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
- 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.
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