Message from New Executive Director |
|
Greetings!
I am honored to be joining an incredible organization dedicated to supporting a just peace which aligns so closely with my own passion and professional endeavors over my career. I have been working in Israel and Palestine for over 15 years, first to establish a hiking trail to follow in Abraham’s footsteps (which happen to go from southeastern Turkey, through modern-day Syria, Jordan, and Palestine) and then in co-founding a sister city relationship between Boulder, CO USA and Nablus, Palestine.
I look forward to meeting you and the many supporters of our worthy mission in the coming months. If you’d like to arrange a time to talk by Zoom or phone, please reach out and we’ll schedule a meeting essrea@pilgrimsofibillin.org or 303-928-0923.
I hope the opportunity to meet you in person arrives sooner than later and along those lines, please consider joining our next Living Stones Pilgrimage to visit our Peace Partners and the region in March 2022. Praying that by then international travel will have resumed.
Checking in with Peace Partners
I would be remiss to not mention that as I write this, there has been an explosion of violence in Israel and Palestine. Many innocents have lost their lives and many more have been gravely injured. The tension has increased so much that there is nary a soul in the region who has not been personally touched by the upheaval. President Rev. Peter Henry and I reached out to Fr. Elias Chacour at Mar Elias as well as to our peace partners and heard back from several expressing gratitude for our concern and of this writing all are well but finding life difficult with the current destruction and loss of lives. I pray daily for a quick end to the violence and hope that by the time you receive this that a cease fire has come into effect.
|
|
Essrea Cherin
Pilgrims of Ibillin Executive Director
303-928-0923
|
|
Why We Need Mar Elias Educational Institutions
More Than Ever
|
|
We are often asked, what makes Mar Elias Educational Institutions unique? What sets them apart from other schools and educational programs? There are many answers to this question, and one is the emphasis that is placed on peace and justice woven throughout the education from kindergarten through a student’s senior year in high school.
For example, in 9th grade, MEEI students take a course on forgiveness, based on curriculum developed by Dr. Richard Enright, founder of the International Forgiveness Institute. Here’s what has been said about this program:
|
|
“Teaching
the art and power of
forgiveness to children
may be both the best and the fastest way
to positively change our world... Forgiveness
has the potential to transform communities
that have not known peace for decades and
reshape our world."
|
|
The Mar Elias schools are steeped in the ways of peace, reconciliation, respect, and justice for all peoples regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation or background.
Instilled in the curriculum from kindergarten through high school, are beliefs that “God does not kill. All are born as babies created in the image and likeness of God. Christians, Muslims, and Jews are blood brothers, children of Abraham. Peace with justice is the dream and the right of all human beings.” Such truths provide the students with guiding principles that last a lifetime.
We are proud to support such a compassionate education in this moment in particular when it is so desperately needed to prevent more bloodshed.
|
|
If you weren't able to join us at Pilgrims'
May 19 Webinar with Richard Forer, author of
Thank you for joining us and for your generous donations to Pilgrims of Ibillin.
|
|
Pilgrims of Ibillin peace partner Seraj Library Project is engaged in two big flagship, culture-forming projects. They have been planning for a Storytelling Center, with its accompanying programs and curriculum but did not anticipate that one would be housed in the RIWAQ architectural restoration in Kufor Aqab. This location raises the impact and cultural contribution of the Storytelling Center and is a real cultural gift.
At the same time, they were also invited to establish a Cultural Center in Old Town Birzeit. This is something that gives a real opportunity to do something significant in a very public place that will include a children’s library, a university-orientated library, an arts center, a music conservatory, a cafe and the Seraj office.
Watch the new video - Seraj Library Project - from Laurie Salameh, as she guides you through the properties and talks about the new projects.
We are happy to be part of their important work in the West Bank.
|
|
Pilgrims of Ibillin supports peace partner the MAIA Water Project in Gaza through the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). The Maia Project (Arabic for “water”) provides Palestinian children with clean, safe drinking water for tens of thousands of Palestinian children by installing water purification and desalination units in schools throughout the Gaza Strip. The water was available to families during the epidemic although repairs or new installations were stalled during that time. |
|
Palestinian children have access to safe drinking water
with water purification and desalination units in schools
provided through The Maia Project.
|
|
There is a growing water crisis in Palestine. In Gaza, 95% of water is unfit for human consumption. Numerous military attacks (including this most recent assault) on the Gaza Strip have devastated Gaza’s water infrastructure and the twelve-year siege of Gaza has created a shortage of pipes, building materials, fuel and electricity. The water in Gaza is polluted with untreated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and it is brackish from seawater. Gaza’s water crisis poses grave health risks to children.
With current Israeli attacks, many water networks have been damaged and there is only electricity for a few hours a day which means that water purification units that treat Gaza’s polluted water are not functioning. Now 97% of water in Gaza is unfit for human consumption. A group called Partner Youth Vision Society has provided thousands of bottles of water to displaced families at 20 schools in the Gaza area while a more long-term solution can be found.
You can give to both the Seraj Library Project and MAIA Water Project through Pilgrims of Ibillin.
|
|
July 27 Webinar - Children of Bethlehem |
|
Save the Date - July 27
Pilgrims of Ibillin’s next webinar Children of Bethlehem with Katie Archibald-Woodward, Pilgrims of Ibillin President Rev. Dr. Peter Henry, and Pilgrims board director Rev. Dr. James Thomas.
Through photographs and conversations, "Children of Bethlehem" expresses the daily life, emotions, fears and dreams of Bethlehem’s youth at the pivotal ages of 12-13 years old and invites perspective on how their current reality is shaping them as the future influencers of the region.
Children of Bethlehem Webinar
Tuesday, July 27
8 pm (EDT) / 5pm (PDT)
|
|
After registering, you’ll receive a
confirmation email with the link and information
about joining the webinar.
A $15 donation suggested for Pilgrims of Ibillin
|
|
About our July Webinar Speaker
Katie Archibald-Woodward is an Atlanta-based spiritual director, photographer, educator, and pilgrimage leader, in the ordination process with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Formative travel experiences led her to being a connector between communities in the United States and Palestine and Israel through storytelling, speaking engagements, and pilgrimages. Her aim is to help spread awareness about the daily life of our neighbors in Israel and Palestine and partner with them in their pursuit of freedom, equality, dignity, and peaceful coexistence.
In November 2018, Katie created “Children of Bethlehem” in partnership with Dar Al-Kalima School in Bethlehem and the Creative Visions foundation. The project was initiated in response to witnessing depression, anxiety, and other trauma among Palestinian youth primarily caused by being among four generations in Palestine-Israel who have only known life under military control and colonial power.
|
|
Remember Pilgrims of Ibillin in Your Will
|
|
Is Pilgrims of Ibillin in your will, trust, or estate plan? If so thank you! A very generous bequest from Jean Hopson provided a much needed renovation on the Mar Elias junior high, high school offices and teacher’s lounge renovations, a sun shelter for kindergarteners, and allowed an extra $20,000 for scholarships in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gifts like these really made a difference for Mar Elias students!
If you would like to include Pilgrims of Ibillin in your estate plans please contact Essrea Cherin, Executive Director, essrea@pilgrimsofibillin.org or 303-928-0923, for tax ID information and she will add your name to the Legacy Society. Your gift may remain anonymous, if you like.
|
|
Pilgrimages Planned for 2022 |
|
Are you tired of being at home, missing travel, and wanting to learn and experience the Holy Land? Travel on a Pilgrimage with us in March or June in 2022!
If you are interested in joining us on a future
Living Stones tour, contact:
Brenda Mehos, pilgrimage coordinator
or call 303-928-0923
|
|
|
A Pilgrims of Ibillin Living Stones Pilgrimage to Israel & Palestine
March 1 – 14, 2022
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.”
Pilgrimage Leaders:
Instructor: Rev. Dr. James Thomas
West Bank Tour Guide: Usama Nicola
Tour Coordinator: Brenda Mehos
|
|
Holy Land Pilgrimage and Study Tour: Encountering Women of the Holy Land Where They Lived and Live
June 4 – 17, 2022
Pilgrims of Ibillin is offering a pilgrimage and study tour that focuses on the role of women in the Bible and in the Holy Land today.
Pilgrimage Leaders:
Instructor: Dr. Monte Luker
Tour Host: Rev. Dr. Mary Sue Dreier
|
|
|
Rev. Dr. Peter Henry
President
Rev. Dr. Lucy Forster-Smith
Vice President
Ms. Sarah Morgan
Secretary
Kip Nickel
Consultant & Treasurer
|
|
Ms. Haifa Bautista
Rev. Don Brown
Rev. Gail Doering
Rev. Mary Sue Dreier
Ms. Rima Kawas
Dr. Lamontte Luker
Ms. Judy Masserang
|
|
Dr. Brenda Mehos
Rev. Bobby Morris
Rev. Susan Mozena
Ms. Wren Shealy
Rev. Dr. James Thomas
Rev. Anne Weirich
|
|
|
|
|
Essrea Cherin
Executive Director
(303) 928-0923
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
