Two Southern California congregations, Live Oak UCC and Mount Hollywood UCC, are taking meaningful steps toward international solidarity through their participation in a groundbreaking pilot program launched by Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA). The "Friends of Palestinian Detainees" initiative connects North American faith communities with Palestinian detainees and their families, creating channels for support, understanding, and human connection. The program, which seeks to "personalize and humanize" the reality of thousands of Palestinians in detention, has found enthusiastic partners in these forward-thinking congregations. Their church councils recently approved participation, recognizing the profound potential for mutual growth and understanding through direct relationship-building with detainees and their families.

Each participating congregation will form a dedicated Project Team of at least three members who maintain regular contact with the detainee's family, learn about their legal case, and integrate their story into church prayers and Bible studies. The pilot program provides them with comprehensive support, including orientation, training, and access to a knowledge bank covering international human rights law and detention system impacts. Church leaders emphasize that the program offers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Palestinian experiences through direct relationships. They anticipate that engaging with detainees' families will provide profound insights while allowing the congregations to grow through informed advocacy work. Congregations' further involvement includes regular prayer support and advocacy actions such as writing to relevant authorities and church leaders. For detainees, the program offers vital emotional and spiritual support from international faith communities, along with the opportunity to have their experiences heard and treated with dignity. 

As pilot participants, Live Oak and Mount Hollywood congregations are helping shape a model that could be expanded to more faith communities across North America. Their commitment reflects a deeper understanding of faith-based solidarity and the power of human connection across borders. The program begins its substantive phase in the coming year, with both congregations prepared to adapt and evolve as they forge these important new relationships of support and understanding. We look forward to future updates on how this creative opportunity impacts participating congregations and our siblings in Palestine. 

This excerpt is from the UCCPIN January 2025 E-Newsletter. To view the full newsletter, click here: UCCPIN January 2025 E-Newsletter.