Pray for Peace this Sunday

Friends,

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) presents prayers for this coming Sunday in anticipation of the upcoming peace conference (also a bulletin announcement, which I think is particularly helpful). In addition, CMEP makes an important announcement about the appointment of its new executive director. I offer my own profound gratitude for the outstanding work of Corinne Whitlatch, who has led the CMEP effort for 21 years. Thanks be to God.

Pray for Peace this Sunday, Nov 25

This email is also available online at: http://www.cmep.org/Alerts/2007Nov19.htm
Anna Rhee, Grassroots Advocacy Project Coordinator

The date for the Annapolis conference will most likely be next Monday or Tuesday, Nov 26th or 27th. Now is the time to engage your congregation in prayer and action for the success of this conference and for sustained efforts to bring about peace in the Holy Land.

Churches for Middle East Peace encourages you to bolster our work to generate Congressional and public support for the Annapolis Conference and to further raise awareness in your congregation on this important meeting.

Click this link - http://www.cmep.org/Alerts/2007Oct26.htm – for the cover letter and full list of resources that CMEP distributed to over 1500 congregations in October.

TAKE ACTION
Pray for Peace this Sunday, November 25th.
Use the CMEP prayer and bulletin announcement in your church to raise awareness of the Annapolis conference and to lend your support for a successful meeting that can make real progress toward an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

Print the prayer and bulletin announcement in PDF format (text included below): http://www.cmep.org/documents/2007_Congregational_prayer_for_peace.pdf

You could also use interreligious prayers for peace created by the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative and posted on CMEP's website: http://www.cmep.org/documents/Interreligious_Prayers_for_Peace.htm

PRAYER FOR PEACE
O God, we come to you with open hands and open hearts.

We pray for peace and for all those that suffer violence and injustice in the midst of war and conflict.
We pray for the innocent, combatants, peacemakers, and religious and political leaders.
We pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the holy city of God and spiritual home to all the children of Abraham.

O God of mercy and compassion,
Embrace our Israeli and Palestinian brothers and sisters.
They have endured profound loss and sorrow.
They are fatigued by fear and anger.
Mend their broken hearts and failing spirits.
Ignite in them sparks of hope.
Comfort them and guide them onto the road of peace.

O God of peace and reconciliation,
Lift up the international leaders who search for peace.
They have talked before without success.
They face a difficult road and many obstacles.
Inspire them to move from words to actions that fulfill a greater vision of peace.
Arouse in them a passion for righteousness.
Bless them and their work for peace.

O God of all creation,
Your people cry for peace.
May your promise of justice and enduring love
Breathe renewed Life
Into our commitment to a sustainable peace,
When two states - Israel and Palestine - are a reality,
Living side-by-side in security, harmony and peace.
Amen.

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT
Our denomination/church supports Israeli-Palestinian-Arab peacemaking and encourages us to pray and act for peace. The United States will soon host a conference of international leaders in Annapolis, Maryland to make progress toward ending the conflict in the Holy Land. Let us join together in prayer in support of our government's efforts and for the success of this important meeting.


More News: Former Ambassador Named New Executive Director of CMEP

This email is also available online at: www.cmep.org/Alerts/2007Nov16.htm

November 16, 2007
Former Ambassador and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Warren Clark has been named Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Clark will succeed Corinne Whitlatch, who has led CMEP for 21 years, upon her retirement at the end of 2007.

"Warren Clark brings to CMEP a distinguished diplomatic career and a deep commitment to the churches' role in addressing problems and resolving conflicts. His understanding of the complexity of both the region and the development and implementation of US foreign policy will serve CMEP well in the days and years ahead. He will be able to build on the extraordinary work of Corinne Whitlatch, who has built CMEP into a respected voice for U.S. policies that recognize the painful realities of the Middle East while serving the cause of justice for all of its people," said Maureen Shea, Chair of the Churches for Middle East Peace Board.

Ambassador Clark began his career in the Foreign Service in Aleppo, Syria and has served in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Canada, and at the US Mission to the United Nations. Following his retirement from the State Department he worked as a private consultant and received a Master of Theological Studies degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Clark speaks French and eastern Arabic.

As Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace, Clark will oversee all aspects of CMEP's work. Commenting on his appointment, Clark said: "I feel honored to be asked to lead this strong organization built by Corinne Whitlatch. There is renewed attention now to the need for peace with security and justice in the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as recognition that in 2009 a new US Administration and Congress will decide how it will understand and address the pressing problems of the region. I believe CMEP can and should play a significant role in helping to shape that understanding and encourage progress towards a lasting peace."

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Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace is a Washington-based program of the Alliance of Baptists, American Friends Service Committee, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Armenian Orthodox Church, Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Institutes, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Church World Service, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Franciscan Friars OFM (English Speaking Conference, JPIC Council), Friends Committee on National Legislation, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Maryknoll Missioners, Mennonite Central Committee, Moravian Church in America, National Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church (GBCS & GBGM).

Churches for Middle East Peace
Email: info@cmep.org
Phone: 202-543-1222
Web: http://www.cmep.org

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For more bulletins from Ann Hafften, go to the blog: http://voicesforpeace.blogspot.com/