Jerusalem Bishops to Address Western Christians at HCEF’s 6th International Conference

“Western Christians will be given a unique opportunity to hear the heads of the Jerusalem churches speak out on behalf of the ‘living stones’ of the Holy Land,” says Rateb Rabie, HCEF President. His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; The Right Reverend Riah Abu El-Assal, Bishop of The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem; His Grace Right Reverend Munib Younan, Bishop of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem; and Archimandrite Innokentios Exarchos, the personal representative of the His Beatitude Irineos I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, will speak about the living Christians of the Holy Land and their hopes for increased solidarity with the living Body of Christ throughout the world

Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation
Press Release

Jerusalem Bishops to Address Western Christians
at HCEF’s 6th International Conference

“Western Christians will be given a unique opportunity to hear the heads of the Jerusalem churches speak out on behalf of the ‘living stones’ of the Holy Land,” says Rateb Rabie, HCEF President.  His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; The Right Reverend Riah Abu El-Assal, Bishop of The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem; His Grace Right Reverend Munib Younan, Bishop of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem; and Archimandrite Innokentios Exarchos, the personal representative of the His Beatitude Irineos I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, will speak about the living Christians of the Holy Land and their hopes for increased solidarity with the living Body of Christ throughout the world. 

Rabie added, “We are delighted that these bishops are coming to our HCEF conference in unity.  We know that the solidarity that will result from their joint efforts will be of great consolation for the faithful in the Holy Land and that Western Christians will be moved by their witness of the living faith of our Mother Church.”

For more information about the conference, or to register, visit:
https://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/eventid/162/ID/23.cfm

Related events during the weekend of the conference include:

HCSN Leadership Institute
The 2004 Leadership Institute agenda includes: the new proposed organizational structure, case studies of applied leadership initiatives in HCEF, effective ways of leveraging media and other communications tools on behalf of local efforts, and an open dialogue on the role of the Institute in the ongoing progress of HCEF.  Candidates for the Institute should be individuals who have had previous contact with HCEF, have at least a general knowledge of HCEF, its mission and programs, feel a commitment or openness to explore their talents to lead on behalf of HCEF at some level, and would be willing to step up their spiritual, talent and time commitments to making HCEF a success and serving Christians in the Holy Land.  Application should be made prior to September 17.  Registration space is limited.  For details, visit: https://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/184.cfm

HCEF Youth Summit
The HCEF Youth Summit brings five 8th grade Christian youth from Palestine together with same-aged youth from the Washington DC metropolitan area.  The youth share stories about their faith and about the various struggles that they face in their own communities and how they can be part of building a Christ-centered future.  For details, visit: https://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/185.cfm

Student Leadership Institute
College and university students are invited to join this special institute aimed at training student leaders to develop ecumenical HCSN campus programs that inform Western Christians of the plight of Palestinian Christians and support the living stones.  Student leaders from Georgetown University (Washington, DC), Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH), and Duke University (Chapel Hill, NC) will describe the successes they have already achieved on their campuses and will help to prepare new student leaders to implement HCEF’s programs for Holy Land Christians on their home campuses.  For details, visit: https://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/186.cfm

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The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Inc. (HCEF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides succor to the Christians of the Holy Land who live in Christian communities dating back in time to those who first heard Jesus Christ preach his gospel.  HCEF sponsors programs that support children’s education, create housing, and provide work programs for community development and indigenous handicrafts.  HCEF Pilgrimages enable Western Christians to develop bonds of solidarity with their Christian brothers and sisters living in the Holy Land.