Working Group on the Middle East (WGME)

Our Ministry

Within the Metropolitan Chicago Synod we have a dedicated Working Group on the Middle East.

Our Mission

“Led by the Holy Spirit, the Working Group on the Middle East (WGME) of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA, will educate and urge the Metropolitan Chicago Synod to advocate actively for justice for Palestine and Israel, which will lead to peace in the Middle East to ensure free access to the holy sites for Jews, Christians and Muslims.”

Campaign of the Chicago Faith Coalition, with support from Defense for Children International Palestine

Demand Israel End Military Detention

Bring Justice to Palestinian Children,

Please help bring justice to Palestinian children by signing up to receive email updates here. The WGME is a coalition partner for this campaign. Check out this less than 10-minute YouTube video to get a feel for the Israeli military practices associated with child detention.

Watch Video

Israeli Military Detention — No Way to Treat a Child

Stop night arrests
Stop blindfolds and restraints
Stop separation from parents
Stop physical abuse and verbal threats
Stop isolation and coerced confessions

A Litany for Peace and Justice

This work for peace and justice is hard. It is demanding, time consuming, and sometimes tedious. Will you commit yourself to work for peace and justice?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice can cause tensions and rifts. This work can drive wedges between people, but this work needs us to stick together. Will you dedicate yourself to doing your best to work with others?
I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice is more effective when we embrace and respect diversity. Will you commit yourself to embracing and respecting difference?
I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice requires creativity. This work demands that we push ourselves to look for new possibilities. Will you dedicate yourself to thinking and acting creatively for peace and justice?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice requires faith and hope that a better tomorrow is possible. Will you dedicate yourself to find sources of faith and hope in your life?

I will and I ask God to help me!

This work for peace and justice calls us to find inner peace. Will you commit yourself to promote peace both within and without?

I will and I ask God to help me!

Our Members

The Rev. Joanne Fitzgerald
Martin Luther, Chicago (Convener)

Mary Anderson
Atonement, Barrington

Joan Ehrenberg
St. Paul’s, Evanston

Ghassan (Gus) Khoury
Chicago

Kholoud Khoury
Chicago

Delbert and Gretchen Leppke
St. Paul’s, Evanston

Jeff Nichols
Grace, La Grange

Pam Sall
Ebenezer, Chicago (Information Liaison)

Joe Scarry
St. Luke’s, Logan Square, Chicago

Don and Laurie Schuemann
New Hope, Aurora

Dieter Schulte
Luther Memorial, Chicago

Ed Thompson
Gloria Dei, Northbrook

Bill Young
Grace, La Grange

Connect with Us

To learn more about the Working Group on the Middle East, please email the Rev. Joanne Fitzgerald (Chair).

To be added to the email list, complete this form in PDF and email to .

Learn More on ELCA’s Website

Peace Not Walls is a special ELCA campaign calling for efforts toward a viable, contiguous Palestinian state; a secure Israeli state at peace with its Arab neighbors; and a shared Jerusalem with equal access and rights for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

learn more about peace not walls

Resources

More Online

Ahlan wa Sahlan: Welcome!

A resource is now available from the United Church of Christ (a full communion partner of the ELCA), and the Disciples of Christ. Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Exploring the Holy Land—is a ten-part children’s curriculum that builds on the widely used Ahlan Wa Sahalan Advent Curriculum that was released last fall.

This format is easily adapted to a number of settings Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and even children’s moments.

Find out what you can do individually, at your church & in your community on palestineportal.org. You can connect with groups worldwide that are committed to the struggle for liberation & justice.

Learn more→