INVITATION TO ACTION

World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 4-10 June 2009

Joint actions for a just peace convened by the World Council of Churches

Gaza? It is hard to imagine a more abject demonstration of anti-peace policies than what has just happened in Gaza. Who can accept the use of sustained, disproportionate and often indiscriminate force among civilians trapped in one of the most densely populated places on earth? Who can accept endless assertions that the stronger party in a fight has all the rights and the weaker party bears all the blame? Who can accept that the fate of Israelis is to fear and fight their neighbors and that the fate of Palestinians is more and more occupation? And who can respond to this tragedy in the spirit of Matthew 5, as “children of God”?

You and your organization are receiving this invitation because you support or practice ecumenical advocacy for a just and sustainable peace in Palestine and Israel. For the fourth year WCC is convening a week in June dedicated to international church action for peace. The week began as a way to demonstrate to governments that churches worldwide are watching the occupation, deeply concerned at its consequences and acting together for peace. Sadly, that premise is more valid now than ever. The week is anchored in the Palestinian Christian community and built by participants around the world. You are earnestly invited to take part.

Each year the week has become stronger because more and more groups contribute their strength and commitment. Unique actions are linked by a common message and purpose. With each passing year, it becomes clearer that churches committed to Israel-Palestine peace must do more of their advocacy work together. The Amman Call attests to that imperative; the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum is enabling joint advocacy initiatives to grow. This newly renamed ‘World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 4-10 June 2009’ is one example.

Please respond to this invitation in two ways:

• Take a minute to read how the World Week works and see where you fit in. Then let us know that you are going to be part of the action. (See #1 below.)
• Find out more about the World Week and begin planning what your church or related organization will do for 2009. (#2 below)

1. How the World Week works & where you fit in. There are three levels of participation:
   
   
   1. Working Group – 12-18 people who make the week happen
      1. take responsibility in their own context
      2. bring that experience to a monthly conference call, Nov-June
      3. establish the framework for the week which guides all participants.
   2. Participants Circle – 30-60 people who make the week stronger
      1. take responsibility for actions in their own context
      2. stay informed about the message, prayer and common resources by receiving and reading the monthly notes from the Working Group
      3. make connections and seek information as needed
      4. send in reports, post information, visit the World Week site.
   3. Worldweek Friends – 100-500 people who support the week and help it grow
      1. publicize the World Week in churches and church-related networks
      2. participate in events
      3. sooner or later, move into the Participants Circle.
      You are receiving this invitation as a member of Participants Circle, based on our current lists. The World Week for Peace needs you and welcomes you. Please confirm (or modify) your status by return email to Beatric.Merahiwcc-coe.org.
2. Find out more & begin planning:
   
   
   1. See what happened last year. Get ideas for your church or specialized ministry in 2009.
   2. In just a few days information about World Week 2009 will be ‘live’ on the WCC site at www.worldweekforpeace.org. We’ll send you a message.
   3. Make contact with other participants. We will soon share the lists we have for each of the three groups. (With your understanding, all the people on our general Middle East advocacy list are treated as ‘Worldweek Friends’.)
   4. Invite and help new church-related groups to take par

World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel 2009 is built on three types of action: PRAYER from the Churches in Jerusalem; EDUCATION and awareness-raising using the message ‘It’s Time for Palestine’ (with a focus on settlements and links to existing church resource materials); and ADVOCACY in political, economic, church and media contexts.

Some groups pray, educate and advocate. Others take action in one or two categories. All feel the call to act on the shared hope that justice will be done for people at the center of this conflict in Israel, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

Please join us.

‘What’ and ‘How’ questions? Beatrice.Merahiwcc-coe.org

Other questions? Jonathan.Frerichswcc-coe.org

World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, 4-10 June 2009

Joint actions for a just peace convened by the World Council of Churches
Formerly, ‘International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel’.