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Dec. 2016 – UMKR has a (slightly) new name: United Methodists for Kairos Response
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UMKR emails bring you news about current justice work, action alerts, and great resources for learning and action. Usually 1 newsletter and 1 action alert per month.
Lent 2017: What Would They Say Now? | View PDF
Produced by FOSNA's theology committee, this Lenten Study for 2017 includes six reflections It journeys through the Scriptures, exploring the experiences of particular Biblical characters—Abraham, King Hezekiah, the exiled community in Babylon, Mary of Nazareth, the Magi journeying to Bethlehem, and Jesus on the Mount of Olives—and pondering the similarities and differences between the “then” and the “now” in each sacred location. Includes photos, discussion questions and opportunities for action.
Reflection for Lent 2016 | View PDF
An introduction to the days of Lent from longtime Palestinian peace activist and Christian leader Nora Carmi. Nora’s reflection on the potential Lent holds for us—rooted in scripture and based on the faith of the “living stones” of Palestinian Christians—challenges us to commit to making God’s Land “a promising land where the oppressed are liberated and the oppressor regains, once more, his humanity.” By Nora Carmi
Holding Our Hurting Hearts: Lectionary Meditations for Lent 2016 | View PDF
Powerful and heartfelt meditations on the gospel readings for each of the six Sundays of Lent, offered as inspiration for preaching, teaching, and praying, in hopes we “may touch the boundless divine yearning for justice, woven into Creation and into humanity by the One who made us.”
By Rev. Diane Dulin
A Litany for Holy Week: Troubling Days in Jerusalem | View PDF
A responsive litany appropriate for Palm Sunday or any day of Holy Week, connecting the drama of the first Holy Week to current realities in Jerusalem. By Rev. Diane Dulin
Devotional for Lent 2015 | View PDF
Reflections from United Methodists serving in Palestine and Israel, shared by the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem.
Devotional for Holy Week 2015 | View PDF
Reflections from United Methodists serving in Palestine and Israel, shared by the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem.
Pentecost
Litany of Spirit and Solidarity for Pentecost | View PDF
A responsive litany that uses Pentecost passages from Acts 2 for contemporary solidarity and spirit. By Rev. Diane Dulin
Advent
Kairos Palestine Christmas Alert 2015 | View PDF
A set of essays by Palestinian women communicating the heart of the Christmas message in the midst of occupation, interspersed with passages from the Kairos Palestine document, scripture lessons, and powerful photos. By Kairos Palestine
Devotional for Advent 2015 | View PDF
Lectionary-based reflections from past and present missionaries in Palestine and Israel, shared by the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem.
Liturgical resources for Advent 2014 | View PDF
A worship supplement designed for use with the Kairos Palestine Christmas Alert 2014, developed last year by Kairos USA. By Rev. Diane Dulin
Litanies and liturgies
The Gaza Bombardment of 2014: It is Now A Year Later… | View PDF
A responsive litany of lament, confession, and Palestinian resilience on the anniversary of Israel’s brutal 2014 attack on Gaza. By Rev. Diane Dulin
Litany of Kairos Questions | View PDF
A responsive litany patterned after the Sermon on the Mount, raising common questions and misguided understandings about Palestine and providing replies. By Rev. Diane Dulin
Liturgy of Public Resistance: The Wall Will Fall | View PDF
Designed for use during the 2015 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel but appropriate at any time; it uses passages from Kairos Palestine to highlight the destructive impacts of the Separation Wall. By Rev. Diane Dulin
Prayers and Poems
A New Song Even Though | View PDF
A poem prayer for World Communion Sunday written in the midst of violence and despair.
By Rev. Loren McGrail
Church of the Checkpoint |View PDF
A description of Checkpoint 300 between Bethlehem and Jerusalem and a prayer for use there, along with other suggestions for public worship at the site. By Rev. Diane Dulin
I Allowed Myself | View PDF
A poem lamenting the heartbreaking death of a small infant. By Rev. Loren McGrail
Prayer for Hem of His Garment | View PDF
A prayer based on Mark 5:21-43, calling forth the courage required for dreaming, hoping, and reaching out for wholeness or for justice. By Rev. Loren McGrail
Sermons
Rebuke, Disrupt, Shout | View PDF
A sermon based on Matthew 25:14-30, presenting the Parable of the Talents as a lesson about power, greed, and corruption. By Rev. Loren McGrail
Music and choral materials
Build Us a Table | View PDF
Composer Lori True calls this song “musical preaching.” Words by Ruth C. Duck speak of the inclusiveness of the Eucharist and include a call to tear down walls that “keep the world from our eyes and our heart.”
O Spirit of Peace/Yarabba Ssalami | View PDF
A Taizé-style song written by an anonymous Palestinian author and used by Christian churches in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon during the passing of the peace. The words call for peace to come to every heart and to the land.
Many commonly used hymnals and supplements contain songs that would be very appropriate for a worship focus on Palestine. In The United Methodist Hymnal, possibilities include “What Does the Lord Require of You” and “This Is My Song”; look in the topic index under Justice or Social Concerns for others. In “The Faith We Sing, “We Are Called” and “The Summons” are often used. In the UCC’s New Century Hymnal, look under Peace or Freedom and Liberation.
Worship & Devotional Resources
“Hope is the capacity to see God in the midst of trouble, and to be
co-workers with the Holy Spirit who is dwelling in us.”
— A Moment of Truth, Kairos Palestine document, 2009
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.
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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Education Resources
United Methodist Kairos Response and Kairos USA together offer this collection of worship and devotional resources to clarify and enrich the spiritual connection to the cause of justice in the Holy Land. We encourage faith communities and other justice advocates to use these resources as they see fit in worship, personal and community devotions, and other faith-based activities. Check this page frequently, as we are adding new material on a regular basis.
Scroll down this page to see the resources in the following list:
• Lent/Holy Week
• Pentecost
• Advent
• Litanies and liturgies
• Prayers and poems
• Sermons
• Music and choral materials
We welcome submissions!
Please send submissions to worship@kairosresponse.org. Materials will be posted at the discretion of a Kairos USA-United Methodist Kairos Response review team with the goal of providing a wide variety of excellent resources. Our deepest thanks to the authors represented here for allowing us to reprint their materials.
Do you live or work in Palestine? We would like to feature your stories in a category we call Finding Voice. We are especially interested in stories that can be shared this coming Lenten season. You can read more about the Finding Voice project here.