A couple of months ago we had an idea.   I’d say the Holy Spirit moved among us and we launched a new initiative called God Loves Gaza (if you haven’t yet connected, check out www.GodLovesGaza.org).  But we didn’t just want it to be words on a screen.  Nor did we want it to simply be horrifying photos of the genocide in Gaza being carried out with US funds and weapons.  We want it to be a call to action… with concrete ideas of things we can actually do to respond.

One of the most concrete is something we’ve been calling Peace Communion.  As we remember the broken body and shed blood of Christ, we want to remember the victims of violence in Gaza and around the world.  We now have 100 communion sets (a plate and chalice) that are made in Hebron, the final resting place of Abraham and Sarah.  And we have created a liturgical toolkit (FREE to download) to use and adapt to fit your community.  If you are a pastor or denominational leader, please consider being a part of the Peace Communion movement, and ordering these for your congregation(s).  If you are not a pastor, please consider asking your pastor or leadership team if they’d consider using these communion sets and prayers as a way of praying for an end to the violence in Gaza and the West Bank.  Here’s the link:  https://godlovesgaza.org/communion/.  And below is a little more info on the project.  May we continue to work for peace together, in the name of the Prince of Peace.

THE MESSAGE:

Communion is viewed by many Christians as a sacrament – which means “a holy mystery.”  We remember the Body of Christ, broken for the world. And we remember the blood of Christ, shed for the world.  Communion provides a powerful opportunity for us to remember the broken bodies and shed blood happening in Gaza right now, as Christ said, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.”

MADE IN HEBRON

The communion plate and chalice are made in Hebron.  Hebron is a historic city throughout Scripture, and it is the final resting place for Abraham and Sarah (as well as their son Isaac, grandson Jacob and Rebecca and Leah).  Hebron is significant for many reasons – it is the home of the Ibrahimi Mosque which has been a target of extremist violence, namely the massacre of 1994 where an armed Zionist opened fire on Muslims during prayer, killing 29 people and injuring 150 others (there are still bullet holes in the wall).  Hebron is in the Palestinian West Bank and is a particularly troubled area now with occupation soldiers in full force on the streets and Israeli settlers pressing in on all sides.  Recent violence has not only threatened the lives of Palestinian children and families in Hebron, but it has also destroyed the economy which relies heavily on visitors, spiritual pilgrims, and tourists.  So the Peace Communion project is not only a sign of spiritual solidarity with families being crushed by military violence, but it is also an act of economic solidarity – a concrete way we can support the local economy in Hebron.  We are working directly with the Palestinian families who design and make the communion sets.

Disclaimer:  We have prepared the liturgical resource to go with the Peace Communion sets, but it is not meant to be prescriptive.  Don’t see this as a script, but more as a prayerful prompt as you prepare for your service or vigil.  You know your faith community best, so adapt it as the Spirit leads you.  For many of you outside the US, we are sorry that we are not currently able to mail the communion sets internationally, but we may be able to in the future.  For now, if you are outside the US, you can purchase them here: https://starbazaar.bethbc.edu/.  If you are in the US, you can continue to order them on our site, individually or in bulk:  www.GodLovesGaza.org).

Sample Prayer (used at the Church at the Crossroads Conference)

Holy God,
In a world with so much hunger,
Thank you for coming to us as the Bread of Life.
In a world with so much thirst,
Thank you for coming to us as Living Water.
In a world with so much violence,
Thank you for coming to us as the Prince of Peace.

Christ Jesus,
As we remember your Body, broken for us and for the world,
We remember the broken bodies of Gaza, and the victims of violence throughout the world.
Bring your peace… on earth as it is in heaven.

As we remember your Blood, poured out for the sins of the world,
We remember the blood of your children that has been shed in Gaza, an open wound that needs your healing right now.
Heal our hearts, heal our streets, heal our world.

Holy Spirit,
Fill us with your love, that we might be instruments of your peace in this world of war.
Form us into your Body – that we might be your hands, and your feet, carrying the Good News of your love for every one of your children, especially those in Gaza right now.
Break our hearts with the things that break your heart.
Give us courage so that we might confront the principalities and powers that are crushing your people.
Amen.

In addition to the Peace Communion project, you’ll find tons of other resources, links, and ways to join us at Red Letter Christians as we work for an end to the violence and occupation in Gaza, and for the release of all hostages. Please check it all out here: www.GodLovesGaza.org — and let us know any ideas you have!!!

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