Middle East Peace Initiative Middle East Peace Initiative Universal Peace Federation Universal Peace Federation www.upf.org www.upf.org MIDDLE EAST PEACE: How you and I can make a difference
Dec 22, 2014
Middle East Peace InitiativeMiddle East Peace InitiativeUniversal Peace FederationUniversal Peace Federation
www.upf.orgwww.upf.org
MIDDLE EAST PEACE:How you and I can make a difference
Can this land ever see peace?
Bombs in Jerusalem . . .
Miles of wasteland in Gaza . . .
Where do we find hope?
What is the Middle East Peace Initiative all about?
How did it start?Does it work? Can anything work?
What can we do?
First-hand understanding is best.
On MEPI trips we see Jerusalem
Visit the Mount of Olives
Get baptized in the Jordan River
Sail on the sea of Galilee
And imagine what it was like
When Jesus sailed these waters.
Everyone has a fine time!
But then we go to Bethlehem
To see the church of the Nativity.
Coming back to the border
We pass through a checkpoint.
It reminds one of East Berlin …
We march together for peace
With people from many nations.
We pray at the Western Wall
And go to Al Aqsa mosque.
There is dramatic repentance
And heartwarming reconciliation.
All kinds of people join in.
At a peace rally in a park
Local people show their concern.
Faith leaders speak passionately
And all listen carefully.
Everyone likes it, from the old
To the very young …
There is a lot of dancing
And many new friendships.
People of all faiths come on stage.
A Muslim lights Hanukah candles
Faith leaders pray for peace
And everyone joins in.
We also arrange service projects
Art workshops for peacemaking
Tree planting … always a favorite
And in fact an old Israeli tradition
Muslim volunteers helped clean
A neglected Lutheran cemetery.
Everyone worked hard together
Even the youngest kids joined in.
Volunteers held parties
For the children of Bethlehem.
For the first time in several years
Christmas decorations went up.
Arabs tutored Jewish youth.
The youth learned old traditions.
Working together brings hope.
Arabs and Israelis host us.
Jews share bread and wine.
A sheikh offers a warm smile.
We celebrate Palm Sunday
Grieve over terrorist attacks
And bring the light of hope.
There are disagreements
Times of somber reflection
And celebration with new friends.
We visit the sick in hospitals
We’ve made new friendships
Held meetings in the Knesset
At a hotel in Gaza City
In the Jordanian Parliament
At the Islamic Shari’a Court
And in private homes
Always hoping for a new generation.
The first step is to get involved!It starts with encounter – making
efforts to meet people who are different.
We can learn about each other’s faiths and traditions where we live.
We can engage in service to othersAnd test the proposition that we can
be “One Family Under God.”
Involve yourself and your familyin service projects.
Have you ever visited a house of worship of another faith?
Invite people of different backgrounds to your next picnic or holiday gathering.
Start with neighbors or the parents of your children’s friends.
Join in celebrations of the UN International Day of Peace, September 21 each year.