Introduction: What is Sumud? (English)
Following the Way of Jesus
Introduction: What is Sumud? (English)
DownloadIntroduction: What is Sumud? (Arabic)
Following the Way of Jesus
Introduction: What is Sumud? (Arabic)
DownloadWeek 1: Sumud the Way of Jesus (English)
Ranan Issa Abu Shanab
Week 1: Sumud the Way of Jesus (English)
DownloadWeek 1: Sumud the Way of Jesus (Arabic)
Ranan Issa Abu Shanab
Week 1: Sumud the Way of Jesus (Arabic)
DownloadWeek 2: Good News of Great Joy For All People (English)
Rev. Imad Haddad
Week 2: Good News of Great Joy For All People (English)
DownloadWeek 2: Good News of Great Joy For All People (Arabic)
Rev. Imad Haddad
Week 2: Good News of Great Joy For All People (Arabic)
DownloadWeek 3: Belovedness in the Wilderness (English)
Rev. Fursan Zu'mot
Week 3: Belovedness in the Wilderness (English)
DownloadWeek 3: Belovedness in the Wilderness (Arabic)
Rev. Fursan Zu'mot
Week 3: Belovedness in the Wilderness (Arabic)
DownloadWeek 4: A Counter Cultural Message (English)
Rev. Ashraf Tannous
Week 4: A Counter Cultural Message (English)
DownloadWeek 4: A Counter Cultural Message (Arabic)
Rev. Ashraf Tannous
Week 4: A Counter Cultural Message (Arabic)
DownloadWeek 5: Things That Make Peace (English)
Rev Sally Azar
Week 5: Things That Make Peace (English)
DownloadWeek 5: Things That Make Peace (Arabic)
Rev Sally Azar
Week 5: Things That Make Peace (Arabic)
DownloadWeek 6: Journey to the Cross (English)
Rev. Rodny Said
Week 6: Journey to the Cross (English)
DownloadWeek 6: Journey to the Cross (Arabic)
Rev. Rodny Said
Week 6: Journey to the Cross (Arabic)
DownloadWelcome to Sumud: for justice in Palestine and Israel
Have you heard of Sumud (formerly Peace Not Walls)? Share about this new initiative from the ELCA for justice in Palestine and Israel.
Welcome to Sumud: for justice in Palestine and Israel
DownloadSumud - Video Playlist
Sumud is the ELCA’s new name for our church’s engagement in accompaniment, awareness building and advocacy for justice in Palestine and Israel.
Update from the Ground and Advocacy Efforts - Feb. 24, 2024
On Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, Sumud (formerly Peace Not Walls) with ELCA Witness in Society presented Sumud Series: Updates From the Ground and Advocacy Efforts.
Update from the Ground and Advocacy Efforts - Feb. 24, 2024
DownloadTaking It Local - March 16, 2024
On Saturday, March 16th Sumud (formerly Peace Not Walls) with ELCA Witness in Society presented the Sumud Series: Taking It Local. We learned some next steps to raise awareness, build advocacy, and accompany justice in Palestine and Israel.
Taking It Local - March 16, 2024
DownloadGo and Tell - April 13, 2024
We had the honor of hearing from Rev. Rodny Said an update from the ground. Rev. Said is the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah. He shared honestly about what the situation is like in Ramallah and the West Bank.
Find a list of current ELCA missionaries’ blogs and information about how to support and get involved with our companion churches, missionaries, and ecumenical, interfaith and secular partners.
2022-2023 Review Summary and Recommendations
Accompaniment, Awareness-raising and Advocacy for Palestine and Israel
2022-2023 Review Summary and Recommendations
Download2022-2023 Review Summary and Recommendations Video
Accompaniment, Awareness-raising and Advocacy for Palestine and Israel
2022-2023 Review Summary and Recommendations Video
DownloadCompanions and Partners
Description of companions and partners.
Interested in advocating for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict? Some advocacy resources available here include the ELCA’s stance on boycott, divestment and sanctions; information on advocating for equality; and the Oct 5 Letter.
Letter to Sec. Blinken on displacement of Palestinians - April 2021
Letter to Sec. Blinken on displacement of Palestinians - April 2021
DownloadBiden Transition Letter - December 2020
Biden Transition Letter - December 2020
DownloadLetter to Congress responding to "Peace to Prosperity" plan - Feb 25, 2020
Letter to Congress responding to "Peace to Prosperity" plan - Feb 25, 2020
DownloadLetter Regarding Funding for West Bank and Gaza - April 3, 2020
Letter Regarding Funding for West Bank and Gaza - April 3, 2020
DownloadLetter to Administration on COVID-19 and the Middle East
Letter to Administration on COVID-19 and the Middle East
DownloadMarch 2020 Letter on UNRWA funding and bilateral aid to WB and Gaza
March 2020 Letter on UNRWA funding and bilateral aid to WB and Gaza
DownloadLetter about U.S. arms sales and military aid to the Middle East
March 2018 letter signed by ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton about U.S. arms sales and military aid to the Middle East
Letter about U.S. arms sales and military aid to the Middle East
DownloadAugusta Victoria Hospital Update July 2022
Augusta Victoria Hospital Update July 2022
DownloadAugusta Victoria Hospital Update July 2021
Augusta Victoria Hospital Update July 2021
DownloadELCA Letter on AVH Oct 2019
AVH on Financial crisis
Background on AVH financial crisis from LWF Sept 2018
AVH US assistance update
Augusta Victoria Hospital Briefing Paper Sept 2018
Augusta Victoria Hospital Sponsorship 2019
Augusta Victoria Hospital Sponsorship 2019
DownloadQuestions and Answers on AVH
Q and A - Augusta Victoria Hospital November 2019
A Statement of US Churches and Christian Agencies on Gaza April 12, 2018
Right of Refugees, Right to Demonstrate Peacefully, Right to Dignity
A Statement of US Churches and Christian Agencies on Gaza April 12, 2018
DownloadELCA joint letter about UNRWA Funding
ELCA joint letter about UNRWA Funding
DownloadLetter to Congress on Israel Anti-Boycott Act
Letter to Congress on Israel Anti-Boycott Act
DownloadToward Peace, Justice, and Equality in Israel and Palestine February 15, 2017
Briefing Paper
Toward Peace, Justice, and Equality in Israel and Palestine February 15, 2017
DownloadBishop Letter to Obama about UN membership for Palestine
Bishop Letter to Obama about UN membership for Palestine
DownloadThe Atlanta Summit of Churches in the USA and the Holy Land
Pursuing Peace and Strengthening Presence document, signed by ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton.
The Atlanta Summit of Churches in the USA and the Holy Land
DownloadBishop letter about Israeli settlements
The October 22, 2014 letter, signed by ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton to President Obama about Israeli settlements.
Bishop letter about Israeli settlements
DownloadAdvocating for Equality
We need to advocate for urgent changes in policies that infringe on human rights now (stop home demolitions) in addition to advocating for long-term outcomes that require negotiations (two-state solution).
Letter about Gaza
The December 15, 2014 letter, signed by the ELCA to Secretary of State Kerry about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Letter about Iran
The January 14, 2014 letter, signed by the ELCA to Members of the U.S. Senate about Iran sanctions and negotiations.
Letter about Syria and Iraq
The March 16, 2015 letter, signed by ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton to President Obama about the situation in Syria and Iraq.
Bishop Letter to President Obama
Bishop Letter to President Obama
DownloadLetter About Aid
The October 5, 2012, letter signed by then ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and other major denominations to Members of Congress about evaluating U.S. aid to Israel.
Letter About Peace Negotiations
The Feb 28, 2014 letter, signed by ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton and other religious leaders to Secretary of State Kerry about the role of the religious communities in securing support for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
Letter About Augusta Victoria Hospital
The Feb 4, 2014 letter, signed by ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton to Secretary of State Kerry about the Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta Victoria Hospital financial crisis.
Letter About Augusta Victoria Hospital
DownloadEcumenical letter on a secure and just peace
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joins more than 40 other religious leaders in the U.S. and Jerusalem to support U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to find “a secure and just peace” between Israel and Palestine.
Ecumenical letter on a secure and just peace
DownloadPalestinian Products
Information about places and organizations that sell Palestinian products to aid income generation for Palestinians.
Here you’ll find a list of some of the best resources about the conflict, the Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine, subsequent actions and statements, handouts and information about major issues.
Peace Not Walls Resource Packet #1
Peace Not Walls Resource Packet #1
DownloadBoycotts, Divestment and Sanctions
ELCA Policy with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions
DownloadFAQs about 2016 actions
Frequently asked questions related to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly actions on Israel and Palestine.
Development and Actions
ELCA engagement with Palestine and Israel before the 2005 Strategy for Engagement with Palestine and Israel and subsequent Churchwide Assembly actions regarding the strategy.
Issues: Christian Zionism
Learn more about what Christian Zionism is and its impact in the context of the Israel Palestine conflict.
Issues: Gaza
Learn more about the situation in Gaza.
Issues: Jerusalem
Learn more about the status of Jerusalem, including background information and helpful sources of information.
Issues: Palestinian Christians
Learn more about the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Read about the challenges and hopes of Christian Palestinians.
Issues: Refugees
Learn more about one of the major issues in the Israel Palestine conflict: Palestinian refugees.
Issues: Separation Barrier
Learn more about the separation wall and its impact on the conflict.
Issues: Settlements
Learn more about illegal settlements and the demolition of Palestinian homes and their impact of the perpetuation of the conflict.
Strategy for Engagement
The Strategy for Engagement in Palestine and Israel passed by the ELCA 2005 Churchwide Assembly.
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about the ELCA's Peace not Walls campaign to implement the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Strategy on Palestine and Israel.
Plan for a monthly prayer vigil or incorporate prayer about Israel and Palestine into a worship service using these resources, which include a bulletin insert and prayer litany.
Prayer Litany Bulletin Insert
Prayer litany from the ACT Palestine forum for the international Prayer Vigil for Peace in Palestine and Israel.
General Prayer Service
A general prayer liturgy praying for peace in the Middle East provided by Atonement Lutheran Church in Barrington, Ill.
Prayer Vigil Insert
International Prayer Vigil for Peace in Palestine and Israel bulletin insert for congregational use.