The United Reformed Church (URC) is relaunching its Gaza Appeal to support urgent humanitarian work in the region, with an expanded scope to include Lebanon.
We are pleased to announce that this effort is being undertaken in partnership with the Methodist Church in Britain, under the name Gaza/Lebanon Justice Appeal and will be supported by All We Can, an international development and relief organisation.
By collaborating with our partners on the ground, we aim to provide critical aid and pursue a shared mission of relief and justice for the people of Gaza and Lebanon.
The Revd Philip Brooks, URC Deputy General Secretary (Mission), explains: “Given the desperate humanitarian crisis experienced by the people of Gaza and Lebanon, it is good for the URC and its global justice programme, ‘Commitment for Life’, to join with our Methodist ecumenical partners and All We Can in support of this vital appeal.
“In the face of overwhelming force and deep injustice, we hope to bring ecumenical solidarity and practical support to help alleviate the plight of so many people who are enduring conflict in this region.”
Jude Levermore, Head of Mission for the Methodist Church, adds: “We are called to be co-workers for God’s mission of reconciliation and justice, to act and serve among fragile humanity.
“We believe the crucified Christ is embracing the pain of war affecting people from all parties and backgrounds and we feel compelled therefore to act together with care and compassion. We wait for sanity to prevail but in the meantime, we stand with our partners in solidarity and give what we can.”
The Methodist Liaison Office (MLO) based in Jerusalem works alongside several partners in Gaza, including the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees which is part of the Near Eat Council of Churches (NECC) and the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre which opened a clinic in Gaza early on during the conflict. The URC is a long-standing partner of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon which is working in the region following IDF airstrikes.
Funds raised will be collected by The Methodist Church World Mission Fund and will be shared direct with partners working in the area.
Visit the Gaza/Lebanon appeal page to make your donation.
Learn more about this and the IOPT from Commitment for Life.
A prayer for the appeal
In your humanity, incarnate God, you walked this earth,
Promised through the prophets as the wonderful counselor, the prince of peace.
The footprint of your reign is embedded in the land.
Bring now, we wholeheartedly pray, your wisdom and your peace into the world.
That our world may not be ruled by war, injustice and hatred
but by peace-loving wisdom that offers everyone life in all its fullness.
Strengthen us that through our prayers, action and giving
that we may strive to be co-creators of the vision you offer the world,
in the name of the wonderful counselor and the prince of peace. Amen.
Image by Hosny Salah/Pixabay.