Grand Traverse District UMW Connects with Palestinians

Grand Traverse District UMW

To the right is the new leadership team of the Grand Traverse District United Methodist Women.  The photo was taken at the annual meeting in Cadillac, MI.  The annual meeting included an in-gathering of medical supplies and vitamins for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. 

After the meeting, the products were sorted and packed for their long trip. 

With the help of Rev. Kristen Brown, the suitcase filled with the products was delivered to the Shepherd Society at Bethlehem Bible College.

Check out how beautiful the flowers are in Palestine at the Bethlehem Bible College, even though it is November.







The Shepherd Society reaches out with humanitarian aid to the Palestinian communities suffering from the occupation of the West Bank and the military assault in Gaza.  They were delighted with the donations of needed humanitarian supplies.

The Shepherd Society is an Advance Project of the General Board of Global Ministries.  Tax free donations may be made through the web site, www.umcmisson.org.  Use the project number #3020439.  

Donations are needed and accepted any time.  

However, December 2 is designated as a special Giving Tuesday.

                               

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR A JUST PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Call to Action!

Settling In

With the help of Rev. Kristen Brown, Methodist Liaison from the Jerusalem Methodist Office, I am settling in at Hope Secondary School, Beit Jala, Palestine.  Please check out their web page at www.hopeschoolbeitjala.com.

Serving 

I will be serving in the office, my comfort zone, in the kitchen and doing some one on one English enrichment activities.  Going on field trips with the students was a lot of fun.

Hope Secondary School is one of the Advance Projects identified by the United Methodist missionaries in the Holy Lands.  There are 82 students currently, 22 are boarders.  None of these secondary students would be obtaining an education without Hope Secondary School.

Learning

God Blessed me with the opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit at Bethlehem Bible College.  I learned from the speakers and Videos.  I know this was a gift from God, to equip me as I join the West Michigan Conference United Methodist Women leadership team as social action coordinator.

Garden Dedication

Through the help of the Quakers, a garden has been completed and was dedicated on November 1, 2014.  

This garden was in process when a VIM team was here to serve earlier this year.

It was fun to be part of the celebration, even if the program was in Arabic. 

Needs: Material and Spiritual

If any of your churches, UMW units, or families are considering alternative Christmas giving, please consider the extreme need here in the West Bank at Hope Secondary School Beit Jala, Palestine.  Donations may be directed through General Board of Global Ministries web site www.umcmission.org the Hope Secondary School Advance Project number is  12018A

Please let others know about this ministry that educates the disadvantaged youth from the West Bank. 

Prayers are needed!  All of the students need your prayers.  I am trying to learn their names this week, I need prayers too.  The 22 youth that I now live and eat with, have a special place in my heart and I hope in your prayers.

Prayer before Meals

September News

Randie’s Rejoicings

Being home has its beauty and business!  Now the tinge of color and birds are flocking signaling a gorgeous fall and not, in my opinion, a wonderful winter. 

It was my joy to have Palestinian Christian visit from Jerusalem.  They spoke and helped at my church, Christ UMC in Traverse City. 

They accompanied me to the UM-GBGM conference “Walking with Palestinian Christians.”  

Much of what we saw and did at the conference is available at the following web site until November 1: http://ginghamsburg.org/grow/ministries/books-conferences/palestinian-christian-conference.

The Kairos Series

I invite you to a Kairos Series via the press release below.

Central and Christ United Methodist churches invite you to attend the five week Kairos Series on Sundays at 5:30 starting September 14, 2014. The location is Christ UMC, 1249 Three Mile South.

Learn the Palestinian Christian’s perspective from the Holy Land as we studying their booklet, Kairos Palestine a Moment of Truth: Faith, Hope, and Love- a Confession of Faith and a Call to Action from Palestinian Christians.  Study booklets are provided free of charge.  The title for week 1 is "What Is Kairos".

More information is available at www.tcchrist.com.  

What Would Love Do?

As I make plans for the rest of 2014 and into 2015, I am praising God for the promise of Wisdom.  I am asking myself what would love do.  Our Scripture tells us to be forward thinking people; God is in our tomorrows as we press on. 

Concepts coming to the “front burner” for me in answer to where God’s love would have me serve include immigration reform, refugee assistance, interfaith understandings, peace, justice, and non-violent life style advocacy. 

Let’s pray for each other as God’s light of Love focuses our attention on our individual calls.

Lord willing, a trip to Africa is in my future.  I will be accompanying my sister, Donna, to Ethiopia.  Donna is a missionary linguist, now retired after spending 30 years in Africa.  The Bible she helped create in a tribal langue, Bunna, will be dedicated.  The date is not set yet, so neither is the date set for my next Individual Volunteer in Mission assignment.   

Items of Interest

In addition to the links already mentioned, the following items may be of interest to you.

World Council of Churches  http://www.oikoumene.org/en

9/21/2014 International Day of Prayer for Peace

9/21 – 9/27 World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel

            Many resources are available at this web page

Veterans for Peace Northern Michigan www.vfp50.org

A day of peace activities are planned for Saturday, September 20, by this local chapter, including a panel discussion on peace at Central United Methodist Church 11: am-1: pm.

Advance Projects  www.umcmission.org

How to donation to projects identified by our missionaries in Palestine Israel is available at the above web site.  The Shepherd Society of Bethlehem Bible College is a way to donate directly to the people of Gaza.  When donating to the Shepherd Society, use Advance Project # 3020439.  Also, note “for the people of Gaza” in the “In Honor of Section.”  One hundred percent of the donation goes to the cause, administrative fees are paid for by the United Methodist Church.

Love and Prayers,

Randie

International Day of Peace

To mark the 30th anniversary of the General Assembly Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace, the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is the “Right of Peoples to Peace”. This anniversary offers a unique opportunity to reaffirm the United Nations commitment to the purposes and principles upon which the Organization was founded. The Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace recognizes that the promotion of peace is vital for the full enjoyment of all human rights.

The General Board of Church & Society of the United Methodist Church states their commitment to “A world community that is a fellowship of persons who honestly love one another.”  The board further states “In order to create such a world, we believe that there should be justice and peace in every nation and respect for all people living within a nation’s borders.  To ensure international justice, and a secure world community, we endorse the United Nations, its related bodies, Ithe International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court as the best instruments for pursuing peace and justice on a global scale (Social Principles #165.)”

IN TRAVERSE CITY, CELEBRATING SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2014

The Veterans for Peace Chapter 50 in Traverse City will be celebrating on Saturday, September 20, 2014.  They have several activities planned from 8:am – 9 pm.  The listing of activities and their starting times can be found on their web site: www.vfp50.org.

LETS USE THIS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE TO

CONSIDER OUR CALL TO PEACE.

Encouragement and Strengthening

News

As I read the news about the Gaza Siege, the deaths and trauma of the civil society grieves my heart.  I share the frustration when ceasefires are broken.  I am concerned when my government’s policies do not reflect our commitment to law and justice.

All of Abraham’s children are to work for righteousness and justice. (Genesis 18:19)  May the following thoughts encourage us and strengthen us to work for justice for all God’s children.

Emailed to me 2 25 2014

Verse of the Day
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances.

- Psalm 119:105-108

Voice of the Day
"I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred, and the mistrust ... We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better."

-Thurgood Marshall

Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children. Give us calm strength and patient wisdom to reach out to those who are most in need, for those who are homeless and in poverty, for those who for whatever reason cannot enjoy the joyful life that children ought to experience.

- Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

A Day of Action-

Day of Action-Justice and Hope!

This is a call for action today for those suffering from violence.  Because of the power of the United States, our government’s actions influence the world and the life and death of its people. 

I have contacted my elected officials and plan to call them all today.  I will be encouraging them to consider God’s justice in their decisions.

Scripture:  Matthew 12:17-21

Today’s reading from the United Methodist Women’s Prayer Calendar applies!

“This was fulfilled what was spoken (of Jesus) through the prophet Isaiah:

            ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;

            I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

            He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

            A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

            till he leads justice to victory.

            In his name, the nations will put their hope.´”

Will Be Blessed If- -Genesis 18:19

A reflection from Alex Awad, a United Methodist Missionary in Bethlehem, brought the truth of this verse to me.  God chose Abraham “so that” he would direct his children and household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, “so that” the Lord could bring what he had promised. 

Genesis 18:19

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised.”

LET’S PRAY AND ACT FOR GOD’S PEACE IN THE WORLD

Prayers Needed - Action Required

A Quote Dr. Cornel West

Let us not be deceived – the Israeli massacre of innocent Palestinians, especially the precious children, is a crime against humanity! The rockets of Hamas indeed are morally wrong and politically ineffective – but these crimes pale in the face of the U.S. supported Israeli slaughters of innocent civilians. There is much blood on the hands of Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Obama and Hamas. We all are complacent with this bloodshed if we do not raise our voices to condemn all crimes and all forms of terrorism. We must never forget a precious Palestinian baby has the same value as a precious Jewish baby.

A Leak

Obama Sending 2,000 Troops to Gaza Strip (Headline From National Report 7 21 14)

Documents leaked on the Internet on Monday revealed that President Barack Obama has asked the Pentagon to ready approximately 2,000 combat-ready soldiers for a possible deployment to the Gaza Strip, to aid Israel in their fight against Hamas and the Palestinians. - See more at: http://nationalreport.net/obama-sending-2000-troops-gaza-strip/#sthash.p6LWJOmt.dpuf

Freedom

American Historical Perspective

The 4^th of July is a day Americans celebrate freedom. 

I came across an important quote form Horace Greeley, an American newspaper editor who lived and worked 1811-1872. 

His quote reminds us of the importance of our faith and its relationship to freedom.

“It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people.  The principles of Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”

Christ Followers

Galatians 5:1, gives us more thoughts to ponder about freedom.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm.”  Galatians 5:13, we are free to serve one another humbly in love.

Ephesians 3:12 reminds us that our power to live and act comes because “in Christ and through faith in Christ we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” 

God has and is acting for the good of all creation.  May we be part of extending God’s Love into our circumstances.

"Do you still not understand?" Jesus.

The world’s news tells of the suffering of people God loves! 

Jesus often had to say to his disciples, "Do you still not understand?” 

Are we hearing those same words today from Jesus?

Thoughts on Faith  

I gained an important insight from a book I recently read, Faith in the Face of Empire the Bible through Palestinian Eyes, By Mitri Raheb, a local pastor in Bethlehem.  In the book he states, “Faith is the key to dismantling the empire.”

As we look around us, we see actions that do not reflect God’s goodness.  The world needs God’s Good News!  Let us let our faith and understanding of Christ’s teaching guide our actions.

Holding the Light 

As we stand in our circumstances let us hold high God’s Love, freedom and light for all to see.

Joyful and Glad in Heart

Joyful and Glad in Heart Experiencing

I started my time home at my son's home for three days.  Sure is nice to experience the love of my son and his wife.  It was fun to get together with other good friends too.

Now home reconnecting with my neighbors, walking for exercise instead of transportation.  What a joy to have a home and friends to come back to.

Joyful and Glad in Heart Remembering

It has been a month already after arriving home June 2nd.  My home had been well cared for my my friends.  As you can see some of my bushes did not make the winter.  From what I am hearing, I am glad I did not experience this winter in Michigan.


I got busy right away getting ready to make presentations about what I saw and did during the five months I was in Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Deciding how to put five months into a thirty minute talk, with pictures allowed me to review my notes, pictures and memory bring back the wonderful experiences I had with so many!

Thank God for the opportunity to speak at my home church

Joyful and Glad in Heart Hearing

One of Pastor's sermon was about what Christians refer to as Pentecost.  According to our faith tradition, it was the initial receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Act 2:12 records the thoughts of those who were experiencing God. "Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?"

Joyful and Glad in Heart Planning

Daily information comes about opportunities to minister, scheduling presentations and future service options.  Maybe we can minister together.

I had the privileged of attending the United Methodist, West Michigan Annual Conference.  How pleased I was that the group voted to take positive steps toward a Just Peace in the Middle East.

Our Good News

The struggle continues for people in the Jordan, Israel and Palestine where I served.  The struggles here also continue.  Praise God with me that we have the Good News.  We have the privilege and responsibility of reaching out with the Good News of Jesus' Love

  

Worship, Celebration, Service, Tear Gas, Hospitality, Friendship and a Cooking Class

What do all the words in the title have in common?  I experienced them all this past week.

Worship at St Andrews Scot's Memorial Church

Rev. Kristen Brown is an ecumenical partner at St Andrews.  Kristen is with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.  She is the Methodist liaison to Palestine Israel.

 After worship Helen, a member at St Andrews who is also Kristen's neigbor, and I had lunch together.   We celebrated Kristen's birthday later at Kristen's apartment.

Acts of Service 

Two days a week, while I have been here and as schedules allowed, I spent doing office work at the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem, see Methodist Liaison on facebook.

 Kristen has been a kind "boss", as she facilitated my time here.  We both put energy into the Advance Projects.  For more information about the advance go to the following site,  www.umcmission.org/advance.  You will hear more about the Middle East Advance Projects upon my return to the US.  

If you are in Jerusalem, visit the office.  Better yet, come back on a service mission and fill this seat.

It was a joy to do service at Bethlehem Bible College, www.bethbc.org

I am comfortable doing office work, and because of my love for books, helping at the library was a joy.

Last year I met an artist who serves God here in many ways.  She is manager at the guesthouse where I am staying.  I thank God for her friendship and knowledge.  She was at the library this past week putting the final touches on a "story wall" for the children's section at the college's library.

This week I gave morning devotions at House of Hope.   The lesson was a story Jesus told so his listeners could understand the Kingdom of Heaven.  The residents celebrated the joy of those who were ready, knowing that God loves the world and provided the way to be ready.

I am so glad that Rev. Dianne Doten-Morrison has an all ages Sunday at Crist UMC, my home church.  I used some of her ideas from one of those services in my presentation.  See the joy as we sang Hosanna to the King of Kings!

The story was completed after lunch when the wedding cake was served.

Another place I had the joy of serving was the Al Malath Center.  This is a day center where special needs young adults receive the services they need.  Previously I had done some office work, this week I spent time with everyone.  Physical therapy, speech therapy, cooking together, learning activities of daily living and enjoying music and dance.

 My heart goes out to all this dedicated staff!

Lunch included stuffed grapr leaves.  They had picked them.  from vines in their garden and the chef  had helped them make them the day before.

 Music and dance, fun for everyone.