Peacemaking in the Midst of War: Pastoral and Prophetic Response

On November 8, join Churches for Middle East Peace, Evangelicals 4 Justice, and Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East as we host Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon and Rev. Dr. Rob Dalrymple for a discussion on the war in Gaza and how the church must cry out for justice. Mae and Rob will update us on the latest info and discuss what peace looks like in the midst of this seemingly intractable conflict. 

Join us Thursdays for the Weekly Briefing 10 - 10:30 am EST

Hear from CMEP Staff and other experts on the matter as we work to summarize what you need to know into a 30-minute live report every Thursday. 

Advent 2023: In Everlasting Light, Justice Shines

In this time of tragedy in Palestine and Israel, join CMEP in lamenting for the region this Advent season. CMEP's 2023 Advent devotional series entitled “In Everlasting Light, Justice Shines” is available for purchase for you or your church group. This devotional book contains devotions for each Sunday of Advent as well as the week leading up to Christmas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Devotions will be posted on this page and through the Prayers for Peace (P4P) blog as they’re released. Click here to subscribe. If you would like to order a print-on-demand booklet of all of the devotions, this link will direct you to where you may purchase one copy or a copy for your entire Bible study group! There are price breaks when ordering in bulk, and any profit will go toward future publications and CMEP’s work toward Realizing God’s Perfect Peace.

Take Action Today- Sign the letters below to your representitive: 

HRes 786 calls on the Biden administration to “urgently end the current violence” and open up corridors to Gaza for “humanitarian assistance.” Each day without a ceasefire will just bring more suffering, pain, and death to civilians in Israel/Palestine. 

Call on Members of Congress to support ceasefire, restraint, de-escalation of violence and protection of civilian life in Israel/Palestine.  It is critical that members of Congress hear from their constituents who support a de-escalation of violence and for restraint from all parties. It is incumbent that Congress not support measures that will only intensify the violence. 

Public Statements Addressing Key Issues in Israel and Gaza:

• November 1, 2023: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Co-Sponsors: Catholic Pray-in at the White House Calls for President Biden to Support Israel-Hamas Ceasefire. Washington, DC – On Thursday, November 2 at 12:30 PM, Catholic and other Christian peacemakers will conduct a “pray-in” near Lafayette Park outside the White House to call on President Joe Biden, a Catholic, to abide by Jesus’s way of courageous love and heed Pope Francis’s plea to take the side of peace, and urge all parties to de-escalate hostilities; abide by an immediate ceasefire; and release all hostages.

GIVE

Give: Donate to partner with CMEP and amplify voices of peace as we increase our advocacy, education, and outreach efforts in this critical time.

ACT

Act: Education and action is needed now more than ever. CMEP staff is willing to speak with your community about the crisis and how Americans can take action. Email info@cmep.org to see if CMEP staff is available near you.

Pray: Read a reflection from peace builder and faith leader within the Messianic Jewish community, Lisa Loden entitled, "Under the Shadow of Death" on our Prayers4Peace blog. 

Pray: Churches for Middle East Peace invites you to pray for peace in light of recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. 
Register to join us next Wednesday.

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) was joined by 14 representatives from our member communions as we observed a Day of Prayer and Fasting on Friday, October 27th.  Approximately 126 people gathered online for a prayer vigil to pray specifically for a ceasefire, an end to the horrific violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, a return of all hostages held by Hamas, an end to the blockade and bombing campaign on Gaza, for the occupation and human rights abuses in the region to be brought to an end, and for lasting peace between Israelis, Palestinians, and all people in the Middle East and the world. 

Hear from Palestinian Women in Thursday's ASWR Webinar

On November 2, CMEP hosted a kickoff webinar for our women's empowerment initiative 'And Still We Rise' (ASWR). The webinar featured Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, ASWR Coordinator Tamar Haddad, and ASWR Leadership Team Member Shireen Awwad Hilal. The three panelists discussed the urgency of CMEP's work in the midst of the ongoing violence against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and shared beautiful and vulnerable personal accounts of how these current circumstances have affected them and their loved ones. In addition, the women also spoke to the powerful role that women can play in peacebuilding, and praised the ASWR initiative for giving women a platform to share not only their experiences, but also their expertise. The webinar called upon attendees in the U.S. to take action for a ceasefire and be unafraid to speak out against injustice. 

Pray-In at the White House

On All Soul's Day, November 2, CMEP's Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, Kyle Cristofalo, gathered with several Catholic partners and allies at the White House to pray and raise their voices: "Ceasefire now!"

Thanks to all who gathered for this pray-in and for the message of unity. 

Contact Us

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 505
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
(202) 543-1222  info@cmep.org