December 27th Bulletin:

1: Executive Leaders Delegation 

In January of 2024 six CMEP Board Church communions and organizations represented by delegates traveled to to Jordan, Israel, the occupied Palestinian Territories, and Lebanon. While there they had over 25 high level meetings of which 5 were with Heads of Churches in Jerusalem or their representatives. Other meetings include meeting with President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman H. Safadi, staff from the Office of Palestinian affairs, as well as staff from the US Embassy in Jerusalem and Jordan. CMEP leaders advocated for an end to all violence and called for a comprehensive ceasefire, highlighting the massive number of deaths and demanding an end to the bombing and ground invasion and its effects on civilians in Gaza. CMEP also advocated for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups and the release of Palestinian political prisoners.

CMEP Executive Leaders Delegation on the Mount of Olives.

2: Weekly Prayer Time

Our work is rooted in faith and we believe in the
power of prayer. From numerous in-person and
virtual prayer vigils, Ceasefire Christmas Prayer
Chains, and the countless candles lit for the
hope of peace, prayer has been a thread that
has held us together this past year. In addition to vigils, we have hosted an online prayer time every single Wednesday since October 7, 2023. 545 people have registered for weekly prayer with us!

3: Daily News Updates and Weekly News Briefings

For all of 2024 CMEP's Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon has released daily video updates about the situation in the Middle East. This has been coupled with weekly Thursday briefings which summarize the news of the past week. This way CMEP constituents are sure to be updated about any of the latest developments in the region. This impressive feat amounts to 451 video briefings for a total of over 62 hours/3,720 minutes of viewing time! These videos are uploaded everyday to CMEP's youtube channel, or you can join live every Thursday for our live weekly news briefing.

4: Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages

CMEP helped take the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages to the next level. CMEP organized Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages all around the U.S. amounting to marches in over 120 American cities. Marches also took place in more than 20 countries in 7 continents. Through this initiative CMEP was not only able to raise awareness to the plight of Gaza but also raise $140k in partnership with organizations like Red Letter Christians (RLC) for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. 

5: Fall Mini-Series Holding on in the Dark: Palestinians Pursuing Justice Under Occupation

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) held a five part mini-series featuring stories from several notable Palestinian Christian cases currently making their way through the challenges, injustices, and frustrations of the legal system under occupation. Over the course of the series, we heard from the families and loved ones of Palestinian youth in detention, families whose lands are at risk of annexation, experts on the Israeli government’s use of legal proceedings, and CMEP staff and board members. Each week, also included action-steps for how Americans can support and advocate for Palestinians in the U.S.

6: Pilgrimage to Peace

CMEP's Pilgrimage to Peace (P2P) tours are a vital component of our mission to promote education and advocacy for peace in the Middle East. These tours bring Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilders, human rights advocates, and community leaders to the United States to share their personal experiences and perspectives on the conflict. Through powerful narratives, participants humanize the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian situation, shedding light on the impact of occupation, violence, and systemic injustices. The program fosters dialogue in churches, academic institutions, and community settings, aiming to deepen understanding and inspire informed advocacy. While addressing the challenges, P2P also highlights grassroots efforts toward reconciliation, justice, and peace, offering a message of hope and a call to action for U.S. audiences to support policies that promote lasting peace and justice in the region. We were grateful to speak to 971 people at 24 different events in 4 states over 10 days!

7: And Still We Rise - Elevating Palestinian Women

CMEP’s And Still We Rise (ASWR) initiative amplified the voices and experiences of Palestinian women living under occupation, showcasing their resilience, leadership, and contributions to peacebuilding. In 2024, CMEP hosted the ASWR summit in person in Palestine, bringing together Palestinian women, international advocates, and community leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration. The summit highlighted personal narratives that shed light on the profound impact of the occupation on women’s lives while emphasizing their strength and agency as changemakers. Through storytelling, workshops, and advocacy training, the event fostered a deeper understanding of the intersection of gender and conflict, inspiring participants to support policies and actions that advance gender justice and peace in the region. Additionally in March and August of this year CMEP held two events focused on Palestinian woman in journalism and leadership positions. These were titled "Beyond the Headlines: Voices of Palestinian Women in Journalism" and an in-person Gathering titled "Palestinian Woman Leaders and the Healing Journey" at the Bethlehem Bible College.

8: 40th Anniversary Gala and 40th Anniversary Summit

On April 9, CMEP hosted over 130 guests at the National Union Building in Washington, DC, for a dinner celebrating 40 years of pursuing peace. The evening featured remarks from CMEP leaders, including Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, former Executive Director Corinne Whitlatch (via video), and distinguished speakers such as Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, and Shireen Awwad Hilal. CMEP board members and supporters, including regional bishops and member communion leaders, reflected on their partnership with CMEP. The dinner set a positive tone for the 40th Anniversary Advocacy Summit, Four Decades of Pursuing Peace, held from April 9-11. Over the three-day gathering, participants reflected on CMEP’s longstanding witness and advocacy work, while reaffirming their commitment to peacebuilding efforts. The Summit included educational sessions, discussions on the realities of life in the Middle East, and opportunities to elevate the voices of local peacemakers. Attendees were also encouraged to engage in advocacy for U.S. policies that support a just and lasting end to conflicts in the region, reinforcing CMEP’s vision of justice and reconciliation.

9: Oct 7th Ecumenical service of Lament

On October 7th, 2024, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) hosted an Ecumenical Service of Lament featuring remarks from ten bishops and executive leaders from across our board membership and from CMEP's Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. The service, which acknowledged the anniversary of the October 7th, 2023 attacks, was prayerful and deeply moving. Leaders' remarks included cries of lament for all the lives lost to violence over the past year in the Holy Land, as well as calls for the Church to maintain active hope that peace is still possible if we have the courage to stand for justice. This was the highest attended prayer vigil in 2024 with more than 500 participants joining us live for the service of Lament. 

10: Advent Not Arms Campaign - Global Bishop's Letter and International Bishops Vigil  

This Advent season, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Embrace the Middle East (UK) launched the global Advent Not Arms campaign, uniting Christian leaders from over 40 countries in a call for peace and justice in Gaza and the broader Middle East. The campaign included a powerful letter signed by more than 200 bishops and leaders, urging governments to suspend arms sales to Israel, implement a ceasefire, and ensure humanitarian aid access. As part of the campaign, CMEP hosted the ecumenical vigil "O Come, O Come Justice" on December 18, featuring remarks from 16 signatories of the letter, who called for an end to violence and prayed for a just peace in the Holy Land. Additionally, the campaign encouraged Americans to take action by reaching out to their congressional leaders to demand an end to arms sales to Israel.

We are so close to achieving our goal of reaching 400,000$ by the end of the year! Give now so that we can finish the year strong and continue the work we are doing into 2025! We thank you all for your generosity and support! It would not be possible without you!

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