Israel - Gaza Conflict Resources
ELCA Churchwide Resources
This page includes information for Lutheran Disaster Response, worship resources, ecumenical resources and statements, and more.
Ways to Give
Lutheran Disaster Response: Support ELCA partners in the region, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), and Augusta Victoria Hospital.
Opportunity Palestine: Support West Bank schools and families, earmark your giving “ELCJHL Schools”
Bright Stars of Bethlehem: Support arts and cultural education
Synod Resources
The Southeastern Iowa Synod Working Group known as Peace Not Walls (new name coming soon!)compiles these resources focused on peace in the Holy Land. They include reflections, connections to Iowa, poems, and more to use for worship, bible studies, adult forums, personal study, and more.
Background information from Peace Not Walls in Southeastern Iowa:
The attack of October 7, 2023 by Hamas, which killed approximately 1400 Israelis, mostly civilians, was a vicious and heinous crime that no one can condone. Our hearts go out to the families of victims and hostages. May God comfort them, and may the hostages be released soon. While we in no way support Hamas’s violence, it has to be seen in the context of 75 years of occupation and 16 years of blockade of Gaza. People living under occupation have a right to resist, according to international law.
Gaza is mostly populated by non-combatants. Since October 7th, more than 11,000 Gazans have been killed by Israeli bombing, including 4500 children, and innumerable civilians are buried under the rubble of schools, hospitals, and refugee camps. News of the war has caused suffering, not only in Gaza but around the world. There is an increase in hate crimes against both Jews and Palestinians. As Christians, we are called to see the face of God in all people regardless of nationality or race.
Resource Links (newest items are listed first)
Temple Talk - authored by the synod Peace Not Walls group this is a great read for a temple talk or adult forum
FAQ document - use as a handout for adult forum, temple talk, or in a newsletter
Lessons and Carols Service - recording of the service a joint venture between the Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese and the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church
New Release about violence against those seeking shelter within the compound of Holy Family Parish (Roman Catholic) in Gaza
Reflection from Rev. Russ Melby on Dar al-Kalima University (DAK)
Reflection from Rev. Chris Cowan on increased violence against herding communities since the start of the Israel- Hamas Conflict.
Among those for whom watching the news has become a particular agony are Palestinian Gazans currently in the US. For the lived experience and personal perspective of Yaser, a friend who lives in our synod, the Peace Not Walls team members commend this video, recorded early in the war. Video from the Daily Iowan
The Peace Not Walls Working Group of the Southeastern Iowa Synod has issued a statement encouraging members of our synod to pray and advocate for this situation. Read the full statement