 |  | December 15th Update Bulletin Though we may be weary, we must continue with urgency towards a ceasefire and peace. | | | |  | Image: Holy Family Church in Gaza, May 2022. | | | The Christians of Gaza By CMEP's Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon and CMEP's Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow Dr. Benjamin Norquist for Do Justice. "There are slightly more than 50,000 Palestinian Christians in the occupied territories, but fewer than 1,000 of them live in Gaza. These Gazan Christians are trying to survive in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas today, as attested by that bomb and the over 25,000 tons of explosives dropped on Gaza in the first month after October 7." | | | | | | | |  | Image: An Israeli soldier takes position during the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in a location given as Gaza, in this handout picture released on November 23, 2023. (Israel Defense Forces/Handout via Reuters) | | | US delays sale of assault rifles to Israel over settler violence Reuters "The Biden administration is delaying the sale of more than 20,000 U.S.-made rifles to Israel over concerns about attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday (December 13)." | | | | | | | |  | Image: Agence France-Presse — Getty Images | | | We Are No Strangers to Human Suffering, but We’ve Seen Nothing Like the Siege of Gaza New York Times "In the more than two months since the horrifying attack on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and resulted in some 240 abductions, about 18,000 Gazans — including more than 7,500 children — have been killed, according to the Gazan health ministry. More children have been reported killed in this conflict than in all major global conflicts combined last year." | | | | | | | |  | Community Calls to Congress has become more interactive on Mondays; Join the last Community Calls to Congress for 2023 on December 18th. Stay tuned for more information about Community Calls to Congress in early January. Register here. | | | | |  | The December 11th Christmas Ceasefire Service was recorded and has been uploaded to CMEP's Youtube channel. This Christian service was held in solidarity with Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem and throughout the Middle East who are calling for a ceasefire and an end to all violence. | | | | | |  | Stand in Solidarity: Will you sign up to join for an Advent Sunday focusing on Peace? Will you read the Open Letter that was collectively published in The NY Times and Light Candles for Peace and hold a vigil outside your congregation and institution? Sign up here. | | |  | December 18th is an international day of calling for a ceasefire #CeasefireNow. Join in calling for a ceasefire on December 18th. More detains and information here: | | | | | | | |  | Advent Ceasefire Prayer Chains: Join Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) in an advent practice this year focused on praying for and calling for a ceasefire to the violence between Israel and Hamas. Create a "paper advent chain" that will guide you through daily calls in pursuit of peace this Advent season as we observe the spiritual season of waiting and longing for the coming of the Prince of Peace. There are options available for individuals and families as well as for churches and larger groups. | | | | | | |  | Stand in the G.A.P. Report Read our Stand in the G.A.P. Report to learn more about the efforts of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) since October 7, 2023. This publication includes information about what has occurred since October 7th, 2023, as well as events that have been confirmed but not yet completed as of December 1st, 2023. While we continue to cry out for a ceasefire and pursue peace we want to say thank you for the support and increased engagement from so many. | | | | | | | | Past events you may have missed: | | | | |  | On Sunday, November 26th, CMEP Executive Director Mae Elise Cannon preached for a group of approximately 175 people at Rock Spring UCC in Arlington, VA. Rev. Dr. Cannon offered a scripture reading and spoke on the question of "How Does a Weary World Rejoice?" as part of the church's Advent series, reflecting on the qualities of expectation and longing during the Advent season, especially in light of the tragedy of this year's Christmas in Gaza and the West Bank. | | | | |  | Red Letter Christians Podcast: CMEP’s Executive Director, Reverend Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, joins Shane for an important conversation about peacebuilding and Churches for Middle East Peace. | | | | | | | | | | 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 | | | | | | | |
