I have taken a little break from posting to attend to some home renovations.
Earlier this spring I was involved in the preliminary stages of development of the Kairos USA statement in response to the 2009 Kairos Palestine statement. Others crafted the final statement and an organization has been established in support of Kairos USA.
The entire statement and how to sign on, along with ways to be further engaged, are at the website: http://www.kairosusa.org/
I encourage you to look at it carefully. I have signed. I consider it a faithful, ecumenical, loving response to the call from Christian sisters and brothers in Palestine.
Here is a portion of the introduction, just to give you a sample. Please do read the complete text at the website: http://www.kairosusa.org/
"The mission of Kairos USA is to mobilize the churches in the United States to respond faithfully and boldly to the situation in Israel and Palestine. In December 2009, the Christians of Palestine brought forth “A Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering.” In 2011 and again in 2012, U.S. clergy, theologians and laypersons gathered to write this response to the Palestinian document. In gratitude for the courageous witness and call to action issued by our Palestinian sisters and brothers, and inspired by the prophetic church movements of southern Africa, Central and South America, Asia and Europe that have responded to the call of our sisters and brothers in Palestine, we have prayed for the guidance of the Spirit so that we might also respond with integrity, love and wisdom."
I want to share some thoughts from a longtime friend and colleague, Pastor Russ Siler, on Kairos USA. Russ says most everything I'd like to say myself:
"Dear Friends,
"Perhaps most if
not all of you have by now read, or at least have heard of the document from
Kairos USA, Call to Action: U.S. Response to the Kairos Palestine
Document.
"I have read the document and signed it. I urge you to consider doing the
same.
"I was involved in a very small way in the initial stage of formulating just
how this document would take shape. I became aware of the host of disparate
voices, all seeking the common goal of peace with justice for the people of the
Holy Land, but with a multitude of slants, perspectives, and strong opinions about the path we
Americans should follow. What has resulted is a powerful and faithful response
to our Palestinian sisters and brothers as well as a challenge to ourselves to
stand ever more firmly beside them--as well as the people of their neighbor
Israel--on peace's path.
"The document that is now out there for the world to see is far from a perfect treatise; in many ways it walks a middle road between powerful proponents on both sides of all the major arguments and approaches. It will please no one fully, but it will ring true with everyone who genuinely hopes and prays for a just end to the conflict which has devastated so many lives for so long. In no way do I mean these few sentences to diminish what the framers have accomplished. It is a strong, Gospel-based, courageous appeal for the quest for peace with justice to begin with each of us.
"I ask no more
than that you read it http://www.kairosusa.org/
with open mind and open heart and consider adding your
endorsement.
"Now really is
`the time.'"
For Peace with Justice,
Russ Siler-- -- --
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