Dec. 2016 – UMKR has a (slightly) new name: United Methodists for Kairos Response
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Answering the urgent call from Palestinian Christians
~ in Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth ~ for effective action to end the Israeli occupation and achieve a just peace in the Holy Land.
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With limited resources,
UMKR has made a remarkable
impact in the UMC. But this vital peace and justice work can only continue with the support of those who believe in it. Gifts of any size WILL make a difference!
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MAIL
General Inquiries:
United Methodist Kairos Response
c/o Rev. John Wagner
120 South Broad Street
Middletown, OH 45044
Donations/Financial Correspondence:
United Methodists for Kairos Response
c/o William P. Aldrich
42 Gaspee Point Drive • Warwick, RI 02888
Make donations payable to our fiscal agent:
Open Table of Christ UMC
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Discovery
Israel/Palestine 101
Prepare for peacemaking by learning the basics: the history of this conflict and the real situation today. We have some easy ways to get started. Learn more
23 Resolutions in 2017 Conferences! Protecting our Right to Boycott & much more
Changing U.S. Policy
It is time for a change in U.S. policies regarding Israel/Palestine. Find out how UMKR and allies are making an impact in Washington & get involved. Learn more
CONNECT
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Want to know more about our work?
We would love to hear from you! info@kairosresponse.org
Worship & Devotional Resources
Enrich your spiritual connection to the cause of justice in the Holy Land, with diverse materials for congregations & personal devotions. See the resources
Responsible Tourism
Be more than a tourist in the Holy Land. See remarkable tours that will show you biblical history and introduce you to the people of the land. Learn more
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Action alerts in real time
For our latest action alerts, Follow UMKR on Twitter. Our handle:
@UMKairosResp
2017 News
Reflections of a United Methodist Missionary
Janet Lahr Lewis reflects on her time as a missionary in Israel and Palestine.
United Methodists in U.S. defend the right to boycott and divest
Twenty-three resolutions adopted in fifteen annual conferences in 2017, on a wide range of issues related to Israel/Palestine
UMKR welcomes new UMC investment fund: Equities Social Values Plus Fund
See the press release
UMKR Calls for Boycott of HP Products
15 Christian organizations send a Briefing Paper on Israel/Palestine
to the Trump Administration and the U.S. Congress.
12 UMC Holy Land Missionaries Publish Open Letter to Donald Trump:
"Don't move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem."
Palestinian Pastor Sends Open Letter to UK Prime Minister
Recalling the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, Rev. Alex Awad calls on PM for a new path for Britain regarding Israel/Palestine
UMKR Prepares 6 New Resolutions for 2017 Conferences
See and download the resolutions
FOSNA Lenten Study for 2017 added to UMKR Worship Resources
7 Recommended Holy Land Trips in 2017
Kairos Palestine
Palestinian Christians have called on us to help end the Israeli occupation. Discover the document that is mobilizing Christians around the world! Read it
Action
Events
News & Views
Unheard Voices from the Heart of Palestine
Saturday, September 30, 2017, 8:45 am – 4:30 pm
First United Methodist Church
1001 Pleasant St., Des Moines, Iowa
Sponsored by the Middle East Peace Education
Coalition (MEPEC)
Download the brochure to register for this conference
Whether you are new to the issue of the Israeli/Palestinian
conflict or you have studied the topic for years,
this symposium is for you.
COME AND LEARN ABOUT:
• America’s role in the Occupation
• Faith perspectives on the conflict
• Becoming active in peacemaking
SPEAKERS
Rev. Naim Ateek is a Palestinian priest in the Anglican
Church and an Arab citizen of Israel. He is the founder
and former director of Sabeel, an ecumenical theology
center in Jerusalem. He lectures widely and is the author
of several books, including Justice and Only Justice:
A Palestinian Theology of Liberation and A Palestinian Christian Cry for Reconciliation.
Phyllis Bennis is a fellow at the Institute for Policy
Studies and is a writer, activist and analyst on Middle East
and UN issues. She works with many anti-war organizations
and writes and speaks widely in the US and around the world
as part of the global peace movement. She has written and
edited eleven books and has served as an informal advisor to
several top UN officials on Middle East issues.
Other Speakers: Yaser Abudagga, Rev. Chris Cowan, Ahmed Elkhaldy, Dr. Maria Filippone, Katie Huerter, Elizabeth Leas, Kathleen McQuillen, Pat Minor
The Middle East Peace Education Coalition (MEPEC) is guided by a belief in the worth of every individual. Our mission is to work toward a just peace in Israel/Palestine by:
• Changing US policies that have supported and continue to support the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.
• Affirming the human rights of all people to self-determination and to security within identified borders.
• Recognizing the right and responsibility of the people of the region to decide on the governance of their state(s).
• Committing to the principle that international law must be the framework for resolving the conflict.
If you are interested in becoming a part of our work, contact Christine Anders at christine@dmfirstchurch.org or Kathleen McQuillen at kathleenmcquillen@gmail.com
Sign the Petition
For UMC clergy and employees:you are the stakeholders in the services provided by the UM General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. Let them know you want occupation-free investments.
Sign the petition to GBPHB
Stronger together
Advocate with UMKR for a
just peace in the Holy Land
Add your voice to thousands of United Methodists who advocate for equality and freedom for all the people of Israel and Palestine. Consider working with one of UMKR's committees or focus on advocacy in your area.
Settlements Boycott
The UMC has called for a global ban on products from Israeli settlements. See many familiar products & how you can support the boycott. Learn more
Noteworthy News in 2016
United Methodist regional bodies oppose "anti-BDS" legislation – September 2016
UMKR questions Israeli crackdown on humanitarian aid – August 2016
Congressional Briefing on the impact of Settlement Expansion - February 2016
United Methodist Pension Fund Excludes and Divests from Israeli Banks - January 2016
Noteworthy News in 2015 & earlier
UMKR celebrates Boycott Success in Palestinian Territories - October 2015
Read the press release
Eight United Methodist annual conferences vote for divestment in 2015
See the press release
UMKR welcomes new UM investment fund, while noting problems - January 2015
See the press release
Landmark action: United Methodist Pension board divests from G4S - June 2014
See the press release.
Selective Divestment
Throughout the church, the call is growing for the UMC to cut its financial ties to the Israeli occupation that it has long opposed Learn more
Is It Apartheid?
Find out what an international team of legal scholars - commissioned by the South African government - said about the Israeli occupation. See the answer