The Easter Initiative is an annual activity of the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. The materials—which include feature stories and prayers, as well as social media and advocacy resources—connect the stories of Easter with current realities in Palestine and Israel, and spotlight the challenges of a life marked by violence, war, and occupation. The materials also nurture hope and highlight groups and individuals striving for a just peace. Newly published are feature stories with the voices of Father Frans Bouwen, a priest in the Catholic church who has been living and working for ecumenism in Jerusalem since 1969; Nader Abu Amsha, executive director of Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches; and Robi Damelin, director of International Relations for The Parents Circle-Families Forum. Also newly available is an advocacy outline, which offers a call to action as well as practical ways to help. The outline lifts up the call to roll away the heavy stone of violence, war, and occupation, pain, and suffering, and to remind the world of what is needed to bring about peace, and to transform swords into ploughshares. All are also invited to share a new prayer by Monsignor William Shomali, Latin Patriarchal vicar of Jerusalem (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem). It reads, in part: “Let swords be turned into ploughshares, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, starvation to prosperity, occupation to liberation, and peace and justice could be experienced by all.” More materials will be released as Easter approaches. Learn more: Easter Initiative 2024 | 
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