PRAYER - STUDY - ACTION
Third Week of Advent, Dec. 11-17
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Greetings of peace!

Earlier this year, as we gathered to celebrate Pax Christi USA's 50th Anniversary in Washington, DC, we had the opportunity to hear from leaders of various social movements, including Jonathan Kuttab from Friends of Sabeel-North America (FOSNA). This week, we are answering FOSNA's call to Preach Palestine.

Tense moments are lived every day in Palestine, the Nakba (Catastrophe) has not ended. It is particularly important for folks in the U.S. to Pray, Study, and Act in solidarity with Palestinians since our tax dollars ($3.8 BILLION) are provided to the Israeli government and are used to strengthen the settler colonial state. We are excited to announce the newly formed Palestine Solidarity Working Group. If you are interested in joining, please send an email to me (rbendezu@paxchristiusa.org).

Please use the following resources to complement those offered in the Advent 2022 resource page.

I'm looking forward to working alongside you in 2023!
In justice,

Roxana Bendezú
Program Director, Pax Christi USA
PRAYER
Broken Town of Bethlehem
by Martin John Nicholls
Come again, O Promiser of Peace.
Come again, to the city of your birth
mired in fear, oppression and injustice.
Be born again in the camps.
Be born again in stables and homes.

Be born again in places of injustice.
Be born again a promise of hope,
a sign of love and joy to the world.

Be born again in our hearts,
that we too might be called
Makers of peace
and Children of God.

Amen.
>> Join us each Monday evening in Advent over Zoom from 8:30-9pm for an Advent evening prayer service with Pax Christi USA members from around the nation. Click here to register.

>> Click here to find "Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Prayers and Rituals for Families, Small Groups," which includes Advent wreath rituals, Christmas tree blessings, Epiphany blessing and more.
STUDY
Why Are Palestinian Christians Leaving Jesus' Birthplace?
>> A Palestine 101 Course to Understanding Israel's Oppression of the Palestinian People. Click here to read and watch.

>> Listen to Creede Caldwell's reflection during Week Two of our Advent Evening Prayer Service. Click here.

>> Check out The First Advent in Palestine, by Kelly Nikonheda, an Advent resource and video series from Friends of Sabeel, North America
ACTION
Join the Palestine Solidarity Working Group!
During 2022, we intentionally created time and space to celebrate the passion, work, and commitment of Pax Christi USA's members whom for 50 years have been following the call to be peacemakers, to achieve a peace which can only be obtained through justice. We uplifted many important issues during that time, including the Palestinian struggle. We are looking forward to using this platform to take more actions in order to stand in solidarity with Palestinians and work alongside them to achieve our collective liberation. Join us!

Join the Palestine Solidarity Working Group by sending an email to Roxana at rbendezu@paxchristiusa.org.
>> Commit your parish, congregation, or local group to Preach Palestine during this Advent and Christmas season.

>> Sing some of this Christmas carols with your family and let them know what is happening in Palestine.

>> Organize a movie night with your local group or community to see Farha.
A special Advent message from Martin Sheen
If you can make a special contribution to our
close out our 50th anniversary in a strong position,
we'd be so grateful! Just click on the donation button
to the right to give securely & quickly online. Thanks!!