Advent in the Middle EastDisciples’ Regional Ministers visit toLebanon, Syria, and Israel/Palestine

Nov. 30-Dec. 10, 2010

NEST President Dr. Mary MikhaelRegional Ministers at NEST

• Established in 1932• 22 students

Middle East Council of Churches’Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees

DSPR works in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla in Beirut, where large numbers of refugees were massacred during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Middle East Council of Churches’Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees

Works in five areas:• West Bank• Gaza• Lebanon• Jordan• Nazareth

Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue:An interfaith and regional grass roots organization

FDCD programs focus on:• Conflict Resolution• Youth• Empowerment• Journalism

Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue:An interfaith and regional grass roots organization

Iraqi refugee program:Iraqis receive relief packages at the Chaldean Church in Beirut.

Downtown Beirut’s mix of Muslim and Christian heritage illustrate the country’s

unique interfaith context.

Regional Ministers heard from a Protestant and Catholic, a Druze, and a Shi’ite during a meeting with Arab Group members, pictured above.

Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East

Established over 150 years ago, the Union comprises congregations in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Greece, Armenia, Egypt, and Australia

In Syria, we were hosted by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. The Greek Orthodox Community is the largest

Christian church in Syria. Its Patriarch is H.B. Ignatius Hazim (right, center). Mr. Samer Laham is its Ecumenical Officer (below, center).

Armenians in Syria are numerous, partly due to mass migration in the early 20th century. Bishop Armash Nalbandian welcomed our group to the Bishopric of Damascus.

The Greek Melchite Bishop, HB Gregorius Laham, spoke with us on many subjects, emphasizing the ecumenical imperative. The Bishopric is in classic Old Damascus style, with a courtyard and fountain.

The Syrian Orthodox community in Syria is significant in size and presence. It retains ancient Aramaic/Syriac as its language of liturgy. The Patriarch, HB Zakka I Iwas, welcomed the Regional Ministers to the Patriarchate, which was readying itself for Christmas celebrations!

The Street Called Straight (right), Ananias’ home (below, right), and the Hamadiyya Bazaar in the Old City of Damascus.

The Iraqi Christian Youth Committee met in Damascus and told of some of the issues Iraqi youth face on a daily basis.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims consider the places

of Israel/Palestine—and especially of Jerusalem—of

sacred significance.

During an “alternative” tour of Jerusalem, our group got a better sense of Jerusalem settlements, home demolitions, and the separation barrier’s impact on Palestinian lives.

Complexities and various perspectives of the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict were explained by Rabbi Ed Rettig

(American Jewish Committee—Jerusalem Office head, upper

left), Dr. Bernard Sabella (Executive Director, MECC-

DSPR, upper right, center), and by Uri Zaki and Risa Zoll

(B’Tselem—The Israeli Information Center for Human

Rights in the Occupied Territories, left).

Main issues in Israel/Palestine: Main issues in Israel/Palestine: Boundaries,Boundaries,Settlements, Refugees, Jerusalem, Demography,Settlements, Refugees, Jerusalem, Demography,Security, Resources (including water)Security, Resources (including water)

Christians Today –Demography• In Israel

Areas occupied 1948

150,000 Christians

Among 7 million

Just over 2%

► In PalestineIn Palestine

Gaza, West Bank and East Gaza, West Bank and East JerusalemJerusalem

50,000 Christians50,000 Christians

Among 4 millionAmong 4 million

Below 2%Below 2%

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

Chistians Moslems Jews

Currently, they Currently, they are between are between 400,000 – 400,000 – 500,000 500,000 scattered scattered throughout the throughout the WorldWorld

Source: WCC Jerusalem Interchurch Center

The Separation Barrier

Bethlehem Christians tell us about their hopes and dreams, and their frustrations.

The YWCA in Palestine works with women and children in the Jalazoun Refugee Camp, north of Ramallah.

Jean Zaru (above) is the clerk of the Friends Meeting in Ramallah.

Hearing the stories of Global Ministries’ partners in Jerusalem: Rawdat el-Zuhur primary school, our Child Sponsorship partner, and the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation

The manger grotto in the Church of the Nativity (left) and the spire of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem (right).

Future generations’ hopes and dreams—for Jews, Christians, and Muslims of the Middle East—depend on peace with justice. As we approach Lent, “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” and the whole region. Trip blog (with pictures):

http://bagmrmep.blogspot.com/