E-NEWS

Greetings from Sabeel-Jerusalem!

As a way of keeping our different international friends updated to the quickly changing situation, provide information on new resources, and supply you with prayer requests, we are happy to welcome you to the first issue of IFOS E-News.

Our regular features will include: Sabeel Updates, updates on the activities of Sabeel-Jerusalem; IFOS News, Upcoming Events; New Resources; Prayer Corner, prayer requests from Sabeel with specific prayers on areas of greatest concern.

We hope this newsletter will be a helpful tool and that you will all feel free to contact us with suggestions, submissions, or subscriptions!

Sabeel Updates

On June 10 Sabeel-Jerusalem hosted a book launch for Naim Ateek’s book, Justice and Only Justice, which has just been published in Arabic. This publication has been years in the process of translation and publishing. Many of the local friends, organizations, and clergy were invited to attend the book launch and hear from some of the Sabeel board members about the importance of this new Arabic publication and the impact it will have on the local community and surrounding Arab countries. The main theme of working for justice through non-violent means is as relevant today as when the book was first published in 1989; indeed, perhaps even more so. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, feel free to contact Sabeel.

The Sabeel Youth have been meeting to plan for their next big event; a spiritual and recreational outing to Latroun Monastary and Neve Shalom/Wahat a’Salaam, a joint Israeli-Arab community. The youth will spend the morning in Bible study and reflection before enjoying some fellowship and fun with their newfound friends. The youth program has suffered greatly during this Intifada. The difficulties in travel, curfews, and new checkpoints have made it all but

impossible for the members of the youth groups in the various towns to get together for meetings. It is also impossible for all the Sabeel Youth, from both the West Bank and towns inside Israel, to meet in one location for a week-end retreat or other full-day events as they have done in the past. It is discouraging, for at a time when their discussions and fellowship are most needed, their access is denied.

As with the youth, it has been difficult for the local clergy to get together for their monthly clergy meeting at Sabeel. The June meeting had to be postponed until the beginning of July due to the continuously difficult and dangerous travel conditions. Sabeel has continued to work with the clergy in the surrounding areas to assist in identifying and assisting needy families who have been hardest hit by the current crisis.

The women’s program has planned a “Spiritual Field Day” for June 29. They will travel to Ein Karem where Naim Ateek will spend the morning with them in Bible study and discussion. In the afternoon Sabeel board member, Hind Khoury, will give a report on research done by the Multi-Sector Review on the status and economic conditions of East Jerusalem. 

Nora Carmi (Local Department) and Cathy Nichols (International Department) have been working jointly with The Rev. Eva Gullmo of Sweden on a book project co-sponsored by the Church of Sweden, the Diocese of Lund, and Sabeel. The book is designed to be used as a study guide in Sunday schools for children ages 6-9. It follows the life and teachings of Jesus through the towns of Nazareth (annunciation) Ein Karem (visitation), Beit Sahour (shepherds’ call), Bethlehem (birth), Jerusalem (teaching), Nablus (the Samaritan woman), Jericho (Zachias), and finally Bethany (miracle of Lazarus). Interviews were conducted with children of different denominations, aged 7-12, on how these Bible stories relate to the difficulties they experience living in these towns today; the ever-present element of fear, no freedom of movement, curfews, etc. The child interviewed from Ein Karem is a member of the only Christian family left living in what was once an entirely Christian town. The book, written in Swedish, will hopefully be completed by Christmas 2002, with the intent of having it translated and reprinted in English in the U.S.

            On June 10 Sabeel hosted a meeting with representatives of some Israeli Peace organizations. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to affect public opinion inside Israel. As a result of the success of this first discussion it was decided that Sabeel should host a series of discussions with representatives from a variety of Israeli organizations.

IFOS Updates

Friends of Sabeel-U.K. reports that Alsader Churches in Cheshire had a wonderful alternative Jubilee celebration by celebrating the Palestinian people-with a Palestinian meal, music, and two talks. FOS-UK also participated in a major London rally  with over 50,000 people calling for the end of the occupation. Betsy Barlow (FOS-NA) and Janet Davies (FOS-UK) joined a large lobby group outside the American Embassy on 25 June calling for Americans to stop supporting Sharon and providing billions of dollars to Israel each year. Other rallies were held supporting the boycott of Israeli goods and lobbies by Doctors and medics against the IDF’s role in preventing aid to the Palestinians sick and wounded. A Vigil of Prayer was held in Shrewsbury Abbey where Mrs. Patricia Rantisi shared her moving and horrendous story of being held by the IDF at gunpoint in Ramallah.

On June 14-16 Scandinavian Friends of Sabeel participated in a conference hosted by the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden. Sabeel director, the Rev Naim Ateek, was a special guest lecturer in the conference seminars whose theme was “Two People, One Peace: Reconciliation in the Middle East.” He was also honored with being asked to give the sermons at both church services held on Friday evening and Sunday morning.

Canadian Friends of Sabeel continues to promote the distribution of the video “Stuck with the Truth”. In addition they have been engaged with advocacy at the federal level of government in Canada, the development of a CFOS website, and the formation and support of regional groups in Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, and London. In the fall they will turn their efforts to encouraging national membership from coast to coast.  CFOS has also been involved in co-sponsoring with Tayyush guest speaker Norman Finklestein for a national speaking tour; a meeting on behalf of Arab Canadian Christians with the Privy Council (parliamentary Office), updating of the CFOS paper to the Prime Minister, a national TV interview with CFOS chair to analyze Bush’s plan, and our ongoing news service.

Friends of Sabeel - North America
began the month of June by participating in the inaugural meeting of the U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation, held in Chicago at Northpark University and attended by FOSNA's national chairperson, Rev. Richard Toll, and steering committee members Betsy Barlow, Kathy Bergen, and Don Wagner.  The campaign will focus on three areas: organized lobbying on the issue of military aid, national mobilization for a series of local demonstrations culminating in a large rally in DC in 2003 on the anniversary of the occupation, and a project relating to educating the public about the US defense contractors that are supplying Israel.

A major effort to increase volunteer participation was accomplished also in June.  23 volunteer job descriptions have been completed and recruitment is in process to provide the national office with a very effective team committed to accomplishing critical tasks.
          Two appeals to raise funds for operating expenses were completed.  500 current Sabeel supporters received by mail a copy of the new video “Stuck With The Truth” along with its companion guide book .

            A computer network and backup system for our growing database is in the works.  We have a database design volunteer and a technician working on this.
            Publicity for an August solidarity visit will begin with the summer issue of Cornerstone (FOSNA's update insert).  So make some tea; we're coming to visit.

Upcoming Events

July 3 Sabeel will host a book launch with the Nazareth chapter of Friends of Sabeel for the newly publish Arabic edition of Justice and Only Justice. Sabeel will also use the opportunity to hold meetings with interested parties in the Haifa area as a prelude for beginning a new local chapter of Sabeel there. The Nazareth chapter will also bring around 50 participants from their local chapter to Jerusalem on July 6-7 to spend a weekend meeting with the board and staff of the Jerusalem office, spending time in spiritual reflection and discussion, and touring the Old City with an emphasis on the changes due to the political situation.

Friends of Sabeel – U.K. will hold a major conference in September on Christian Zionism as its main theme. Scandinavian Friends of Sabeel chapter in Norway has also scheduled its first Friends of Sabeel meeting and conference for October, which will include the topic of Christian Zionism as well.  Watch for details in upcoming issues.

Naim Ateek continues to travel and is scheduled to be in the following areas:

July 18-23         South Africa

Sept. 17-26       U.K.

Oct. 11-13         Norway

Oct. 25- Nov 8   U.S.

If you have contacts or key people you would like him to connect with while in these areas please send contact information to friends@sabeel.org and we will include it in his travel files.

            In the future we will also attempt to inform you about other Sabeel board members or friends of Sabeel who may be traveling to your area so that you can issue an invitation or make contact with them. Please submit travel schedules to friends@sabeel.org so that we can share information.

Volunteer Opportunities

            Sabeel awaits with great anticipation the arrival of Henry Longbottom from the U.K. who will be a volunteer at Sabeel until the end of December. Henry, who has graduated with a degree in law, is sponsored by Church Mission Society and will be concentrating on putting together some Powerpoint presentations and other new resources for use in churches and class venues. He will also be working on other special projects for Sabeel.

            If you know of people who would like to volunteer at Sabeel for a period of six months or more and can be sponsored by a church or organization, please contact Cathy at visit@sabeel.org and/or Nora at local@sabeel.org

Wish List

v      Sabeel Van                  

v      Scanner

v      Digital camera

v      Color Printer

Photo of the Month

Ramallah Municipality

Prayer Corner

O God, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.