Past Events
Sunday, June 28th, 2009
Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church Impediments to Peace
ISRAEL-PALESTINE: A PROGRESSIVE JEW’S DILEMMA
The featured speaker is Kay Halpern, a Jew who has long felt a disconnect between many of Israel’s policies and the values of justice and compassion toward the stranger that are deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. She is an active member of a local synagogue. Kay often feels torn between the two sides in this painful conflict and tries very hard to listen to both sides, tease fact from fiction, and stand up for what she believes - which sometimes means telling people on both sides things they don’t want to hear.
Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church
3215 Powder Mill Road
Adelphi, MD
Sunday, June14th, 2009
Peace with Justice Sunday
Foundry United Methodist Church
Luncheon Discussion: "Jerusalem is the Key to Middle East Peace"
Ori Nir, spokesman for Americans for Peace Now (APN), will speak about the importance of Jerusalem as an integral part of any settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A long-time peace activist and journalist, Mr. Nir will also suggest what Christian churches like Foundry can do to help influence and support the Obama administration's push toward a two-state solution that includes a "shared" Jerusalem. Americans for Peace Now (APN) is the American support group for Peace Now, Israel's largest peace group (www.peacenow.org).
Foundry United Methodist Church
1500 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC
Sunday, April 19th, 2009
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: Home Demolitions in Jerusalem
The April workshop focused on the demolition of Palestinian homes by the Israeli government. The workshop featured two speakers -Jim Vitarello, the President of Sharing Jerusalem who has been involved in Middle East peace efforts for over 30 years, and David Hose, a Methodist intern who worked for the Sabeel Center for Liberation Theology in Jerusalem last year and is now working with the US Campaign to End the Occupation in Washington, DC. Jim provided the historic, political, and legal context to the home demolition problem. David shared his personal experience while living in Jerusalem for over one year, as well as showing pictures that he took of Palestinian homes that were demolished while he was living in Jerusalem.
Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church
1500 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: GAZA - In Search of our Common Humanity
The February workshop focused on the following questions: What has the current fighting and on-going blockade done to Gaza? What can the future hold for Gaza? What can we do here today to help promote a negotiated settlement between Palestinians and Israelis? How can we get more accurate information about Gaza? The workshop featured four speakers deeply connected to this land and issue - Dua' Nakhala, an American University Political Science Doctoral student from Gaza; Phil Farah, a Palestinian Christian from Jerusalem whose family originates from Gaza; Kay Halpern, a concerned American Jew and active member of a local area synagogue; and Mai Abdul Rahman, a Palestinian Muslim and president, American Palestinian Women’s Association.
Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church
3215 Powder Mill Road
Adelphi, MD
Sunday, January 25th, 2009
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: Obama Effect on Israel/Palestine and their Neighbors
The January workshop focused on the results of a CNI delegation of 15 citizen-diplomatshwo went on a political pilgrimage to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank, Israel, and Egypt. In extensive meetings with government and opposition leaders, as well as people on the street, their objective was to determine "what the Middle East wants from President-Elect Obama in the first 100 days."
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church
1820 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
SHARING JERUSALEM: What Does It Really Mean?
Featured speakers: Reverend Russ Siler, former pastor (2003-2007) of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Bethlehem, and Jim Vitarello, President of Sharing Jerusalem.
Emanuel Lutheran Church
7730 Bradley Boulevard
Bethesda, MD
Sunday, January 11th, 2009
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:
Why do so many Palestinians and Arabs hate the U.S.? What can we do to help the peace process? Do we as Christians have any obligations in this process?
Featured speaker: Jim Vitarello, President of Sharing Jerusalem.
Linden Linthicum United Methodist Church
12101 Linden Linthicum Lane
Clarksville, Maryland
Sponsored by Linden Linthicum, Christ-Columbia, and Locust United Methodist Women
Saturday, December 20th, 2008
2nd AnnualJoint Simulcast Worship Service with the People of Bethlehem
Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born, is under occupation. All of its residents, including Palestinian Christians, are suffering. This joint worship service allowed Americans to worship and pray for peace with residents of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem Chapel of the National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Sunday, December 10th, 2008
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: Possession versus Rights - Land Confiscation in Jerusalem
The December workshop focused on the confiscation of Palestinian land by the Israeli government in Jerusalem. The featured speaker was Janet Lewis, a missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, stationed in Bethlehem and serving as a liaison between ecumenical groups and Israel and Palestine.
Foundry United Methodist Church
1500 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC
Saturday, December 6th, 2008
Annual Christmas Procession for Bethlehem
Mary and Joseph, with a donkey, led a candle-light procession around the White House and the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse to remind the world that Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born, is under occupation.
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace:
Sharing Jersusalem - What Does It Really Mean?
The November workshop focused on what it really means to share the holy city of Jerusalem.
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
212 East Capitol Street, N.E.
Washington, DC
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Sunday, September 21st, 2008
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: Separation Barrier/Wall
The September workshop focused on the Separation Barrier/Wall that Israel is building inside the green line, cutting off many Palestinians from their land, their work, their families, school, and medical care that are on the other side of the barrier - in defiance of the UN and the International Court of Justice.
Dumbarton United Methodist Church
3133 Dumbarton Street
Washington, DC (Georgetown)
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: Restrictions to Palestinian Movement
The July workshop focused on the checkpoints and how they are an impediment to the peace process. Checkpoints strangle the economy and cause great humiliation, pain, and even loss of life for Palestinians.
Ravensworth Baptist Church
5100 Ravensworth Road
Annandale, Virginia
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Sunday, June 15th, 2008
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: Water Resources Exploitation
The June workshop focused on the exploitation of Palestinian water resources by the Israeli governemnt and how it is an impediment to the peace process.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
4900 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Monthly Prayer Service and Workshop on Impediments to Peace: East Jerusalem Settlement Expansion
The May workshop focused on East Jerusalem setlement expansion and how it is an impediment to the peace process.
Chevy Chase United Methodist Church
7001 Connecticut Avenue
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Campaign Kickoff: Interfaith Prayer Service and Workshop
Prayer Service featuring Warren Clark, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace Workshop focusing on how to best implement and coordinate the campaign throughout the Baltimore-Washington metro area
St. John’s Episcopal Church of Georgetown
3240 O St. N.W., Washington, DC
Sunday, February 24, 2008
THE IMPORTANCE OF JERUSALEM TO ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE
Talk by Pastor Russell Siler, former Lutheran pastor of Church of the Redeemer in East Jerusalem
Foundry United Methodist Church
Co-sponsored by Sharing Jerusalem and Peace with Justice Mission
Sunday, February 24, 2008
What We Learned: A Reflection of Our Journey to the Holy Land
Presentation and panel discussion by CAN members, GJ and Kay Tarazi, and fellow church members
Ravensworth Baptist Church
Friday and Saturday, February 22-23, 2007
Virginia Chapter, Methodist Federation for Social Action
Teaching 2-day course on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and post-Annapolis peace process
Teachers: Jim Vitarello and Miles Kimber
Sunday, January 27, 2008
STOP THE GAZA BLOCKADE! END THE VIOLENCE!
Interfaith Prayer Service at St. Alban's Episcopal Church
Followed by a Vigil at the Israeli Embassy
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP and ADC
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Annual Procession for Bethlehem
Bethlehem Chapel of the National Cathedral
Simulcast link to Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem
Followed by procession around the Cathedral led by Mary and Joseph with a donkey
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Monday, November 19, 2007
An Evening of Reflection on the Peace Process
Afif Safieh, PLO Ambassador to the United States, spoke about the Annapolis Conference and its aftermath
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Co-sponsored by WIAMEP
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Mini-School of Christian Missions
Taught 30 United Methodist Women about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the current state of events, and what we as Christians can do to help bring peace
Teachers: Jim Vitarello and Rev. Monroe Wright
Saturday/Sunday, October 20-21, 2007
SJ Communications Workshop
Led by Cecilie Surasky, Diectorr of Communications, Jewish Voices for Peace
St. Columba’s Episcopal Church
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Chevy Chase UMC
Taught 40 United Methodist Women and church members about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the current state of events, and what we as Christians can do to help bring peace
Speaker: Jim Vitarello
Sunday, October 1, 2007
Sharing Jerusalem
Foundry United Methodist Church
Film: Searching for Peace in the Middle East
Speakers: Wes Pippert and Jim VItarello
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Mini-School of Christian Missions
Taught 45 United Methodist Women about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the current state of events, and what we as Christians can do to help bring peace
Teachers: Jim Vitarello and Rev. Monroe Wright
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Church Action Network Meeting
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Speakers: Doris Warrell, Dumbarton UMC, and Carol Bullard-Bates, Church of the Savior
Thursday-Sunday, July 18-21, 2007
School of Christian Missions
Taught 56 United Methodist Women and two men about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the current state of events, and what we as Christians can do to help bring peace. Conducted several group role playing exercises, including the Sharing Jerusalem orientation on developing a Church Action Plan.
Teachers: Jim Vitarello, Jeni Vitarello, and Rev. Monroe Wright
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Pangs of the Messiah, Artistic Director’s Roundtable
Panelists: Motti Lerner, Playwright, PANGS OF THE MESSIAH; Philip Farah, Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace; Jim Vitarello, President, Sharing Jerusalem USA; Moderator: Paul Scham, Middle East Institute
Saturday, June 10, 2007
Protest 40 Years of Occupation
Peace songs, posters, and march on the White House
Organized by End the Occupation
Co-sponsored by Episcopal Peace Fellowship DC
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Church Action Network Meeting
Deanery on the Grounds of the National Cathedral
Speakers: Corinne Whitlach, Ex Dir of CMEP, and Rev. John Peterson, Canon of Global Justice, Washington National Cathedral
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Searching for Peace in the Middle East
Film and discussion by Rabbi Gerry Serotta and Jim Vitarello
Grace Episcopal Church
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Sharing Jerusalem Workshop
St Thomas’ Episcopal Church
Baltimore - Introduction to Sharing Jerusalem Campaign
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Sharing Jerusalem Workshop
Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church
Maryland - Introduction to Sharing Jerusalem Campaign
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Sharing Jerusalem Workshop
Ravensworth Baptist Church
Virginia - Introduction to Sharing Jerusalem Campaign
Saturday, July 8, 2006
Sharing Jerusalem Workshop
St. Albans Church
District of Columbia - Introduction to Sharing Jerusalem Campaign