The ‘Bethlehem Unwrapped’ Christmastide celebrations and events at St James’ Piccadilly are partly to raise funds for the Future Peacemakers Appeal, Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem (www.holylandtrust.org) and partly to raise awareness and support for “Kairos Palestine”, backed by Ekklesia and many others.
The ‘Bethlehem Unwrapped’ Christmastide celebrations and events at St James’ Piccadilly are partly to raise funds for the Future Peacemakers Appeal, Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem (www.holylandtrust.org) and partly to raise awareness and support for “Kairos Palestine”, backed by Ekklesia and many others.
In December 2009, the leaders of the united churches of the Holy Land issued the historic “Kairos Palestine” document, modelled on the Kairos document sent out from the churches of South Africa during the apartheid era.
“Kairos” is a New Testament Greek word meaning “The moment for change” or “the moment of grace” or “the time for action”. They describe the Kairos document as “A cry of hope in the absence of all hope” – calling out to Christian churches, as well as other faith communities, across the world: “Are you able to help us get our freedom back?”
In response, the “Kairos Britain” call was launched in August 2013, by a group of individuals and organisations drawn from many Christian denominations in the UK, calling on their churches across the country to stand in solidarity with the churches of the Holy Land and to respond to their call.
* An approved, abridged version of the 2009 Kairos document can be read at:
http://www.kairosbritain.org.uk/peace_kairos_palestine_4803.aspx
* Kairos Britain: http://www.kairosbritain.org.uk/peace.aspx
* Kairos Palestine: http://www.kairospalestine.ps/
* Bethlehem Unwrapped: http://bethlehem-unwrapped.org