August 2023 CMEP Monthly Update

August 2023

Check out the latest opportunities and events from
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP).

Hear directly from Christians in the Middle East

Only two sessions left! On July 17th and July 24th, Churches for Middle East Peace, Embrace the Middle East, and the Episcopal Church co-hosted the first two sessions of the four-week series, "Conversations with Middle East Christians". Rev. Colin Chapman has been joined by Rev. Sally Azar (ELCJHL), Jack Munayer (EAPPI) and Archimandrite Abuna Emanuel Youkhana (CAPNI) to discuss the realities facing Christians in Israel/Palestine and Iraq. This is not a series you'll want to miss! Register now to join us on August 7th to discuss Egypt and August 14th to discuss Lebanon, both at 2:30-4 EST.

The First Wednesday of Every Month

We have been gathering on Zoom to Fast & Pray for Palestine, highlighting different issues each month. This month, we were joined by Ata Manasra from Wadi Fukin to discuss the settler violence facing his village. Join us each month on Wednesday to pray with us. Sign up below to join us in September as we pray for praying for Mohammed El-Halabi of World Vision.

Watch Our Events Page!

Armenia at War: the Survival of the Church in the Oldest Christian State

Join us beginning September 20th for this mini-course about Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This three-week course will address several issues. The first week will focus on the sustainability of the church in the oldest Christian state, the history of the Armenian genocide, and the ongoing struggle to protect the Christian heritage and presence in Nagorno-Karabakh and Ancient Armenia. The second week will discuss the political dynamics in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The third session will be a prayer gathering, including Christian ministries in Armenia, and the opportunity to pray together for an end to the ongoing war and the sustainability of the church in the region.

Learn More and Register

Save the Date! Celebrate CMEP's 40th Anniversary in DC April 9-11, 2024:

Join Churches for Middle East Peace in Washington, DC, from April 9-11 for our 40th Anniversary Advocacy Summit. Spend some time looking back at CMEP's history while hearing how CMEP will continue its work to advocate for peace and justice for all in the Middle East. You will also have a chance to advocate directly with your Congressional offices. More details and registration will be available soon. For now, mark your calendars!"

Consider Giving Today!

When you give to CMEP, it allows our staff to do the background work necessary to host important Advocacy Summits, events, and webinars. Consider making a donation towards our staff which make these events possible.

Donate to CMEP

Save the Date for Next November

Churches for Middle East Peace is honored to announce a 2024 Summit in Jericho. This event, a part of our And Still We Rise (ASWR) initiative, is open to Christians from the Middle East, the United States, and the international community. Participants are invited to come together for this summit elevating the voices of women committed to pursuing peace. This three day event includes portions open to women only as well as portions open to everyone. In addition, there will be several tours traveling to the region that will include the summit as a part of their itinerary. If you are interested in leading a group tour to the Holy Land in November 2024, please reach out to info@cmep.org. Registration and more details will be available at a later date.

Learn More

Take Action!

Contact Your Representative Now: HR 3477 The Justice for Shireen Act July 2023
While the FBI engages in a criminal investigation, the updated HR 3477 will ensure an important level of transparency for Congress, Shireen Abu Akleh’s family, and the American public. It is important that we continue to push for both accountability and transparency as the US investigates this killing. When he was in the region last summer, President Biden called for a “full and transparent accounting” of the death of Shireen Abu Akleh. The Justice for Shireen Act will provide that accounting.

Contact Your Representative Now: HR 3103 The Palestinian Children and Families Act
With the rise of violence in the West Bank growing by the day under the new Israeli government, it is critical members of Congress join Rep. McCollum and sponsor HR 3103. Congress must ensure U.S. taxpayer dollars are not used to violate Palestinian human rights and further annex Palestinian land in the West Bank. Such actions–which only exacerbate the conflict–should not be funded with assistance from the U.S. government.