We Stand With Peace

We at St. Peter's Church pray for an end to the devastating war in Israel and Palestine. Below are resources you can use to help foster the message of peace during this time of turmoil.

 

A Message from Interfaith Philadelphia:

Dear Friends,

We at Interfaith Philadelphia recognize the profound effects the Israel-Gaza crisis is having on people living in the Philadelphia region, and are deeply saddened by the enormity of loss, violence and suffering.  We would like to take this time to share some valuable resources available for those in need.  Interfaith Philadelphia is partnering with the Mayor's Office of Public Engagement, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), the Mayor's Commission on Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs, and the National Association for Mental Illness (NAMI) Philadelphia to offer the following support:

 

NAMI Philadelphia WARMline - Speak to a local, supportive interfaith leader about your experiences and feelings of distress due to the current crisis in the Middle East. The NAMI Philadelphia WARMline is available from Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 4pm. You can call 844-PHL-HOPE to reach out for support, and a trained faith leader will return your call. 

Healing Circles - Healing Circles are community-hosted peer support groups meant to provide opportunities to express grief, anxiety, hurt, anger and other forms of emotional pain due to a recent collective traumatic experience. If your organization is interested in hosting a Healing Circle for your network of peers or community members, please complete this form and a member of our team will get back to you to discuss your needs at this time.  Crisis counseling and trauma support staff are provided by DBHIDS to facilitate your community-based Healing Circle. 

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Other Support
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Additionally, if you or someone you know has experienced crime-related trauma or emotional distress and are seeking mental health services, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or (215) 685-6440. This hotline operates 24/7 and has behavioral health specialists ready to respond to those in need of immediate help.

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For Parents
How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War (Common Sense Media)
How to Talk to Your Children About Conflict and War (UNICEF)
How to Talk to Children About Difficult News (American Psychological Association)

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Please let us know if there are other ways that Interfaith Philadelphia can offer support and assistance to your communities in this difficult moment.

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Prayerfully,

Abby Stamelman Hocky
Executive Director ash@interfaithphiladelephia.org

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Imam Quaiser Abdullah, Ph.D., CMC
Board Chair boardchair@interfaithphiladelphia.org

 

 

A Message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Read Bishop Curry's statement on the growing death toll in Gaza HERE.

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Other Ways We Can Help

Episcopal Relief and Development: Emergency Medical Aid

Episcopal Relief and Development is helping send essential supplies like medicine, ICU equipment, fuel, food and psychological support for all people affected by the war.  Donate HERE.

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Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Boarders provides independent and impartial medical assistance to people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural and human-made disasters, and exclusion from health care for more than 70 countries.  Donate HERE.

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Community Peacemaker Teams

Community Peacemaker Teams, formerly Christian Peacemaker Teams, is an organization committed to building partnerships to encourage peace.  Use the link HERE  to learn more about the organization's work.

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Matching Grant to Support Ministries in Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem

The United Thank Offering (UTO) has partnered with Good Friday Offering to match up to $100,000 in donations through Dec. 15 to support ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which includes churches, schools, medical facilities, and other ministries in several countries.  Click HERE to learn more.  UTO is a ministry of the Episcopal Church, which collects and distributes funds to help foster different outreach ministries.

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