Ecumenical Forum for Young Theologians Set for September in Jerusalem
Episcopal News Service. May 23, 2003 [2003-116-3]
The Ecumenical Forum for Young Theologians--an international organization that brings together members of churches from Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and the Global South--is sponsoring a study tour of Palestine and Israel, September 3-15, with an optional visit to Jordan.
The study tour will include conversations and encounters with Christians, Muslims and Jews on both a secular and religious level. 'The aim of the program is an exposure of future church and community leaders to the practicalities of dialogue among three world religions in a practical way, to provoke further thought and study and ultimately to encourage their engagement in the peace and justice movement at their own places of ministry,' according to an announcement from the Rev. Yazeed Said, acting dean of St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem, convenor of the forum.
'The study tour will be centered on dialogue, at a grassroots level, with varied interest groups in Palestine and Israel,' he said. The study includes 'exposure visits' in Jerusalem, a seminar on the history and theology of Christian sites, the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, the East Jerusalem YMCA and other Christian non-governmental organizations. Participants will also visit a YMCA rehabilitation center and hear presentations by an ecumenical panel of local Christian youth ministries, as well as a discussion of the issue of Israeli settlements--and a visit to the Kiryat Arva settlement in Hebron.
During a trip to Gaza, the group will tour the Ahli Arab Hospital, operated by the Diocese of Jerusalem, and visit a refugee camp. In Ramallah the group will meet with representatives of the Palestinian Authority and local church leaders. At the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, the group will meet with Arabic and Jewish members.
Several days of the forum have been set aside for interfaith dialogue with a series of workshops and study and reflection groups, concluding with an Ecumenical Eucharist for the Eve of Holy Cross Day at St. Anne's Basilica.