Leading Methodist joins radical non-violence programme
-26/09/05
A former Vice President of the Methodist Conference has gone to take part in radical non-violent activism and peace-making.
Jan Sutch Pickard has begun three months of work there as part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), and will return to the UK just a couple of days before Christmas.
Ecumenical Accompaniers undertake a range of tasks. They monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy, and stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation.
Their work has been praised by amongst others, former US President Jimmy Carter.
Jan Sutch Pickard will be based in the small town of Jayyous in the West Bank, working with local people.
Jan was Vice President of the Methodist Conference in 1996-7, and has been a long-time supporter of the Iona Community, first working there as a volunteer cook in 1967. From 1999-2004 she was on the staff of the Iona Community, latterly as Warden of the Abbey. She has also written several books (including Gatherings, Dandelions and Thistles and Advent Readings from Iona) and has been a teacher, local preacher and mission partner.
ìThis is a huge privilege and a scary prospect too,î she says.
ìThe work will take different forms, and situations can change very quickly in that part of the world. But it will be exciting to be actively working for peace and living in Godís way alongside people who have suffered at the hands of others to ëaccompanyí them. And I will be there for Ramadan, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, All Saints and All Souls, Eid-ul-Fitr and Advent: what an amazing privilege!î
During 2006 Jan will spend several weeks visiting churches around Britain to share her experiences and information about the programme with others.
During her time in Palestine she will file regular updates on her activities to the EAPPI website.
Leading Methodist joins radical non-violence programme
-26/09/05
A former Vice President of the Methodist Conference has gone to take part in radical non-violent activism and peace-making.
Jan Sutch Pickard has begun three months of work there as part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), and will return to the UK just a couple of days before Christmas.
Ecumenical Accompaniers undertake a range of tasks. They monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy, and stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation.
Their work has been praised by amongst others, former US President Jimmy Carter.
Jan Sutch Pickard will be based in the small town of Jayyous in the West Bank, working with local people.
Jan was Vice President of the Methodist Conference in 1996-7, and has been a long-time supporter of the Iona Community, first working there as a volunteer cook in 1967. From 1999-2004 she was on the staff of the Iona Community, latterly as Warden of the Abbey. She has also written several books (including Gatherings, Dandelions and Thistles and Advent Readings from Iona) and has been a teacher, local preacher and mission partner.
‘This is a huge privilege and a scary prospect too,’ she says.
‘The work will take different forms, and situations can change very quickly in that part of the world. But it will be exciting to be actively working for peace and living in God’s way alongside people who have suffered at the hands of others to ëaccompany’ them. And I will be there for Ramadan, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, All Saints and All Souls, Eid-ul-Fitr and Advent: what an amazing privilege!’
During 2006 Jan will spend several weeks visiting churches around Britain to share her experiences and information about the programme with others.
During her time in Palestine she will file regular updates on her activities to the EAPPI website.