Updated September 16, 2025: We are now including any Presbyterians who have never visited Palestine or have not been since October 2023.
Dear Friends and Colleagues—
I hope you are well and finding meaning and joy wherever and whenever possible.I will cut to the chase. As many of you know, I have been part of or led four delegations to Palestine over the past 18 months with Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center (Sabeel). Being part of these delegations has been personally transforming and has given my advocacy greater depth and texture. As part of my commitment to this work, I will be leading another delegation in December for any Presbyterians with priority for those who have never visited Palestine or have not been since October 2023. (Originally, this was a trip that was exclusively for General Assembly Moderators and Synod and Presbytery Leadership. We may also open it up to Presbytery Moderators depending on interest. I am very excited to say that our current Co-Moderators have committed to being part of this delegation.)
PURPOSE: The Sabeel delegations are meant to provide opportunities for delegation participants to meet with Palestinian leaders, activists, artists, and community members to gain insight into life and faith under occupation. It is the hope that participants come and see, and go and tell.
DATES: DECEMBER 10-19 (10 days, 9 nights)
- Monday, December 8: Most US Departures
- Wednesday, December 10: Arrive in Jordan
- Thursday, December 11: Orientation/Settling in Madaba
- Friday, December 12: AM Border Crossing
- December 12-18: with Sabeel
- Friday, December 19: AM Border Crossing
- Friday, December 19/20: Depart Jordan
COST: $1,500 + Airfare + Visa & Boarder Fees
- This covers all Hotel Accommodations (Shared room or +$400 for a single)
- Amazing food
- All in-country transportation
- NOTE: Sabeel greatly subsidizes these delegations.
DELEGATION SIZE: TBD depending on interest, but most likely 12-20.
WHO: General Assembly Moderators (Current and Former), Synod and Presbytery Staff (Executive, Associate, Transitional, etc), and possibly Presbytery & Synod Moderators (Depending on interest/demand)
INFORMATIONAL ZOOM MEETINGS (Either/Or)
- Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 9:00-10:00am PT
- Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 3:00-4:00pm PT
- Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 8:00-9:00am PT
Register: email for link.
ROLES:
- Sabeel: The folks from Sabeel are the Palestinian leaders for the delegation, so we trust them to expose us to the stories and experiences that they feel are important for us to see and experience. We will have some input into the kinds of
- Friends of Sabeel (FOSNA): Fonsal will assist with logistics, orientation, and finances on the US side.
- Palestine Justice Network: There will be at least one person from PJN who will be with us as another resource person for the delegation.
- Bruce: My role will be to coordinate the delegation on the US side, help with orientation in Jordan, facilitate the border crossings, and generally help to lower anxieties for you all and your families/communities as needed.
If you have any questions before the informational meetings, please do not hesitate to ask, and I hope you will pass this information along to any Presbytery and Synod leaders who may be interested.
FOR THE REGISTER FORM AND FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT BRUCE.
Peace,
