Working Group on the Middle East (WGME)
Praying and Acting for Peace
Within the Metropolitan Chicago Synod we have a dedicated Working Groups on the Middle East.
Our Mission:
“Led by the Holy Spirit, the Working Group on the Middle East (WGME) of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA, will educate and urge the Metropolitan Chicago Synod to advocate actively for justice for Palestine and Israel, which will lead to peace in the Middle East to ensure free access to the holy sites for Jews, Christians and Muslims.”
Younan Videos Available Online
The synod's Working Group on the Middle East has videos of the Right Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan, Bishop of the The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land (ELCJHL), available online for viewing. You can view the videos on YouTube.
Peace Not Walls
A special ELCA campaign calling for efforts toward a viable, contiguous Palestinian state; a secure Israeli state at peace with its Arab neighbors; and a shared Jerusalem with equal access and rights for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Learn more at Peace Not Walls at ELCA.org.
The members of our synod's Working Group on the Middle East include:
| Name | Congregation |
| The Rev. Joanne Fitgerald | Martin Luther, Chicago (Convener) |
| Joan Ehrenberg | Unity, Chicago |
| Ghassan (Gus) Khoury | St. Elias, Chicago |
| Kholoud Khoury | St. Elias, Chicago |
| Delbert and Gretchen Leppke | St. Paul's, Evanston |
| Pam Sall | Ebenezer, Chicago (Information Liaison) |
| Don and Laurie Schuemann | New Hope, North Aurora |
| Dieter Schulte | Luther Memorial, Chicago |
| Ed Thompson | Gloria Dei, Northbrook |
Forms & Documents
- Resolution 03-09
To Promote Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation in the Holy Land
Contact The Synod
To learn more about the Working Group on the Middle East, please e-mail the Rev. Joanne Fitzgerald (Chair).
WGME Events
A new schedule for meetings will be posted soon.