Monday, 30. September 2024
One Year After 7 October 2023
EMS supports churches in the Middle East
In a few days' time, it will be one year since the terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent, ongoing war in Gaza. The violence has now spread like a wildfire across Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. With countless people murdered, injured, raped, kidnapped, displaced, homeless and deeply traumatised, the international EMS Fellowship stands in solidarity with its members in the Middle East as they strive to build a culture of peace amidst the destruction.
In Gaza, the Anglican Ahli Arab Hospital of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem continues to serve the wounded and sick of the city. Even after the building was damaged by hostilities and temporarily closed by the Israeli military, medical care has continued to be provided. Just a few weeks ago, a new chemotherapy centre was opened in the hospital. In addition, the Anglican Princess Basma Rehabilitation Centre in Jerusalem also sends staff to Gaza to care for war victims.
The National Evangelical Church of Beirut (NECB) is trying to protect its school in Kafrshima, on the southern outskirts of Beirut, as best it can - while Israeli rockets fall not far away in the so-called 'Dahiye'. Thanks in part to generous support from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, the school building was recently renovated to make it more energy efficient, and a photovoltaic system was installed. Soon, young people will once again be educated and empowered to build a better future for Lebanon.
Hope in the midst of crisis: working together for peace and education
The Johann Ludwig Schneller School (JLSS) in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, which is supported by NECB, continues to serve Christian, Muslim and Druze children from the margins of society, from destitute and broken families, as well as orphans andhalf-orphans. The institution's boarding school, where the children grow up together, was already at full capacity at the end of the last school year. With the start of the new school year at the end of September, it looked as if this number would be exceeded once again: the families hope that their children will grow up safe and protected here - even though heavy fighting is also taking place in the area. However, due to the military escalation since 27 September, the Lebanese Ministry of Education has ordered all educational institutions to cease operations until 7 October inclusive.
The Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, to which EMS has always sent a few students in more peaceful times, continues to train the next generation of pastors for the Protestant churches in the region. The new president of the school, Dr Martin Accad, plans to develop the institution into a centre for public theology and dialogue in the midst of a city divided by many lines of tension.
We are grateful for this commitment - especially as EMS members in the Middle East are themselves affected by multiple political, economic and humanitarian crises and are often at the end of their tether. It is no surprise that we have serious concerns about the well-being of our members.
As an EMS Fellowship, we support those working in the region to call for an immediate ceasefire, negotiations, the release of hostages and a comprehensive de-escalation. We recognise and name the suffering of all innocent victims since 7 October 2023 - be they women raped, abducted or traumatised, wounded and displaced by war, terror and political arbitrariness. The suffering of some cannot outweigh or undo the suffering of others.
With your donation, you are giving disadvantaged children in Lebanon a chance of an education, and supporting the peace process in this region.
Support the peace process in the Middle East
We hope, pray and work for a lasting solution to the conflict. In the end, everyone will continue to live in the narrow strip between the Mediterranean and the Jordan or the Mediterranean and Lebanon: Palestinians, Israelis and Lebanese; Jews, Christians and Muslims. Together we keep alive the hope that it will be a life in peace, in dignity and in a guaranteed, good state and interstate order.
In times of crisis, our partners in the Middle East need our support more than ever. The Johann Ludwig Schneller School (JLSS), in particular, faces great challenges: it provides a safe place to live and learn for children from disadvantaged and broken homes, regardless of their religious background. The fact that Christian, Muslim and Druze children learn together is an invaluable contribution to future peace. Your donation will enable us to support the JLSS directly and help it to continue its valuable work. Let us join forces to show our solidarity and give people hope.
Donate now! Every Euro helps to maintain a place of peace and education for the children. Thank you for your generous support!
Donation Account
Evangelical Association for the Schneller Schools
Evangelische Bank
IBAN: DE59 5206 0410 0000 4074 10
BIC: GENODEF1EK1
Purpose: JLSS in Need
Thank you for all the prayers and good gifts, as well as the wishes of peace and blessings.
Dr Uwe Gräbe
Head of Unit Middle East, Executive Secretary EVS
+49 711 636 78 -37