We serve: Am. Friends of the Diocese of jerusalem
As a non-political, independent nonprofit, AFEDJ acts as a partner with the Diocese of Jerusalem by helping to increase its capacity to teach and heal. AFEDJ promotes and raises program and infrastructure funds for humanitarian work of the Diocese of Jerusalem and its institutions so that it may better serve the needs of all people in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Israel. AFEDJ is devoted to equity, respect and human dignity
Now consider this: Outreach is rooted in our Christian tradition. Each Sunday when we are baptizing infants [and occasionally, youth and adults] we reaffirm that tradition when we repeat “We will” after we have been asked “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ . . . seek and serve Christ in all persons . . . strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”
In order for us to fulfill this affirmation, we have to first be informed and appreciate the needs of others. Then we can move to action. Becoming informed can take many routes – being there, listening, and following current events.
In Spring 2007, thirty-four members of the Epiphany Congregation and some of their friends participated in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This included visits to Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and so many of the sites that we are familiar with by way of Bible passages, sermons, and folklore.
In the succeeding few years we have hosted the Right Reverend Suheil Dawani, Bishop of the diocese of Jerusalem, Canon Samir Habiby, Special Assistant to Bishop Dawani, and Ms. Maria Khoury, author, spouse of Daoud Khoury, Mayor of Taybeh, Palestine and a resident of Brookline and Taybeh. Each provided us with first hand accounts of life and struggles of being a Christian in the occupied West Bank.
In addition, Dr. Linda Brown, a member of this Congregation, spent two weeks there in February as a medical volunteer, working for the Diocese of Jerusalem. Linda shared her experience with us during this same Adult Education forum. Linda especially spoke of the terrible tragedy of the conflict in Gaza, which was taking place during her stay.
Next, staying current is not so difficult.
You might check out the AFEDJ web site at http://www.afedj.org/.
Or visit the web site of the Diocese of Jerusalem at http://www.j-diocese.org/
If you wish to follow day-to-day events two sites are suggested:
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) -- http://www.cmep.org/
American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) – go here and click on Daily News -- http://www.americantaskforce.org/about_us--
Taking action can also take many routes.
Locally, you might write your Representative in Congress, your Senator, or the President and the Secretary of State. Let them know how you feel about the conflict, about the injustice and about your concern for a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement. In order to be most effective, state your concerns in your own words
Or, you might consider contributing financially to AFEDJ – to do so, check out the AFEDJ site (address above).
Finally, there is some early planning going on re an Epiphany pilgrimage in Spring 2013 – stay tuned!!!
Contact Jack Roll with questions.
