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With a central focus on families, the theme will explore the story of the Holy Family— their fear from King Herod, escape to Egypt, and journey back home—and how the challenges they faced can inspire us all.
Those participating in the World Week of Peace in Palestine and Israel will journey together with Palestinian families who face many challenges but resiliently stay steadfast in their homeland. Some families have been displaced, some became refugees, and others immigrated.
The theme “No place to lay my head” particularly resonates with how families, children, and youth are affected by these circumstances. The theme is rooted in Matthew 8:20: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting member churches, faith-based organizations, and all people of good will to bear a common witness by participating in prayer, educational events, and acts of support in favor of peace and justice for Israelis and Palestinians. The week includes the UN International Day for Peace on 21 September.
Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC program director for Public Witness and Diakonia, reflected on the special week. “That the Son of Man had no place to lay his head, was a statement of fact, but also a situation to be transformed,” he said. “Maybe it is also a statement of fact for many women, children and families that have no place to lay their heads today in this land that Jesus walked. Is it not our invitation today as a church to prepare a place for all people, not only to lay their heads, but also space for them to share their meals, peace, water and indeed to share dignified and secured shelters to lay their heads?”
More material on the WWPPI will be made available by mid-June 2023.
