{"id":2023,"date":"2025-08-11T06:30:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T06:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urc.org.uk\/?p=60203"},"modified":"2025-08-11T06:30:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T06:30:10","slug":"new-christian-aid-films-to-bring-voices-of-palestinians-closer-to-church-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/standrewsurcrustington.org.uk\/?p=2023","title":{"rendered":"New Christian Aid films to bring voices of Palestinians closer to church communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

International development agency Christian Aid<\/a> has been working with church leaders and campaigners to produce a series of resources to help tackle the long-standing and \u201ctoo difficult\u201d issues around Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The three short films bring together the voices of UK Christians, and Palestinians in a way which helps churches start their own conversations and inspires them to act for a just peace.<\/p>\n

Campaigns and Organising Officer Jess Hall explained the films are part of the organisation\u2019s Just Peace initiative and feature Christian Aid partners sharing their experiences and work.<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cWe understand people may shy away from conversations about Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, seeing it as too difficult, controversial or uncomfortable. We know it can be challenging for churches to work out where to start.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust Peace aims to build people\u2019s understanding and break the silence. The films are available for download to use in services or discussion events and the accompanying resources, which include an Order of Service and event guide, can be used flexibly to suit your church or meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

The resources have received support from church leaders around the UK.<\/p>\n

The Revd Dr Simon Woodman, from Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, <\/strong>said as followers of Jesus, we are called to act justly and to be peacemakers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cThere are unmistakable injustices so many Palestinians face daily and it\u2019s easy to forget real people are living these realities.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany churches can be hesitant to engage with this issue and there are <\/em>important concerns but well-meaning worries can end up serving as a kind of moral paralysis; in effect they mean turning a blind eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese films will help churches have the courage to talk about Palestinian justice in a way that\u2019s careful, responsible and faithful.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Revd Claire Whitmore, from Christians for Palestine, also took part in the filming.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cGetting a conversation started about acting for a just peace in the Holy Land can be challenging for churches. Church leaders and members alike can be unsure about where to begin. It\u2019s been great to work on these films and resources that can help Christians find a way in, and the courage to pray and act together as a church.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cMy hope is that as churches come closer to the experiences of Palestinians, and hear the voices of ordinary Christians who are seeking peace, they will be inspired to speak out and stand up for an end to the violence of war and occupation.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Philip Austen, of the Northern Friends Peace Board, added:<\/strong> \u201cAs Quakers we have a strong tradition of peacemaking. My hope is that these films and resources will add to the toolbox of any Quaker Meeting to help nurture peacemaking in our communities and networks. The new resources offer an opportunity as Quakers to reach out to our local Christian communities and share our experiences and traditions of peacemaking and encourage others to get involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope the voices included in these resources will also be effective in bringing home just some of the reality of Palestinian experiences at this crucial time. It has been good to be part of this group, learning from those in different faith traditions about what some of the challenges and openings are in engaging our communities. And I have welcomed the opportunity to make connections between this initiative and the broader Christian peace network.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jess added: \u201cWe hope church communities will come together to reflect on what they see and hear \u2013 the injustice of poverty, displacement, denial of rights and detention experienced by Palestinians \u2013 and respond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Christian Aid is urging churches and meeting houses to join in its actions by contacting local politicians<\/a><\/strong>, taking part in the Fast for Gaza<\/a><\/strong> or joining its monthly Prayers for Peace in the Middle East<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To download the films and resources, go to: <\/strong>Inspire your church to act for a just peace \u2013 Christian Aid<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Main image: Majid Fathi\/Christian Aid<\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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