20 Dic 2017

World Methodist Peace Award 2017

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World Methodist Peace Award Recipients Announced

Two organizations have been chosen to receive the World Methodist Peace Award for 2017. The recipients were chosen at this year’s World Methodist Council Steering Committee meeting held in Rome, Italy. The committee verbalized its desire to present the award to both a Methodist and Non-Methodist recipient, especially during a time when the world needs to hear and see peace-making in action. Both organizations have boldly worked for peace in their respective areas of the world, but have also been instrumental in inspiring others to work for peace globally.

Methodist Churches in Italy (OPCEMI), was chosen for their work with and commitment to migrants and refugees dating back to 1989. This small church (part of the Union of Methodists and Waldensians in Italy) has exhibited great courage when faced with the large crisis of refugees and migrants flooding Europe. When others said the problems were insurmountable, the OPCEMI’s attitude has been that “we could do no other – we could not sit by and let this happen.” A safe and welcoming space called “House of Culture” was created at Scicli in Sicily, which has welcomed refugees and migrants from Syria, Iraq, the Middle East as well as North, Central and West Africa. The church’s work has spanned decades and has welcomed migrants of Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim faiths. Their involvement with Mediterranean Hope has been consistent and has continued despite the increasing wave of arrivals in Italy. The OPCEMI continues its efforts also by financing the humanitarian corridors through the “8 x 1000” office of the Union of the Waldensian and Methodist Churches in Italy.

More information about Methodist Churches in Italy and their projects may be found at www.mediterraneanhope.com.

The Nassar Family was chosen for their work with the Tent of Nations which they host on their 100 acre farm located southwest of Bethlehem in a highly disputed area of Palestine controlled by the Israeli Government. The family remains on their land and share their story of peace with guests from around the world. The family is not permitted to develop their farm for agricultural purposes, not having access to power, water, or sewer infrastructure, nor obtain permits for any new buildings. The family has instead come up with creative and sustainable alternatives. Each summer, children from local villages (Christian and Muslim) participate in a summer camp aimed at giving the children freedom and distraction from the surrounding politics, empowering the children with self-confidence so that they can be a part of a better future for Palestine. The family also established the Bent Al-Reef Women’s Centre to empower women with classes in English, computer, art, etc., and encourage them to play a role in shaping society. Each year hundreds of volunteers travel to Palestine and live with the Nassar family and actively engage with working the land, participating and leading programs.

On receiving the news of the award, Daoud Nassar stated, “It was a special moment for all of us to hear that the 2017 Peace Award is going to our family. We are honored to receive this Award. We will continue our struggle for justice with faith, love and hope knowing that we are not left alone. We will also continue to cultivate the land and plant more seeds for a better and peaceful future. Together, we can make a difference.”

More information can be found at www.tentofnations.org.

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Leggi l’articolo dedicato al World Methodist Peace Award su democratica.it

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12 Dic 2017

Ecclesia semper reformanda: l’appello ecumenico del convegno di Assisi

di | postato in: ecumenismo | 0
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Il documento rappresenta la riflessione finale elaborata dalle chiese organizzatrici con la CEI dell’incontro ecumenico tenutosi ad Assisi dal 22 al 24 novembre scorsi. L’impegno a “una comune testimonianza” per “rendere sempre più efficace l’annuncio della Parola di Dio nella società italiana”.

Leggi l’articolo completo su nev.it

Leggi il testo completo dell’appello

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10 Dic 2017

Statement on President Trump’s Recognition of Jerusalem as Capital of Israel

di | postato in: dal mondo | 0
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The World Methodist Council (WMC) and its member churches acknowledge the foundational role that the Holy City of Jerusalem has played in the history of the Christian Faith. The WMC, in partnership with two of its member churches, maintains a presence in the city through The Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem, which serves to increase awareness and involvement of the Methodist-Wesleyan community in current issues affecting Israel and Palestine.

At this time of social, political, and religious sensitivity around the status of Jerusalem, we express dismay at the announcement of President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, dismissing decades of established American policy and international consensus. Such a move undermines peace-building efforts in the region between the two states. His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan stated that the city, which has long been home to three Abrahamic faiths, is the key to achieving peace and security in the region and in the world.

In a joint letter to President Trump sent on December 6, the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem advised the United States to continue to uphold the current international status of Jerusalem, noting that to change that status and how the U.S. relates to Jerusalem would serve only to obstruct and complicate peace-building efforts. They invited President Trump to “walk with us in hope as we build a just, inclusive peace for all the peoples of this unique and Holy City.”

“The Resolution on Israel and Palestine” adopted by the World Methodist Council in 2011 states that member churches should “Work and pray for a just and sustainable peace in Israel in Palestine.” It also references a 2010 reportof the Methodist Church in Britain which states: “…it sits uncomfortably with many Methodists to imagine a God who singles out individuals or groups in order to promote possession”, for it seems to conjure up “a notion of favouritism, with an image of God dispossessing some peoples in order to grant land for his chosen ones.”

The World Methodist Council joins its voice with The World Council of Churches and other Christian World Communions in urgently calling on the United States Administration to rise boldly to the task of being peace-makers in the global arena. This can only be achieved by supporting and encouraging the negotiations between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

”But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)

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10 Ago 2017

Meditazione marzo – aprile

di | postato in: Cenacolo | 0
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Uniti dall’amore di Dio

Leggiamo: Colossesi 3:9-17

“Al di sopra di tutte queste cose vestitevi dell’amore che è il vincolo della perfezione”

Colossi 3:14

Meditazione

Sono andata con alcuni amici a un concerto per orchestra e pianoforte: i suonatori erano bravissimi, mi sembrava di sognare, il tempo pareva sospeso. Dal programma ho notato che i giovani musicisti erano di varie nazionalità (Germania, Cina, Corea del Nord, Francia, Austria). Malgrado che anche noi spettatori provenissimo tutti da paesi diversi, quella sera parlavamo tutti una sola lingua, la lingua della musica.

Allo stesso modo, quando leggo le meditazioni de Il Cenacolo mi sento in unità con gli autori dei testi. Siamo tutti fratelli e sorelle nella fede, provenienti da diversi paesi del mondo: ognuno parla la sua lingua, ma siamo uniti dall’unico amore di Dio. Nessuna frontiera e nessuna differenza linguistica ci possono dividere, perché l’amore di Dio ci unisce in un’unica grande famiglia qui sulla terra.

Preghiera

O Padre, grazie perché ami ognuno dei tuoi figli e perché vuoi che ci amiamo gli uni gli altri, a qualunque distanza ci troviamo. Preghiamo per la tua grande famiglia terrena. Amen.

PENSIERO DEL GIORNO

L’amore ci unisce come fratelli e sorelle in Cristo.

Commento: Nataliya Konstantinova (Pskov, Russia)

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