HCEF has the privilege of acknowledging the work of individuals and institutions who have offered especially meritorious service to the benefit of Christians of the Holy Land.

HCEF has the privilege of acknowledging the work of individuals and institutions who have offered especially meritorious service to the benefit of Christians of the Holy Land.  Each of the award recipients has devoted countless time and energy to the effort of opening the doors of peace, justice, and opportunity for the Christians of the Holy Land.  Because the unique work of these individuals and organizations stretches across geographical, denominational, vocational, and religious lines, the need for furthering hope for Christians in the region is heard by many who would not otherwise know of this great need. This year, the HCEF Board of Directors is proud to honor two individuals and two organizations with two different awards.

The Awards Banquet will be held on Friday, October 20, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD 20814.

The 2006 Awardees are:

Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Awards, presented to individuals:
This annual award is given to an individual who has dedicated his or her life to preserving the presence of Christians in the Holy Land.  The award recipients have demonstrated courage, determination, and action to advance the cause of justice, sustenance, and spiritual support for those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and live in the land where He was born, taught, and rose again from the dead.

  • Archbishop Elias Chacour, Archbishop of Galilee of the Melkite Catholic Church
       o   Archbishop Chacour’s entire ministry career has been characterized by the pursuit of justice for the Christians of the Holy Land, from his initial efforts as a local priest, to his influential writings, to his founding of the Mar Elias Educational Institution, and even up to the present with his recent appointment as Archbishop of Galilee.
  • Ms. Claudette Habesch, Secretary-General of Caritas Jerusalem
       o   As Secretary-General of Caritas Jerusalem, Ms. Habesch has provided ongoing support for Palestinian Christians in many practical ways in addition to the invaluable service of her faithful advocating of HCEF programs in the Holy Land.  Finally, her effectiveness in speaking for the Holy Land Christians has contributed much to understanding and awareness of the plight of our sisters and brothers whose own voices cannot be heard.

Living Stones Awards, presented to organizations:
This annual award was established to honor an institution that has made a sustained and extraordinary effort to love, support, and stand in solidarity with the Christians in the Holy Land.  These institutions, through their acts of love and action, have demonstrated their determination to preserve the Living Stones in the land of Christianity’s birth.

  • Market Square Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg, PA
      o   Market Square’s commitment to the Holy Land children has been well-illustrated, as they twice sponsored the Children’s Journey to Bethlehem and helped provide Christian education to thirteen Holy Land children through the HCEF Child Sponsorship Program.  Market Square Presbyterian impressively demonstrates the many ways a caring church can provide substantial help and hope to the living stones in the Holy Land and thereby advance the promise for peace and justice.
  • Catholic Near East Welfare Association/Pontifical Mission for Palestine (CNEWA/PMP)
       o   Through CNEWA/PMP’s expansive array of programs, Eastern churches have received much-needed support, new pastors have received training, and needy individuals in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East have received desperately needed humanitarian aid, job training and medical care – all in support of the preservation of the living stones, the Christians of the Holy Land.

For more information on the Awards Banquet go to the 8th International Conference.