Worship Words continues to provide website space to Commitment for Life, the global element of the United Reformed Church in Great Britain. The shorter videos might be incorporated into worship. The President of the World Methodist Council Revd Dr Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto (Leo) is in East Jerusalem, following in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa in the Old City. Leo brings us a message of abundant hope and joy this Easter, because there is Good News: the tomb is empty. Jesus is Risen!
Churches in Solidarity (2:16)
Meeting with Combatants for Peace, who bring together Israelis and Palestinians who reject violence in all its forms to speak prophetically to all who opt for violence to bring about political goals. The Church leaders meet with Bishop Lazar of the Lutheran Church in the region, who thanks the ecumenical church leaders for remembering the Christians in Israel and Palestine. Narrated by Revd David Hardman, Methodist Liaison Officer in Jerusalem.
Churches in Solidarity in the South Hebron Hills (3:38)
Speaking with victims of Israeli settler violence, Methodist Liaison Officer in Jerusalem, Revd David Hardman shares what leaders of churches in the UK and US witnessed of the terrible challenges facing Palestinians living in the South Hebron Hills.
Supporting Education in Bethlehem (2:59)
Revd Dave Hardman, Methodist Liaison Officer in Jerusalem, talks about Hope School in Beit Jala, and the L’Arche Community in Bethlehem. The Methodist Liaison Office in East Jerusalem assists churches in their support of projects in the West Bank and Gaza.
Ecumenical Justice Trip overview (9:37)
Representatives of various church bodies visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in Feb 2025. They represented the Methodist Church in great Britain, United Reformed Church, Church of Scotland, World Methodist Council. This video provides a brief overview of that trip including a visit to Church of the Redeemer, Princess Basma Hospital & Centre, Hope School in the West Bank and WI’AM the Palestine Conflict Transformation Centre. It includes excerpts from conversations with Combatants for Peace and Rabbis for Human Rights.
Zochrot: from Nakba to Return (34:13)
Meeting with Najwan Barekdar, Zochrot’s Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator. The organisation Zochrot was founded by Jewish-Israeli activists calling for the recognition of the Nakba in Israeli society and beyond, for it to be taught in schools. The Nakba is the historic event of 1948 when 750,000+ Palestinians were expelled from their homes. Zochrot believes in a different future and calls for the Palestinian refugees’ right of return without delay.
Visit to Umm Al-Kheir (15:32)
Bob Suberi, an American Jewish activist and friend of this village in the South Hebron Hills, explains how the illegal Israeli settlers annex ever more land, causing great suffering and loss in the process.
Jude Levermore Reflection (3:15)
Jude reflects on conversations with Combatants for Peace, Palestinians and Israelis working together to end the occupation and also to bring peace, equality and freedom. Jude following interviews with both a Palestinian and an Israeli. The event was hosted at St George’s College, East Jerusalem.
Rabbis for Human Rights (55 mins)
Rabbi Anton Goodman takes a deep dive into the theology, origins, and modern politics of the State of Israel, and how Rabbis for Human Rights work to secure peace for all in the region.
Church response to Palestine (1 hour)
Revd Dave Hardman, Methodist Liaison Officer, Jerusalem discusses the Methodist presence in the Holy Land.
All videos were filmed in 2025 by Kevin Snyman, Director of Commitment for Life, and may be found on Kevin’s YouTube listing.