Signing Our Blessing to War
This issue of A Public Witness takes a look at past efforts from Christian clergy to bless weapons of war before returning to a current conflict to hear from a pastor in the little town of Bethlehem.
Biden Calls Out ‘Poison’ of White Supremacy in Address at Mother Emanuel in S.C.
Biden’s remarks were interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters shouting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
Gaza Baptist Church Badly Damaged in Blast on Day After Christmas
The only Baptist church in the Gaza Strip — and one of just four Christian congregations in the besieged territory — received significant damage from an Israeli attack on Tuesday.
Pope Francis Denounces the Weapons Industry As He Makes a Christmas Appeal for Peace in the World
Vatican officials said about 70,000 people filled St. Peter's Square for Francis' noonday speech and blessing. They included many people flying Palestinian flags, as well as some Ukrainian ones.
Lessons From Unsettling Advent
This issue of A Public Witness shares some of the meaningful insights we’ve learned from Unsettling Advent this year on the topics of state executions, political anxieties, and bloodshed in Israel.
Unsettling Advent 2023, Day 19
Christmas reminds us it is precisely in the midst of the darkness of hatred that it is time for love to be born.
Pope Francis Condemns Saturday’s Israeli Attack on Christian Church As Act of Terrorism
'It’s war, it’s terrorism,' Pope Francis said.
Unsettling Advent 2023, Day 15
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, offers this first entry in our week exploring the theme of Advent during a time of bloodshed in Israel.
Ahead of White House Hanukkah Celebration, a Wave of Faith-Led Cease-Fire Demonstrations
The demonstrators, who were later arrested, noted the ongoing Jewish holiday, shouting, 'No Hanukkah to celebrate, cease-fire cannot wait!'
Bethlehem Pastors Arrive in DC, Urge Lawmakers To Embrace Cease-Fire, Peace Plan
'All we want for Christmas is a constant and comprehensive cease-fire and an end to this war,' said the Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of Bethlehem’s Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church.