Churches participate in Day of Prayer and Public Witness for Palestine

As a response to the resolution A Call to Education and Action Regarding the Crisis in Gaza affirmed at the ‘Aha Pae‘āina earlier this year, all members and churches of the Hawai‘i Conference were invited and encouraged to participate in the Day of Prayer and Public Witness, organized for December 10. This date coincided with Human Rights Day and followed the Sunday when many churches light the Advent candle of peace.

Resources were created, compiled, and made available to offer ideas and information for churches to engage in whatever way they discern is most fitting in accordance with the spirit and guidance of the resolution.

At least three churches engaged, putting their faith on display for our Day of Prayer and Public Witness. These churches engaged in a variety of ways: sign-waving campaigns, hanging banners, pausing for a moment of prayer together, engaging in education, and posting on social media.

People were invited to pledge their participation prior to the day:

Church of the Crossroads (Honolulu) held a 30-minute Zoom prayer gathering and used the prayers provided by the Justice and Witness Missional Team.

Church of the Holy Cross (Hilo) held a Service of Prayer for Peace in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine on Sunday evening, December 8, using the resources provided.

Pastor Heather Barfield shares, "Kaumakapili Church was blessed to receive a banner from an anonymous donor of the church. On December 10th, as a faith community, we paused at 8 AM and held 10 minutes for prayer for peace as we started our day. The banner was held along King Street and then promptly hung, where it still hangs, on our property so we can continue to show our support for a ceasefire. At Kaumakapili Church, we have experienced the peace of ke Akua and we know that peace is possible because God delivered to us the Prince of Peace!"

Members of Puka‘ana Congregational Church stand with the "ceasefire now" banner outside their chapel.

Puka‘ana Congregational Church via Facebook:

Today, December 10, 2024, is a Day of Prayer and Public Witness; and, our church boldly and publicly calls for an immediate Ceasefire between Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon: and we demand an end to Netanyahu’s blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza and other affected areas. We join @ucc.hawaii, our siblings in Christ here in Hawaiʻi, in prayer for the people of Gaza, for peace in the Middle East, and for forgiveness for world leaders - including our own in Hawaii and in the United States - who continue to fuel the war machine that continues to perpetuate genocide in Palestine and in Lebanon. We also join together in a day of prayer and fasting from sunrise to sunset as we remember all those who have been killed, injured, displaced, or continue to be held captive. And, we commit to raise awareness around our call for a ceasefire, and the ongoing war and genocide, with our family, friends, and neighbors. Photos: Kahu Jonathan Roach

The "ceasefire now" banner hangs between flags at Puka‘ana Congregational Church, facing the street.

Puka‘ana Congregational Church shares prayer and song:

Central Union Church held a sign-waving campaign along Beretania Street in Honolulu:

Central Union Church via Facebook:

Our faith is to be lived beyond the church walls…

December 10, 2024, Human Rights Day, was designated as the “Day of Prayer and Public Witness” in our Hawai‘i Conference UCC. All churches and members were encouraged to engage in some way as a response to the resolution “A Call to Education and Action Regarding the Crisis in Gaza.”

While more than 45,000 people have been killed in Gaza and surrounding areas over the past year, largely funded by our government, we remember our call as Christians to be peacemakers and that peace is not passive, nor can it be achieved through bombs.

We put our prayers in action, making it known that we will not be silent in the face of injustice and calling for concrete ways to make peace possible in Palestine.

May we continue to learn and act to create a just world for all.

If you or your church participated, please email Justice and Witness Chair mary-herbig@centralunionchurch.org to let us know!

We pray that the Holy Spirit will take these simple acts and multiply them, as we stand in solidarity with our siblings in Palestine. May peace be made possible in our time. And, may all of our churches grow in wisdom and depth. May we be a people who boldly put our faith out there, particularly around issues that our ‘Aha has discerned and named as moral imperatives.