April 2015: Hope in the Sharing of Bread
April 2015 Mission Bulletin Format
When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him… Luke 24:30, 31a
Global Ministries’ partner, the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), embodies a vision of justice and peace for both Palestine and Israel. EAPPI trains and sends human rights monitors from all over the world to witness life under occupation in Israel-Palestine, and to then go home to promote change. Over 1,500 enthusiastic, caring, and dedicated monitors have gone to live for three months in the West Bank and Jerusalem, to observe and record human rights there since 2002.
Three key elements of accompaniment are prominent in the Easter story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus: preaching a word of hope, sharing the basics of life and departing at the right moment to carry on the work elsewhere. This is this story EAPPI has been faithfully following.
Jesus finds two hopeless travelers on their way to Emmaus: ‘We had hope that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.’ That hope had been trampled by the Roman Empire in alliance with local religious authorities. Jesus accompanied them down the road to Emmaus, showed them that hope was alive. They recognized Him when he blessed and broke the bread. The word accompaniment comes from the Latin meaning “sharing with bread.”
EAPPI continues to provide a protective presence to vulnerable communities, to monitor and report on human rights abuses, to support the nonviolent resistance of Israeli and Palestinian peace groups, to stand in solidarity with all those struggling to end the occupation and to engage in advocacy to end it. Trained volunteers are serving in Jericho, Yanoun, Jerusalem and Hebron.
Many from our UCC and Disciples churches have volunteered for the EAPPI program. If you are interested in learning more contact Global Ministries at makarip@ucc.org