Has anyone else watched this documentary? I watched it last night for the first time and will be screening it next Saturday at our church. It focusses on one Palestinian man, his family and his village and it tells the story of their non-violent resistence to the settlements in the West Bank. I found it to be absolutely fascinating and yet sadly predictable at the same time.

Praying for Peace in Israel and Palestine. The Moderator offers a prayer for peace.

http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/moderator/121121

Well, it's happened. Be warned. Communications Minister Moshe Kashlon has announced he cannot agree with Netanyau's Likud Party any longer. He is leaving it to form a new party.

He is publicly criticizing Netanyahu's policies for Israel.

So there you have it. Anti-semitism has reached even into the Israeli cabinet.

Of course, if Kashlon succeeds and can win an election, then Netanyahum as his critic will become the anti-semite.

It's so exciting. It's like watching a bunch of really fast runners playing tag.

Is it possible that Stephen Harper's unconditional support for Israel is related to his decision to take proactive steps to reduce unfavourable precedents for dealing with First Nations Land Claims.  If Israel is discouraged by Canada from cleansing the West Bank of Palestinians, would this provide a precedent supporting far more generous terms for settling land claims in Canada?  If Canada refuses to criticize Israel's behaviour, this avoids the preceding presedent.

Closer by Grace. Sept 1 2012.

Texts: James 1:17-27. Mark 7:1-8

By Rev. James Murray at Dominion-Chalmers United Church.

It has been an interesting summer in the world of sports. At the London Olympics, Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus was the only athlete to lose their medal after failing a drug test. Another twenty athletes were also caught and sent home for cheating with drugs. The Olympic Committee says they will hang on to everyone’s samples for eight more years, and if better tests can prove someone was cheating, they will be punished.

I Ieft a message some hours ago on global affairs concernting a Jewish response to the UC statement on settlements.

It's by an old friend of mine, a devout Jew and a Zionist. He been, most of his life, a leader in the Jewish community both in Montreal and across Canada. He's also co-chair of Peace Now.

It's worth reading - but seems not to have attracted attention in World Affairs. To get it, just go to google, type in The Mark News. Then look for the name of Stephen Scheinberg.

In the past several weeks, something very strange has been going on in Israel. I have seen severall public statements  (thought not in much of the North American press) by Israeli military leaders and retired intelligence officers that are critical of Netanyahu for pushing for a war with Iran.

May 1, 2012

The World Week of Peace in Palestine and Israel is coming soon, and there are now two full services and additional worship ideas created by United Church folks available, as well as links to other ideas for May 27-June 3.  

This is also Annual Meeting time for a number of Conferences--these could be good ready-to-go resources for those doing pulpit supply!