Suad Younan: Palestinian Lutheran

     CHICAGO (ELCA)  --  Suad Younan, a leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan (Palestine), asked the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Division for Global Mission board to support Palestinian Christians.  Younan is the director of the Helen Keller School for the Blind in Jerusalem.  The board, meeting here March 14-16, voted to send a letter of "solidarity and support" to the Palestinian church.
     Palestinian Christians are "involved in the history and society of our people," Younan said.  "We share with all Palestinian people the conditions of life, and we strive to create a Palestinian entity and state with East Jerusalem as its capital."
     Younan asked the ELCA to "sensitize your fellow Americans to speak up when unjust decisions are made" by your government. "Let us speak out as Christians in the name of justice and fair play," she said.
     Christians should "seek peace and the liberation that comes with it.  To do otherwise is to encourage a retreat to violence by extremists and fundamentalists from both sides and from the three monotheistic religions," Younan said.
     Palestinian Lutherans have "a rich heritage of bridge building and reconciliation though education, inter-faith dialogue, medical relief services and ecumenical encounters," Younan said.  "Yet as part of the Christian body we must always make sure that the cries and voices of the Christian Church are prophetic, and that they are heard," she said.
     Younan pointed to specific ways the ELCA can support Palestinian Christians.  Pilgrimage, travel to Bethlehem and other holy sites in the West Bank, is an important factor in the economy of the area, assuring jobs and slowing Christian emigration.  Younan urged Lutherans to oppose Israel's efforts to build its own tourism center and hotel complex adjacent to Bethlehem.
     Lutherans in the United States should acknowledge the "living stones," Palestinian Christians "who have faithfully remained in their country and are feebly struggling to lead a normal, dignified life," Younan said.
     In partnership with the Palestinian church, Younan said, the ELCA should "redefine the concept of mission work."  The churches should "set clear and realistic frames of reference in a genuine sense of fellowship and explore together their common vision in mission in our part of the world with its complexities and divisions."
     Younan said the Palestinian Christian churches face change and challenges, including "socio-cultural advocacy and siding with the poor, the destitute, displaced, disabled, deported and imprisoned."  The church must have "the courage to voice our concerns publicly and seek help and solidarity from our partners."  We seek your help, your wisdom and your voice, she said.
     Younan is a leader in her Lutheran congregation at Ramallah and in Palestinian ecumenical circles.  She is active in inter- faith dialogue, peacemaking and social justice, especially for the disabled.  She has accepted regional and international assignments from the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html