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Israel/Palestine/Jerusalem
 A Palestinian family picks olives in Yanoun. Photo by Karin Brown.
November celebrations mark the culmination of the olive harvest in this region. The olive tree is a symbol of life in the Middle East because it has sustained much of the population for centuries, either through its edible by-products or by olive wood carvings and soap.
Mourning has become part of the harvest observance as many Palestinians have lost the olive trees that provide their only source of income. Michele and Terry Finseth, companionship facilitators for the Joining Hands program in Palestine, write about one of their network members, the YWCA, which sponsors the “Keep Hope Alive” program. They report that more than 500,000 olive trees have been destroyed since the beginning of the second intifada to build the wall and the roads, or to build settlements. To regain some of their losses, and to provide for future generations, the Keep Hope Alive program provides for both the replanting of 50,000 trees and the opportunity to participate in the planting.
The Finseths write that the concept of gleaning on behalf of others has taken on new meaning in the harvest of Palestine’s olives. In these zones, only the farmer is allowed on the land; all other Palestinians are forbidden. Without the help of individuals and organizations from other countries dedicated to helping save these farmers’ orchards, the livelihoods of countless more farmers would be lost. Many people plan trips specifically to participate in the harvest or help with the planting.
PC(USA) People in Mission
H. Douglas Dicks, regional liaison, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, World Mission
Companionship Facilitators, Joining Hands Against Hunger, Palestine: Michele Finseth and Terry Finseth
Partners/Ministries
Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East: Bishop Suhail Dawani
Ahli Arab Hospital, Gaza: Mrs. Suhaila Tarazi, director
St. Luke’s Hospital, Nablus: Mr. Mazen Kawa, administrative director, Rev. Husam Naoum, vice chairman
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land: Bishop Dr. Munib Younan
The International Center of Bethlehem: Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, general director
The Middle East Council of Churches’ Refugee Vocational Training Programs and Health/Well-Baby Clinics, Gaza: Mr. Constantine Dabbagh, executive secretary
The Middle East Council of Churches’ Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees: Dr. Bernard Sabella, executive secretary
The Greek (Melkite) Catholic Church of the East: Archbishop Elias Chacour, patriarch Jinishian Memorial Program: Mr. Ramzi Zananiri, representative
Presbytery Partnership [Israel]
Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East with the Presbytery of Philadelphia
Presbytery Partnership [Palestine]
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta with Joining Hands Against Hunger Palestinian Network
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
DeBorah White, GAMC
Lord Christ, through your life, death, and resurrection you broke down walls of hostility. Help us, in partnership with sisters and brothers in the Holy Land, to be agents of reconciliation, doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. Amen.
Ps. 90, 149 Ps. 80, 72
Hag. 2:1–9
Rev. 3:1–6; Matt. 24:1–14
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