Slideshow image

Pray for Peace in the Holy Land

Each Sunday during worship we pray for peace in the Middle East, and we ask and encourage you to join us in your own prayers as well.

Letter from RCA General Secretary

CCD received a letter from Eddy Aleman, the General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America, which we are sharing with you below.

September 2024

Dear friends at Community Church of Douglaston,

I write this letter at the urging of both the Commission on Christian Action, which has faithfully led our denomination in matters of social action and justice, and the 2024 General Synod. Since 2023, one of the focus areas of the commission has been on supporting peace efforts in the Holy Land-and rightly so. I am grateful for the encouragement and expertise of this commission as we live out our call as disciples of Jesus in our lost and broken world so loved by God.

Together, we lament the lives that have been tragically lost, and also lament that this violence prevails in the land of Jesus, our Prince of Peace. We pray earnestly for God's peace in our world and that the love and hope of Christ might shine brilliantly, even in places of darkness and despair. I have always believed in prayer, and I invite you to join me in faithful prayer for our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land, if you are not already doing so.

Even though we are thousands of miles away from the Holy Land, there are still ways for us to engage in peace efforts. I join the Commission on Christian Action (CCA) in encouraging the following action, both as churches and individuals:

  • Read the testimonial letter from Rev. Mashona Walston, member of the CCA and senior minister of First Church in Albany, New York, who was part of "glimmer of hope" event where RCA leaders and leaders of other faiths made space for each other. The le.tter is part of the commission's report to General Synod (pp. 200-208), which can be read in the 2024 Minutes of General Synod.
  • Dig into the resources found on Churches for Middle East Peace's website.
  • Engage the work done by Rev. Joshua Vis and Rev. Chris DeBlaay, the RCA mission partners doing the denomination's work in relation to the Holy Land. More about them, their work, and the immersion tours they lead can be found at www.joshvis.com.

Along with this letter to you, our RCA churches, I have sent letters to U.S. government officials and the Canadian prime minister, affirming their work toward a permanent ceasefire and calling them to continue to relentlessly pursue the end of this tragic war. I affirm the commission's suggestion for RCA constituents to also contact your public officials and government authorities. Please join me in writing to your representatives, senators, or members of Parliament to advocate for a ceasefire and recommitment to a just and lasting peace in Israel/Palestine.

I continue to be grateful for our shared life and ministry. I pray that God will guide you always.

Sincerely,

Rev. Eddy Aleman
General Secretary

Ministries
Adult Ministry