Just Peace Outreach Group to host Joy Lapp

J-POG, Just Peace Outreach Group, is pleased to host Joy Lapp, teacher of religion at Iowa Wesleyan University, speaking on ?Hope for the Holy Land: Seeking a Just Peace? on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. Lapp has a long history of firsthand experiences with the situation in Israel and Palestine.

Lapp?s presentation will begin with a brief historical overview of the circumstances that have led to the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Through her eyes we will meet a number of ordinary Palestinians living under occupation and learn of their daily struggles for dignity and human rights. Lapp will share about the work of many peace groups and human rights organizations, both Israeli and Palestinian, and their struggle for justice. She will also update us on current Mennonite involvement.

Lapp first visited Israel and Palestine as a student with Eastern Mennonite University in 1981. She later spent three years serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Egypt, and currently works with Sabeel, a Palestinian Christian Liberation theology movement.

Lapp was instrumental in forming Mennonite Palestine Israel Network (MennoPIN), a group that prays and works for peace in this part of the world. Lapp continues to serve on their steering committee. Lapp has been leading witness trips to Israel and Palestine for nine years and is working on a trip for May 2016. There are still openings for this trip. Come and find out more about this opportunity.

Lapp will be bringing some woodcarvings from Bethlehem that will be available for purchase. These include various nativities, carvings of the Holy Family, angels, candleholders, etc. The money supports artisans in Bethlehem.

Join J-POG at East Union Mennonite Church, 5615 Gable Ave SW, Kalona, Iowa, on Sunday, Oct. 25. Come at 6 p.m. for a finger food potluck and conversation. Bring finger foods to share and your own table service. Come at 7 p.m. to hear Joy Lapp. For more information, contact Roger Farmer: 319-653-2547 or Jane Yoder-Short at: wilmajane17@gmail.com.