While many of us in Asia can
prepare and celebrate Christmas in the security
and comfort of our homes and communities, people
in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ,
will again celebrate the season in difficult
climate. Concerns on violence, peace and
security, and justice issues continue due to the
conflict between Palestine and Israel.
Nonetheless, many individuals and groups persist
on searching for non-violent ways to voice their
rights and work for a peaceful and just
future. Your wishes and prayers can break
through their feelings of isolation.
You are invited to e-mail Advent
and Christmas wishes and prayers for justice and
peace to our friends and peace organizations in
Bethlehem. ACPP is supporting this joint
effort and tradition put forth by the Pax Christi
International’s partners in Palestine –
the Arab Educational Institute, Library on Wheels
for Non-violence and Peace, the Centre for
Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, the
Justice and Peace Commission of Jerusalem and Wi’am
Center – and in collaboration with the World
Council of Churches and its Palestine Israel
Ecumenical Forum (PIEF).
Your personal or spiritual
gestures will bring hope to the people in
Bethlehem. Messages collected will be printed and
handed out as personal messages, educational
materials (at schools), in the context of
interfaith prayers and in the newly established
peace house of the Arab Educational Institute
opposite the Wall at Rachel’s Tomb in
Bethlehem.
Put Your Wish for Peace in
Action
Send your prayers and messages of
peace before Christmas day - 25 December 2008
(Western Christmas) and/or 7 January 2009
(Eastern Christmas) to the Arab Educational
Institute at <aei@p-ol.com>.
These messages will be posted on the website of
the Institute (www.aeicenter.org) and Pax
Christi International (www.paxchristi.net).
While English is the preferred
language, non-native speakers may also send
wishes and prayers in their mother tongue.
If you would like to send prayers and messages in
Chinese, please email to ACPP at <hotline@acpp.org>
on or before 22 December.
This initiative is jointly
supported by:
The Palestine Israel Ecumenical
Forum of the World Council of Churches
Pax Christi International
The International Fellowship of
Reconciliation
Church and Peace
The Presidency of the Conference
of European Justice and Peace Commissions
Asian Center for the Progress of
Peoples
Please see the attachment or go
to
(http://www.paxchristi.net/international/xmas/eng.htm)
for more information. The joint
announcement of the initiative is also available
in the following languages:
French, German, Spanish, Dutch,
Portuguese, and Italian
We look forward to your support
and your messages in the web site!
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