Chicago: Monthly Prayer Vigil for Middle East Peace

A global ecumenical prayer vigil began on December 24, 2012, and will continue across the globe, on the 24th of every month, until the Israeli occupation is dismantled, violence in the Middle East ends, and all can celebrate a just and lasting negotiated resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In Chicago, you can participate in the monthly prayer vigil at:

Luther Memorial Church
2500 W. Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Prayer vigil the 24th of every month at 7:00 PM
Contact church office at 773-539-3018
www.luthermemorialchicago.org

Members of Luther Memorial are active leaders of WGME, and have share the following prayer.

A Litany for Peace and Justice

This work for peace and justice is hard.  It is demanding, time consuming, and sometimes tedious.  Will you commit yourself to work for peace and justice?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice can cause tensions and rifts.  This work can drive wedges between people, but this work needs us to stick together.  Will you dedicate yourself to doing your best to work with others?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice is more effective when we embrace and respect diversity. Will you commit yourself to embracing and respecting difference?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice requires creativity. This work demands that we push ourselves to look for new possibilities. Will you dedicate yourself to thinking and acting creatively for peace and justice?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice requires faith and hope that a better tomorrow is possible.  Will you dedicate yourself to find sources of faith and hope in your life?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice calls us to find inner peace.  Will you commit yourself to promote peace both within and without?

I will and I ask God to help me!

Sunday, July 20, in Chicago: 3 p.m. Demonstration and 6 p.m. Prayers for Palestine

Members of the Working Group on the Middle East participated in these two events on Sunday, July 20, 2014.


Chicago Protest Against Israeli Massacre on Gaza

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Dozens of amazing photos have been shared on the Facebook event page.

Watch this Youtube video to get a real sense of how massive the crowd was:

Protest in downtown Chicago on 7/20/14

Organizers' statement: Since June 12th, Israel has engaged in a brutal campaign of collective punishment against the Palestinian people, bombing Gaza and raiding West Bank towns and villages, arresting hundreds of civilians, including children across the West Bank and 1948 Palestine.

Across Palestine, this wave of violence has also been met with a wave of protest and action. Palestinians are rising up and responding across all of historic Palestine, including the West Bank, Gaza, and 1948 Palestine.

In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine, several organizations have come together to organize actions and to mobilize those who seek justice in protest of Israel's violence against an innocent civilian population.

Convened by:

- American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
- Chicago Islamic Center
- Islamic Community Center of Illinois
- Mosque Foundation
- Palestinian American Community Center
- Palestinian American Council
- Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)-Chicago
- United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN)

(More on demonstrations being held nationwide at US Palestinian Community Network page.)



6:00 p.m.
Prayers for Palestine
An hour of music, reflections, poetry and prayer

Sunday, July 20, 2014 - 6:00 p.m.
LaSalle St. Church

Sponsored by the Chicago Faith Coalition on Middle East Policy. As the war on the Palestinian people continues, we will gather together to quietly share our strengths and laments, our prayers and inspirations. We will reflect, remember and solidify our resolve to continue working for a peace that can only arise from justice. All are welcome.

See photos on the Facebook event page.