Ongoing struggle
After more than 200 days of Israel’s military onslaught on Gaza, we at CFOS cry out with the Psalmist,
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long, must I bear pain in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (Psalm 13:2)
Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage
The Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage which began during Lent continues. Supporters of a just peace for all people in Gaza and in all of Palestine and Israel are urged to continue to “walk or roll together in your community” until May 13. On May 22-23, leaders of Kairos member churches and church groups will gather in Ottawa in ecumenical solidarity for public witness and to bring their calls for a just peace in person to the Government of Canada and Parliamentarians. This initiative is organized by Kairos Canada (a coalition of churches and church organizations) and supported by CFOS. For more information, and many suggested activities, click here. For example: walk/roll the length of Gaza, plant a tree, organize a vigil or prayer service, engage your priest/pastor/clergy…
Anticipating Nakba Day – May 15
Our next issue of the CFOS Bulletin will commemorate the 76th year since the Nakba began in 1948. It caused the forced displacement of 750,000 Palestinians from 78 percent of the total traditional land of Palestine, the deaths of at least 15,000 Palestinian Arabs, the destruction or depopulation of over 500 Arab-majority towns, and large-scale efforts by Israeli settler militias and IDF troops to permanently fragment Palestinian society. Our issue will feature an autobiographical reflection by a friend of CFOS whose family suffered through
the Nakba. Additionally, Kairos Palestine is calling for a Day of Global Action and Solidarity on Nakba Day. It has put out a clarion call to churches, the international community, civil society groups and individuals to condemn the apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide Israel is committing against Palestinians, to support humanitarian assistance, and to press for a ceasefire and a just peace. Add your voice and your witness to this Day of Global Action.
Our New Website is Up!
After a lot of hard work, our new CFOS website is finally complete. Thanks to Matt Veith Creative for his assistance in building the new site! The preceding site served us well but has been re-designed and upgraded to better meet the needs of current and future users. The intent of the CFOS Board and Communications Committee is that it will be maintained and updated more frequently than in the past. We welcome your comments on the new website. Send them to: info@friendsofsabeel.ca.
Peace Vigil Resource
The CFOS document Vigil for Peace Resource, first prepared in November of 2023 in response to the Israeli invasion of Gaza, has recently been updated. It is full of valuable suggestions for planning a peace vigil and public witness. This resource is available for download here.
Join our CFOS Communications Team!
What is more important to an organization than effective Communication? Who do we want to know what? How do we reach them? If you’re interested in the various means of communication, why not join the CFOS Communications Committee? Contact Rana Atie at executive-director@friendsofsabeel.ca for more information or to offer your ideas and expertise.