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Site Updated 19th January 2012
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Living Stones is an ecumenical trust seeking to promote contacts between Christian communities in Britain and those in the Holy Land and neighbouring countries. For more information see About Us.
NEWS - AROUND THE MIDDLE EAST
Support for Archbishop Vincent Nichols in his prayers for Beit Jala from the Trustees of Living Stones
In the course of celebration of Midnight Mass at Christmas 2011, Archbishop Vincent Nichols emphasised the gift of Christian faith, deeming it a privilege. He pointed out the obligations that accompany such a faith in our expression of concern for others. We are invited to recognise how complex moral dilemmas become, and to "name these things for what they are. We too live 'in a land of deep shadow' "
The Archbishop went on to ask prayers for the parish of Beit Jala in Bethlehem on whom a shadow has fallen. Some fifty families have now begun a legal battle to protect thier homes and land against further expropriation of their homes and land by the progress of the Israeli separation/security wall. His appeal for awareness and prayer follows closely upon the Archbishop's shared experience of Eucharistic celebration with the families of Beit Jala on the occasion of the first Westminster diocesan pilgrimage in November 2011. We are aware that this simple observation and request for prayer has elicited hostile response in certain quarters.
As Trustees of Living Stones of the Holy Land Trust we warmly welcome Archbishop Nichols remarks and enthusiastically accede to his request for prayers.
Pilgrimage: Living Stones of the Holy Land Trust in association with ABCD and the Friends of BibleLands
Over the next few days (20th January - 1st February), twenty one members of these two organisations will arrive in Jerusalem for a celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2012. We hope to worship in some of the many churches of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, sharing with their congregations and reflecting on the 'unity in diversity' which is characteristic of our ecumenical pilgrimage. The visit will also be various Christian projects supported by Living Stones, ABCD and BibleLands. We will also visit the Friends (Quaker) Centre in Ramallah as well as the Friends Schools there. We will use the time to pray with the Churches in Britain and Ireland using the material published by CTBI (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland). Please pray with us for reconciliation, for peace with justice, for unity in diversity and for the triumph of love over hate and for each other.
Advent reflections from the South Hebron Hills
..this year we might want to reflect that Jesus was born in Palestine; that God chose herders to share that Immanuel moment - God with us, and to remember too that Christ was born under an oppressive occupation...
read more on this link
Note in your diary
1. PILGRIMAGE: LIVING STONES 'EALING ABBEY RC PARISH' PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND (AND JORDAN) 2012
16th -23rd February extension to Jordan (ends 26th Feb)
See Link to flyer
2. LIST OF PILGRIMAGES TO THE HOLY LAND DISTRIBUTED AT GREEN BELT AUGUST 2011
See Link to List of Pilgrimages
3. BETHLEHEM BIBLE COLLEGE - HOPE IN THE MIDST OF CONFLICT.
A Christ at the Checkpoint Conference: detail and travel, accommodation information at www.christatthecheckpoint.com
March 5-9th, 2012, Convention Palace, Bethlehem, Palestine
Book now by e-mailing conference@bethbc.org
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livingstonesonline.org.uk © 2010 |
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PILGRIMAGE: WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY IN JERUSALEM 2012
Living Stones Pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in partnership with Friends of BibleLands and ABCD: 21-29 January 2012
Worship with a wide range of local Christian denominations (Greek Catholic, Syrian, Ethiopian Orthodox, Armenian and many more, plus the more familiar Anglican, Lutheran, Quaker (Ramallah) and Roman Catholic churches.
A few places left!
Cost: £450 plus air fare; optional extras.
Find out why and how the churches differ, by looking at the causes and results of their history, politics, liturgy etc.
See Pilgrimages & Events for full details. |
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OUR SPIRITUAL PATRONS in the Middle East include:
Archbishop Elias Chacour, Melkite Archbishop of Galilee, Bishop Suheil Dawani, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, Patriarch Gregorius III, Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, Bishop Giantos-Boulos Marcuzzo, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabah, formerly Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Patriarch Fuad Tual Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Bishop Theodosios of Sebastia, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Elsewhere: Archbishop Yegishe Gizirian, Armenian Church, Lord Hope, former Archbishop of York, (Anglican), Cardinal Cormac Murphy‑O’Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster (Roman Catholic) Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster (Roman Catholic) Canon Paul Oestreicher, (Anglican and Society of Friends), Revd Baroness Kathleen Richardson, (Methodist), Bishop Desmond Tutu, former Archbishop of Cape Town, Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia, (Greek Orthodox) | |
