Message from Executive Director |
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Hello!
I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you who have supported Pilgrims of Ibillin, and therefore Mar Elias Educational Institutions and our Peace Partners, for many years, even decades for some. I am grateful to have stepped into a vibrant and caring community across the United States (and around the world, even).
I welcome hearing about your history with Pilgrims of Ibillin. Please send me an email essrea@pilgrimsofibillin.org to arrange a time for a call.
Together we keep faith and hope alive as we dedicate ourselves to a just peace for all in Israel and Palestine.
With gratitude for your support,
Essrea Cherin
Pilgrims of Ibillin Executive Director
303-928-0923
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Amidst an environment hard to fathom for those of us in the United States, life for a Palestinian in Israel can mean existing in an ocean of tension. Mar Elias offers students an oasis of positive energy. At times the challenges feel unbearable with so much instability and extremist voices becoming ever louder, students, teachers and faculty come together to nurture each other and create an environment of hope and optimism for all within its walls. |
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Mabrook - Congratulations Graduates |
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Mar Elias High School
The graduation ceremony for the class of 2020 was a truly moving event, after such a challenging year. Despite all the tremendous challenges that COVID has brought, particularly with the new distant learning, these students have scored excellent grades.
Students shared that COVID taught them to appreciate their teachers and school much more than they did before.
We are so very proud of these students who persevered and grew stronger as a result and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. The graduation ceremony was postponed until this year due to COVID closures.
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Hope School
At the graduation ceremony, School Principal, Khader Saba shared, "Our ministry is growing and blossoming under difficult circumstances, it creates and restores hope, especially for those who lost theirs because of social or economic reasons....We are so proud that our school targets vulnerable, poor, needy, and deprived children..God loves and blesses our Ministry, He is giving us through His disciples and His children, who used to support Hope School regularly and generously.”
Graduating student, Mariam's father shared his gratitude “I want to thank the school, the teachers and the administration from my heart, because it provided my daughter the opportunity to make my daughter’s dreams come true.”
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Children of Bethlehem
July 27 Webinar
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Life Under Occupation for the
Children of Bethlehem
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with Katie Archibald-Woodward
Hosted by Pilgrims of Ibillin
President Rev. Dr. Peter Henry and
Pilgrims Board Director
Rev. Dr. James Thomas
Tuesday, July 27
8 pm (EDT) / 5pm (PDT)
Through photographs and conversations, “Children of Bethlehem” presents the experiences of 12-13 year-old Palestinian Muslim and Christian youth living under military and colonial occupation in Bethlehem. Four generations of people in Palestine-Israel have only known life under these conditions. How does that influence the current generation of children? What does that mean for these future leaders? Photographs of hand-drawn self-portraits paired with voiced personal experiences express the daily life, emotions, fears and dreams of Bethlehem’s youth at this pivotal time in their lives.
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After registering, you will receive a
confirmation email with the link and information
about joining the webinar.
A $15 donation suggested for Pilgrims of Ibillin
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MEEI & Peace Partners Wish List |
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Your gifts to Pilgrims of Ibillin allow us to support Mar Elias Educational Institutions and our Peace Partners in significant and concrete ways. For example, with your monthly contribution to Pilgrims of Ibillin we can fulfill needs identified by the board of directors, such as your gift of… |
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- $5/month provides new toys for kindergarten students
- $10/month replaces old printers for elementary, middle and high schools
- $50/month offers the gift of education in the form of a scholarship for students whose family are unable to cover tuition
- $75/month can update water fountains throughout school, to meet Israel Ministry of Health standards
- $150/month furnishes new computers for classrooms to support student learning.
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Your Gifts Making a Difference! |
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Thank you to White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North Carolina!
Members of White Memorial reached out at the beginning of the year wishing to make a difference for Mar Elias Students and asked for a designated project. Mar Elias suggested purchasing books for the library and White Memorial came through by donating $1200 worth of books.
English teacher Dr. Emil Haloun said recently that the high school students are thrilled with the new additions to the library, and really enjoying the foreign language books in particular. Many of MEEI’s students dream of studying abroad. Europe in general offers educational opportunities for higher education.
One book was purchased for the MEEi guest house where many of us stay when on Living Stones Pilgrimages in Ibillin. Learn Arabic In A Month by R. Chawla will be useful for guests!
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If your church would like to participate in a similar project, let us know or consider donating a general gift.
or contact Executive Director Essrea Cherin at
to discuss your gift.
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Are you are missing travel, and wanting to learn and experience the Holy Land? Travel on a Pilgrimage with us in 2022! |
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March 1 – 14, 2022
Pilgrimage Leaders:
Instructor: Rev. Dr. James Thomas
West Bank Tour Guide: Usama Nicola
Tour Coordinator: Brenda Mehos
Living Stones Pilgrimages - Father Chacour says,“We invite visitors to see the ruins of holy sites but also engage with the “living stones” — the people who make their homes there.”
With this as inspiration, since 1995 Pilgrims of Ibillin has taken nearly 350 individuals on two-week pilgrimages to Israel and Palestine. Led by Pilgrims staff, board members, and local partners in the West Bank and the Galilee, we visit Christians, Muslims, and Jews who are working creatively to plant and nourish the seeds of a just peace. Our tours include visits to various holy sites and conversations which connect our experiences with our faith.
For pilgrimage prices and itinerary, contact:
Brenda Mehos, pilgrimage coordinator
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Rev. Dr. Peter Henry
President
Rev. Dr. Lucy Forster-Smith
Vice President
Ms. Sarah Morgan
Secretary
Kip Nickel
Consultant & Treasurer
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Ms. Haifa Bautista
Rev. Don Brown
Rev. Gail Doering
Rev. Mary Sue Dreier
Ms. Rima Kawas
Dr. Lamontte Luker
Ms. Judy Masserang
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Dr. Brenda Mehos
Rev. Bobby Morris
Rev. Susan Mozena
Ms. Wren Shealy
Rev. Dr. James Thomas
Rev. Anne Weirich
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Essrea Cherin
Executive Director
(303) 928-0923
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