Graham Burrough provides an update on the monthly charity book sale held at the United Church of Egham. Support our local charities and buy online via our eBay sites: myloveleybooks or ucefundraise.
For more information about future dates or volunteering visit the bookstall website
This past year, during the pandemic, Rev. Naim Ateek, put together a collection of his writings including lectures, sermons, largely unpublished but mostly delivered at various universities, colleges, and churches over the years.
A number of them have been organized by topics and published in booklet forms. This is a work in progress. So far, six booklets have been published. They are now available through Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem. The contents and titles of these booklets are as follows:
“Religion and Politics in Israel/Palestine and the Question of Toleration/Intolerance”
“Palestinian Liberation Theology” Remembering Father Michael Prior
“Cry Out, Do Not Hold Back! Finding the Church’s Prophetic Voice for Palestine”
“Jerusalem” The Significance of Jerusalem A Palestinian Theology of Jerusalem.
“Sabeel Christmas Messages 2014-2020”
I was invited to review one of the booklets, “Cry Out, Do Not Hold Back! Finding the Church’s Prophetic Voice for Palestine”
“The distilled wisdom of over 50 years ministry, this is an immensely significant and urgent call (as well as loving rebuke) for the Western church to find its prophetic voice and speak truth to power over Palestine. For far too long church leaders has been silent about injustice in Palestine and have compromised their prophetic witness.
In clear and simple terms Naim explains how Christians have “quenched the Spirit and choked the prophetic”, caring more about personal interests than fidelity to God’s truth.
Through simple biblical expositions, Naim shatters the illusion that somehow Jesus was apolitical. Instead, we are offered a clear, Christ-centred, biblical theology of justice and peace.
The inclusion of the testimonies of contemporary Palestinian Christian leaders who, as faithful “martyrs”, have shown courage in challenging Israeli apartheid, is also deeply inspiring.
This book is particularly valuable in outlining the practical steps we need to take to recover our prophetic voice and so fulfil our God-given mandate.”
You can participate in the international launch of these booklets on Friday 3rd December via Zoom
We pray, Lord, to bless Pastor Dr. Naim Ateek, who has worked over the years to raise awareness about the reality of Palestinians, issues of liberation, and strive for fair peace and participate in international gatherings and haunted events. God bless this version and the different versions that narrate the reality of what is going on in the country.
We are delighted to commend the the work of the Foundation for Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Lebanon.
“FFRL is a locally led, diverse community of peace-seekers working primarily with the emerging generation in Lebanon. We support young people in Lebanon by caring for their emotional, physical, social and spiritual well-being, with the aim of empowering them as young leaders for peace as they take up their various roles and responsibilities in society, so as to strengthen social cohesion and build a path towards a more peaceful future in Lebanon.”
In this short interview Ramy talks about some of FFRL’s exciting projects. To find out more visit their website
On 17 November, Southampton City Art Gallery hosted the launch of a new book and walking tour guide by Professor Tony Kushner, of the Parkes Institute for the Study of Jewish/non-Jewish Relations and History Department at the University of Southampton, detailing the rich history of Southampton’s migrant past.
Continue readingCanon John Salter is a founding trustee and the chair of Peacemaker Trust. He explains why he is involved with the charity and how you can too.
ICAHD USA hosted a webinar on 7 November entitled ‘Christian Zionism: What Is It, How Does it Impact on the Palestinian Question, and How Do We Combat It?’ The three guest speakers were Jonathan Kuttab – Executive Director, Friends of Sabeel, North America, Dr Don Wagner – Author, co-author of five books dealing with Christian Zionism and Christian history in Palestine / Israel, and myself. Here is a recording of my presentation:
“The very being of the church, the integrity of the Christian faith, and the credibility of the Gospel is at stake. We declare that support for the oppression of the Palestinian people, whether passive or active, through silence, word or deed, is a sin. We assert that Christian support for Zionism as a theology and an ideology that legitimize the right of one people to deny the human rights of another is incompatible with the Christian faith and a grave misuse of the Bible.” (2020 Kairos Palestine: ‘Cry of Hope’)
Watch a recording of the full webinar here
Several trustees of Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG) met with the Muslim Council of Southampton executive today at the Medina Mosque to discuss how we might collaborate in caring for refugees and asylum seekers in our community. We stand together with refugees. We were also invited to view their food bank supporting the poorest in Southampton irrespective of religious affiliation.
The Right Revd Debbie Sellin, the Bishop of Southampton, visited the Avenue Multicultural Centre (AMC) this morning to meet people seeking asylum and speak to some of the Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG) team.
Continue reading
Yesterday we held a rally in the centre of Southampton to show solidarity with refugees and people seeking asylum. Lots of people stopped and wanted to show their solidarity. Representatives of Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG), CLEAR (City Life Education and Action for Refugees), Southampton Stand up to Racism (SUTP), Amnesty International and Greenpeace were among organisations participating, working together for a kinder, fairer asylum system.
The Together with Refugees coalition held a rally advocating for asylum seekers in Parliament Square this afternoon. It was awesome to see such a diverse range of organisations coming together to challenge the UK government’s Asylum Bill and show solidarity with refugees.
Peacemaker Trust 