A South African Ecumenical Accompanier lights the torch for the Living Clock outside the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. He and his letter "e" are the tip of the clock hand which says "It's time for Palest-i-n-e. Photo: World Council of Churches

June 16, 2008

New York -- On June 6, 2008, Church World Service and others at the Church Center for the United Nations joined in an ecumenical service adapted from a prayer from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. The World Council of Churches and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) United Nations Office coordinated this worship on the occasion of the International Church Action Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, June 4-10, 2008.

The service provided an opportunity to remember those who struggle for freedom, the towns, villages and camps that are often under siege, the injured who fight for their lives, the deportees who long for homeland, and the brave who say “no” to injustice.

Those gathered in the service prayed to God asking:

“Send us political leaders ready to dedicate their lives to a just peace for their peoples. Make them courageous enough to sign a treaty of peace that puts an end to the Occupation.

Grant freedom to Palestinians, succor to Gaza, security to Israelis, and free us all from fear.

Give us leaders who understand the holiness of Jerusalem and will open it to all its inhabitants and to the world.

God, give us the wisdom, courage, and imagination to find just solutions. Amen.”

On June 10, 2008, Church World Service also joined with the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, US Conference of the World Council of Churches, and the General Commission on Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns of The United Methodist Church to co-sponsor a similar Ecumenical Service at the Interchurch Center in New York City. During the service, worshippers had the opportunity to meditate silently on the photo exhibition “Commemorating 60 Years of Dispossession.”

These services were held in response to the call from the World Council of Churches for the international church community to pray, educate, advocate and participate in public action leading towards peace in Palestine and Israel.

Join the CWS Speak Out Network in calling for more action for Israeli-Palestinian peace.