Dear St. James Family,
In times of global conflict, we are called to reflect on our role as peacemakers, bearers of Christ’s love in a broken world. As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to make headlines, we are reminded of the human stories behind the political struggles—stories of longing, fear, and hope. This is why I invite you to join me in reading Yossi Klein Halevi’s Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor this January, available either as a Kindle download or in a book at the Usher’s Table.
Halevi, an Israeli writer, lives in Jerusalem, and is a senior fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, and co-directs the Hartman Institute’s Muslim Leadership Initiative. In his book he addresses a series of letters to an imagined Palestinian neighbor, offering his personal and national narrative while extending a hand of understanding. He shares his Jewish faith, his connection to the land of Israel, and his longing for peace, even in the face of ongoing tension and tragedy. Through these heartfelt letters, he seeks not only to be understood but also to better understand the Palestinian perspective.
This book is not about choosing sides. It is about stepping into the complex realities of a deeply divided region and asking ourselves how we can embody the ministry of reconciliation that Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 5:18: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” It challenges us to see beyond headlines and rhetoric to the
humanity of those on all sides of the conflict.
I believe that Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor will enrich our hearts and minds, providing a space for meaningful discussion and spiritual growth. Let us come together as a congregation to reflect, pray, and seek the peace of Christ in a troubled world.
With hope,
Rev. Cindy+
