got this from the national council of churches

THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN IRAQ

As we pray fervently for peace in the world, and especially for the people of Iraq, please give thanks for the ministry of the Christian community there. The Churches representing the two million Christians in Iraq are The Holy Apostolic Assyrian Church of the East, The Holy Ancient Apostolic Church of the East, The Chaldean Roman Catholic Church, The Syriac Orthodox and Syriac Catholic Churches, The Armenian Churches and The Protestant Churches. These Churches also serve an additional two million Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac Christians scattered in over 40 countries around the world. Urgent prayer is being requested for protection for this special Christian community, the oldest Christian nation in the world, now struggling for survival in a sea of turmoil in the land of its forefathers. Pray that the Assyrian Church of the East will endure this trial experience and return to its roots as the largest missionary force in the world. The Indigenous Christian community in Iraq is on the verge of another survival situation. Between 1914 and 1918 and again in 1933 these Christians went through massacres in which over two-thirds of the nation was slaughtered lost amidst the fog of today are these Christians, once a proud and very influential nation remembered in prophecy (Isaiah 19:23-25).. The liturgy of the Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac Churches is still today in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ. Early in the first century the Assyrian Church sent missionaries to China, Central Asia, India, Mongolia, Japan, Siberia, Ethiopia and the rest of the known world. Their history is little known. It was to them that Jonah came to bring the message of repentance and they repented. It was to them that the Apostle Thomas came and their King Abgar repented for his people and Assyria became the first Christian nation. The Christians of Iraq today are the remnants of Assyria that was the creator of much of our present civilization.

Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, special envoy from Pope John Paul II, recently said in St Josephs Cathedral, Baghdad : Peace ? Who doesnt talk about it today everywhere in the world without thinking about the huge threats that weigh on Iraq? Who does not desire peace? But how many think that peace is still possible? How many truly want it with all their weal? How many see in prayer something other than a refuge during hours of panic? Something other than a simple alibi from human engagement? We pray for peace in Iraq and in the entire Middle East. It is most certainly a test of faith and the harder for those of us who take seriously both prayer and peace. They go hand in hand.

HUMANITATIAN NEED IN THE MIDDLE EAST

PREPARATIONS BY THE MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE/ NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN AUSTRALIA

At present in Iraq, Syria and Jordan, the Middle East Council of Churches has been preparing to help those who will be affected by conflict in Iraq. Forecasts of the potential humanitarian need are staggering. One UN document estimates there may be as many as two million internally displaced persons within Iraq, and as many as 5.4 million more who will need food aid if war disrupts delivery of monthly government food baskets.

The MECC has conducted two training sessions for volunteers December 2002 in Amman (Jordan), and January 2003 in the town of Hasakeh (Syria), near the Iraqi border. Some 75 volunteers, both from the host countries and from inside Iraq, were trained to deal with the problems of internally displaced persons and refugees. The trainers were MECC staff-persons experienced in working with displaced persons during the previous Gulf War and the Lebanese civil war. In line with international standards and procedures, the volunteers were trained in how to provide adequate shelter, food, and other necessities.

In addition to acquiring useful skills at a time when a refugee crisis seems imminent, the training exercises gave MECC coordinators in Jordan and Iraq opportunity to network some 30 volunteers inside Iraq who will respond to emergency humanitarian situations as they arise, and to form a staff team of four to help coordinate this effort. Two people are being recruited to be in charge of operations in Baghdad and Mosul. The MECC has identified some 18 centrally located local churches (8 in Baghdad, 4 each in Basra and Mosul, and 2 in Kirkuk) where food and other supplies will be received and distributed to all in need without regard to religion. In addition, the MECC has relationships with the Iraqi Ministry of Health and with local hospitals enabling it to deliver emergency medical supplies as needed.

Outside Iraq, major influxes of refugees are expected in both Jordan and Syria. MECC coordinators are working with local governments and international agencies especially the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and Action by Churches Together (ACT International), to prepare camps and preposition supplies.

Christian World Service/The National Council of Churches in Australia works in partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches and Action by Churches Together (International) and will co-operate with them in the alleviation of humanitarian need in Iraq and the surrounding countries.

CWS is preparing for an emergency appeal to the people of Australia for the people of Iraq and the Middle East.

THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR RECONCILIATION 27 May 3 June 2003 Reconciliation Its Not Hard to Understand

Reconciliation is a theme running through each of our Faiths. It is not hard to understand. It is part of the stuff of our living with one another. Reconciliation is both personal and political; local and national. At a personal level we need to take deliberate steps to reach out across the barriers of difference and injustice. We need to act locally, seek justice and meet the pain of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

Over the last 12 years, we have begun to cross the barriers erected over two centuries between Indigenous Australians and others. During this time many of us have had conversations across the barrier for the first time in our lives. We have met people with the same hopes and fears as ours. Others have developed a much deeper understanding of how life appears from the viewpoint of the other. Many have taken some steps to redress the injustices with which Indigenous people battle all the time. Even simple acts of solidarity like walking together across a bridge have been important steps towards reconciliation.

At this time it is important that we do not lose the momentum that has been built up. In particular we need to keep on meeting and talking and planning together to remove the continuing injustices in our society. There is still enormous pain, frustration and anger in the Indigenous community about the unfinished business of land rights, native title, combating racism and seeking redress for the stolen generations.

What is the unfinished business between Indigenous peoples, ourselves and our faith communities that remains to be done locally? What are the broader issues on which we need to push local, State and Federal Governments?

We need to work together, personally and communally, in our local and national communities, to meet the pain and distress of our Indigenous brothers and sisters if we are to be truly reconciled.

Reconciliation Week is a time for thinking about and acting on our commitment to work together on the unfinished business that remains between us.

The Week of Prayer for Reconciliation is an initative of faith communities in Australia committed to a just reconciliation with Indigenous people. The Week of Prayer begins on 27 May, the date of the 1967 Commonwealth Government Referendum which acknowledged the rightful place of Indigenous people in the Australian population, and ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the historic Mabo decision of the High Court of Australia, recognising the pre-existence of native title to land in Australia.

Faith Communities for Reconciliation are The Anglican Church of Australia, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Baptist Union of Australia, Buddhist Community in Australia Churches of Christ, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Hindu Community in Australia, Liberal Catholic Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahai, The Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Uniting Church of Australia, National Council of Churches in Australia, World Conference on Religion and Peace.

—————– Stephen Webb Media Officer Communications Unit NSW Synod, Uniting Church in Australia Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia email: Phone: +61 2 82674308; Fax: 92674716; Web: nsw.uca.org.au/cu/ & insights.uca.org.au/ —————— The Communications Unit publishes the monthly magazine Insights, conducts public relations for the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, and provides a variety of communications services. These include writing, editing, web consultation and development, desktop publishing and graphic design, public relations and advertising. For a consultation or free estimate on your project call the Communications Unit at (02) 8267 4307.

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