Gender Justice Ministry Workshop Ramallah

Today the ELCJHL Gender Justice Ministry held a second workshop to discuss the forthcoming research study about the impacts of the war on Gaza, particularly on women and children. Today’s discussion with local experts and leaders was held at Al Quds Open University in Ramallah.   The workshop was opened with remarks by University President Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shaer, Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad, and Palestinian Minister of Women’s Affairs Mrs. Mona Al-Khalili. All three speakers emphasized the importance of gender justice and efforts like this to protect vulnerable groups in so...

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Gender Justice Research Paper Workshop

Today the ELCJHL Gender Justice Ministry held a workshop to present the draft of a new research paper prepared by Al Hakimat Council, with the participation of local experts and organizations from Bethlehem. The research examines how the war on Gaza since October 2023 has led to the collapse of legal and social protection systems, with severe consequences for women and girls, particularly orphaned girls. The paper highlights the sharp rise in orphanhood, the increase in number of unaccompanied and separated children, the rise in early marriage, and the breakdown of judicial and family...

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ELCJHL Hosts Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service

Each year in January we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This special week brings together Christians of all creeds to honor our shared beliefs as followers of Jesus Christ. This year, the theme for the week is, “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,” from Ephesians 4:4.   Each day this week, a different church in Jerusalem will host a prayer. This evening’s service was hosted by the ELCJHL at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. We were joined by many of our Christian siblings f...

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Bishop Imad Holds Inaugural Services in Beit Jala and Beit Sahour

Today the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beit Sahour held special services and receptions to welcome Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad.   We give thanks for our ecumenical partners, representatives of local government and institutions, and those from our congregations, schools, and scouts who joined us today. ...

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Bishop Imad Holds Inaugural Services in Amman and Ramallah

This week, Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad held his inaugural services at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Amman, Jordan, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah.  Both in Amman and Ramallah, we were honored to be joined by local ecumenical and international church partners, diplomats, and representatives of the Jordanian and Palestinian governments for these special services.  We share our sincere thanks to all who came to celebrate Bishop Haddad and join us for this important milestone in the life of the church.  ...

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Lutheran Students Participate in PalMUN Conference

Organized by the ELCJHL Education Office, 40 students from the four Lutheran schools participated in the PalMUN Conference under the theme “Documenting the Truth.”   Our students participated in several committees, including the General Assembly, UNICEF, UNRWA, UNESCO, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Human Rights Council (HRC), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Security Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Court (ICC...

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Bishop Imad Received by President Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a delegation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land today, including Bishop Imad Haddad, Bishop Emeritus Sani Ibrahim Azar, and Bishop Emeritus Munib Younan. They were joined by Ramzi Khoury, Chairman of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine. President Abbas welcomed Bishop Haddad, congratulating him on his installation as Bishop of the ELCJHL, and emphasized his support for preserving the indigenous Christian presence in Palestine. headquartered in Jerusalem, and wishing him success in leadin...

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ELCJHL Students' Art Displayed in "Children's Dreams" Exhibit

The "Children's Dreams" art exhibition, featuring art from students of the Lutheran Schools in Palestine, is currently on display at one of our partner churches in the Church of Sweden's Diocese of Strängnäs. This exhibition was organized by the ELCJHL Education Ministry in collaboration with the Diocese of Strängnäs. A performance from a local children's choir opened the exhibition, and many visitors have come to see the art and shared how touched they are by the thoughts and dreams expressed in the children’s work.   Inspired by a painting of a giraff...

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Bishop Imad Received by King Abdullah II of Jordan

Today Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad, Bishop Emeritus Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, Bishop Emeritus Munib Younan, and a delegation of partner bishops from international Lutheran Churches were honored to be welcomed by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein. His Majesty welcomed the group and affirmed Jordan’s continued support for the Christian presence in Jerusalem. ...

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Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad Installed as 5th Bishop of the ELCJHL

We are proud to announce the consecration of Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad as the 5th Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Thanks be to God! ...

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Farewell Service and Reception Held for Bishop Azar

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15   Today bishops, pastors, officials, faith partners, and siblings in Christ from the Holy Land and around the world gathered to honor Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and give thanks to God for his eight years of ministry as the 4th Bishop of the ELCJHL and for his decades of service in the church.   We are so grateful to all those from near and far who came to join in prayer and fellowship celebrate and honor Bishop Azar’s faithful work in the service of God, the church, and the community as...

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Pastor Christy Lohr Sapp Installed in English-Speaking Congregation

Today Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar installed Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp as Pastor of the English-speaking Congregation of the Church of the Redeemer and officially welcomed her and her family to Jerusalem as Evangelical Lutheran Church in America missionaries in accompaniment with the ELCJHL.   Special thanks to Bishop Dr. Meghan Aelabouni of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA Global Mission MENA Desk Director Rev. Gabi Aelabouni, and MENA Regional Associate Shadin Nassar for their participation in the service!   Pastor Christy will serve the congregation with Pastor...

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Christmas Greetings with the Latin Patriarchate

Today Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and a delegation from the ELCJHL visited Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to offer Christmas greetings....

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Christmas in the ELCJHL Schools

This week the ELCJHL schools shared songs, prayers, and stories of Christmas to celebrate the hope this season brings. Even as the difficult situation in the Holy Land persists, our students remind us of the light Christ’s birth brings to the world. Merry Christmas to all from the ELCJHL schools. ...

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Merry Christmas From the ELCJHL

Best wishes for a blessed and peaceful Christmas from Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar and the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. ...

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Christmas Eve in Bethlehem 2025

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.” John 1:5   The light of peace is born again this night in Bethlehem. May this enduring peace be realized in the Holy Land, the world, and each of our hearts. Merry Christmas to all from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. ...

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Bishop Azar's Christmas Message 2025

Click here to read Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar's Christmas Message in Arabic, English, or German....

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Youth Advent Event

Under the patronage of Bishop Dr. Sani Ibrahim Azar, the ELCJHL Youth Ministry, in collaboration with the ELCJHL Diaconal Ministry, held a special Advent evening for youth in Beit Jala yesterday. The night included worship at the Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala with a special performance by Brass for Peace, followed by activities, games, and dinner. A special thanks to the Diaconal Ministry, the Youth Ministry, and the Youth Leaders who made this possible! ...

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