UMC Bishops condemn violence in the Middle East, call for prayer and action
Posted: October 13, 2023 Filed under: Bishop's Blog, COB Leave a commentPlease continue to pray for peace in the Middle East. The situation changes daily. If you missed it, below is the statement released by the Council of Bishops a few days ago.
October 9, 2023
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)
In a world already consumed with political unrest and conflict, the recent
attacks by Hamas against Israel only add to the reality that the prophetic
words from Isaiah are needed now more than ever.
As a people who pray for and work toward peace, we in the United
Methodist family are appalled, and dismayed by the animosities and
inhumane actions undertaken by Hamas. The declaration of war on the
part of Israel as a result is also deeply saddening. In just a few hours
since this latest outbreak of violence more than 1000 people have died.
We condemn the Hamas militants who have killed and captured civilians,
women and children in Israel. We equally decry the deaths of innocent
civilians, women and children caught in the crossfire of the Israeli
retaliation in the Gaza Strip.
Our own Book of Resolutions (2016) states clearly, “We seek for all
people in the Middle East region an end to military occupation, freedom
from violence, and full respect for the human rights of all under
international law.”
As a result, today we call on all United Methodists to renew a deepened
commitment to pray for those who have been injured, abducted, or
killed, and to deepen our prayers for those who have suddenly lost a
loved one.
The power of and belief in our intercessions cannot be underestimated.
Pray for those who are providing support and care for those directly
affected. More than that, pray that God’s peace will permeate
throughout the land and in the hearts of all those who are initiating this
conflict.
In addition, we call on all congregations and leaders to begin initiating
special offerings, directed to our United Methodist Committee on Relief
(UMCOR), to provide specific resources to assist in providing shelter,
food, and other necessities to those who have been left homeless,
helpless, and afraid.
Friends, we are called to be a people of prayer, a people of hope, and a
people of action. Our role should never be minimized, especially in a
time when global conflicts are emerging with more frequency. As we
watch the news unfold, let us not delay in moving into meaningful
responses.
Most of all, let us remain a people of hope who look to the fulfilment of
those prophetic words by Isaiah. We look to the days when:
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with
the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them. In that day, the wolf and the lamb will
live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
(Isaiah 11:5-6)
May it be so. May it be so.
Amen.
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton
President – Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
Greater Things Are Yet To Be Done 