GETTING READY
Mark Holman, Mark Brown, Dale & Sr. Sylvia
Ordinands Saliba & Imad
The Grandma who almost missed it
Celebrating their 1st Communion
A contemplative crucifer
About to cut the Ordination cake
Proud parishoners
Pastors Imad & Saliba
More proud parishoners
March 2 was Imad Haddad’s and Saliba Rishmawi’s big day. At worship earlier that same day rumour had it that their ordination might have to be postponed because of what could be the beginning of a 3rd intifada in the West Bank. On Sunday, March 2, most Palestinian businesses in East Jerusalem were closed in protest against the worsening situation in Gaza, and, in the past, occasions such as ordinations have had to be cancelled because the Israelis often close checkpoints and restrict movement in the Old City when there is trouble. Imad’s and Saliba’s congregations are on the Bethlehem side of the segregation wall, and so family, friends, fellow pastors, children’s choirs, and congregants would have to go through Israeli security.
Well, they almost all made it. When we heard that the mother and grandmother of one of the ordinands had not been granted travel permits to come from the Bethlehem side to Jerusalem, we pulled some strings and got them through. The Israelis wouldn’t let the Beit Sahour children’s choir into Jerusalem, but the Beit Jala choir and band were there to sing and play. Why did the Israelis refuse permits to Mom and Grandma? Why one choir and not the other? Who knows?
And so it happened in spite of all the stumbling blocks! Bishop Younan ordained Imad and Saliba into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Redeemer Lutheran in Old Jerusalem. Imad will be serving as assistant pastor in Beit Sahour, and Saliba as assistant pastor in Beit Jala. It was an historic occasion because it’s the first time in the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) that two pastors have been ordained at the same time. The ELCJHL doesn’t have many placements for pastors with only six churches: Redeemer in Jerusalem, Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem, Reformation Lutheran in Beit Jala, Beit Sahour Lutheran Church, Hope Lutheran in Ramallah, and Good Shepherd Lutheran in Amman, Jordan. Less than 2% of the Palestinian population is Christian, and most of the Christians are Greek Orthodox. So, there aren’t many Lutherans, and as Christians emigrate from Palestine because of political tension and an uncertain future, there are fewer Christians (and Lutherans) each year.
As the ordination ended, the grandmother who almost didn’t make it shouted out congratulations and was joined by other female family members in a sustained ululation, a high pitched sound Arab women emit in celebration of events such as graduations and ordinations. It was also a sound of grieving for the almost 100 Palestinian children, women and men who had been killed during the past week in Gaza.
Well, they almost all made it. When we heard that the mother and grandmother of one of the ordinands had not been granted travel permits to come from the Bethlehem side to Jerusalem, we pulled some strings and got them through. The Israelis wouldn’t let the Beit Sahour children’s choir into Jerusalem, but the Beit Jala choir and band were there to sing and play. Why did the Israelis refuse permits to Mom and Grandma? Why one choir and not the other? Who knows?
And so it happened in spite of all the stumbling blocks! Bishop Younan ordained Imad and Saliba into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Redeemer Lutheran in Old Jerusalem. Imad will be serving as assistant pastor in Beit Sahour, and Saliba as assistant pastor in Beit Jala. It was an historic occasion because it’s the first time in the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) that two pastors have been ordained at the same time. The ELCJHL doesn’t have many placements for pastors with only six churches: Redeemer in Jerusalem, Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem, Reformation Lutheran in Beit Jala, Beit Sahour Lutheran Church, Hope Lutheran in Ramallah, and Good Shepherd Lutheran in Amman, Jordan. Less than 2% of the Palestinian population is Christian, and most of the Christians are Greek Orthodox. So, there aren’t many Lutherans, and as Christians emigrate from Palestine because of political tension and an uncertain future, there are fewer Christians (and Lutherans) each year.
As the ordination ended, the grandmother who almost didn’t make it shouted out congratulations and was joined by other female family members in a sustained ululation, a high pitched sound Arab women emit in celebration of events such as graduations and ordinations. It was also a sound of grieving for the almost 100 Palestinian children, women and men who had been killed during the past week in Gaza.
The reception was a joyous event with a piece of cake for everyone.
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1 comment:
Hello Dale and Donna,
At last, today, I have been able to read all of your blog -- gradually I am beginning to understand why you are there, and what is really happening. An amazing life journey for both of you. You are in our prayers as we watch and wait.
Margaret and Viktor
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