One of the resolutions passed at the 81st General Convention was D056, proposed by Canon Megan, “Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza.” One of the actions called for in the resolution is that the presiding officers of our church, the presiding bishop and the president of the House of Deputies, would set aside a day for “fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel and Palestine in this conflict.” Further, the resolution urges all members of The Episcopal Church to pray and call their elected representatives.
When we learn which day the presiding officers will set aside for prayer for TEC, we will of course share that information for you. However, there is no need to wait for that day to add prayers and calls to representatives to our practice of our shared faith.
A Prayer for Ceasefire
Canon Megan wrote the following prayer which is appropriate for use in the Prayers of the People and in your daily devotions:
Almighty God of mercy and compassion, you sent your Son Jesus to teach us the things that make for peace; help the leaders of this world to lay down their weapons of war. Help those who make decisions on behalf of the people of Israel and of Gaza to safeguard human life and flourishing and turn away from death and destruction. Help us living in the US to use our liberty and safety to speak on behalf of those who live in deprivation and danger, and save us from denial and complicity in the evils we deplore, and as we labor, give comfort, strength, and safety to all of your children in the land we call Holy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripts for Phone Calls
It can be intimidating to call congressional representatives, but there are tools online to help make the process easier. You can visit CommonCause.org, enter your address, and you’ll get phone numbers for the offices of all of your elected representatives. If you’re not sure what to say when you call, these scripts from the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights can make it easier:
Script 1 For Senators
My name is [YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME], and I’m a constituent of [SENATOR’S NAME]. I’m calling about Palestine and Israel. The Senator must take immediate steps to deescalate, by calling for 1) a total and permanent ceasefire, 2) humanitarian aid allowed to enter Gaza, including reinstating funding to UNRWA, 3) an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza, and 4) no more weapons or funding to the Israeli military. I support a permanent ceasefire, along with over 80 members of Congress, and 67% of American voters. I’m urgently asking the Senator to call for a permanent ceasefire now.
This is a genocide of Palestinian people in Gaza. A U.S. federal judge found that Israel is plausibly committing genocide. Members of Congress can be charged in court with aiding and abetting genocide through congressional acts. The Senator must take action now to stop genocide and end all U.S. complicity in Israel’s violence.
Script 2 for House Representatives
My name is [YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME], and I’m a constituent of [REPRESENTATIVE’S NAME]. I’m calling about Palestine and Israel. The Representative must take immediate steps to deescalate, by calling for 1) a total and permanent ceasefire, 2) humanitarian aid allowed to enter Gaza, including reinstating funding to UNRWA, 3) an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza, and 4) no more weapons or funding to the Israeli military. Please vote NO on the $95 billion foreign spending package to send more weapons to Israel. I support a permanent ceasefire, along with over 80 members of Congress, and 67% of American voters. I’m urgently asking the Representative to call for a permanent ceasefire now.
This is a genocide of Palestinian people in Gaza. A U.S. federal judge just found that Israel is plausibly committing genocide. Members of Congress can be charged in court with aiding and abetting genocide through congressional acts. The Representative must take action now to stop genocide and end all U.S. complicity in Israel’s violence.
