime, however, also happens between Muslim families. It is the cultural norms that
were breached that caused the crime. Once begun, religion entered into it.
What is more important is the role the church can play in healing these matters. The communities called
on Patriarch Sabbah of the Roman Catholic church here to help mediate the conflict, which he did. This
is just one example of the overall trust and good relations most Christians have here with most Muslims,
and the respect held by most Muslims for the Church.
The problem is that the more extreme all religions become, the more this type of thing can be blown into
a religious problem. We must each in our own religions speak out against hate and violence done in the
name of religion and together promote common human values of respect for all of God's creation,
tolerance, justice, peace and the equal human dignity of every child of God.
ELCJHL Schools and Educational Programs
A Closer Look at ELCJHL Educational Goals
Molding Palestinian and Christian Identity in the Schools of the ELCJHL
Delegates to the Council meeting of the Lutheran
World Federation in Jerusalem and Bethlehem in
early September had the pleasure of seeing and
hearing students from the Schools of the ELCJHL
perform for their guests during a cultural evening
presented at the International Center in
Bethlehem. Among the highlights of the program
were choral and orchestral presentations, but, for
most of the international audience, the
Palestinian debka dancing was a new and joyful
experience.
The performance of these young dancers is a
source of pleasure for spectators; however, the
activity is also a goal-oriented and integral part of
the programs of the Schools of the ELCJHL.
Last year the schools confirmed their commitment to
educational excellence by initiating and completing a selfstudy of their programs. The first such study in the school
system and in the area, it involved staff, students, parents,
and community representatives. This undertaking culminated
in a site visit and assessment by an international and local
group
of
consultants.
Their
observations
and
recommendations will support a continuing strategic planning
process already begun for improvement. Foundational to the
process are the goals established by the school community.
Future newsletters will present all of the nine goals
established during their self-study. This month’s newsletter
describes how the schools implement the goal of molding a
Palestinian and Christian identity among their students.
Debka is a traditional Middle Eastern dance form
popular in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Jordan.
Traditionally seen at happy occasions like weddings
or festivals and part of village life, it can be done by
men, women, or in mixed groups. The steps involve
line and circle dancing, stomping, fancy footwork
and hopping. The colorful costumes, the lively
music and the spirited dancers evoke enthusiastic
participation from their audience, who respond with
clapping, foot tapping and happy shouts. Students
who learn debka dancing in extracurricular activities
have performed for school assemblies, in local
public events and at international sites in Europe
and the United States
Another activity that builds appreciation of
students’ culture is the simulated Palestinian
wedding, in which students and teachers enact
the parts of various wedding participants and
guests. Parents and community members enjoy
the processions, torches, singing, and student
Bedouins, who add color and authenticity to the
event.
Traditional Palestinian arts and crafts are also a
part of the school curriculum. Local experts and
artisans offer their skills to teach olive wood
carving, embroidery, mosaics, ceramics, glass,
beadwork, and candle making. (PHOTOS 4, 5,
and 6)The schools display examples of student
work in the halls and stairwells; students have the
chance to market their products at the school
store or craft fairs.
The Palestinian heritage, its present crisis, and future viability are
also integral to the activities and public awareness campaigns of
the Environmental Education Center, one of the educational
programs of the ELCJHL. Here students and adults participate in
workshops, projects, and lectures about environmental concerns,
conservation of resources, and preservation of the Palestinian
ecosystem.
Although the schools of the ELCJHL are open to both Muslim
and Christian students, the Christian message which inspired the
schools’ foundation and continues to form them is an underlying
element in their academic programs and activities. (PHOTO 7)
The school day at each of the four schools of the ELCJHL begins
with morning devotions in which students of both religions
participate. Teachers in religion classes encourage discussions
about the three major religions of the Middle East, and peacemaking and conflict resolution are important elements of the
curriculum. Celebrations at Reformation, Christmas, and Easter
incorporate the students’ varied talents and the spirit of the
season; again all students are invited to participate.
Although
this
month’s
newsletter describes how the Schools work toward molding a
Palestinian and Christian identity in the students of the ELCJHL, these
activities address other goals as well. Through all these objectives the
Schools hope to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and
understanding they need to continue learning and to make positive
contributions to their society.