To remind us of the continued suffering of the Palestinian people, Homewood Friends has placed an installation outside our building depicting “Jesus in the Rubble – Remember the Palestinian Children.” We are reminded that Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer unthinkable conditions with the ongoing violence and lack of adequate food, water and other basic necessities.

In December 2023, the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem (West Bank) declared that they would not be celebrating Christmas because of the ongoing war and destruction in Gaza and the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. They installed a creche scene depicting the Christ child in a destroyed home in Gaza. Pastor Munther Isaac, gave an extraordinary sermon on the crisis in Gaza which can be heard at this link. The full text of the sermon can be accessed here.

At our September meeting for business, Homewood Friends Meeting signed on to an international Quaker Statement: Quaker organizations discern genocide is occurring in Gaza and urge courageous action.
Friends are encouraged to continue to advocate for an end to the violence and for humanitarian aid.

Please support American Friends Service Committee’s relief work in Gaza: https://secure.afsc.org/P2P/fOLQEqcakEiFfnrHAU-oTA2/rg65G9IYEfCBlQANOlM1yA2

Resources:
American Friends Service Committee
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Quaker Action Packet, New York Yearly Meeting
How Two Years of War Have Devastated Lives in Gaza (AP News)