A Letter to the Congregation from Pilgrim's Church Council

Pilgrims,

As we continue to witness the tragic crisis in the Middle East that escalated on Oct. 7, but has roots that are decades long, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ have been active in a variety of ways, including through public witness statements, issued together with ecumenical bodies of which our church is a member, advocacy action alerts, and appeals to support our partners in the region. The Common Global Ministry Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ adopted this statement at its fall meeting on November 11-12, 2023, as well the Joint Commission, composed of the CC in Puerto Rico, the CC (DOC) in the United States and Canada, adopting this statement 10/23.

Echoing these statements, the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ has joined in signing the following letters to elected leaders (including: a joint leadership (UCC/DOC letter to President Biden 12/18; 68 Global and Christian Leaders Call for a Ceasefire and peace 11/29; letter from 30 Christian Leaders, to support an immediate ceasefire, de-escalation and restraint by all involved (11/9)

Pilgrim aches for the suffering that is occurring as a direct result of the ongoing conflict. We recognize that this personally affects members of our community, who have direct ties of all kinds throughout the area. We believe and affirm that a just, permanent, and peaceful resolution will never be achieved through violent methods.

Pilgrim also supports and affirms the General Minister’s (of the United Church of Christ) call to bear witness on behalf of the collective of local congregations of the United Church of Christ, while recognizing that there may be a wide spectrum of beliefs, especially but not exclusively, related to the crisis in the Middle East, that may or may not share the specific advocacy of these public witness statements. We hold with care this diversity within our beloved community.

Holding together these truths as a reflection of who we are can be challenging. We know that our denomination has long sought a just resolution to the conflict in Israel/Palestine. We feel the best way to witness to God’s hope in this current crisis is to provide support wherever we are able for those who are suffering, both in our local community and the victims of the violence in Gaza and Israel. We recognize this conflict has roots that are generations old and affects different communities in varied and complex ways. In discussion with Pastor Lindy, Nathan Olawsky (Pilgrim UCC Moderator) and Pilgrim’s Church Council, we echo the prayers spoken by our collective leadership….

“We seek God’s justice in the Middle East – for Jews, Christians, Muslims, Israelis, and Palestinians – affirming that halting the current violence with a cease-fire and providing some humanitarian relief is necessary but not enough. The core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be addressed for there to be justice. The dispute centers on issues of rights, land, and resources. We affirm that it is not a religious conflict, although we know religion is inherently part of the context. But our faith is a source of goodness where we draw strength, motivation, and inspiration to work for justice and peace.”

“As the number of deaths and injuries rises in the thousands and the ranks of displaced people increase, we lament that violence and war have again become the chosen approach to address tension, conflict, and suffering. We know there is a better, more peaceful, and more just way. We understand that this is not the will of God, and pray to God – as we sing in the hymn – to ‘cure your children’s warring madness; bend our pride to your control.’ ”

“This current escalation only reaffirms the necessity of such a lasting, durable, and just peace that affirms the rights, dignity, freedom, and equality of all the people there – Israeli and Palestinian; Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Druze – so that all may enjoy life in all its abundance.” 

May it be so. 

Pilgrims, the UCC has developed a petition, which any individual is invited to sign and send to our Congress and administration. We invite and encourage you to do so, if you feel so called.

On behalf of Pilgrim’s Church Council, grace and peace,

Nathan Olawsky, Moderator

 Melinda Keenan Wood, Pastor