April 3, 2002

Dear Friends in Christ,

After much thought, prayer and contact with our brothers and sisters in Palestine, a decision was made yesterday to postpone the journey of the New England Synod delegation to the Middle East until a later time.

Members of the delegation - Pam Engberg, Pr. John Heinemeier, Pr. Jeff Johnson and delegation leader Pr. Hans Arnesen - had already gathered at Logan Airport, prepared to make the visit to embody our will to walk with our brothers and sisters of the ELCJ. I am deeply grateful to these saints for their willingness to carry our love, prayers and the $34,000 that has been given by individuals and congregations in our synod to the ELCJ despite the risk and uncertainty involved.

I had joined the delegation at the airport for a time of prayer before their departure. Just before we gathered, an e-mail was received from Michael Thomas that communicated a strong suggestion from Bishop Younan that it might be best to re-schedule the visit. A phone call to Jerusalem from the airport confirmed that the reception of the delegation at this time would be more problematic than helpful.

Reluctantly and sadly, the decision was made to postpone the trip. There was a strong sense that the goal of the journey was to provide a ministry of helpful and pastoral presence. We all agreed that if the visit created mainly worry and an extra burden for the ELCJ, then it would be best to travel there at a time that is more helpful for them.

Meanwhile, the violence and destruction continues. Israeli tanks have damaged the first floor of the home of Pr. Mitri Raheb in Bethlehem and are positioned around the home and the church. Israeli border police were at Augusta Victoria Hospital earlier today seeking the names of all the hospital employees.

I ask for your continued prayers for all victims of violence in the Middle East, but especially for our Lutheran brothers and sisters. But also, I ask that you take the time to contact your governmental representatives and the White House to protest this terrible violation of religious property and harrassment of innocent civilians. These destructive events are not being reported in the press. It is up to us to tell the story of this outrageous infringement and to insist that our government pay attention to the suffering of the Palestinian Christians.

Thank you for your growing willingness to support the ministry of the ELCJ and our Lutheran brothers and sisters in the Holy Land.

May the promise and power of Easter strengthen our hearts for the love that we are called to proclaim and the justice that we are called to do.

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