Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Walk
Sat, Mar 30
|Multiple Locations - see Descriptions
Join us! We will travel between 4 churches in 4 hours, taking breaks to mark stations of the cross and set intentions and focus at each church, making connections between Jesus’ path to the cross and the need for a ceasefire in Gaza. People of all faiths are welcome!
Time & Location
Mar 30, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Multiple Locations - see Descriptions
About the event
When: March 30, 11am-3pm
Where: Starts @ 487 Alexander Street, ends @ 803 East 16th Ave
Who: People of any or no faith who want to engage “contemplative protest” and “pilgrimage as embodied prayer”
Organized by: Christians for a Free Palestine (C4FP) and Danielle Strickland
Core Convictions for Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage
You are welcome to participate in whatever way you are able
- Walk one or more of the four pilgrimage legs
- Attend the opening ceremony
- Join us at the final destination to exchange seeds
- Independently view the stations of the cross at any point on March 30
Why?
March 30, 2024 is both Land Day for Palestinians and also Holy Saturday for Christians.
In the Christian tradition, Holy Saturday is the day of confusion and chaos that followed Jesus’ violent death. It is marked through vigils and fasting. Land Day remembers the death of 6 unarmed Arab citizens in Israel in 1976 and the expropriation of land from Arab citizens.
The East Vancouver ceasefire pilgrimage incorporates rituals using common Palestinian seeds. They remind us of the right of Palestinian families to live in peace, grow food, and enjoy the places they have lived for generations.
We invite Christians and those of any faith (or none) to join a global movement of people walking in prayerful solidarity with the people of Gaza.
“A pilgrimage is a... prayer with one’s body [journeying] with the desire to turn one’s heart to God and share in God’s heart for all of creation, particularly the vulnerable.”
This pilgrimage engages prayer as protest. As we walk, we contemplate our solidarity with those who suffer. At each stop we affirm ceasefire asks and remember the co-suffering love of Jesus.
The event begins with an Indigenous welcome to land at 11 am at the Japanese Hall. This is followed by an explanation of Holy Saturday and Land Day and a short ceremony.
Then, together we will prayerfully map Gaza on to the geography of East Vancouver.
4 prayer ceremonies at 4 churches, aimed at 4 asks (symbolized by 4 Palestinian seeds):
1. Enduring and sustained ceasefire
@ Japanese Hall (dates)
2. Immediate flow of life-saving food, water, aid, fuel, and humanitarian assistance
@ Grandview Church (chickpeas, lentils, and fava beans)
3. Release of all hostages—both the Israeli hostages held by Hamas—and the Palestinian hostages held in the Israeli prison system
@ St. Margaret’s (olives)
4. End of occupation so a just peace can begin
@ Trinity Grace (lupin seedlings)
In addition, Scott Erickson has donated his “Stations in the Street” to be displayed at each stop. These simple paintings remember the suffering of Jesus in the hours before his death.
At our 4th stop, we will participate in Seeds of Solidarity, exchanging and planting seeds at Trinity Grace.