Bishop Hanson comments on bombing of Gaza

Thu Jan 1 20:27:05 EST 2009

Dear Gulf Coast Leaders,

A blessed new year to you.

This message was posted today on the ELCA News Service. The full text of
Bishop Hanson’s statement can be found at
http://www.ELCA.org/bishopstatement.

Also, I ask your prayers over these next two weeks. In my devotion on Monday
I’ll include a daily itinerary and prayer list. Below is a prayer to use in
your devotions, in your Sunday worship or to print in your bulletin if you
are so inclined. It is what I would appreciate most.

שלומ سلام Peace,

Mike Rinehart 

Michael Rinehart, bishop

The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

12707 I-45 North Frwy, Suite 580

Houston, TX 77060-1239

281-873-5665

www.GulfCoastSynod.org <http://www.gulfcoastsynod.org/> 

 <http://www.elca.org/> ELCA Home age

ELCA NEWS SERVICE
January 1, 2009

ELCA Presiding Bishop Calls for Gaza Ceasefire; Bishops Prep for Visit 
09-001-JB 

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), said the ELCA joins with all
people calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and southern Israel.
Hanson also asked ELCA members to join Middle East religious leaders who
requested that Sunday, Jan. 4, be "a day for justice and peace in the land
of peace," he wrote in a Dec. 31 pastoral letter.
     Hanson issued the letter as the ELCA Conference of Bishops and bishops
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCiC) prepare to visit
religious, government and community leaders, congregations and schools in
Jordan, Israel and the West Bank. They scheduled the visit months ago as
part of their annual academy, a time of theological reflection and study.
     At least 39 ELCA bishops, plus 5 ELCIC bishops, 27 spouses and 14 ELCA
churchwide staff are expected to make the Jan. 6-13 visit. A smaller
delegation will visit Jordan beginning Jan. 3.  The visit is intended to
show support for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and Holy Land
(ELCJHL), led by its bishop, the Rev. Munib A. Younan, and the Lutheran
World Federation (LWF).  The bishops also want to learn more about the
complexities in the region, and to promote just and peaceful solutions to
the conflict.
     "This is a tragic yet opportune time for North American Lutherans to
visit their partners in Palestine," said Younan, also an LWF vice president,
in a news release. "They will have a unique opportunity to witness the
challenges of living in this disputed land."
     Leading the delegations from the North American Lutheran churches are
Hanson and the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, ELCIC national bishop.  The visit is
being coordinated with staff and leaders from both churches, the ELCJHL and
the LWF.  Hanson is also LWF president.
     The ELCA and the ELCIC are monitoring events as the bishops prepare for
their visit, Hanson wrote. This week bishops and staff of both churches met
several times by conference call "and are united in their assessment that
the trip is timelier than ever and should proceed," he said in the letter.
     "In this very difficult time, the bishops hope that their presence can
be a source of comfort to these partners and manifest support for these
ministries," Hanson wrote.
     "The continuing loss of life, infliction of serious injury and
devastation of property will only deepen hatred and divisions, and will
serve no good end. Only negotiations, leading to a two-state solution, will
bring about a durable peace with justice for both Israelis and
Palestinians," the presiding bishop wrote.
     The ELCA and ELCIC bishops invited prayers from members. "On behalf of
their churches, the bishops offer to their Christian sisters and brothers
and to all people affected by the conflict, their steadfast support, and
their efforts and prayers for peace to prevail and healing to begin,"
Hanson's letter concluded.
     Financial gifts sent to the ELCA in response to the conflict in Gaza
will support relief efforts of Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH), an LWF
facility on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, and relief efforts of ELCA
International Disaster Response, said Megan E. Bradfield, associate director
for international development, ELCA Global Mission.  AVH is responding to
the medical needs of cancer and dialysis patients from Gaza, she said.
---
     The full text of Presiding Bishop Hanson's statement is at
http://www.ELCA.org/bishopstatement on the ELCA Web site.

     Information about the bishops' Middle East visit is at
http://blogs.ELCA.org/09cobacademy/ on the ELCA Web site.

     Gifts may be sent to ELCA International Disaster Response, PO Box
71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764, 1-800-638-3522 and
http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/idrgive on the Internet.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news at elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog 

Israel.jpgO God, it is your desire that all the nations of the earth live in
peace and harmony.

You sent your prophets to turn your people from war. And to fulfill your
will, you sent your Word Jesus Christ, to become flesh and dwell with us
amid our brokenness. As the Prince of Peace he invites all people into your
kingdom, where violence and oppression will cease and Shalom will reign.
Gracious God, look with mercy on those areas of our world afflicted by war,
especially Israel and Palestine. Send

the light of Christ into the darkness of conflict, protect the innocent who
are in harm's way, and comfort those who have been injured or lost loved
ones, homes, or freedom. Especially be with our sisters and brothers of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jerusalem and the Holy Land as they witness
and serve in your name. Protect and guide Presiding Bishop Hanson, Gulf
Coast Bishop Rinehart, and bishops of the ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Canada, their spouses and churchwide staff as they gather in the
Middle East this week to witness to your peace, justice and mercy in the
midst of this troubled land.

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