Living Stones

The Living Stones ministry is the Church of the Good Shepherd's
attempt to:

• stand with Christians in the holy land
• share our experiences in the region with others in the local community
• raise awareness about the Israeli/Palestine conflict and its effect
  on the Palestinian Christians and their neighbors by hosting speakers
  and groups working for peace
• directly support our sister parishes in Ramallah and Zababdeh with
  scholarships, supplies, prayer, and moral support

The name, "Living Stones", was chosen for this ministry because
"Living Stones " is the name of the Palestinian Christians in the Holy
Land who have been present in Palestine since the first Pentacost.

Major activities in 2009

• Traveled on witness trip to Israel/Palestine in October
• Ann, Elly, Rob, Sharon, and Sandy met with a number of NGO's and
  peace groups
• Members developed a daily bible study program used by trip
  participants - Met with our sister parish, St. Andrews, Ramallah and
  made a new linakge with the St. Matthew's church in Zababdeh. For both
  churches we brought school supplies and scolarships from our outreach
  and sales efforts during the year.
• Purchased goods for sale at future sales
• Ran Jerusalem Marketplace on successive Sundays around Easter and
  Christmas selling Fair Trade goods (olive oil, coffee, Palestine
  handcrafts, bring and buy item, etc.) to raise money for our sister
  parishes
• Hosted a Christmas sale of Palestinian embroidery, olive oil and
  other Fair Trade goods with the Folk Art Mavens and other groups
• Hosted a talk by Noam Chomsky and Nancy Murrary on the situation in
  Gaza
• Prepared presentation on Nazareth and Bethlehem for bible study
  groups at Christmas. We have adapted and expanded the Bethlehem
  presentation for use with other churches.