September 13, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Samar Moussa
(301) 951-9400 ext. 211
smoussa@hcef.org
HCEF Continues Preparations for its 7th International Conference:
United by Faith for Action
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) is gearing up for its conference, which will be held on October 21-22, 2005. This unique conference will bring together many Christian denominations to work towards solidarity in supporting Christians and creating peace in the Holy Land.
The conference theme, “United by Faith for Action”, calls attendees to collective action, in support of our Holy Land Christian brothers and sisters, by offering Western Christians a concrete means to contribute to the long term preservation of the rich Holy Land Christian culture and tradition, which faces extinction in the current climate.
In keeping with this theme, many panels will be conducted throughout the conference. Experts on the Holy Land will be speaking specifically about the plight of the Christians in the area.
Three women from Jerusalem- a Christian, a Jew, and a Muslim- will speak about their daily lives amidst the violence in their homeland. They also will express their visions of co-existence of their three different religions in the region.
Experts from the Christian and secular media present the advantages and challenges of reporting the issues of Peace and Justice. While the secular media has the audience and means to reach almost every American, its coverage can be driven by appealing headlines and distorted to its owners’ or readers’ predisposition. While Christian media is accessed by fewer people, it can deal with Peace and Justice issues that otherwise might be ignored, and it can move its readers, listeners and viewers beyond the local ministry to gain a sense of God’s global agenda.
Speakers will discuss Christian Zionism and its effects and obstructions to a peaceful Holy Land. This will include political and religious views of mainstream evangelicals.
The conference also targets a young adult audience. The Holy Land College Community (HCCC) will work together with HCEF in developing youth groups. There will be a special seminar for college students to train them to develop campus programs to educate other students on the plight of Palestinian Christians.
The conference keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Theodore Schneider, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod. Bishop Schneider will talk about the involvement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the actions being taken on behalf of Christians in the Holy Land.
The Most Reverend Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., Superior of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, will be the keynote speaker at the awards banquet, held on Friday, Oct. 21. The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Division for Global Mission, will receive the Living Stones Solidarity Award. HCEF will present awards to Fr. Emil Salayta, its co-founder and to Rev. Dr. Roy Enquist, Chair on the Advisory Board.
In a universal invitation to all Christians, HCEF‘s president, Rateb Rabie, said “I encourage everyone interested in finding the facts about the Holy Land to attend this conference. There are many misconceptions Westerners have about the Holy Land and this conference is an important step towards raising their awareness.”
For more on the schedule, hotel reservations and to register, please visit HCEF‘s website:
Main Conference Schedule of Events
Friday, October 21 – Saturday, October 22
St. Luke Lutheran Church
9100 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Keynote address: Rev. Dr. Theodore Schneider, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Washington DC Synod
Conference program, visit this link:
Conference Honorary Committee, visit this link:
Conference Endorsement Letters, visit this link:
Awards Banquet
Friday October 21, 6:00pm-10:00pm
Holiday Inn Select Bethesda
8120 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
Keynote address: Most Reverend Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land
Each year, at the time of the 7 International Conference, HCEF grants awards to people and institutions who have accomplished excellent work in support of the Christians of the Holy Land.
For details, visit:
Online Conference Registration:
Hotel Accommodations
http://www.hcef.org/hcef/index.cfm/ID/287.cfm
Holiday Inn Select Bethesda,
8120 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-2000
For more information, contact HCEF directly at:
6935 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 214
Bethesda, MD 20815
(301) 951-9400
Fax: (301) 951-9402
Toll Free: 866-871-HCEF (4233)
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Inc. (HCEF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides succor to the Christians of the Holy Land who live in Christian communities dating back in time to those who first heard Jesus Christ preach his gospel. HCEF sponsors programs that support children‘s education, create housing, and provide work programs for community development and indigenous handicrafts. HCEF Pilgrimages enable Western Christians to develop bonds of solidarity with their Christian brothers and sisters living in the Holy Land.